Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Segregation Of Student Financial Aid In Higher Education: The Effects On Low-Income Students When Ebt Is Not Accepted At University Campuses In San Diego, Ca., Tanisha-Jean Martin

M.A. in Leadership Studies: Capstone Project Papers

The student bodies of universities are made up of a diverse financial class of students which utilize various methods to cover financial obligations on campus, even with the use of welfare governmental assistance. Low-income students that are involved in government welfare programs are given an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card to support them while they are pursuing an education; however, every university in San Diego, CA (and nearly the entire United States), segregate EBT into an unacceptable category and refuse to accept the card at any venues on campus. The EBT card is a plastic card that can be used …

Differentiated Reactions To Payment For Ecosystem Service Programs In The Columbia River Basin: A Qualitative Study Exploring Irrigation District Characteristics As Local Common-Pool Resource Management Institutions In Oregon, Usa, Spencer Thomas Plumb, Travis Paveglio, Kelly West Jones, Brett Alan Miller, Dennis R. Becker

Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology Student Research

Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) programs are increasingly employed to encourage individual actors to preserve and/or restore environmentally beneficial instream flows in freshwater ecosystems. However, the success of these PES programs has been mixed across geographic locations and the influence of local resource management institutions remains unclear. In the western U.S.A. little is known about the role of irrigation districts regarding these water transactions. This study addresses that deficit by using existing knowledge about common-pool resource management characteristics to explore the role of irrigation districts in PES programs that incentivize water transactions in the state of Oregon. We conducted 20 …

Students' Attitudes Towards Mental Illness: A Comparative Analysis, Anna Grace Mclaughlin

Showcase of Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavors (SOURCE)

The number of people with mental illnesses continues to increase greatly, yet these remain some of the most stigmatized illnesses in the U.S. The stigma held about mental illness can affect the way individuals are treated in society. This study examinines attitudes towards mental illness among college students. Given that attitudes may vary by areas of study, this research specifically compares social work and non-social work students’ attitudes. Comparing the attitudes of social work students with those of other students could gauge the adequacy of the education that social work students are receiving on mental illness. The study employed a …

Is Therapy Going To The Dogs? Evaluating Animal Assisted Therapy For Early Identified At-Risk Children, Leah Faith Brookner

Dissertations and Theses

This study explores the historical context of human-animal relationships and examines the important ways that humans benefit from various types of interactions with domesticated animals. Therapeutic approaches that incorporate animals have been shown to have multiple benefits, including improved physical and mental health. Although this area of study is still largely overlooked in scientific fields of study, including social work, Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) has become increasingly prevalent in various mental health settings. Despite its popularity and anecdotal support, research on the benefits of AAT with children is minimal; there are no studies examining the ways in which this approach …

A Lumberjack Sunflower, Blooming From Undergraduate Research, Robert J. Hurt

Undergraduate Research Conference

My research focus is a case study on my own self, blooming from the growth that I have experienced from #brfloodsfa, my School of Social Work, and the 2017 Undergraduate Research Conference.

On My Own Terms: Effectiveness Of Death With Dignity Legislation In Oregon, Megan E. Russell

Undergraduate Research Conference

Social Issue: Today the elderly represent a growing segment of the population. This has resulted in a number of different controversies, including rising medical costs and end-of-life issues. In recent years, multiple states have passed legislation to provide guidance to the terminally ill regarding end-of-life issues. Oregon has led the way in providing dignified options for terminally ill individuals wishing to end their lives through the use of legal prescription medication. This issue of a 'death with dignity' has been a controversial topic on which individuals have a variety of strongly held views, and we have only just begun to …

A Blend Of Absurdism And Humanism: Defending Kurt Vonnegut’S Place In The Secondary Setting, Krisandra R. Johnson

Butler Journal of Undergraduate Research

This essay argues that Kurt Vonnegut blends a unique humanist stance into his absurdist plots and characters, ultimately urging readers to confront the absurd with a kindness and human decency his protagonists often find rare. As a result of this absurd and humanist synthesis, I defend and promote Vonnegut’s place in the secondary English curriculum, despite his rank on many banned books lists, since his characters’ journeys correlate thematically with the growth and process of postmodern adolescents and encourage moral responsibility without sentimental manipulation.

Focusing on Cat’s Cradle, God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater, and Slaughterhouse-Five as primary sources, specifically …

Faculty Perspectives On Financial Capability And Asset Building In Social Work Education: A Research Report, Margaret S. Sherraden, Jin Huang, Lissa Johnson, Peter Dore, Julie Birkenmaier, Vernon Loke, Sally Hageman

Center for Social Development Research

This report is based on a study conducted in collaboration with the Council on Social Work Education. The report presents findings from a national online survey of social work faculty. Results identify financial and economic (F&E) content taught in the current curriculum, gaps in coverage, and strategies for improving the academic preparation of social workers in these areas. Findings will inform financial capability and asset-building curriculum and improve the academic preparation of social workers.

The Predictors Of Juvenile Recidivism: Testimonies Of Adult Students 18 Years And Older Exiting From Alternative Education, La Toshia Palmer

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this descriptive, qualitative study was to identify and describe the importance of the predictors of juvenile recidivism and the effectiveness of efforts to prevent/avoid juvenile recidivism as perceived by previously detained, arrested, convicted, and/or incarcerated adult students 18 years of age and older exiting from alternative education in Northern California. A second purpose was to explore the types of support provided by alternative schools and the perceived importance of the support to avoid recidivism according to adult students 18 years of age and older exiting from alternative education.

Methodology: This qualitative, descriptive research design identified …

Exploring The Attitudes Of The Hope Campus Community Towards The Ready For Life Program, Katherine Veldink, Madelyn Mikitka, Elizabeth Lilley, Jordon Lambert

17th Annual Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Performance (2018)

Exploring the attitudes of the Hope College campus community towards the Ready for Life Program was a topic first researched for a fall Genius Hour Showcase, as social inclusion is a primary area of interest for this researcher and her team. Ready for Life is a program that provides post-secondary educational experiences for college-aged individuals diagnosed with cognitive, learning, or social disabilities. Instructors at Ready For Life assist each student in daily instruction and support, and partners with Hope College professors to adapt the academic materials from the courses each student is enrolled in. As a partner with Hope College, …

Social Inclusion And Disability In The Us And China: An International Context For Experiential Learning, Kylie Dekryger, Abigail Duran, Maria G. Garcia Reyes, Gabrielle Werner

17th Annual Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Performance (2018)

Children with disabilities are a highly vulnerable group around the world, including in China (Cheung, 2013). However, China’s context differs in two notable ways: population size and lack of systematic means of delivering community-based services for people with disabilities (Fisher, Li, and Fan, 2012; UNICEF-EAPRO, 2012). This project focused on the study of community-based services in China and their role in the continuum of care for persons with disabilities. In addition, students and faculty participated in experiential learning and professional development through engagement with non-governmental organizations that focus on this population in the cities of Beijing, Xian, Zhengzhou, and Hong …

Assessment And Cts2 Publication.Pdf, Suk-Hee Kim, Karrah Wills, James Canfield, Francoise Kazimierczuk, Dana Harley, Melody Hyppolite, Patricia Desrosiers

Social Work Faculty Publications

This paper presents prevalence data gathered from the fast-growingmetropolitan southeast in the United States college campus representativesample through an on-line 28-question survey on the sexual,physical, and psychological harm in university/college dating anddomestic violence relationships. The study questions were 1) what isthe prevalence of dating and domestic violence on college campus?and 2) what are the characteristics of those affected by it? The results,derived from the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS2) and the datingexperiences survey, reveal that college students’ gender identity,sexual orientation, grade point average (GPA), number of missingclasses, current relationship status that they were associated withdating and domestic violence among college …

Examining Jordanians' Attitudes Towards Five Types Of Developmental Disabilities, Najah Zaaeed Drph, Mohammad M. Mohammad, Peter Gleason, Khaled A. Bahjri Md, Naomi Modeste

Journal of Refugee & Global Health

Background: The diagnosis and reported rates of persons with developmental disabilities (PWDDs) in Jordan is steadily increasing. Although initiatives have been implemented to improve the lives of PWDDs, attitudes towards PWDDs hinder successful inclusion in the Jordanian society.

Objectives: To examine the relationship between Jordanians socio-economic status and attitudes towards persons with developmental disabilities: autism, blindness, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and muscular dystrophy.

Methods: Jordanians (N=259), ages 18-65 were recruited for this convergent parallel, mixed-methods study. Participants completed the modified 40-item Community Living Attitude Scale-developmental disability (CLAS-DD) and the modified Intellectual Disability Literacy Scale consisting of five vignettes, representing each …

An Exploratory Study Of Health Promotion And Disease Prevention Communication Among Haitian Mother–Daughter Dyads In West Central Florida, Stacy Eileen Kratz

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This exploratory study examined links between health communication and other constructs affecting health promotion and disease prevention among Haitian mother-daughter dyads living in West Central Florida, and the risk or protective factors for HIV. Risky sexual behaviors can be reduced with accurate and effective information provided through parent-adolescent communication (Coetzee et al, 2014; Ogle, Glasier & Riley, 2008; Hadley et al., 2009). In Haiti, a country that bears a disproportionate burden of HIV/AIDS, women are the most vulnerable (UNAIDS, 2016a); In the United States (U.S.), foreign-born Haitian women in the state of Florida experience health disparities in many areas and …

Experience Immigrants Have With Housing In Waterloo, Darlene Fitkin

Annual Graduate Student Symposium

The purpose of this qualitative empirical research is to examine the experiences immigrants are having with housing in Waterloo, Iowa. Waterloo has a large and growing population of immigrants. It is important to capture immigrants’ experiences, to facilitate acclamation with their new environment. Going through IBR and following their guidelines, a list of 10 open ended questions was used as a tool to interview four homebased Head Start workers. Each recorded interview was approximately one-hour long. After transcription, dedoose program was used to develop themes. All participants of the study (Head Start workers) worked mostly with Burmese families, but one …

The Effects Of Adverse Childhood Experiences On Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder In Post 9/11 Combat Veterans, Rebecca Brown

Annual Graduate Student Symposium

Objective: To determine whether Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) predicts the development of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among post 9/11 combat Veterans who served in Iraq or Afghanistan. Rationale: PTSD is a diagnosis found among a high percentage of combat Veterans who experience trauma while deployed. As research shows, trauma during childhood can affect and increase the trauma related to deployment and combat. This research paper expands upon the current literature that demonstrates a relationship between childhood trauma and trauma experienced among combat Veterans while deployed, as the results may benefit military branches in improving mental health services to service members. …

Fax: August 8, 1996, The White House, Office Of The Press Secretary

Saffy Collection - All Textual Materials

A fax sent to Dr. Edna L. Saffy, a press release regarding President Clinton signing a bill on July 31, 1996 and the welfare system.

Guide Lines Vol. I, Issue 14 - April 2018, College Of Health And Human Services

GUIDE Lines

No abstract provided.

On My Own Terms: Effectiveness Of Death With Dignity Legislation In Oregon, Megan E. Russell

Student Publications

As the elderly constitute a greater proportion of the population, end-of- life issues have taken on a greater sense of urgency. This paper will address the heart of the debate, which is a terminally ill patient's right to dignity and self-determination. To further explore this social issue, a literature review will be conducted using a variety of relevant literature including, peer reviewed journals, and accredited online resources to assemble evidence of researchers. In some states, the discussion on this social issue has resulted in the enactment of policy. One of the first groundbreaking public laws was the Oregon Death with …

Self-Care In Graduate And Undergraduate Social Work Students At The University Of Southern Maine, Rachel Andreasen

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

Prior literature clearly demonstrates that social workers are at a high risk for burnout, compassion fatigue, secondary stress, and vicarious trauma (Kapilistas & Corcoran, 2015) (Kinman & Grant, 2011). Social work programs that have incorporated training on self-care education have found students less stressed and with less burnout. Using Self Care Deficit Theory as a theoretical basis, the purpose of this descriptive quantitative study is explore the ways in which social work students at the University of Southern Maine are incorporating self-care into their education and lives. Students participated in a survey, which measures self-care in multiple domains. Descriptive and …

The Media Portrayal Of Homelessness In Portland, Maine, Molly Hardman

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

On January 24, 2017, 1,188 people were identified as homeless in Maine. The Maine State Housing Authority estimates that 527 of those people were unsheltered or resided in emergency homeless shelters in the City of Portland. People who suffer from mental illness and substance abuse, survivors of domestic violence, as well as unaccompanied youths and veterans represent many of the homeless individuals in the City of Portland (MSHA, 2017). There is an abundance of research on homelessness as it relates to mental health disorders and substance abuse (Sarvis, 2017); however, less attention has been paid to the portrayal of homelessness …

Living Kinky, Carrie Kahl

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

Current research around BDSM bondage-discipline, domination-submission (BDSM) and kink often serves to pathologize behaviors we now recognize as part of a healthy sexual expression for individuals, couples, and poly groups alike. Kink can be defined as sensual, erotic, or otherwise sexual behaviors that are considered unconventional within the context of a society, and while these behaviors have been depathologized with the release of the DSM-V, much of the existing research has been slow to reflect these changes.

Through a phenomenological approach this study offers a glimpse into the lived experience of five self-identified kinky individuals (n=5) with consideration of their …

13 Reasons Why Not: Examining Peer Networks And Barriers To Help Seeking, Katharine Comber

Social Work Theses

This paper examines mental health perceptions on a college campus, with an emphasis on the importance of peer networks, the barriers to help-seeking behaviors, and the persisting stigma against mental health treatment. The researcher hypothesized that students will report confiding in family, friends, and peers in times of emotional distress, rather than more formal support networks. The study utilized a 13-item survey that examined what barriers students face in seeking help, to whom students turn in times of distress, and if they feel that there is stigma on campus that is a deterrent to formal mental health treatment. The results …

“Older Adults And Their Experiences With Home Care And Assisted Living”, Faith Robinson

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

As the state of Maine and the U.S. population at large continues to age, discussion about future care and living arrangements for older adults has become an increasingly relevant issue. Older adults are often faced with a range of options for housing, including staying in their home in their community while receiving home care services, or moving to an assisted living facility.

Currently a gap in the research exists as to the attitudes, perceptions, and lived experiences of the older adults themselves around these decisions, experiences, and the meaning of “home” in our older years. This study aims to provide …

A Qualitative Study Of Asylum Seekers Experience As Mentees With The Welcoming The Stranger Program, Deborah H. W. Hamilton

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

Asylum seekers are foreign nationals who enter the United States legally fleeing danger in their home country. Over 26,000 individuals were granted asylum in 2015, with 3.4% of the State of Maine’s population identifying as immigrants. Portland Maine’s General Assistance (GA) office reports nearly 40% of GA recipients were visa holders seeking asylum during fiscal year 2016. Asylum seekers arrive with psychological and physical burdens and then face hurdles trying to gain legal status while attempting to get their basic needs met in the social service systems. Organizations have been created on a grassroots level to provide support and bypass …

Military Sexual Trauma: A Thematic Analysis Of Impact And Interventions, Rebecca Cornell Du Houx

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

Media driven awareness of military sexual trauma (MST), meaning sexual harassment or assault that occurred while serving in the US Military, may have increased since the term was first coined in 2004, yet the services available for survivors of MST could still be lacking. Percentages of MST prevalence range, with one research study finding 80% of women serving in the military have experienced some type of sexual harassment or assault (Meade, Glenn, & Wirth, 2013). Previous research has also shown that MST is connected to depression, suicidal ideation, and PTSD, along with other mental health conditions.* During the present study, …

Cultural Diversity In The Msw Learning Space: Exploring Awareness, Acceptance, And Perceptions, Natasha Bragg, Christine Marie Bishop, Minyoung Lim

Faculty Publications

This exploratory study assesses MSW students’ awareness, acceptance, and perceptions with regard to cultural diversity in the MSW learning space. Through a stepwise multiple regression analysis, seven predictor variables were inputted to assess their predictive qualities on the criterion of perceptions of cultural diversity in the MSW learning space.

Parentified Then Removed: A Teenager’S Conceptualization Of Family Identity, Katherine Bernard Melcher

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

Family identity construction and the socially accepted definition of family have evolved over time. From the idyllic nuclear family of the 1950s to the contemporary examples that include step parents, grandparents, same sex parents and legal guardians have transformed the way family is conceptualized. The current research is typically concerned with creating an operational definition of family, particularly for divorced families; however, there is a gap in the research focused on how children experience and identify with family identity construction. This is especially consequential for children who have been removed from their family home by child protective services. This narrative …

The Foster Care System And Its Long Term Effects, Amanda Bustamante, Kristen Livingston

Paper Presentations

A Social Learning study on the long term affects of the Foster Care System, which is a substitute care for children who are placed away from their parents or guardians, and for whom the State agency has placement and care responsibility. This includes, but is not limited to, placements in foster family homes, foster homes of relatives, group homes, emergency shelters, residential facilities, childcare institutions, and pre-adoptive home. Twenty-five thousand kids leave the system each year; this is their take on life and the system in which they experienced. Each has different circumstances, which influences their journey throughout the System. …

One School, One Family: Portland High School Climate In The Age Of Trump, Naomi Abrams Hawkes

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

The 2016 U.S. presidential election led to one of the most contentious seasons in American politics. Citing the inflammatory rhetoric of public figures, a growing body of literature documents a dramatic increase in bias-­‐related bullying and feelings of anxiety in K-12 schools across the country since the 2016 election. Using student and faculty interviews/focus groups, secondary data analysis, and direct observations, this case study offers a comprehensive examination of the effects of the substance and tone of the current sociopolitical climate on students at Portland High School. Data was analyzed and suggestions made for administration to help create a more …