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The Essential Role Of Social Work In Addressing Victims And Survivors Of Trafficking, Nancie Palmer

ILSA Journal of International & Comparative Law

"All persons held as slaves ... are and henceforth free."' The orders from President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation first issued on September twenty-second in 1862 while limited in scope freeing certain slaves, served to ignite imagination and pride in those who now look back in history at this defining event.

Availability Of Treatment To Youth Offenders: Comparison Of Public Versus Private Programs From A National Census, Rebecca A. Yazzie

Faculty Publications - College of Social Work

Across the United States, the availability of mental health, substance abuse, and recidivism reduction programs in the juvenile justice system (JJS) varies from none or few to a rich variety of programs. Within the last decade, prison privatization in the adult correctional system has influenced the onset of privatization in the JJS. The differences between public and private sectors in their availability of mental health services and treatment programs to juvenile offenders are understudied. In this article, a secondary analysis of a national census of 3163 juvenile facilities was conducted to determine differences in treatment availability as well as the …

A "Pawsitive" Influence Of Animals In Long-Term Care Facilities: Animal-Assisted Therapy At St. Peter Regional Treatment Center, Hannah L. Winkler

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The St. Peter Regional Treatment Center (SPRTC) provides secure, residential, multi-disciplinary treatment services, including psychosocial rehabilitation and skill enhancement, to individuals civilly committed as Mental Ill and Dangerous by the State of Minnesota. Since the treatment process is so comprehensive at SPRTC, patients may spend several years receiving in-patient treatment.

Since SPRTC does not currently have an animal-assisted therapy (AAT) program, the purpose of this project was to research existing AAT programs being implemented with similar patient populations as a way to inform SPRTC staff of possible programs they could implement on their campus. The overall goal of this project …

A Vignette Study Examining The Accuracy Of Diagnosis: The Role Of Patient And Practitioner Gender And Race Match, Kevin Johnson

Wayne State University Dissertations

ABSTRACT

DIAGNOSING MENTAL ILLNESS

By

KEVIN JOHNSON

2010

Advisor: Dr. Janet R. Hankin

Major: Medical Sociology

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology

A convenience snowball sample of 228 mental health practitioners were surveyed and administered two vignettes of persons with mental illness and a 12-question survey that included occupational background and attitudinal questions about diagnosing mental illness. The gender and race of the patients were randomly altered, while the symptoms and characteristics of mental illness remained constant for each vignette. Each practitioner assigned a DSM-IV diagnostic label for axis I and axis II on both vignettes. The surveys were coded …

Psychosocial Problems Of Homeless Sexual Minority Youths And Their Heterosexual Counterparts, Maurice Gattis

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

Abstract The purpose of this dissertation was to better understand the psychosocial problems: mental health problems, substance use problems, and sexual risk behaviors) and the associated contextual risk factors by comparing homeless sexual minority youths with their heterosexual counterparts. This study used an ecological perspective: Bronfenbrenner, 1989) and a risk and protective factors framework: Hawkins, Catalano, & Miller, 1992) to identify contextual risk factors at the microsystem, mesosystem, and macrosystem levels that are associated with the psychosocial problems of homeless sexual minority and homeless heterosexual youths. Individuals aged 16-24 were recruited from three drop-in programs serving homeless youths in downtown …

Evaluating The Patient-Centeredness Of Medicare Part D, Melissa Hensley

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

The implementation of the Medicare prescription drug benefit: "Part D") has brought about many changes in the provision of prescription medications to adults with serious mental illness. Existing research on the impact of Part D on this population, for the most part, examines the benefit from the perspective of the physicians who treat these individuals. This research seeks to use a framework of patient-centered care to examine the impact of the Part D benefit on adults with mental illness, from the viewpoints of beneficiaries themselves and the case managers: "community support workers") who serve them. In addition, data from the …

Extending The Benefits Of Alcohol And Drug Treatment: An Exploration Of Volunteer Utilization And Delivery Of Recovery Services, Leonard L. Bade

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explored what treatment providers can learn from community-based organizations about volunteerism as a way to support long-term alcohol and drug recovery. In particular, this thesis used 11 structured interviews with staff at community-based organizations and treatment centers to determine the level of resource allocation of volunteers, the utilization of volunteers in program and service delivery, and the motivation of volunteers to get and stay involved in recovery activities. Gaining a better understanding of volunteerism as a strategy for extending care beyond a treatment setting had benefits for both treatment center alumni and volunteers. Findings supported previous anecdotal and …

Contributions Of Neglect Subtypes And Family History In Dsm-Iv Disorders: Findings From The Ncs-R, Leanne Heaton

Theses and Dissertations

Despite the prevalence of neglect in the child welfare system, understanding of the etiology of neglect remains limited in scope. Limitations are driven by the frequent reliance on child protective services (CPS) data which consists of identified cases and consequently, the most serious of all cases, or through a few population based studies that operationalize neglect as a homogenous phenomenon rather than as distinct subtypes. Furthermore, most studies of neglect focus on maternal deficiencies while paternal factors are largely ignored. This study is meant to address these considerations by utilizing the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R), a broad population based …

Robust Protective Factors That Help Youths With A Parent Experiencing Depression Achieve Positive Adjustment, Hsing-Jung Chen

Theses and Dissertations

Based on a resilience framework, the purpose of this study was to address knowledge gaps about minority youths who lived in rural and poor areas, had a primary caregiver with a diagnosis of depression, and faced multiple psychosocial stressors. Three research objectives included: 1) To explore the association between ecological protective factors and four developmental outcomes-emotional adjustment, behavioral adjustment, school performance, and educational aspiration; 2) To identify the robust protective factors; and 3) To explore the interactive relationships between risk and robust protective factors. Families (N=126) where the primary caregiver had a diagnosis of major depression and had a child …

What Are The Mental Health Seeking Behaviors Of Female Sex Workers?, Serena Wong

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study asked the following question: What are the mental health help seeking behaviors of female sex workers? The study examined: (1) the mental health help seeking behaviors of female sex workers; (2) sex workers perception of the efficacy of talking to professionals (counselors, psychologists, social workers) and non-professionals about emotional issues and; (3) experiences and feelings related to the disclosure of their sex work status to their therapist. Fifty-eight women who were currently sex workers or had worked within the last year responded to a mixed methods survey questionnaire. The survey covered a range of issues in regards to …

Why Horses? Why Not Horses? : Equine-Facilitated Therapy As It Applies To Mental Health, Katie Ann Worms

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study explored the general benefits of equine-facilitated therapy and for whom this treatment is appropriate. Utilizing interviews of ten equine therapists and therapeutic riding instructors, who have an advanced degree in the areas of social work, psychology, education or therapeutic recreation, as well as at least one year of professional equine experience, this study explored the participants' perception of the use of equine-facilitated therapies as it applies to mental health treatment. Secondly, through this perspective, the study looked to identify a "preferred client profile" that participants felt would be best suited to engage in equine-facilitated therapy (EFT). The findings …

What Is The Efficacy Of Evidence-Based Practice In Mental Health Treatment Of Diverse Ethnic Minorities?, Claire Denise Villegas

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This mixed-method exploratory study attempted to examine the efficacy of evidence-based practice (EBP) in mental health treatment of diverse ethnic minorities. The study utilized an online survey consisting of demographic, multiple-choice and narrative questions. Twenty-one clinicians who utilized EBP interventions in their clinical practice completed this survey. The current EBP research lacks equal representation of ethnic minorities in the study populations. EBPs are increasingly mandated through agency policy and legislation (Carter, 2008). While broad claims are sometimes made that such interventions will "work" for everyone, it is noteworthy that diverse ethnic minorities are often not included in much of the …

Violence And Women's Mental Health: The Pain Unequalled, Part One, Carol E. Jordan

Office for Policy Studies on Violence Against Women Publications

No abstract provided.

Disparate Juvenile Court Outcomes For Disabled Delinquent Youth: A Social Work Call To Action, Christopher A. Mallett

Social Work Faculty Publications

Current service delivery for at-risk youth is through four separate systems: special education; mental health and substance abuse; juvenile justice; and child welfare. Many youth (and their families) are involved with more than one of these systems, making early disability identification and subsequent systems coordination paramount in leading to more successful juvenile court outcomes. This coordination is an important and prioritized public policy concern because a majority of youth (disproportionately minority) within juvenile justice populations has been identified with mental health disorders, special education disabilities, or maltreatment histories. This study of a unique sample of probation-supervised delinquent youths ( n …

Patient Initiation Of Information: Exploring Its Role During The Mental Health Intake Visit, Ora Nakash, Sarah Dargouth, Vanessa Oddo, Shan Gao, Margarita Alegría

School for Social Work: Faculty Publications

Objective: Describe the role of patients' initiation of information in patient-provider communication during mental health intake visits. Methods: One hundred and twenty-nine mental health intake visits of diverse racial/ethnic patients were videotaped. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients and providers following each intake visit. We qualitatively analyzed the interviews to identify themes related to patients' initiation of information. We quantitatively analyzed the videos of the intake visits utilizing a checklist that identified whether the patient or the provider initiated the information exchanged. Results: Patient initiation of information affected providers' evaluation of the credence of the information, assessment of rapport and …

Male Genital Self-Mutilation With Maggot Infestation In An Intoxicated Individual, Thomas M. Dunn, Vincent Collins, Robert M. House, Philippe Weintraub

SPS Faculty Publications

We present the case of a 55-year-old homeless male who presented with penis and scrotal maggot infestation secondary to genital self-mutilation. The patient gave a history consistent with gender identity disorder and indicated that he was intoxicated during the event. The patient had no history of psychosis. He sought medical attention only after he was no longer welcome on public transportation due to the odor emanating from this infection. Untreated gender identity disorder with alcohol dependence in this case led to a drastic behavior with significant consequences.

The Lived-Experiences Of Clinical Supervisors In Rural Mental Health Settings, Lauren Kuhn

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Supervision is an essential component to the counseling field and is a distinct intervention (Bernard & Goodyear, 2004). The primary purpose of supervision is to enhance a counselor's professional development and ensure client welfare. The role of a supervisor carries a tremendous amount of professional, ethical, and legal responsibilities. Therefore, supervisors require specific training, skills, and knowledge related to the provision of mental health services in rural areas in order to provide quality supervision services. The intent of this study is to provide a rich description of the supervisor's experience of supervision in the rural context and its effect on …

Best Practices For Increasing Pro-Social Behavior In Adolescents With Mental Health And Behavioral Disorders, Danielle Armbrust-Malone

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Approximately 2 to 16 percent of the general population has a disruptive behavior disorder such as oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) or conduct disorder (CD) (Corcoran & Walsh, 2006). In a school setting, youth with these disorders may engage in acts such as disrespecting teachers, swearing at others, threatening others, assaulting staff or students, stealing, or vandalizing property and may benefit from a day treatment program which provides mental health services in a school setting. (Whitfield, 1999). Micro intervention strategies such as cognitive behavioral therapy and contingency management and mezzo interventions such as family therapy have been used to treat disruptive …

Bring Mental Health Services Home: Meeting The Mental Health Needs Of Adolescents And Their Families In Rural Minnesota, Laura Filzen

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a program that addressed housing and therapeutic support to adolescents experiencing mental health issues, allowed adolescents to remain in the community, and promoted reunification with their families. “An important indicator of success for children in out-of-home care is a timely transition to reunification” (Park and Ryan, 2009). Based on the literature and practice, it is believed that intensive family therapy is needed to promote reunification and reduce recidivism of placement.

Parent Training, Support And Psychoeducational Groups As Evidence Based Practice In Children's Mental Health, Dorothy Wagner

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The evidence base for programs in children’s mental health has expanded significantly in the last decade (Burns, 2003), yet the implementation of these programs has lagged behind (Walrath, Sheehan, Holden, Hernandez & Blau, 2005). The purpose of this project is to research current evidence based practices and programs that could improve and/or update services that are provided to children and adolescents diagnosed with severe emotional disturbance (SED) in Steele County. Research and analysis of the feasibility of implementing a group intervention to provide support, psychoeducation and/or skills training to families was conducted.

Somali Mental Health, David Mcgraw Schuchman, Colleen Mcdonald

Bildhaan: An International Journal of Somali Studies

No abstract provided.

Comparing The Impact Of Bullying And Sexual Harassment Victimization On The Mental And Physical Health Of Adolescents, James Gruber Phd, Susan Fineran Phd, Licsw

School of Social Work

A sample of 522 middle and high school students from a school district in a northeastern state in the U.S. was used to address two questions about bullying and sexual harassment: Is one more frequent than the other, and are there gender or sexual orientation differences in this regard? And, does one have greater adverse health effects than the other, and, if so, for whom? Bullying occurred more frequently than sexual harassment for both girls and boys but not among sexual minorities. Girls were bullied or harassed as frequently as boys, but sexual minorities experienced higher levels of both. Compared …

Greater El Paso Chamber Of Commerce Community Mental Health Survey, Lisa Tomaka, Mario Caire, Dennis L. Soden

IPED Technical Reports

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Managed Care On Social Work Mental Health Practice, Tendai Masiriri

SPNA Review

An individual seeking psycho-therapy services for a mental health disorder has 60-70 percent chance of receiving services from a master’s level clinical social worker. Despite their lower status, clinical social workers make up 60 to 70 percent of the mental health workforce (Ivey et al, 1998; Clinical Social Work Society of Delaware; Testimony of the National Association of Social Workers Washington, DC Submitted to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, September 26, 2001). This analysis examines the effects of managed behavioral health care on social work mental health practice. It begins with a synopsis on the historical …

Interpersonal Distance In Social Relationships And Mental Health Outcomes In A Glbt Sample, Kristina Mcdougal

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Ample research has been conducted on how heterosexuals distance themselves from gays and lesbians through lack of emotional attachment, job discrimination, and lack of familial support, yet there has been little research on how people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender (GLBT) view this distancing. To examine the distancing from the point of view of people in a GLBT sample we surveyed 200 GLBT people at the Annual Pride Not Prejudice celebration in Salt Lake City. Participants were asked how they viewed their relationship with their parents, and how they perceived their parents religiosity. Participants also completed the Beck …

Drug Use, Mental Health And Encounters With The Legal System In Missoula County, Samantha Renee Cumley

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

It has been well documented in the criminological literature that drug use and crime co-occur (Eilliot, Huizinga and Ageton 1985, Goldstein 1985). Data from the Missoula Arrestee Drug Use Monitoring Study were used to investigate the relationships between drug use, treatment experiences, encounters with the legal system and amenability. It was hypothesized that substance use and dependence would predict encounters with the legal system. It was also hypothesized that treatment experiences would predict lower drug and alcohol dependency scores and fewer encounters with the legal system. Additionally, substance dependence and encounters with the legal system were expected to predict high …

Understanding The Personal And Clinical Utility Of Psychiatric Advance Directives: A Qualitative Perspective, Mimi M. Kim, Richard A. Van Dorn, Anna M. Scheyett, Eric E. Elbogen, Jeffrey W. Swanson, Marvin S. Swartz, Laura A. Mcdaniel

Faculty and Staff Publications

Psychiatric advance directives (PADs) are legal tools that allow competent individuals to declare preferences for future mental health treatment when they may not be capable of doing so as a result of a psychiatric crisis. PADs allow individuals to maintain self–determination during times when they are most vulnerable to loss of autonomy and in need of assistance to make their preferences known and honored. This article describes the content of twenty–eight open–ended, semi–structured qualitative interviews of adults with PADs who have experienced psychiatric crises. The qualitative analysis revealed three major themes from the interviews: (1) PADs as tools for empowerment …

Lsu Mental Health Service Program Evaluation, Elizabeth S. Johnston

LSU Master's Theses

This study includes a program evaluation of LSU Mental Health Services and its impact on the college students receiving services. The study used both an outcome survey (Schwartz Outcome Survey-10) to determine any changes in current life functioning and a satisfaction survey (Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8) to assess the client’s perceived contentment with services provided. The expectations were that students would demonstrate an improvement in their current functioning after receiving treatment and that their outcome scores would correspond positively to reported client satisfaction scores. Results reveal that the student participants reported significant improvement in their overall functioning. In addition, the participants …

Behaviorally-Based Disorders: The Historical Social Construction Of Youths' Most Prevalent Psychiatric Diagnoses, Christopher A. Mallett

Social Work Faculty Publications

The article discusses the historical social construction of the most prevalent diagnosis of youth in the U.S. The country's psychiatry controls the definitions of mental health disorders and diagnosis through required practice utilization of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. A research is conducted through a social construction theoretical paradigm to identify diagnostic classification systems, nosology changes, and critical time periods.

Nineteenth Century Review Of Mental Health Care For African Americans: A Legacy Of Service And Policy Barriers, Tony B. Lowe

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The need to focus on service and policy barriers to mental health service delivery for African Americans remains critical. The purpose of this article is to review nineteenth century care as a method for understanding contemporary service and policy barriers. A case study strategy is used to compare the efforts of Pennsylvania and South Carolina using primary and secondary sources to document these developments through a political economy perspective. These findings suggest that the prevailing social, political and economic realities have created mental health disparities along racial lines. Existing barriers are likely rooted in this same reality.