Digital Commons Network^™

Social Functioning: A Sociological Common Base For Social Work Practice, Thomas J. Blakely, Gregory M. Dziadosz

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This article describes the experience of a social work mental health agency with Social Role Theory (SRT), that is an organizing concept for the delivery of its assessment and treatment program. SRT has been called the process variable of the program, meaning how services are delivered. Social functioning, a concept taken from SRT, is a treatment outcome. The overall purposes of the article are to describe the contribution of sociology to social work practice, and to advance the argument that social functioning is a common base for social work practice generally.

Dismantling The "Other": Understanding The Nature And Malleability Of Groups In The Legal Writing Professorate's Quest For Equality, Mitchell J. Nathanson

Mitchell J Nathanson

This article examines the nature of groupings within law school faculties and analyzes why some groups are inherently considered in-groups whereas others (in particular, legal writing faculties) are considered out-groups. The article first explores the science behind the unconscious mind and why we categorize individuals the way we do. Next, this article demonstrates that members of an undesired out-group can be easily transformed into members of the more desirable in-group by modifying the relationships among individuals. This is particularly important to members of the legal writing professorate because, although groups themselves are nothing more than artificial compositions of the unconscious …

The Fall Of The 1977 Phillies: How A Baseball Team's Collapse Sank A City's Spirit, Mitchell J. Nathanson

Mitchell J Nathanson

Too often, the Philadelphia sports fan has been dismissed as a lout, a boorish dolt immune to reason, his vocabulary whittled down to a singular “boo.” This is particularly true when it comes to Phillies fans, who are more likely to turn on their team than any other in the city. Although the Eagles, Sixers and Flyers may hear it from the rafters when they’re not going well, only the Phils will hear it when they are. The strained relationship between the city and the Phillies, however, has deep historical and sociological roots; roots that directly correlate with the city’s …

Gender In Politics, Sheri L. Kunovich, Pamela Paxton, Melanie M. Hughes

Sociology Research

Women’s political participation and representation vary dramatically within and between countries. We selectively review the literature on gender in politics, focusing on women’s formal political participation.

We discuss both traditional explanations for women’s political participation and representation, such as the supply of women and the demand for women, and newer explanations such as the role of international actors and gender quotas. We also ask whether women are distinctive—does having more women in office make a difference to public policy? Throughout the review we demonstrate that a full understanding of women’s political representation requires both deep knowledge of individual cases such …

Systems Of Distribution And A Sense Of Equity: A Multilevel Analysis Of Meritocratic Attitudes In Post-Industrial Societies, Sheri L. Kunovich, Kazimierz M. Slomczynski

Sociology Research

Meritocratic attitudes are defined as general beliefs that education and its correlates should determine personal economic outcomes. Using the International Social Survey Project (ISSP): Social Inequality Module (1992), we examine both individual-level and country-level determinants of pro-meritocratic attitudes. According to self-interest and rational-action theories, individuals with high educational attainment and high personal income are expected to have strong meritocratic beliefs because meritocracy is in their best interest—they would gain under such a system. At the same time, both modernization and post-industrial theories imply that persons living in countries with a high degree of societal meritocracy hold stronger meritocratic beliefs than …

Social Capital Of Women Measured: Differentials By Family Structures, Zenaida R. Ravanera, Rajulton Fernando

PSC Discussion Papers Series

Social capital has often been invoked to explain differences in children’s well-being by family structure; that is, developmental outcome for children in lone parent or step family is not at par with that of children from intact family because parental investments on children may be lower not only in financial and human capital but also in social capital. This proposition has been difficult to examine in greater depth because of lack of conceptual clarity and of data to measure social capital. Using a definition of social capital as the “ability to secure benefits through membership in networks and other social …

Cts Split 2007 The (Audio) Diary In Tourism Research, Deirdre Quinn, Nigel Morgan, Annette Pritchard

Articles

No abstract provided.

Membership In Organizations And Confidence In Institutions: Men’S Social Capital And Its Differentials By Family Structures, Zenaida R. Ravanera, Rajulton Fernando

PSC Discussion Papers Series

Abstract not available

Relative Versus Non-Relative Foster Care: A Comparative Study, Victoria Picinich

Social Work Theses

This study explored the benefits and limitations of relative foster care versus non-relative foster care. This study hypothesized, that despite the limitations of relative placement, the emotional benefit to the child placed in a relative setting far outweighs the challenges of it. The methodology employed quantitative and qualitative measurements. An in-depth questionnaire survey was mailed to 150 relative and 150 non-relative providers; and a focus group was facilitated. The study revealed that relative foster care, when available, is superior to non-relative foster care because of the emotional and social connection present as a result of the pre-existing relationship between the …

Familial Aggregation Of Survival And Late Female Reproduction, Ken R. Smith, Alain Gagnon, Richard M. Cawthon, Geri Mineau, Ryan Mazan, Richard A. Kerber, Elizabeth O’Brien, Bertrand Desjardins

PSC Discussion Papers Series

Abstract not available

Social Skills Group Therapy For Children With Emotional And Behavioral Problems, Lilith Chunn

Social Work Theses

The topic of this research was the utilization of social skills group therapy with children with poor social skills and emotional and behavioral problems. The literature explains that group therapy has many benefits to clients that are not available in individual work with clients. Social skills group therapy is theorized to be helpful for children with mental health disorders, especially children who are physically aggressive. In this type of group therapy, it is effective to teach children the phases of using social skills and using discussion and role-play to understand each social skill. A social skills therapy group was conducted …

Parents As Partners: An Analysis Of The Barriers To Parental Involvement In Special Education, Sarah Arnini

Social Work Theses

The purpose of the following exploratory study is to examine the interest levels, barriers and motivating factors influencing attendance at informational Parent Group Meetings held for parents of children who are part of the special education preschool program- both the Developmental Learning Program (DLP) and Integrated preschool classroom- in the Cranston Public School System. Existing literature expresses the importance of parent involvement in special education services, some of the barriers to participation, and the importance of periodically evaluating parents’ needs. A Needs Assessment Survey was sent out to approximately 85 families involved in the DLP/Integrated Preschool Program in the Cranston …

The Effects Of Mood Disorders On Families And Their Well Being, Kristen Mccauliff

Social Work Theses

People who suffer from bi-polar disorder or other types of depression experience a range of symptoms and reactions due to the disorder that causes not only themselves but their loved ones, to experience negative effects. In the relationship between parent and child, the parent’s mental status is altered, in effect taking a toll on their abilities to care for their children. The literature provides examples of how depression affects parenting abilities and in turn affects the development of children of those that suffer from a depressive disorder. The literature does not claim that parents who suffer from these disorders are …

Social Workers’ Knowledge Of Human Trafficking, Tiffany Polanco

Social Work Theses

The purpose of this study was to assess social workers’ knowledge of human trafficking. The hypothesis was that social workers needed to be further educated on this issue. A survey to assess social workers’ knowledge of human trafficking was placed in the quarterly newsletter of the Rhode Island National Association of Social Workers. Fourteen surveys were returned revealing the actual level of knowledge of these participants. The study revealed that social workers have differing competencies pertaining to knowledge of human trafficking. It is recommended that it is necessary to increase knowledge and identification of human trafficking. Implications for policy are …

Organizing For Community Benefit: Anti-Gentrification Effort In Providence, Ri, Katiuska Pérez

Senior Honors Projects

Throughout my college experience I didn’t really gain any basic foundation on how to organize and work with a group of people in a collective effort. I thought the best way to learn these skills in such a short amount of time would be to work with an organization that has been campaigning for positive social change for many years. I was referred to DARE (Direct Action for Rights and Equality) in Providence. I approached the director of the organization, Sara Mersha, and shared with her what I wanted to gain from a possible internship in her organization. She gave …

Metropolitan-Micropolitan Difference In Available Labor Force Characteristics: Three Great Plains Labor Basins, Michael Walker, Brett Zollinger

Sociology Faculty Publications

This study explores differences in labor availability characteristics among those living in metropolitan and micropolitan areas. Data used in this study are from surveys of adults in two adjacent Midwestern states and from three separate labor basins. Primary patterns under examination include wage demands, benefit demands, distance willing to commute for a job, perceived underemployment and entrepreneurial propensity. Bivariate analyses show no relationship between basin size and entrepreneurial propensity nor between basin size and willingness to commute. However, basin size has significant influence on four of the seven dependent variables, even after controlling for many sociodemographic characteristics. In multivariate analyses, …

Understanding The Demand For Human Sex Trafficking: A Study Of Attitudes Regarding The Commercial Sex Industry, Giselle Routhier

Social Work Theses

No abstract provided.

Meaningful Self-Reporting Of Quality Of Life In People Living With Dementia, Julie Sullivan

Social Work Theses

The aim of this research study is to investigate the hypothesis that people living with dementia can comment meaningfully on their quality of life. A careful literature review revealed that “while it is generally agreed that any appraisal of quality of life should as far as possible rely on the individual’s own perspective, having people with dementia evaluate their own quality of life remains a much-debated issue” although the findings of many recent studies support the theory that people with dementia can evaluate their own quality of life (Cahill et al., 2004, p. 313). A 32-question questionnaire adapted from the …

Sociology Discipline Assessment Report 2006/2007, Sociology Discipline

Assessment of Student Learning Reports

No abstract provided.

Young Adult’S Perception Of The Causes Of Their Parents' Divorce, With Special Attention Made To History Of Divorce, Age At Time Of Marriage, And Religious Views, Candace Wagner

Social Work Theses

In this thesis young adults’ perceptions of the causes of their parents’ divorce was studied, with special attention made to history of divorce, age at the time of marriage, and religious views. The literature is in large extent similar in regard to the history of divorce in both the United States and Italy, as well as in regards to divorce laws and divorce rates at different points in history in the United States. The available literature offers a variety of factors that may cause divorce, but there are no clear conclusions found. In this study a survey was given to …

Prescribing Practices: Shaping Healthy Children In Schools, L. Burrows, Jan Wright

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

Current concerns in New Zealand and abroad about the health and well-being of young people have generated a raft of government-sponsored and educational policies and practices geared towards the production of trim, taut and fit subjects who choose wisely from the range of risky ‘options’ available to them in avowedly new and changing times. These initiatives yield consequences for children and young people who are increasingly being urged, in Foucault’s terms, to conduct “…a certain number of operations on their own bodies and souls, thoughts, conduct, and way of being…”(1997, p. 225) in an effort to ‘become’ the imagined healthful, …

Stealing Time And Being There: Fathers, Class And Time, Carla N. Russell

Masters Theses 1911 - February 2014

Although the conflicting demands between work and family have been documented for mothers, much less is known about fathers. Specifically, must less is known about how family and work influence the work hours and schedules of fathers and how these influences might vary by class. In this paper, I use multi-methods to compare a relatively affluent group of professionals (physicians) to a group of working class fathers (emergency medical technicians) in how work and family influence their hours and schedules. I find that, on the one hand, the working-class fathers, while saying that their children are not a great influence …

Play And Technology For Children Aged 4-12, Stella Downey, Noirin Hayes, Brian O'Neill

Reports

Research study commissioned by the Office of the Minister for Children, Government of Ireland, 2007.

Job Characteristics And The Psychological Well-Being Of Older Workers, Anne M. Shattuck

Master's Theses and Capstones

Changes in public and private pensions as well as demographic and economic changes will likely lead to higher labor force participation rates for older adults in the future. Little research has examined the impact of work on the well-being of older adults beyond simply comparing those who work with those who do not. Using data from the 2002 and 2004 waves of the Health and Retirement Study, this thesis examined whether specific job characteristics---namely job flexibility, job stress, and the workplace climate's friendliness to older workers---were associated with depressive symptoms among a group of workers aged 62 to 73. Cross-sectional …

North Central Sociological Association Presidential Address: Teaching And Learning And The Culture Of The Regional Association In American Sociology, Jay R. Howard

Scholarship and Professional Work - LAS

In this essay, I examine the role of teaching and learning in the culture of the regional association in American sociology. I analyze the programs of (1) the 2007 joint meeting of the North Central Sociological Association (NCSA) and the Midwest Sociological Society (MSS); (2) the 2007 annual meeting preliminary programs of the Eastern Sociological Society (ESS), the Pacific Sociological Association (PSA), and the Southern Sociological Society (SSS) along with the 2006 annual meeting programs of the MSS and NCSA, as well as the American Sociological Association (ASA); and (3) the 1991 NCSA and 1992 ASA annual meeting programs. I …

Dirty Whites And Dark Secrets: Sex And Race In "Peyton Place", Sally Hirsh-Dickinson

Doctoral Dissertations

"Dirty Whites and Dark Secrets: Sex and Race in Peyton Place " suggests that Grace Metalious's 1956 potboiler Peyton Place contains a critique of race which may have been just as unsettling to a mid-century readership as the novel's famed critique of sexuality. Peyton Place is most often said to be "about" sex. In this study, I argue that it is also "about" race, and that it is the racing of the sex that may have provoked the scandalized outcry against the novel. My work posits that Peyton Place's controversial reputation resulted from Metalious's racialized representations of sexuality and the …

The Effects Of Market Transition On The Distribution Of Health Care In China: 1991--2000, Rachel Marks

Master's Theses and Capstones

This research aims to examine the changes in the availability and accessibility of health care available to Chinese citizens over a nine year period. I use market transition theory as a framework for examining these changes. Market transition theory posits that as a government moves from a socialist system to a market-based economy, a new stratification order will emerge. Changes in the Chinese health care system are examined using 1991 and 2000 data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey. Using ordinary least-squares and logistic regression, I analyze differences in access and availability of health care between ethnic groups, rural …

The Disneyization Of Service Work In Financial Organizations, Karen Schreiner

Master's Theses and Capstones

In recent years, financial companies have adopted "the Disney Way" in their approaches to customer service. Along with other organizations, financial companies place emphasis on the service they provide and are training associates to stage a "show" for their customers. Financial organizations increasingly look toward Disney as a model for customer "delight", and use Disney's methods of training to mold associates who are constantly smiling and friendly, use a company-written script, and "perform" as part of their job duties.

My study investigates the nature of performance-based customer service through a content analysis of bank teller employment advertisements and banking advertisements …

In Our Own Backyard: Methamphetamine Manufacturing, Trafficking And Abuse In Rural America, Kenneth D. Tunnell, Joseph Donnermeyer

Justice Studies Faculty and Staff Research

The abuse of methamphetamine ( or meth) is dramatically evident in the "before and after" faces of meth arrestees. Yet these pictures provide only a glimpse of the larger personal, environmental, and community fallout from methamphetamine use and production, an issue that barely existed 15 years ago in rural America, but has since grown into a large more serious problem.

Language, Gender And Identity In The Works Of Louise Bennett And Michelle Cliff, Nicole Branca

Honors Projects

Examines the writings of two female, Jamaican authors, Louise Bennett and Michelle Cliff. Bennett flourished during the period of de-colonization and independence for Jamaica, while Cliff came into prominence after Jamaican independence. Shows how both writers played an important role in helping Jamaica establish a national identity by focusing on multiple dimensions of what it means to be Jamaican, including issues of language, gender, and identity.