Digital Commons Network^™

College Student Perceptions Of Mental Health Counseling At Minnesota State University, Mankato, Holly Barkeim

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The Counseling Center at Minnesota State University, Mankato offers mental health counseling services to MNSU students that are free, confidential, and conveniently located on campus. Despite the range of services, the affordability and confidentiality, as well as current marketing strategies used by the Counseling Center, services appear to be significantly underutilized by students on campus. This study examines student perceptions of on campus mental health services and barriers that may prevent students from accessing services. The goal of the project is to assist the Counseling Center in improving their marketing strategies to students identified as being underserved.

Training And Burnout Among Paraprofessionals Who Work With Children With Ebd, Daniel Boston

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this project was to learn about the experiences of paraprofessionals who are working with children with emotional behavior disorders and, more specifically, their perceptions about the adequacy of training and the burnout they may experience.

Impact Evaluation On The Parents Support And Outreach Program (Psop) Olmsted County Child And Family Services, Lucy Matos

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this impact evaluation was to identify critical components that support the work done by PSOP by analyzing the effectiveness in serving all families, and to monitor the relative cost of providing these essential services to the at risk population in Olmsted County.

1. To obtain a sample of cases closed in 2011 and categorize them by type of services / determinations prior, during and after PSOP involvement.
2. To conduct a two-year follow up on PSOP impact; including a) maltreatment report by type and finding, and b) reentry for Child and Family Services by type and intensity (voluntary/involuntary).
3. To …

Positive Behavioral Interventions And Supports (Pbis): Lessons Learned From The Implementation Process Of An Evidence-Based Program, Tara Mershon

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this project is to assess the implementation process of PBIS in rural, consolidated school districts in southern Minnesota. The ideals of PBIS are in line with GFW Schools mission to foster lifelong learners in a caring environment. GFW schools aspire to promote positive social and emotional behavior and provide all students with a quality education to prepare them for future educational experiences. The recommendations from this project will inform the implementation of PBIS in the GFW School District, which is occurring in the 2014-2016 academic years.

Cpt Vs Pe For Ptsd? Literature Review On Efficacy Of Cpt And Pe Based On Gender, Chronicity, And Race/Ethnicity, Christelle C. Sackey

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating mental health condition that can be diagnosed on veterans who have been exposed to traumatic events. PTSD not only has negative physical symptoms, but it also compromises veterans’ chances of living a productive live. Efforts to find effective treatments for PTSD has led to the development of a few form of therapies, including Prolonged Exposure(PE) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) which have received special attention for military related PTSD. After more than 20 years of research, it has been proven that CPT and PE are the best treatments of choice for PTSD. However, …

Mental Health Services Among Children Involved In Child Welfare: Identifying Parental Views And Barriers To Accessing Services, Katrina Ohmann-Thai

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

• In the child welfare field there is an growing need for mental health support for children. This need is due to exposure to or victimization of abuse and neglect. On average only 15-25% of children identified as needing services are actually participating in some type of mental health support. This may be due to the many barriers that exist when seeking mental health support.
• This research project surveyed parents in Independent School District (ISD) 196 regarding potential mental health services offered through the School-Linked Mental Health Services grant. Information was collected through a survey of parents from two schools within …

Legalization Of Medical Marijuana In Minnesota: Implications For Rural Substance Treatment Centers, Ann Przybilla

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this project was to identify the anticipated impacts of legalization of medical marijuana (cannabis) in Minnesota on rural substance abuse treatment center professionals. The goal is to utilize the implications of those impacts to guide the implementation of the recently passed legislation and to provide recommendations for future policy regarding medical marijuana in Minnesota.

Training And Burnout Among Paraprofessionals Who Work With Children With Emotional Behavioral Disorders, Jenna Robinson

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

To assist the Waseca school district in addressing the training and self-care needs of paraprofessionals, keeping the overall mission in mind of empowering students to succeed in the academic environment, this project examined the training received and factors related to subsequent professional burnout among paraprofessionals in Waseca schools.

Expanding ‘Family Education’ Programs For Intensive Residential Treatment Services (Irts): A Study Of Minnesota Irts Programs, Abby Sharp

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Intensive Residential Treatment Services (IRTS) programs provide mental health treatment to adults with a Severe and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI). The programs are required by the state of Minnesota to offer family education and support to clients and their families while the clients are receiving IRTS treatment. The purpose of this project was to assess IRTS programs across the state, and in conclusion, provide an expansive family education program at Horizon Homes, Inc. IRTS program in South Central Minnesota.

Responding To A Community Need: Mobile Crisis Program Training Manuals, Kelsey Tollefson

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a training curriculum for the South Central Mobile Crisis Program, which is a part of Horizon Homes, Inc. Continued education and training is required for all mental health professionals, mental health practitioners, and rehabilitative staff. Because of the requirements outlined in Minnesota statute 256B.0944, 256B.0624,and the Department of Human Services, all staff within this program must receive at least thirty hours of crisis-related training prior to working with clients.

Effects Of Individual-Oriented Relationship Education On University Students' Knowledge, Beliefs, And Attitudes, Sara Polanchek

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

This quasi-experimental, exploratory study adds important empirical research to the relatively new field of individual-oriented relationship education. It describes the extent to which specific relationship beliefs and attitudes are held, and evaluates the impact of an undergraduate, semester-long Intimate and Family Relationships course on these beliefs. Utilizing data collected over two semesters at the University of Montana, this study compared 356 student responses at the beginning and end of the semester on three separate scales designed to quantify select measures of specific constraint beliefs and attitudes: Attitudes About Romance and Mate Selection (AARMS), the Parental Authority Questionnaire (PAQ), and the …

Multilevel Examination Of Facility Characteristics, Social Integration, And Health For Older Adults Living In Nursing Homes, Skye Leedahl, Rosemary Kennedy Chapin, Todd D. Little

Human Development and Family Science Faculty Publications

Objectives. Testing a model based on past research and theory, this study assessed relationships between facility characteristics (i.e., culture change efforts, social workers) and residents’ social networks and social support across nursing homes and examined relationships between multiple aspects of social integration (i.e., social networks, social capital, social engagement, social support) and mental and functional health for older adults in nursing homes.

Methods. Data were collected at nursing homes using a planned missing data design with random sampling techniques. Data collection occurred at the individual-level through in-person structured interviews with older adult nursing home residents (N = 140) and …

Pathologies Of The Poor: What Do The War On Drugs And Welfare Reform Have In Common?, Kalynn Amundson, Anna M. Zajicek, Valerie H. Hunt

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA) authorized drug testing of welfare recipients as a criterion for assistance eligibility. This raises the question of a possible confluence of War on Drugs and Welfare Reform policies, as indicated by continuity in policymakers’ rhetoric. We examine federal-level policymakers’ debates surrounding the authorization of drug testing welfare recipients. The analysis reveals that themes of social pathology were present in both policy areas. Crime, drug addiction, welfare dependency, and drug testing themes are comparable in both debates. Teen pregnancy, out-of-wedlock birth, and female-headed households themes were more prevalent in Welfare …

Gender Differences In Self-Employment Of Older Workers In The United States And New Zealand, Angela L. Curl, Deanna L. Sharpe, Jack Noone

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This study examined differences in self-employment of workers age 50+ in the United States (N = 3,948) and New Zealand (N = 1,434). Separate logistic regression analyses were conducted by country and gender. For both U.S. men and women, lower income, higher wealth, and having an employed spouse increased the likelihood of self-employment. Older age, lower income, higher wealth, and household composition increased the odds of being self-employed for men in New Zealand. Women in New Zealand were more likely to be self-employed if they were in a blue-collar occupation, had higher household wealth, higher education, and did not receive …

Institutionalization Of Children In The Czech Republic: A Case Of Path Dependency, Victoria Schmidt, Jo Daugherty Bailey

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Despite the development of alternative forms of care, international and domestic pressures for change, and over 20 years of efforts at deinstitutionalization, the Czech Republic has one of the highest rates of institutionalization of children in Europe (UNICEF, 2012). The continuing reliance upon residential care for children by the child protection system, particularly for children who are disabled or of Roma descent, demonstrates a case of path dependency in which a solidification of the system’s response is rooted in its past. Understanding the impact of historical precedence is key to reforming the current system.

Mass Shootings And Mental Health Policy, Jessica Rosenberg

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Research suggests that mass shootings can increase mental health stigma, reinforce stereotypes that people with mental illness are violent, and influence public policy. This article examines mental health policy initiatives resulting from the mass shootings in Sandy Hook, Connecticut and Aurora, Colorado within the context of existing research about mental illness, suicide, substance abuse and gun violence. Previous legislation that restricts access to firearms among persons with mental illness is reviewed. The article suggests that gun control legislation that focuses on persons with mental illness is not supported by research, may create barriers to treatment, and may have limited efficacy …

The Neglect Of Network Theory In Practice With Immigrants In The Southwest, Emilia Martinez-Brawley, Paz M-B. Zorita

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This paper reviews selected theories of international migration including social network and human capital. It discusses the nature of social networks among immigrants and the costs and benefits for the sending and receiving countries. The history of social network theory in social work practice is revisited. Given the current importance of immigration in the Southwest, the strength and limitations of applying networking principles in practice with immigrants in the border areas are included. This article does not focus on the complexity of networks among refugees or asylum seekers, where government population dispersion or resettlement policies might change their circumstances.

Review Of The Latino Threat: Constructing Immigrants, Citizens And The Nation. Leo R. Chavez. Reviewed By Catherine Carballeira., Catherine Carballeira

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Review of:

Leo R. Chavez, The Latino Threat: Constructing Immigrants, Citizens and the Nation. Stanford University Press (2nd ed.) (2013). $70 (hardcover); $22.95 (paperback).

Review Of The Good News Club: The Christian Right’S Stealth Assault On America’S Children. Katherine Stewart. Reviewed By John E. Tropman., John E. Tropman

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Review of:

Katherine Stewart, The Good News Club: The Christian Right’s Stealth Assault on America’s Children. Public Affairs (2012). $25.99 (hardcover).

Journal Of Sociology & Social Welfare Vol. 41, No. 2 (June 2014)

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION TO THE SPECIAL ISSUE - Howard Karger, James Midgley, and Subas Risal

AUSTERITY VERSUS STIMULUS: THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES AND POLICY PRESCRIPTIONS - James Midgley

THE BITTER PILL: AUSTERITY, DEBT, AND THE ATTACK ON EUROPE'S WELFARE STATES - Howard Karger

BETWEEN RETRENCHMENT AND RECALIBRATION: THE IMPACT OF AUSTERITY ON THE IRISH SOCIAL PROTECTION SYSTEM - Fiona Dukelow and Mairéad Considine

ITALIAN WELFARE IN THE AFTERMATH OF ECONOMIC CRISIS: NEOLIBERAL REFORMS AND LIMITS TO THE PATH DEPENDENCY APPROACH - Ijin Hong

DEFICIT-DRIVEN AUSTERITY POLICIES: EFFECTS ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND SOCIAL WELFARE IN THE UNITED STATES - David Miller and …

The Bitter Pill: Austerity, Debt, And The Attack On Europe's Welfare States, Howard Karger

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

There is a general belief among may European policymakers that the current debt problem in some Eurozone countries is caused by the unsustainable levels of governmental spending required to maintain overly generous welfare state programs, a bloated public sector, overly generous pension levels, state subsidies, and low user fees for services. Their proposed solution lies in implementing stringent austerity measures designed to discipline debt-ridden governments by cutting public budgets, reducing the number of public sector workers, curbing social benefits, and sharply narrowing the scope of the welfare state. Based on a belief in ‘expansionary austerity,’ this approach repudiates a key …

Between Retrenchment And Recalibration: The Impact Of Austerity On The Irish Social Protection System, Fiona Dukelow, Mairead Considine

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This article analyzes the impact of austerity on the Irish social protection system. The analysis is situated in Ireland’s wider financial and economic crisis and its status as an ‘early adopter’ of an austerity response which has continued under European Union/International Monetary Fund intervention. We focus on how the crisis instigated a political narrative about the cost and design of the social protection system, leading to a programme of retrenchment and reform which has blended a politics of blame avoidance with credit claiming. Three core elements in this narrative— generosity, sustainability and suitability— are identified, and against this background, a …

Italian Welfare In The Aftermath Of The Economic Crisis: Neoliberal Reforms And Limits To The Path Dependency Approach, Ijin Hong

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The 2008 world economic crisis provided a plausible rationale for policy makers in Italy to push forward long needed welfare cuts, resulting in the neoliberal austerity trend fostered by the Monti government (2011-2012). This paper seeks to understand the logic behind the welfare reforms in Italy after the 2008 economic crisis by describing implemented measures and reviewing available theoretical approaches in literature that could account for the reforms’ neoliberal shift from a path-dependent theoretical approach. It is argued that external forces, that is the economic crisis and EU pressures, represented the main trigger, and that political elites marginalized the role …

Rolling Downhill: Effects Of Austerity On Local Government Social Services In The United States, David B. Miller, Terry Hokenstad

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Austerity policies have been instituted in countries around the world attempting to address the fallout from the global economic crisis beginning in 2008 and still lingering through today. While the literature debates the economic impact of these policies, limited attention has been given to the effects of austerity at the local governmental level. It is posited that at the local government level, the effects of austerity policies are most noticeable and detrimental. States and local municipalities are “switching roles” with the federal government (Davidson, 2013, p. 1). They are providing jobs and social welfare services in the gap left by …

Queensland's Budget Austerity And Its Impact On Social Welfare: Is The Cure Worse Than The Disease?, Gregory Marston

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

While considerable attention has been paid to the austerity experiments in Europe, much less attention has been paid to austerity case studies from other parts of the world. This paper examines the case of Queensland, Australia, where the government has pursued austerity measures, while making dire warnings that unless public debt was slashed and the public service sector downsized, Queensland risked becoming the Spain of Australia. The comparison is incomprehensible, given the very different economic situation in Queensland compared with Spain. This comparison constructed a sense of crisis that helped to mask standard neoliberal economic reform. While pursuing neoliberal economic …

Review Of The Origins Of Active Social Policy: Labour Market And Childcare Policies In A Comparative Perspective. Giuliano Bonoli. Reviewed By James Midgley, James Midgley

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Giuliano Bonoli, The Origins of Active Social Policy: Labour Market and Childcare Policies in a Comparative Perspective. Oxford University Press (2013). $ 99.00 (hardcover).

Review Of Sustainable Failures: Environmental Policy And Democracy In A Petro-Dependent World. Sherry Cable. Reviewed By Chris Williams, Chris Williams

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Sherry Cable, Sustainable Failures: Environmental Policy and Democracy in a Petro-Dependent World. Temple University Press (2012). $29.95 (paperback).

Review Of Mental Health And Social Policy. Beyond Managed Care (6th Ed.). David Mechanic, Donna D. Mcalpine, And David A. Rochefort. Reviewed By Christopher G. Hudson, Christopher G. Hudson

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

David Mechanic, Donna D. McAlpine, and David A. Rochefort, Mental Health and Social Policy: Beyond Managed Care (6th ed.). Pearson (2014). $120.47 (paperback).

Review Of The New Black: What Has Changed – And What Has Not – With Race In America. Kenneth W. Mack & Charles Guy-Uriel (Eds.). Reviewed By Johnnie Hamilton-Mason., Johnnie Hamilton-Mason

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Kenneth W. Mack & Charles Guy-Uriel (Eds.), The New Black: What Has Changed – and What Has Not – with Race in America. The New Press (2013). $21.95 (paperback).

Review Of The Globalization Of Supermax Prisons. Jeffrey Ian Ross (Ed.). Reviewed By Ann Marie Rocheleau., Ann Marie K. Rocheleau

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Jeffrey Ian Ross (Ed.), The Globalization of Supermax Prisons. Rutgers University Press (2013). $28.95 (paperback), $72.00 (hardcover).