Digital Commons Network^™

Collective Healing Of Cultural And Historical Trauma: Towards A Model For European Americans As Informed By African American And American Indian Traditions, Elizabeth Christine Carlson

Theses and Graduate Projects

This qualitative study was undertaken to explore important concepts in the formation of a model for White Cultural Healing based on American Indian, African American and European American cultural healing traditions. Eight individuals selected based on their cultural awareness and understanding of the healing process. Two identify as African American, two as American Indian and the remaining four as European American. They were interviewed regarding their knowledge and experience of the cultural trauma in the background of their people and their traditional ways of healing. The content of the interviews was coded and analyzed thematically. The model for White Cultural …

An Exploration Of Family Adjustment To Nursing Home Placement As Perceived By Nursing Home Social Workers, Alicia Ann Vandenberg

Theses and Graduate Projects

This primarily qualitative study was undertaken to explore two main research questions. The primary research question was: "What do families need when admitting a loved one to a nursing home?" The secondary research question was: "Are there ways that nursing home staff. especially social workers, can help family members adjust to placement?" Data were obtained by surveying a sample frame of social workers who belong to the Minnesota Nursing Home Social Workers Association and whose names appeared on the association's mailing list. Ninety-eight potential participants selected at random by stratified sampling were sent questionnaires. Open ended, short answer, scale, and …

The Leadership Of The Domestic Violence Movement In Minnesota, Suzanne Koepplinger

Theses and Graduate Projects

The beginnings of the domestic violence movement were heavily influenced by cultural feminist thought and servant leadership styles. In recent years, more hierarchical and professional service providers have gained ground and changed the face of service provision, legislative efforts and public outreach in the domestic violence movement. What began as a social change movement has evolved into an institution in its own right. This shift has caused new styles of leadership and a new paradigm to take root. Transforming, empowering and visionary leadership, all with a base in feminism, mark the current players. It has not been an easy transition, …

The Elder Family Meeting: Leading To The Heart Of The Matter, Kathryn Ringham

Theses and Graduate Projects

The aging of the population is poised to challenge our current system of medical, economic and social supports. It will also test the limits of our national compassion. Professionals working in the field of aging are preparing for the demographic bulge and are seeking cost-effective interventions to help elders and their families develop cooperative caregiving and decision-making skills. Caregivers are often at the center of the family system trying to deal with a situation they don't want and don't understand.

One intervention common during health transitions is the family meeting. This application project describes the context of caregiving and healthcare …

Leadership For Inter-Organization Collaboration, Dawn Cvengros

Theses and Graduate Projects

This work related project implemented strategies of leadership behavior designed to assist representatives from organizations that represent state and local government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and industry make advancements to develop a sustainable collaboration among these organizations. The representatives voluntarily convene to improve the nutritional wellness of low income people in Minnesota. The dynamics of strategic leadership theory as it was applied to this project are illustrated. The purpose of this project was to identify ways to assist them inter-organization collaboration (IOC) achieve the goal: to develop and sustain a cohesive, visible, inclusive, and productive collaboration among member organizations. The objective …

Practitioner Perspectives On End-Of-Life Planning, Katherine M. Krage

Theses and Graduate Projects

It is becoming more common for practitioners to discuss advance directives, thereby affirming each person's right to participate in directing end-of-life care. However, little attention has been paid to models of end-of-life planning. This study, a secondary analysis of research completed in 18 La Crosse area health care organizations, explores the extent to which practitioners engage patients and surrogates in exploring values and goals while educating patients about advance directives. It also explores the communication process, including retrievability of directives. Despite uniform training throughout the community, the extent to which practitioners discuss treatment options with patients, families, and surrogates varies …

Community Capacity Building: How Are Low-Income Families And Communities Of Color Engaged In The Process?, Juanita Judie Cutler

Theses and Graduate Projects

An issue for policy-makers and community organizations across Minnesota is the lack of knowledge about how to engage low-income families and people of color in community decision-making and community capacity building efforts. A culturally diverse research team interviewed forty-nine community leaders who had been identified as change agents, had struggled to become leaders, were perceived as mentors, and/or were viewed as cultural leaders. A major theme of what worked for communities to engage the disenfranchised centered on the development of safe forums for dialogue to create insightful trusting and meaningful relationships and to better understand race, class and culture. A …

Client Satisfaction In A Battered Women's Shelter, Sandra Kathleen Womeldorf

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study is to survey and evaluate client satisfaction within a shelter for battered women. This descriptive study was a fuuctional learning tool for the agency, the community as well as for the purpose of the research study, Through an anonymous questionnaire developed by the researcher, participants were asked to complete questions on the five selected areas of focus in an effort to obtain the most recent reflections of women residing in a community shelter for abuse and violence. They were: client satisfaction within access to community resources, staff allocation of time, staff respect and benefit to …

Qualitative Study Of Prenatal Care And Low Income Women, Amy B. Hoppe

Theses and Graduate Projects

This qualitative study explored the experience of low-income pregnant women in obtaining prenatal care. The literature review focused on the issues of accessibility and barriers in obtaining healthcare for low-income pregnant women. The review also included the concept of motivation for seeking and obtaining healthcare. Five pregnant women who sought prenatal care at an inner-city clinic were interviewed using semi-structured questions. The interviews focused on barriers to accessing health care and the women' s motivations for seeking and continuing care throughout their pregnancies. The study found that barriers such as long wait times did exist, but the main problem for …

A Needs Assessment To Determine If There Is A Need For Information/Support Groups For Informal Caregivers Of Terminal Cancer Patients, Keri Bolduan

Theses and Graduate Projects

This needs assessment was undertaken to determine if Aberdeen, South Dakota is in need of an informational/support group for informal caregivers of terminal cancer patients. A 112 professionals (doctors, nurses, social workers and pastoral care workers) from The Cancer Care Center, Avera St. Lukes Hospital, and it's affiliate, North Plains Hospice were surveyed using both quantitative and qualitative questions. Only 19 of the 112 responded to the survey. The survey focused on the professionals' experience and knowledge of working with terminal cancer patients and informal caregivers as well as resources available to their clients. The findings of this study indicated …

A Hermeneutical Study: The Personal Meaning Of The Dying Experience Of Individuals With A Terminal Illness, Maurine E. Mccort

Theses and Graduate Projects

Most research in the study of dying has focused on the attitudes towards death, anxiety surrounding the dying experience, and bereavement. There is scant research done in examining the personal meaning of the dying process of persons with a terminal illness. This study employed the methodology of hermeneutics, a qualitative research design in the study of phenomenology using text. This study used the interpretation of the text from two 60-90 minute in-depth interviews with individuals with a terminal illness to create a deeper understanding of the personal meaning of dying. The findings indicate that the phenomena of dying are an …

An Historical And Policy Analysis Of The Child Abuse Prevention And Treatment Act (P.L. 93-247) And Amendments With Special Reference To The Crisis Nursery Prevention Model, Lyra L. Peterson

Theses and Graduate Projects

The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatrnent Act of L9l4 (P.L. 93-247) was the federal legislation that included the first definition of child maltreatment and funded both treatment and prevention projects, including crisis nursery demonstration projects.

This social policy and historical analysis examines the legislative policy that was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Nixon (1974). The analysis will include subsequent amendments. This law defines child abuse and sets provisions for reporting, investigating, treating, and preventing child abuse.

This research reveals competition between the provision of treatment and prevention throughout the policy. This competition is driven by two …

Narrative Therapy: A Multi-Dimensional Case Evaluation, Brad Hanson

Theses and Graduate Projects

This case study examines the effects of narrative therapy on a client diagnosed with depression. I performed six sessions of narrative therapy with the client while measuring change in several different ways. After the referral, the study began with the client taking the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III (MCMI-III), as well as setting two goal attainment scales that measured behaviors linked to her depression. I kept field notes during the intervention in order to track the progress of the sessions as well as my application of the model. At the conclusion of the intervention I performed a depth interview with the …

The Experience Of Alcohol Use In Adolescence: A Hermeneutic Study, Stacy O. Swenson

Theses and Graduate Projects

Alcohol use among adolescents has been a long-standing problem in the United States. This study was undertaken to gain a better understanding of what the experience of using alcohol as a teenager is like. For this hermeneutic study, three participants took part in an in-depth interview that focused on their experiences with alcohol. The main theme that emerged from the experiences was Maturing. This theme and two subthemes, Peer Influence and Risk Taking, were examined for deeper meaning. These findings suggest that professionals working with adolescents can further help their clients by keeping the door open for discussion of …

The School Experience Of Gay, Lesbian And Bisexual Students, Lisa Stromquist

Theses and Graduate Projects

A content analysis was conducted on of the public school experience of 3 youth from gay-straight alliance groups, who self identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual. The major themes found are the importance of caring and involved teachers, the positive experience of gay-straight alliance groups, and the affects of peer harassment. Implications for social work practice and policy are discussed.

Social Support And Depressive Symptoms Of Older Adults Residing In An Age Segregated Housing Complex, Erica M. Doyen

Theses and Graduate Projects

Research regarding social supports and depression has been extensive with the older adult population except for areas of mid-stzed communities ranging between 25,000 to 75,000. This was an exploratory, cross-sectional study examining the social supports and depressive symptoms of older adults residing in an age segregated housing complex in a Midwest city with a population under 35,000. The participants (N:8), were residents of an age segregated public housing complex. Through the completion of a scheduled stzurdardized interview, the participants answered forty-two questions from the Duke Social Support Index and the Geriatric Depression Scale. The questions were based on current mood …

Disruptive Behavior Disorders And School Based Intervention Services, Peggy S. Swenson

Theses and Graduate Projects

This explorative quantitative study investigates the perceptions and knowledge of elementary school teachers in regard to the disruptive behaviors displayed by an increasing number of students. This study also addresses the methods of intervention teachers find to be effective in reducing disruptive behaviors in the classroom. A Likert-scale survey was used to gather information from seventy-six teachers of students in first through fifth grade. Survey questions focused on factors that can contribute to disruptive behaviors as well as several methods of interventions utilized in the five schools located in the four school districts surveyed.

Is The Overrepresentation Of Minorities In Special Education An Undesirable Consequence Of The 1975 Education For Aii Handicapped Children Act (P.L. # 94-142) And Its Amendments?, Eve M. Toomey

Theses and Graduate Projects

Research studies have shown that there is a disproportionate number of minority students being identified as needing special education services. This research study examined special education policy as it has evolved overtime, beginning with the 1975 Education for All Handicapped Children Act through the 1997 amendments to this Act to determine if special education law has contributed to the over representation of minorities in special education.

This historical policy analysis was performed by utilizing congressional logs between 1974 and 1997 as well as examining copies of the pertinent policies themselves. The study has found that special education policies have adequate …

Family Preservation And Reunification : Do Our Nations Laws Support This Concept?, Bekah Saliterman Bauer

Theses and Graduate Projects

This exploratory study was undertaken to expand the knowledge of service providers working with children and families involved in child protection that are currently or have the possibility of developing a permanency plan for children in placement. The study intends to discover the effectiveness of concurrent planning as it pertains to family preservation. Six child protection social workers were interviewed using a structured interview schedule. The qualitative data was then examined to identify any prevailing similarities or themes that were identified between social workers employed in a county social service child protection setting. The interview focused on several aspects including …

Volunteer Motivations For College Students: Reasons For Initial And Continued Involvement In Voluntary Community Service Organizations, Tanya K. Refshauge

Theses and Graduate Projects

This descriptive study explores the motivations of college students for initial and continued involvement in community service organizations. Subjects held leadership positions in a specific collegiate volunteer organization and responded to a survey designed to elicit motivations for initial and continued involvement with voluntary service organizations. The survey also collected demographic characteristics of the sample population. Results indicate altruistic motivations are most important followed closely by egoistic motivations. This study distinguished between "ego affiliation motives" and "ego enrichment motives" and found them both to be important factors. No significant difference was shown between initial and continued motivations, although a change …

Crow Wing County Family Services Collaborative Service Worker Program Evaluation - A Parent's Perspective, Sandra Olson Larson

Theses and Graduate Projects

An evaluation of the Collaborative Service Worker Program from

the parent’s perspective was completed using a mixed method survey

design. A sample of 202 families was drawn from referrals made to the

Collaborative Service Worker Program in the past 18 months to receive a

self-administered questionnaire. Results show that parents see this early

intervention in a respectful, non-governmental based manner as

beneficial to both the child and their families. The evaluation of the

effectiveness of the Collaborative Service Worker Program added to the

body of knowledge supporting the success of early intervention with "at

risk" children and families and provided, …

A Hermeneutic Study Of Individuals With Ptsd And Their Experiences With Bodywork, Linnea L. Buffie

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study was undertaken to gain a better understanding of how bodywork can facilitate in the healing process of those who have suffered an emotionally traumatic experience(s), and how bodywork affects Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms. An individual with PTSD who has received Rolfing (a type of bodywork) took part in an unstructured interview with an emphasis on her life experiences. The interview was then transcribed and interpreted. She reported many benefits as a result of the Rolfing including being present in the moment and being able to see more options in stressful situations. These findings suggest that professionals …

Public And Private Responses To Infant Abandonment, Jo C. Bauer

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study seeks to review America's response to infant abandonment by using an historical analysis and a social policy framework to analyze the state and federal laws that are attempting to curtail abandonment. It surveyed 120 upper mid-west college students to learn their responses to unplanned pregnancy and their familiarity with the state's infant abandonment laws.

The results of historical analysis of infant abandonment provides an overview of mankind's social, economic, and political motivations. The second source of research data is a survey using a quantitative approach with 120 self-selected college dorm students who answered a 15-point survey which (1) …

The Experience Of Family Adaptation Of Hypertechnical Communications As It Relates To Normative Parent-Adolescent Conflict, Robert M. Lawlor

Theses and Graduate Projects

This exploratory qualitative study examines the impact of hypertechnical communications on parent-adolescent relations. Five families with adolescents responded with their stories regarding hypertechnical communications. A degree of parent-adolescent conflict is considered normative as it relates to adolescent autonomy development. This study sought to understand the impact of hypertechnical communications on the freedom of adolescents and any resulting conflict. Family systems and parenting have changed with the adaptation of hypertechnical communications. Adolescents have been given the power, through hypertechnical communications, to have more divergent agendas from those of the family at large. Adding the power of instant communication and information to …

Elementary Teachers' Knowledge Of Minnesota's Mandatory Reporting Law Of Child Maltreatment, Kara Jean Rogers

Theses and Graduate Projects

Although teachers in all 50 states are designated as mandated reporters of child maltreatment, concerns have been expressed regarding their overall knowledge for reporting child abuse and neglect. The purpose of the study is to explore elementary teachers' knowledge regarding Minnesota's mandatory reporting law, the Reporting of Maltreatment of Minors, Minnesota Statute 626.556. All full-time and part-time public school elementary teachers from a school district in Central Minnesota were surveyed (N=383). Of those surveyed, 225 (59%) agreed to participate in the study. The data was analyzed by univariate and bivariate analysis. The results indicate that almost all participants who perceived …

How Life Marker Events Affect The Grieving Process Of Elderly Caregivers Who Have Lost Their Spouses: An Exploratory Study, Gayle E. Galarneau

Theses and Graduate Projects

This exploratory, descriptive, qualitative study examines how life marker events, holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, affect the grieving process of elderly caregivers who have lost their spouses. The study looked at what feelings the participants remembered having on life marker event days during the self-defined periods of their bereavement. The purposive sample was chosen from clients of Senior Community Services. Four women between the ages of 75 and 85 who had lost their spouses not less than eighteen months and not over two years prior to the study being conducted participated in structured interviews. The interviews consisted of open-ended questions that helped …

Minority Social Workers' Perspective Regarding The Recruitment And Retention Of People Of Color In The Social Work Profession, Dana M. Bennett

Theses and Graduate Projects

Despite the fact that a large portion of people seeking social services are of minority cultural groups, few of-the professionals providing those services are people of color. Research indicates that many factors contribute to the recruitment and retention of people of color in the social work profession. This qualitative study of 8 social work professionals of color explored contributing factors from their perspective. Findings suggest that several barriers exist to the recruitment and retention of people of color in the social work field such as racism, lack of support, and lack of understanding of cultural differences. The findings illustrate that …

The 1998 Minnesota Legislation For The Prevention Of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: A Policy Analysis, Mary J. Arfmann

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study is an analysis of the 1998 prevention legislation in Minnesota. Interview questions were sent to the identified authors of the legislation, opponents, and selected county social service agencies. The policy framework authored by Karger and Stoesz (1998) was used to construct the interview questions. The questions were used to gather the data needed for the analysis.

The findings from the analysis suggested that there was overall support for the concept of prevention efforts but there was confusion, misunderstandings, and lack of consistent and uniform training and implementation of the legislation at the time of data collection. Evidence from …

Family Members Of Gays And Lesbians Attitudes Toward Homosexuality, Diane M. Jorgensen

Theses and Graduate Projects

Homophobic attitudes are detrimental to the safety and well-being of gays and lesbians. To determine how attitudes in family members of gays and lesbians are formed, how they change, and what effect having a gay or lesbian family member has on attitudes toward homosexuality, 10 Central Minnesota parents of gays and lesbians were interviewed. Results were related to theories of social deviance, social construction, and cognitive dissonance. Findings indicate parents' initial attitudes were influenced by societal institutions, parents changed their attitudes out of love for their children, and attitudes were changed through research and membership in parent support groups. As …

Social Workers' Experience Of Implementing Therapeutic Touch: A Hermeneutic Study, Sheila V. Greene

Theses and Graduate Projects

Literature exists that reflects the growing use of therapeutic touch within the health care field. This qualitative study was undertaken to expand the knowledge of implementing therapeutic touch into social work practice. This interpretive study presents shared meanings and a common theme uncovered, using hermeneutics research methodology, in the transcribed tests of in-depth interviews with social workers that are utilizing therapeutic touch practices. One theme - healing - was traced throughout the participants' narratives and was verified through excerpts from the texts of their interviews. Discussion of related literature expanded the interpretations presented. Implications for social work practice and policy …