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Social Workers' Perceptions On Community Violence And Resilience : The Impact Of Assessment And Treatment When Working With Children And Adolescents, Matthew J. Warford Sep 2009

Social Workers' Perceptions On Community Violence And Resilience : The Impact Of Assessment And Treatment When Working With Children And Adolescents, Matthew J. Warford

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This mixed methods, primarily qualitative study examined social workers' perceptions about community violence and resilience. Additionally, this research examined how perceptions influence the assessment and treatment that social workers provide their clients. The study included 25 participants who responded to an online survey, which included questions addressing participants' demographics, as well as their conceptualization of resilience, community violence, and how they practice. Most of the participants were female (24 of 25) and 1 was male. The majority of participants were from the Boston area or the San Francisco/Oakland area. The participants worked in a range of settings, including schools, hospitals, …


Gettin' Good With Ourselves : White Caucus Groups As Emergent Anti-Racism Pedagogy, Nathalie Rachelle Torrens Sep 2009

Gettin' Good With Ourselves : White Caucus Groups As Emergent Anti-Racism Pedagogy, Nathalie Rachelle Torrens

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This exploratory study examined the impact of participating in White caucus groups with the UNtraining, a program based in Berkeley, California, on the racial identity formation of its participants. Twelve participants were interviewed and narrative data gathered. Participants were asked what shifts in their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to their Whiteness, they recognized as a result of participating. Additionally, participants were asked to identify and critically reflect upon which pedagogical elements of the program influenced these shifts. Findings revealed that the relative emotional safety of an all White group, coupled with a supportive community of like-minded individuals, and a …


Lost And Found : Resilience Approaches That Helped The Vietnamese Residents Of Biloxi, Mississippi In The Aftermath Of Hurricane Katrina, Bao Chau Van Sep 2009

Lost And Found : Resilience Approaches That Helped The Vietnamese Residents Of Biloxi, Mississippi In The Aftermath Of Hurricane Katrina, Bao Chau Van

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Vietnamese American residents of Biloxi, Mississippi were impacted heavily by Hurricane Katrina; many are still recovering from the losses caused by the storm. Stories in the news media and academia have discussed the strengths and resilience in the Vietnamese communities post Hurricane Katrina. However, no authors discuss in detail the resilience factors that helped the survivors. The purpose of this study is to use post-Hurricane Katrina as an exemplar to understand the experience of the Vietnamese community in Biloxi, Mississippi. The researcher intended to explore the protective factors that survivors use to help rebuild their lives. The study used existing …


Feeling Your Way : Affect In Psychotherapy And Creative Writing From The Perspective Of The Client-Writer, Andrea Jean Torres Sep 2009

Feeling Your Way : Affect In Psychotherapy And Creative Writing From The Perspective Of The Client-Writer, Andrea Jean Torres

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study asked: What do the affective experiences of engaging in psychotherapy and engaging in creative writing have in common, as perceived by the client-writer? The subjective experience of six "client-writers," individuals who selfidentified as both creative writers and current or former psychotherapy clients, were explored to determine whether being in a typical psychotherapy session and in a typical creative writing session involved similar feelings and affective processes. Study findings showed that expressing feelings, accessing the unconscious, making discoveries, exploring and/or learning about oneself, and using creativity were common to both creative writing and psychotherapy; releasing energy, developing insight, identifying …


An Exploration Of White Mental Health Clinicians' Provision Of Spanish Language Services To Latino/A Clients, Sara Esther Walker Sep 2009

An Exploration Of White Mental Health Clinicians' Provision Of Spanish Language Services To Latino/A Clients, Sara Esther Walker

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study explored White mental health clinicians' provision of services in Spanish to Latino/a clients through exploratory interviews with thirteen clinicians. Participants were asked about their identities as White Spanish speakers and their motivations to provide services in Spanish. They were asked how clients, colleagues, and supervisors respond to them as White Spanish speakers. Challenging aspects of their work were explored, as were any instances in which they felt advantaged by their White identities. Finally, participants were asked about differences in the quality of care that they offer in English versus Spanish, and additional support or training that would help …


How Social Workers Resolve The Ethical Dilemmas That Arise When Working With Women Experiencing Domestic Violence, Jennifer F. Wiech Sep 2009

How Social Workers Resolve The Ethical Dilemmas That Arise When Working With Women Experiencing Domestic Violence, Jennifer F. Wiech

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Though social workers come in contact with victims of domestic violence in a number of ways, studies indicate that social workers report feeling underprepared by their graduate education to address issues of domestic violence (DV). In an effort to reveal what is preventing social workers from taking a more demonstrative position on this issue, two focus groups comprised of 5 to 8 Master's level social workers were conducted to explore what resources aid in resolving ethical dilemmas, as well as the following ethical issues: upholding a client's right to self-determination, a clinician's duty to warn/duty to protect, mandatory reporting of …


Repeat Pregnancies During Adolescence : Factors That Influence Teens' Decisions To Have More Than One Child, Kimberly J. Therrien Sep 2009

Repeat Pregnancies During Adolescence : Factors That Influence Teens' Decisions To Have More Than One Child, Kimberly J. Therrien

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This exploratory qualitative study was undertaken to try to learn and better understand why an adolescent would chose to have more than one child while still an adolescent herself. As the trends in current literature tend to focus on four primary areas of interest; I structured my questions in order to gain information in the same categories. Those categories include: 1) reasons adolescents become pregnant the first time including repeat pregnancies and contraceptive use, 2) intervention strategies and programs aimed to prevent repeat pregnancies, 3) the larger societal impact of adolescent pregnancy, and 4) adolescent brain development and decision making …


Voices Of Graduates From Clinical Social Work Master's Programs : The Impact Of The Education Process On The Self And On Personal Relationships, Tara Slade Aug 2009

Voices Of Graduates From Clinical Social Work Master's Programs : The Impact Of The Education Process On The Self And On Personal Relationships, Tara Slade

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The purpose of this study was to explore, by way of first-hand accounts of recent graduates from clinical social work master's programs, the impact of clinical social work education and training on the self and on personal relationships of those who go through the education and training process. Ten participants answered a series of open-ended questions providing the opportunity to gather rich accounts of participants' personal experiences, and to extract themes that may not have been brought to light in previous research. Major findings were that most participants experienced self-reported personal growth as a result of their clinical social work …


Race And Diagnosis : An Assesment Of Clinician Detection Of Eating Disorder Symtomatology In Asian, African-American, And White Women, Kristin Swenson Aug 2009

Race And Diagnosis : An Assesment Of Clinician Detection Of Eating Disorder Symtomatology In Asian, African-American, And White Women, Kristin Swenson

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to further explore the effect of race on clinicians' recognition of eating disorder symptomatology in Asian, African-American, and White women. This study replicated the work of Gordon, Brattole, Wingate, and Joiner (2006) in an attempt to re-affirm or challenge previous research findings found by Gordon et al., 2006, which suggest that clinicians identify eating disorder symptoms in White women more frequently than in African American women. The present study expanded Gordon et al.'s (2006) work by assessing clinicians' identification of eating disorder symptoms in Asian women and by examining themes in the qualitative …


Boundary Constructions In Treatment Relationships Between Service Providers And Homeless Youth, Allison May Terbieten Aug 2009

Boundary Constructions In Treatment Relationships Between Service Providers And Homeless Youth, Allison May Terbieten

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This research will explore the experiences of 33 service providers working with homeless youth. Specifically, the research will examine the boundaries constructed by the service providers in their treatment relationships with homeless youth. Homeless youth are a unique group of people. They face a combination of obstacles in front of them at a time of life that is challenging and often after years of abuse, neglect, or family chaos. Service providers who work with these youth are asked to play many roles in the youths' lives such as teacher, counselor, parental surrogate, coach, disciplinarian, etc. The aim of this research …


Transgender Individuals' Experiences In Therapy And Perception Of The Treatment Experience, Jeannette Marie. Sheerin Aug 2009

Transgender Individuals' Experiences In Therapy And Perception Of The Treatment Experience, Jeannette Marie. Sheerin

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study was undertaken in order to examine transgender individuals' experiences in therapy and the impact that clinicians' affirmative behaviors and their heteronormative and gender normative biases may have on the treatment experience. Despite an extensive history in the mental health field of pathologizing alternative gender identities and the well-researched detrimental impact that experiences of discrimination have on one's mental health, there has been no research on experiences of bias and discrimination in mental health treatment settings. Similarly, there has been a great deal of research on the role of affirmative therapy techniques relating to gay, lesbian, and bisexual persons, …


Exploring Intimate Partner Violence Through The Lens Of Modern Attachment Theory, Lisa Marie Smeltzer Aug 2009

Exploring Intimate Partner Violence Through The Lens Of Modern Attachment Theory, Lisa Marie Smeltzer

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study used modern attachment theory as a framework for exploring intimate partner violence (IPV). It was the expectation of the researcher that using this framework would allow for a non-gendered approach; an approach that would be a step towards looking at IPV as the procedural enactment of an attachment style rather than as a victim/perpetrator dichotomy. Other studies have looked at intimate partner violence through attachment theory, though the unique factor in this study is its focus on affect tolerance. The purpose was to support or refute researcher's claims that affect regulation is predicated on one's attachment style. Using …


The Theoretical Foundations Of Wilderness Therapy, Sara Smithson Aug 2009

The Theoretical Foundations Of Wilderness Therapy, Sara Smithson

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

While an ever-growing number of studies have demonstrated that wilderness therapy can be very effective in facilitating emotional and behavioral change in at risk adolescents (Russell, 2003; 2005), a lack of understanding persists both within and outside of the wilderness therapy community regarding why and how wilderness therapy works. This study addresses these important questions by exploring the theoretical foundations of wilderness therapy and their relationship to practice. Conceptualization of wilderness therapy practice, theory, and process is approached through consideration of existing definitions of the treatment model as well as the field's characteristics and demographics. An overview of ongoing program …


Exploring The Lives Of African Americans Living With Mental Illness : A Project Based Upon An Investigation At Also Cornerstone, New Haven, Connecticut, Lois Jihae Son Aug 2009

Exploring The Lives Of African Americans Living With Mental Illness : A Project Based Upon An Investigation At Also Cornerstone, New Haven, Connecticut, Lois Jihae Son

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This qualitative research study sought to explore the effect mental illness has had on the lives of African Americans, the language these individuals employ to describe their experiences, and how African Americans' experiences with racial discrimination have informed how they view their psychiatric diagnoses. The study sample included seven individuals who (a) were English-speaking (b) were males or females 18 years of age and over (c) self-identified as African American (d) carried a primary diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizophrenia-spectrum disorders or any major affective disorder (e) and were in current stable mental health. Interviews with study participants were conducted in …


Standards Of Care : Transgender/Genderqueer Clients' Experiences With Mental Health Workers, Hunter Greenwood Swanson Aug 2009

Standards Of Care : Transgender/Genderqueer Clients' Experiences With Mental Health Workers, Hunter Greenwood Swanson

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This qualitative, exploratory study sought to explore the experiences of transgender and genderqueer clients with the mental health system. Its purpose is to introduce the voices of the clients themselves into a body of literature that is currently largely dominated by professionals outside the trans community. Twelve people who self-identify as trans or genderqueer were recruited through postings on mailing lists and in queer-friendly spaces in Massachusetts and agreed to participate in hour-long interviews detailing their experiences in therapy as well as their feelings about their gender identities. Questions addressed quality of care received, length of time spent in therapy, …


"This So Clearly Needs To Be Marked" : An Exploration Of Memorial Tattoos And Their Functions For The Bereaved, Elizabeth Schiffrin Aug 2009

"This So Clearly Needs To Be Marked" : An Exploration Of Memorial Tattoos And Their Functions For The Bereaved, Elizabeth Schiffrin

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This qualitative study explores how memorial tattoos function as mourning rituals in the grief processes of the bereaved. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 individuals who had honored at least one deceased loved one with a tattoo. Demographic questions as well as open-ended interview questions were put forth to participants in order to determine the meanings and uses of memorial tattoos for the bereaved. The objective of this study was to establish if memorial tattoos function as effective grief rituals as defined by the literature, namely if they integrated structure, symbolism, and the inclusion of others into the ritual experience. …


Gaps In The Provision Of Psychosocial Services To Cancer Patients In A Multidisciplinary Setting : A Social Work Perspective, Billie Ann Starks Aug 2009

Gaps In The Provision Of Psychosocial Services To Cancer Patients In A Multidisciplinary Setting : A Social Work Perspective, Billie Ann Starks

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This qualitative study explored social workers' perceptions of the gaps between the need for and the provision of psychosocial services among cancer patients in a multidisciplinary treatment setting. The participants in the study were social workers from various medical settings in the San Francisco Bay Area. 12 participants, one male and 11 females practicing in the field of medical/oncology social work for an average of nine years, were interviewed. Findings indicated that the most salient gaps are between (a) the number of medical social workers in any given setting and the high volume of cancer patients in need of psychosocial …


A Critical Examination Of The Theoretical And Empirical Overlap Between Overt Narcissism And Male Narcissism And Between Covert Narcissism And Female Narcissism, Lydia Onofrei Aug 2009

A Critical Examination Of The Theoretical And Empirical Overlap Between Overt Narcissism And Male Narcissism And Between Covert Narcissism And Female Narcissism, Lydia Onofrei

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Within the past twenty years, there has been a proliferation of empirical research seeking to distinguish between overt and covert types of narcissism and to elucidate the differences between narcissistic pathology among men and women, yet these two areas of research have largely been carried out independently of one another in spite of clinical observations suggesting a relationship between them. This project was undertaken to systematically examine whether an overlap exists between the clinical category of overt narcissism and male/masculine narcissism, or between the category of covert narcissism and female/feminine narcissism. Secondly, it sought to elaborate on areas of overlap …


How Does Family Support Affect Adjudicated Adolescent Girls' Experiences In A Residential Treatment Facility, Lindsay Pepin Aug 2009

How Does Family Support Affect Adjudicated Adolescent Girls' Experiences In A Residential Treatment Facility, Lindsay Pepin

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This article presents findings from a qualitative study exploring how family support affects adjudicated adolescent girls' experiences in a residential treatment facility. The perspectives of nine professionals working with this population were gathered using an online survey that collected demographic data and open-ended questions. Data analysis was conducted using a grounded theory method and ten themes were identified: support by biological relative, support by non-biological relative, appropriateness/effectiveness of treatment, dependent on behaviors, face-to-face contact, non-face-to-face contact, socioeconomic reasons, personal reasons, negative effect on behavior, and positive effect on behavior. Implications for practice are discussed, in addition to recommendations for future …


An Exploration Of Diferences In Childhood Maltreatment Between Violent And Non-Violent Male Juvenile Delinquents, And, Childhood Maltreatment And Its Effects On Male Delinquent Crime : Physical Neglect Trumps All, Caroline Irene Robertson Aug 2009

An Exploration Of Diferences In Childhood Maltreatment Between Violent And Non-Violent Male Juvenile Delinquents, And, Childhood Maltreatment And Its Effects On Male Delinquent Crime : Physical Neglect Trumps All, Caroline Irene Robertson

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Violent crime is a significant economic (Corso, Mercy, Simon, Finkelstein, and Miller, 2007) and public health problem (Krug, Mercy, Dahlberg, and Zwi, 2002) in the United States. Although adults commit the bulk of this nation's violent crime, juveniles contribute significantly to violent crime in the United States; juveniles committed twelve percent of all violent crimes in 2004 (Snyder, 2006). Although there are many individual and family characteristics that predispose juveniles to commit violent acts (Farrington, 1989; Howard and Jenson, 1999; Saner and Ellickson, 1996; Sherline, Skipper, and Broadhead, 1994; Stone and Dover, 2007), a potentially significant influence on later violence …


"Like Straight People Do" : An Exploration Of Issues Lesbian Women Encounter During Their Coming Out Process, Emily Brennan Russell Aug 2009

"Like Straight People Do" : An Exploration Of Issues Lesbian Women Encounter During Their Coming Out Process, Emily Brennan Russell

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

A qualitative, flexible research method design was used to obtain data from a focus group, to investigate how lesbians experience a change in internal self and object relations in the process of coming out. More specifically, the research investigated: 1) what internal/external object representations are affected by coming out as a lesbian; 2) what are the internal issues of identity change; 3) what are the interpersonal issues of support; 4) what internal/interpersonal issues of "losses/gains" exist while coming out? Five adult lesbian women between the ages of 25 and 29 participated in this focus group study in Northern California. The …


Impulsive And Antisocial Personality Characteristics Amongst Male Adolescent Sexual Offenders :, Amanda Raquel Santiago Aug 2009

Impulsive And Antisocial Personality Characteristics Amongst Male Adolescent Sexual Offenders :, Amanda Raquel Santiago

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Although adolescent violent crime arrests have declined over the years (Snyder and Sickmund, 2006; Sickmund 2005) the number of adolescent nonviolent and violent sexual offenses continues to peril social health. As such, empirically based treatment options are needed to meet the diverse needs of this heterogeneous group of youth. The purpose of this study was to review current literature for impulsive and antisocial personality characteristics amongst male adolescent sexual offenders. Two separate quantitative research papers were written to assess the significant relationship between these personality traits and adolescent sexual offenders. To help leverage our understanding of these youth, the first …


The Experiences Of Smith College School For Social Work Students Talking With Field Supervisors About Issues Of Race, Julia Kraft Perault Aug 2009

The Experiences Of Smith College School For Social Work Students Talking With Field Supervisors About Issues Of Race, Julia Kraft Perault

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This mixed method survey study explored Smith College School for Social Work (SCSSW) students' experiences in talking with field supervisors about issues of race. Increased racial and ethnic diversity in the United States calls for attention to issues of race in social work education and practice. The SCSSW shares with major social work organizations its commitment to anti-racism. Field supervision is an integral component of the SCSSW social work curriculum and represents an arena in which students can incorporate anti-racism learning into practice. A dearth of social work conceptual and empirical literature examines racial dialogues in field supervision from the …


Living In A Context Of New Knowledge : An Exploration Of The Experience Of Young Adults Transitioning From Cancer Patient To Survivor, Zpora Ruth Perry Aug 2009

Living In A Context Of New Knowledge : An Exploration Of The Experience Of Young Adults Transitioning From Cancer Patient To Survivor, Zpora Ruth Perry

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This is a qualitative study exploring the experience of young adults diagnosed with cancer as they transition from active treatment to full-time survivorship. The question on which this study is based is: What was this transition like logistically, emotionally, and relationally for those who have gone through it, in particular for young adults? This study was undertaken to identify if this was a significant transition and what support is needed through the process; implications for social work practice are included. One-on-one interviews were conducted with twelve participants who were between the ages of 18 and 35, within two years of …


Social Workers Helping To Put Out The Fire : How Do Combination Fire Department Employees Work Through Occupational Stress?, Lisa Anne Rudge Aug 2009

Social Workers Helping To Put Out The Fire : How Do Combination Fire Department Employees Work Through Occupational Stress?, Lisa Anne Rudge

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This project was conducted to explore co-relational patterns between occupational stressors, coping skills, and self care practices among combination fire department employees. This population is defined as being one in which has minimal full-time coverage and relies on on-call groups during the evening and early hours of the day to respond to fire suppression and/or medically related 911 emergency calls. This qualitative study included ten participants from the New England area who all identified as being over the age of eighteen, identified as male, and could speak and read English fluently. Participants were asked to respond to demographic questions, and …


The Experience Of Latinas Attending Predominately White Colleges, Yolanda Ramos Aug 2009

The Experience Of Latinas Attending Predominately White Colleges, Yolanda Ramos

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study sought to gain an overall understanding of the experiences of Latinas that attend predominately white institutions (PWI). The research question explored was: What are the experiences that contribute to persistence, defined as continuing toward degree completion, for Latinas that attend PWI? Seven Latina students participated in each focus group conducted at two small, predominately White, liberal arts colleges in the Northeast. Participants were asked questions about their general college experiences, persistence experiences, family experiences, coping strategies, and recommendations. The study findings for Latinas attending PWI included beneficial and challenging experiences. Sharing their culture with others, being role models …


Acting On Grief In The Aftermath Of Violent Loss : The Efficacy Of Social Action As A Mechanism For Psychic Healing, Miriam Shoshana Sadinsky Aug 2009

Acting On Grief In The Aftermath Of Violent Loss : The Efficacy Of Social Action As A Mechanism For Psychic Healing, Miriam Shoshana Sadinsky

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This research examined the role of social activism as an adaptive coping mechanism for reestablishing internal congruence and restored equilibrium in the aftermath of traumatic loss. It also sought to determine whether engagement in public action offered therapeutic benefits to homicide survivors distinct from cognitive or traditional therapies and could therefore serve as an effective adjunct therapeutic modality for psychic repair. A single case study method was utilized as the study design: it served as an excellent framework for investigating if devastating loss becomes better integrated into the self and/or if a sense of wellbeing is regained when grief is …


The Necessity Of "Conflict Transformation" In Approaches To Psychosocial Interventions, Kay Naito Aug 2009

The Necessity Of "Conflict Transformation" In Approaches To Psychosocial Interventions, Kay Naito

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This theoretical study examines the psychosocial discourse in humanitarian aid. International humanitarian assistance through psychosocial interventions is now common in complex emergencies – the context that emerges from war and violent conflict that is unique to the contemporary era of globalization. Humanitarian assistance aims to meet the needs of war-affected communities, alleviate suffering, remove barriers to health and development, quell cycles of violence, work towards long-term benefits, and maintain the core principle of 'do no harm' at the center of its moral intentions. Lively ethical, medical and cultural debates have contributed to the development of a wide range of different …


The Role Of Narrative Therapy Techniques In Fostering Parent Self-Efficacy, Shoshana M. Narva Aug 2009

The Role Of Narrative Therapy Techniques In Fostering Parent Self-Efficacy, Shoshana M. Narva

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The purpose of this study was to explore whether narrative therapy techniques helped to foster self-efficacy in the context of parent education. In particular this researcher was interested in whether utilizing a narrative approach while facilitating a parent education class would result in parents feeling more confident in their abilities as parents then in a parent education class utilizing a different pedagogy. Two focus groups were held with two parent education groups, two interviews were conducted each with one facilitator from each parenting group and a pre- and post- parent self-efficacy measure was given at the beginning and at the …


The Experience Of Social Workers Who Use Thought Field Therapy Or Emotional Freedom Technique, Tara Nicotra Aug 2009

The Experience Of Social Workers Who Use Thought Field Therapy Or Emotional Freedom Technique, Tara Nicotra

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This thesis explores social workers' experiences with their use of Thought Field Therapy (TFT) and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) with their clients. These techniques, which are also known as tapping, involve tapping one's own fingers in a specific sequence on specific points on the body while tuning into undesired feelings in an effort to eliminate feelings of distress. For this study, I conducted semi-structured interviews with twelve clinical social workers. The study participants had been practicing either EFT or TFT for an average of eight years, with three years being the least amount of time that a participant had been …