Digital Commons Network^™

Taking The Edge Off: The Role Of Stressful Events And Perceived Stress On Alcohol Use And Problems Among Older Adults, Paul Sacco

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

Alcohol misuse by older adults is a significant public health concern and is projected to worsen with the aging of the "baby boom" generation. To help understand the nature of older adult alcoholism, it is crucial to investigate factors such as stress that may influence consumption and problem use among older adults. Findings are mixed on the role of stress and coping in alcohol use, and studies comparing the role of stress and coping in alcohol use on different age groups are rare. Therefore, this study had the following aims: 1) To test a stress and coping model of current …

Exploring The Potential Of Aging Network Services To Improve Depression Care, Leslie Hasche

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

Depression is a prevalent, debilitating yet treatable psychiatric disorder affecting older adults. Older adults underutilize specialty mental health care, persistently receive poor quality care in primary care settings, and have high rates of non-adherence to pharmacotherapy. Aging network services, such as adult day services, homecare services, senior centers, and supportive housing may be able to improve the quality of depression care. However, it is unknown how current models of empirically supported depression care are used within or could be adopted by aging network services. Thus, this study described the organizational factors, staff factors, and current agency practices regarding depression among …

Examining The Longitudinal Impact Of Assets And Income On Immigrant Health Behaviors, Jacqueline Kagotho

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

The foreign born population is an integral part of U.S. society and continues to experience a steady numerical increase. This study uses longitudinal data to determine the effects of culture and acculturation on the health behaviors of the foreign born. Drawing from the behavioral model of health service utilization for vulnerable populations: Gelberg, Andersen, & Leake, 2000), the assets effects model: Schreiner & Sherraden, 2007; Sherraden, 1991), and acculturation models and using generalized linear, latent, and mixed models: GLLAMM), the study constructs longitudinal models to establish the determinants of health behaviors: recreational physical activity, alcohol consumption, and cigarette smoking) through …

Who Uses Community-Based Youth Shelters? An Inter-Group And Intra-Group Analysis, Jennifer Mcclendon

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

Community-based youth shelters are the primary method of intervention designed to meet the complex needs of at-risk youth who leave home before they have developed the skills to live independently. This research examines shelter users' patterns of cross-sector service use to better understand the needs and resources of shelter residents. The aims of this study are 1) to perform an inter-group analysis, comparing sheltered youth with status offense runaways and foster care runaways, and 2) to explore the population of emergency shelter residents using an intra-group analysis, determining whether distinct profiles of sheltered youth exist, based on individual characteristics and …

Understanding Political Involvement Among Disadvantaged Adolescents, Suzanne Pritzker

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION Understanding Political Involvement Among Disadvantaged Adolescents by Suzanne Pritzker Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work Washington University in St. Louis, 2009 Professor Amanda Moore McBride, Chairperson Following substantial concern in recent years about youth disengagement from the political arena, 2008 Presidential election data indicate that youth political participation is now on the rise. However, low-income and some ethnic minority youth are substantially less likely to participate and to hold positive attitudes about politics and government than their wealthier and/or White counterparts. This suggests a possible disconnect between ethnic minority or economically disadvantaged youth and the larger …

Health Service Utilization Among Chinese, Filipino, And Asian Indian Older Adults In The United States, Jing Tan

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

The United States is becoming more ethnically diverse, with a rapidly growing Asian population. At the same time, the graying of America brings with it special consideration for America's ethnic minorities. The current research on service utilization among Asian American older adults is very limited. The purposes of this study are:: 1) to describe and compare health service needs and health insurance coverage among Chinese, Filipino, and Asian Indian older adults;: 2) to use modified Andersen's behavior model to identify what predisposing factors, enabling factors, need factors, and immigrant-related factors are associated with health service utilization; and: 3) to test …

The Role Of Foster Care Placement In Later Problem Behavior, Sangmoo Lee

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

Foster care placement is an important child welfare service to protect children from further maltreatment. However, high problem behavior rates among foster youth have been a great concern. Significant limitations in the current knowledge examining the role of foster care placement in later problem behavior exist. This study seeks to increase knowledge about the potential role of foster care placement in problem behavior: juvenile delinquency, runaway, teen pregnancy, and truancy) among foster care youth, based on ecological problem solving model. Research questions are: 1) does foster care placement predict problem behavior among children who received foster care compared to those …

Prevention Of Elder Mistreatment In Nursing Homes: Competencies For Direct-Care Staff, Dana Dehart, Jennifer Webb, Carol Cornman

Faculty and Staff Publications

Existing training on elder mistreatment in nursing homes focuses on detection and reporting of abuse, with little training specifically targeted toward prevention of mistreatment before it occurs. We used qualitative interviews with nursing home staff, policymakers, and related professionals to identify training needs. Based on participant accounts, we drafted a number of competencies essential for caregiver training to prevent mistreatment in nursing homes. Competencies include those dealing with: definitions and policies; risks for mistreatment; communication and respect; and development of a cooperative working environment. Competencies are discussed along with illustrative examples, and implications for practice and policy are addressed.

Emotional Exhaustion And Workload Demands Of Kidney Transplant Social Workers, Joseph R. Merighi, Teri Browne, Sarah Keenan

Faculty and Staff Publications

This exploratory study examined training issues, emotional exhaustion and workload demands in U.S. kidney transplant socialworkers. Online survey data were obtained from 91 respondents who represented all 18 End-Stage Renal Disease networks.Findings indicated that the majority of the respondents’ employers provided resources for educational training and paid timeoff associated with these trainings. With regard to hours per week spent on specific job tasks, respondents indicated that pretransplantactivities were the most time-consuming, followed by post-transplant and inpatient work. Generally, emotionalexhaustion and workload demands were slightly lower than reported for dialysis social workers. Implications for social workpractice and research are discussed.

Pathways To Prison: Impact Of Vicitimization In The Lives Of Incarcerated Women, Dana Dehart

Faculty and Staff Publications

This study examined ways in which victimization may contribute to criminal involvement among incarcerated women. We conducted interviews with 60 women in a maximum securtiy prison to gather each woman's perspective on psychological, physical, and sexual victimization in her life. Qualitative analyses indicated ways that victimization related directly to women's crimes as well as influenced health, psychosocial functioning, or systemic involvement to create difficult situations with which the women struggled. Case histories are used to illustrate pervasive impacts of victimization, and role of multiple traumas and cumulative impact are discussed.

Journal Of The American Deafness And Rehabilitation Association Year 2008, Volume 42, Number 1 Complete

JADARA

Upload of old JADARA issue for digital access

Social Work Field Instructor Orientation At Gsu, Office Of Public Affairs

Press Releases

More than 50 social work field instructors from agencies throughout the metropolitan Chicago area met at Governors State University recently to discuss the parameters of their work as field instructors of students in the university’s social work program.

Community Reintegration For Ex-Offenders?, Nancy Levenburg

Seidman Business Review

I was recently in an Ottawa County courtroom when a man was called to appear before a judge on a charge of non-payment of six months of past-due court costs and fines. Thinking he must owe a massive amount of money, I was stunned when the judge indicated that the total amount due was $128.

Psychosocial Aspects Of The 2008 End-Stage Renal Disease Conditions For Coverage, Teri Browne

Faculty and Staff Publications

On October 14, 2008, practices and policies in every dialysis unit in the United States and its territories will besignificantly changed with the implementation of the 2008 Conditions for Coverage (CfCs) for End-Stage RenalDisease Facilities (Office of the Federal Register, 2008). These CfCs mark the first wholesale change in the regulationsfor dialysis units in more than 30 years, and the Council of Nephrology Social Workers (CNSW) is makingevery effort to provide its members with the tools and resources they need to adapt to and adopt these new CfCs.This special issue of The Journal of Nephrology Social Work is intended to …

Breast Health Behavior Among Lesbians: The Role Of Health Beliefs, Heterosexism, And Homophobia, Dana Dehart

Faculty and Staff Publications

The Health Belief Model was used as a conceptual framework for exploring how health beliefs and perceptions of heterosexism and homophobia in health care relate to lesbians' breast health behaviors, including use of breast exams and mammograms, visits to health care providers, and use of complementary/alternative care. A total of 173 exclusively homosexual women completed survey measures assessing health beliefs, experiences of heterosexism/homophobia, and health maintenance behaviors as these related to breast health. Findings indicated that women perceived heterosexism and homophobia from providers to influence the amount of discussion they had with providers and, to a lesser extent, care received, …

Journal Of The American Deafness And Rehabilitation Association Year 2007, Volume 40, Number 2 Complete

JADARA

Upload of old JADARA issue for digital access

Economic Development Potential Of The Krakow Region, Alicja Boryczko

SPNA Review

Analyzing economic development potential and activities in a region requires identifying factors essential for a successful strategy and analyzing the locale in terms of its resources and relative position within a broader economic environment. In order to examine Krakow’s opportunities and steps already taken, it is necessary to analyze the region’s strengths and weaknesses and relate the findings to academic theories on high technology’s role in economic development and then evaluate the results in the context of Poland.The Krakow Region, located in southern Poland, prides itself as a dynamically developing center of advanced technologies and unmatched business climate. High technology, …

Tax Credits And Health Insurance For The Self-Employed, Adam Buchalski

SPNA Review

This paper will look at how tax credits can help increase the affordability of health insurance among the self-employed in this country. Two of the problems involving health insurance are having enough and being able to afford it. These issues are especially true if you are part of the self-employed population in this country. Many of the self-employed have dropped health coverage or reduced it in the past few years due to rising costs About 24 million of American small business employees and their families are uninsured according to a study by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

The research shows that …

The Facilitation Of Well-Being Through Direct Contact With Family-Of-Origin For Securely Attached Children In Residential Out-Of-Home Placement, Katie Lynn Laroche

Master's Theses and Capstones

The current thesis project sought to answer the following two questions: (1) What is the relationship between emotional well-being of children in residential, out-of-home placement and the frequency of contact with their family of-origin? and (2) What is the relationship between the attachment style of children in residential, out-of-home placement and the frequency of contact with their family-of-origin?

Participants were recruited from a residential group home for abused and neglected children in New England. Limitations: Due to the nature of the population, obtaining informed consent proved difficult and the small sample size is the main limitation of this study. Results: …

Cybercounseling: A Comparison Of The Elements Of Counseling Sessions Face-To-Face And Over Instant Message, Ryan M. Long

Master's Theses and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to compare key elements of a counseling session across both face-to-face sessions and sessions occurring over cyberspace via synchronous chat such as instant message or chat room. The key elements of a counseling session compared in this study included the interview environment, physical and psychological attending, interpreting verbal communication, and interpreting nonverbal communication. The results of this study, though not statistically significant, suggest that credentialed distance counselors perceive counseling via instant message to offer less opportunity to create a facilitating counseling environment, less opportunity for interpretation of nonverbal communication, and less opportunity for psychological …

Ua61/5 Social Work Newsletter, Wku Social Work

WKU Administration Documents

Social Work newsletter includes articles:

• Rural Crossroads
• Note from the Department Head
• Time to Celebrate – Accreditation
• Meet Our New Faculty & Staff – Emily Gouvas, Amy Cappiccie, Mimi Sodhi, Eileen Arnold, Carol Robey
• Focus on Field: Field Supervisor Patty Alford

After School Policy In The State Of Michigan, Erica Curry

SPNA Review

Young people spend just 20 percent of their waking hours in school. Nationwide, 28 million children between the ages of 6 and 17 have parents who work outside the home. These children need care and supervision before and after school, over the summer, and during school breaks. Often, the supply does not meet the demand, and many of the children are not able to get the care and supervision they need. In fact, lack of funding is causing many school-age programs to reduce services or to shut down completely. The lack of care is not without consequences. This paper examines …

Analysis Of The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention And Consumer Protection Act Of 2005 (Bapcpa), Rachel Ruser

SPNA Review

The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 (BAPCPA) was signed into law on April 20, 2005. The new legislation is the largest overhaul of the bankruptcy system since its enactment in 1978. One main purpose of the new legislation is to prevent fraudulent bankruptcy filings as the new law makes filing chapter 7 bankruptcies more difficult. This analysis looks at the major amendments made to the bankruptcy system and the effects on the bankruptcy courts in the United States. A literature review was conducted and found that the new legislation is viewed as being creditor friendly. Many …

From Service To Solidarity: Evaluation And Recommendations For International Service Learning, Melissa Baker-Boosamra

SPNA Review

For service learning pedagogy to live up to its fullest and most authentic potential, educators must address the pitfalls of privilege that often go unexamined in relationships between groups of affluent university students and underprivileged populations that service learning programs traditionally seek to “serve.” In order to address dynamics of power and privilege inherent in any relationship between those who “give service” and those who are “served”, a relationship of honesty, reciprocity and mutuality must be established and promoted between those two groups. This study is an effort to further establish such a relationship by fully involving Salvadoran partners in …

Evaluating Public School Funding In Michigan And The Impact Of Proposal A, Anne-Marie Bessette

SPNA Review

“The scope of reductions under consideration by the Grand Rapids Public School Board should be a wake-up call for the entire community. We can no longer expect business as usual—what was once unimaginable now becomes reality.” - Grand Rapids Education Reform Initiative.

While it is a national trend that public schools are struggling financially, each state has a unique situation due to different funding practices. The budget problems are often blamed on poor money management: too many administrators, too high levels of salaries, extra cost in working with unions, excessive benefits. As for Grand Rapids Public Schools, there are four …

La Rue House, Matthew Peters

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

La Rue House is a collection of short fictional stories set in and around a homeless shelter for adolescents.

Ua61/5 Social Work Newsletter, Wku Social Work

WKU Administration Documents

Social Work newsletter includes articles:

• BSW Scholarship: Engaging Students for Success in a Global Society
• Note from the Department Head
• Graduate Student Organization
• Meet Our New Faculty & Staff – Melanie Randolph
• Departmental Faculty: Scholarly Activities – Suzie Cashwell, Muh-Bi Lin, Cindy Snyder, Saundra Starks
• Phi Alpha Honor Society Inducts New Members
• Save the Date! – National Institute on Social Work & Human Services in Rural Areas
• Thank You . . . & Best Wishes – Serena Britt
• Focus on Field: Field Supervisor, Todd Hazel

Comparison Of Methods And Interdisciplinary Possibilities. The Case Of Literature Reviews In Social Work And In Nursing Sciences, Yves Couturier, Christian Dumas-Laverdière

The Qualitative Report

The reflections on interdisciplinarity cover several dimensions. One, among them, concerns the nature of what occurs between two disciplines. Does inter-disciplinarity relate to an intention, to a metatheory, to the object, or to a method? It is this ultimate space that we propose to study, supported by Resweber’s (2000) proposition, putting the study of the homology of forms forward as a promising way to better understand the interdisciplinarity. Therefore, we have modelled the literature review methods for social work and nursing in order to clarify what expresses, on the plan of the method, either some form homologies or else some …

“Waltzing With The Monster,” Interventions With The Substance-Abusing Adolescent For Pastors, Treatment Providers, And Family, Philip A. Watkins

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The biblical story of the "Prodigal Son" is a universal experience made significantly more precarious by the use of mind altering chemicals. A review of the literature reveals that approximately half of all problems impacting American families are caused or exacerbated by the abuse of alcohol or other drugs. This project's focus is the impact of substance abuse on the developing adolescent. Chemical "hijacking" of the brain's pleasure centers and resultant dysfunction is examined. Primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention are discussed. Interventions which facilitate the young person's "homecoming" and implications for the community of faith are integrated.

Rural Low-Income Mothers' Experiences With Foster Care, Talia Jennie Glesner

Master's Theses and Capstones

This study explores the grief experiences, parental views, supports, and barriers of 22 rural low-income mothers with children in foster care. The family ecology perspective framed the research. T-tests were utilized in a quantitative analysis comparing depression and parental support and confidence between mothers with children in placement and children not in placement.

Results indicated that the differences in mean depression scores were statistically significant between the participants and the control group. Depressive symptoms were found to be much more prevalent in mothers with children in placement than mothers with children not in placement.

The differences in mean scores between …