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Journal Of The American Deafness And Rehabilitation Association Year 2011, Volume 44, Number 3 Complete

JADARA

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Identifying Postpartum Intervention Approaches To Preventing Type 2 Diabetes In Women With A History Of Gestational Diabetes, Jacinda M. Nicklas, Chloe A. Zera, Ellen W. Seely, Zainab S. Abdul-Rahim, Noelle D. Rudloff, Sue E. Levkoff

Faculty and Staff Publications

Background: Women who develop gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have an increased risk for the development of type 2 diabetes. Despite this "window of opportunity," few intervention studies have targeted postpartum women with a history of GDM. We sought perspectives of women with a history of GDM to identify a) barriers and facilitators to healthy lifestyle changes postpartum, and b) specific intervention approaches that would facilitate participation in a postpartum lifestyle intervention program.

Methods: We used mixed methods to gather data from women with a prior history of GDM, including focus groups and informant interviews. Analysis of focus groups relied on …

The Foster Parent Experience Of Attachment, Taylor Cohen

Master's Theses and Capstones

This study explores the attachment experience of foster parents. The researcher used a qualitative research framework to explore what 10 foster parents experienced in regards to attachment with their foster children. Based on the data and content analysis, a foster parent ecology emerged showing that the foster parent/child attachment relationship is affected by doctors, therapists, social workers, case workers, other foster parents, and the biological parents. The temporary nature of foster care and the goal of reunification of child to biological parent also affected the attachment relationship between foster parent and foster child.

On The Road To Samaria: Urban Religious Congregations As Resource Brokers, Kirk Foster

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

Concentrated poverty is an increasing problem in urban U.S. neighborhoods leading to social isolation and marginalization from mainstream institutions. Conventional thought has argued that the urban poor lack resources necessary for social and economic mobility due to constrained social networks endemic in homogeneously poor communities. However, neighborhood based organizations may be one place where the urban poor can engage heterogeneous resource networks to advance socially and economically. Religious congregations are enduring neighborhood organizations that present the opportunity for social interaction and resource access. Thus, this study examines the role of religious congregations in providing access to resources embedded in congregational …

Asset Effects For Children With Disabilities: Analysis Of Educational And Health Outcomes, Jin Huang

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

In the last two decades, asset-based social policies, which encourage families, especially low-income families, to accumulate assets by providing appropriate institutional settings, have received increasing attention from policymakers and researchers. Various programs and strategies have been outlined to improve saving and asset ownership opportunities in disadvantaged populations. Although there are multiple proposals of asset-based programs for children with disabilities, few of them have been implemented. To better inform asset-based policy practices for children with disabilities, this study examines asset effects for this population using the secondary survey data. Asset effects refer to the hypothesized positive influences of household assets on …

The Earned Income Tax Credit And Financial Capability Among Native Households, Kristen Wagner

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

EITC refunds are often substantial sums of money entering households of working families each year. Many households use the EITC to meet their basic needs such as rent, utilities, food, groceries, clothing, and other household expenses. Other EITC recipients view the tax system as a savings mechanism. This is the first study of how the EITC is being used among Native populations. Study data includes 9,482 household surveys collected in over 80 urban, rural, and reservation communities across the U.S. Surveys were completed by EITC eligible households, both Native and non-Native in tax years 2005 - 2008. Results from this …

From Classroom To Workplace: Becoming A Social Worker, Sarah Louise Hessenauer

Dissertations

This exploratory qualitative study examines the key educational experiences that graduated bachelor level social workers identified as being most helpful to them in their current social work careers. Twenty traditional aged social workers who graduated from CSWE accredited, bachelor level, social work programs in the last 4 to 24 months and who had been working in a social work agency for a minimum of three months were asked to voluntarily participate in the study. The social workers participated in one-on-one interviews in which they were asked to describe their educational experiences and their beliefs about how those experiences supported them …

From Sin To Sickness: A Qualitative Content Analysis Of Four Major American Newpapers' Representations Of Alcoholism, Amy Platt

Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions)

AbstractFrom Sin to Sickness: A Qualitative Content Analysis of Four Major American Newspapers' Representation of AlcoholismByAmy PlattSchool of Social Welfare The purpose of this study is to explore how four major American newspapers represent alcoholism. These newspapers are: The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, and the Wall Street Journal. Articles were collected over a five year period (2004-2008) using a constructed, random sample. The principal research questions are: (1) How do different newspapers portray alcoholism?, (2) How much emphasis do the articles place on the moral model of addiction? (3) How much emphasis do the articles place …

More Ways To Engage, Sarah Zeller Julian '07

Illinois Wesleyan University Magazine, 2002-2017

Alumni Association leaders expand connections through regional and affinity groups.

Does Context Matter In Determining Psychological Abuse? Effects Of Pattern, Harm, Relationship, And Norms, Dana D. Dehart, Diane R. Follingstad, Alice M. Fields

Faculty and Staff Publications

This study explored contextual influences in determining whether psychologically aggressive actions constitute abuse. One hundred and thirty-one undergraduates completed measures of key experiences, attitudes, and traits, and rated abusiveness of behaviors in a series of vignettes. Vignettes varied contexts in which behaviors occurred, including whether the behavior was a pattern, whether there was harm to the recipient, characteristics of the initiator-recipient relationship, and whether behavior was normative. Results showed no effects for participants' gender, past experiences with psychological aggression, and traits or attitudes. Findings indicated that behaviors were rated as more abusive when harm to recipient was evident. Findings regarding …

An Interdisciplinary Theoretical Interpretive Synthesis Examining The Barriers To Implementing Restorative Justice As The Standard Paradigm Of Adult Criminal Justice Within The Context Of The United States, Matthew J. Van Maastricht

Masters Theses

A systemic paradigm shift of any sort is complex and multifaceted. A systemic paradigm shift of justice is no different. The purpose of this study is to identify the barriers that exist in a systemic paradigm shift from retributive justice to restorative justice. The methodology for this study is an interpretive synthesis of literature on restorative justice and consists of primarily theoretical literature. The literature for this study came from a variety of disciplines (e.g. psychology, criminal justice, sociology, and social work) in order to obtain a holistic perspective. A tripartite analysis was conducted using three perspectives: criminal justice, social …

Stereotypes: Racism And Its Effects On The 2008 Presidential Election And Our Citizens, Mark Anthony Wheeler

McNair Scholars Research Journal

This is such a historic time in our country's story, due to the reprieve from the usual choice of middle-aged White males in a presidential election. The make-up of candidates' age, race, and sex in the 2008 primaries and general election allowed the unique opportunity for multiple stereotypes to be engaged. This was an exploratory qualitative study, relying on descriptive data, participant observation during the general election campaign, and in-depth interviews (N-8) that happened within six months after the election of Barak H. Obama, first African-American elected president of the United States. The purpose of this study is to examine …

Mentorship: In Research, Practice, And Planning, Jasmine A. Lee

McNair Scholars Research Journal

This research examines literature from 1995-2007 involving youth mentorships in America. Mentor/National Mentoring partnership defines youth mentorship as a "structured and trusting relationship that brings young people together with caring individuals who offer guidance, support and encouragement aimed at developing the competence and character of the mentee" (2003. Over the past decade there has been a resurgence of youth mentoring as a way to provide support and encouragement to "at-risk" youth in America. My study of the literature involved defining the word mentor and finding the best practices used by mentor programs that create positive outcomes in youth and documenting …

Practitioners' Views Of Effective Treatment Options For Childhood Trauma, Mary Sue Storie

McNair Scholars Research Journal

In today's society the number of children who experience childhood trauma is increasing significantly. As a result of this increase, the number of people seeking treatment is also on the rise. For this study, data were collected using both qualitative interviews (N=10) and an online quantitative survey (N=32). Practitioners' views of effectiveness ranged from both more traditional treatments to emerging alternative treatments. Recent knowledge from brain research shows trauma impacts both the left and right side of the brain. Many practitioners noted effective treatment needs to be comprehensive. This is supported by literature recommending modalities that work with the effect …

Children, Trauma, And The Troubles: Northern Ireland's Social Service Response, Lisa A. Ghigliazza

McNair Scholars Research Journal

Society in Northern Ireland has been wrought by sectarian conflict for decades. The conflict, punctuated by random acts of bloodshed and violence from paramilitary groups, police, and the British military, had been the predominant model for conflict resolution in Northern Ireland until the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. Neighbors and friends had become enemies because of religious and political ideologies which lead to death, injury, and a deeply divided society. There was also an unseen cost of the conflict known as the Troubles; the immeasurable toll the conflict had taken on the mental and emotional health of …

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 …

Predictors Of Intercultural Competence Among International Volunteers, Benjamin Lough

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

International volunteering and service: IVS) has the potential to promote intercultural competence, or "the ability to communicate effectively and appropriately in intercultural situations based on one's intercultural knowledge, skills, and attitudes": Deardorff, 2008: 33). Although conditions of IVS vary greatly across program models, nearly all claim that volunteering will increase intercultural competence. Contact theory, transformative learning theory, and various stage theories of intercultural learning all suggest, however, that cultural contact will only improve a volunteer's intercultural competence under certain conditions. This dissertation builds on previous scholarship by isolating four characteristics that vary across institutional models, and testing how these variations …

The Pursuit Of Accreditation In Children's Mental Health Care: Motivations, Experiences, And Perceptions, Madeline Lee

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

Accreditation is a growing, worldwide phenomenon and thousands of mental health organizations spend considerable amounts of money and resources towards achieving and maintaining accreditation. Despite its widespread use, the empirical and theoretical literature on accreditation is sparse. This study is the first step towards examining accreditation's potential as an organizational intervention to improve the quality of mental health services. Using a mixed methods multiple case study design, this exploratory study aimed to 1) understand agencies' motivations to pursue accreditation, 2) explore agencies' experiences with the accreditation process, 3) identify mental health care workers' perceptions of how the accreditation process may …

Impacts Of Parental Resources On Child Educational Outcomes: Assets And Mediating Pathways, Youngmi Kim

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

Scholars have begun to pay more attention to the role of parental wealth in children's educational attainment. There is still no consensus on how different types of assets contribute to children's educational outcomes. Also, asset effects on high school dropout are not examined to date, and mediating pathways of social-psychological characteristics are more investigated with educational achievement: e.g. measured by test scores, GPA) rather than educational attainment. In response to these academic gaps, this study investigates: 1) the effects of parental assets in child's educational attainment from high school dropout to college degree attainment and: 2) the mediating roles played …

Racial Disparities In Hiv Seroprevalence Among Male Street Sex Workers, Larry Morton

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

This dissertation examined whether racial disparities in HIV/AIDS between African American and Caucasian male street sex workers: MSSWs) existed and, if so, what were the possible reasons for these disparities. African American MSSWs were significantly more likely to report being HIV/AIDS-positive. However, when included in binary logistic models, the relationship between HIV risk factors: of syphilis and sexual assault) and HIV status did not significantly vary between African American and Caucasian MSSWs. Mediation of sexual assault and/or syphilis between race and HIV/AIDS could not be tested due to not meeting the assumptions for mediation. African American MSSWs are over twice …

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 …

Collaboration Between Victim Services And Faith Organizations: Benefits, Chanllenges, & Recommendations, Dana Dehart

Faculty and Staff Publications

Although many crime victims seek support from members of the faith community, faith leaders may feel unsure of their abilities to assist. This paper describes findings from a descriptive needs assessment that preceded a national project to link faith-based organizations and victim service programs in five high-crime neighborhoods. Approximately 90 participants were interviewed, including faith leaders, victim service providers, and other professionals. A majority saw positive implications of faith-secular collaboration but also identified concerns. Findings focus on perceived obstacles and facilitators of collaboration, addressing climate for faith-secular collaboration, disciplinary differences, community engagement, and church-state separation. Implications for collaboration are explored …

Cognitive Restructuring Through Dreams & Imagery: Descriptive Analysis Of A Women's Prison-Based Program, Dana Dehart

Faculty and Staff Publications

This report describes process and outcome evaluation of an innovative program based in a women's maximum-security correctional facility. Methodology included review of program materials, unobtrusive observation of group process, participant evaluation forms, focus groups, and individual interviews with current and former program participants. Findings indicate that program was a great source of emotional respite, release, and support for the women, with women describing increased insights into themselves, their traumas, and their crimes. Implications are discussed, including popular appeal of dream work and its potential clinical relevance to prisoners' inner conflicts.

Caseloads And Salaries Of Nephrology Social Workers By State, Esrd Network, And National Kidney Foundation Region: Summary Findings For 2007 And 2010, Joseph R. Merighi, Teri Browne, Kathleen Bruder

Faculty and Staff Publications

The Council of Nephrology Social Workers and the National Kidney Foundation conducted two national online surveys of nephrology social workers to assess caseload and salary trends by state, End-Stage Renal Disease Network, and National Kidney Foundation Region. Between 2007 and 2010, outpatient dialysis social workers experienced increases in mean case-load size from 73 to 79 (up 8.2%) for those employed 20–31 hours per week, 113 to 121 (up 7.1%) for those employed 32–40 hrs/wk, and 117 to 126 (up 7.7%) for those employed 40 hrs/wk. Increases in mean hourly wage were also reported across all three employment status groups for …

Taylor: A Magazine For Taylor University Alumni, Parents And Friends(Summer 2009), Taylor University

The Taylor Magazine (1963-Present)

The Summer 2009 edition of Taylor Magazine, published by Taylor University in Upland, Indiana.

Substance Abuse, Marginalization, And Homelessness: Bayesian Perspectives On A Persisting Problem, Ben Alexander-Eitzman

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

This dissertation study examined what role substance abuse plays in the marginalized status of homeless adults and how the combined effects of marginalization and substance abuse impact service use and housing status changes over time. The concept of marginalization is used to describe how isolated an individual is from basic needs such as supportive social contact, a safe environment, and legal income options. Thus, the specific aims of this project were to 1) describe longitudinal patterns of substance abuse and marginalization in a homeless population, 2) examine the combined effects of substance abuse and marginalization on housing status changes over …

Asset Trajectories And Child Outcomes: Implications For Asset-Based Policies, Vernon Loke

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

Wealth is increasingly recognized as an important determinant in children's human capital trajectories, and a number of countries have proposed or implemented asset-building policies targeting children. Much of the research on assets, however, has focused on the predictors of asset holding, and little is known about asset accumulation trajectories. This is especially so for families with young children. In addition, while studies have demonstrated the positive effects of assets on children's outcomes, few have examined the effects of different asset accumulation patterns and trajectories. This dissertation uses structural equation modeling techniques, including growth mixture models, to further clarify and specify …

Institutional Responses To Self-Injurious Behavior Among Inmates, Dana D. Dehart, Hayden P. Smith, Robert J. Kaminski

Faculty and Staff Publications

To date, little research has systematically investigated perceptions of mental health professionals regarding perceived motivations for self-injury among prison inmates. To help fill this gap, descriptive techniques were used to examine self-injurious behavior among inmates from the perspective of correctional mental health professionals. A quantitative survey was used to assess perceptions of mental health staff regarding etiology, motivations, and manifestations of self-injury. A qualitative interview component was used to explicate responses from the survey. Findings indicate that inmate cutting, scratching, opening old wounds, and inserting objects were the most commonly witnessed behaviors. There were indications that self-injury occurred regularly and …

Qualitative Research For Social Workers Or Social Work For Qualitative Researchers?, Dan Wulff

The Qualitative Report

Deborah Padgett’s new edition of Qualitative Methods in Social Work Research significantly updates and expands her initial edition. This qualitative research text will be a welcomed addition to social work research courses. While becoming a more inclusive text with wide applicability for the research context today, the author only hints at some of the more contentious or evolving issues that continue to make the field of qualitative research challenging to traditional research approaches. Several places/issues of growth and evolution are suggested by this reviewer

Harm Reduction In Outpatient Drug-Free Substance Abuse Treatment Settings, Michael Eversman

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

In the United States, drug-free substance abuse treatment programs generally operate under an abstinence-only, disease model based service orientation. Citing several reasons, critics suggest disease model approaches hinder client utilization and retention within such services. The framework of harm reduction offers an alternative approach to substance abuse treatment services and may have potential for improving utilization and retention outcomes. Yet little is known about how harm reduction is perceived by practitioners in drug-free substance abuse treatment settings, and the circumstances in which harm reduction may or may not be accepted. In addition, despite a body of narrative literature suggesting harm …