Prevention, Mental Health Risk, Lgbtq+ Youth And Young Adults, Jackson County, Indiana, Darrian S. Jamison

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement: Acknowledge and highlight the increased mental health risks for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults while working to implement prevention efforts to mitigate, and eventually eliminate the increased risks for this population.

Significant Findings: The LGBTQ+ youth and young adult population faces many challenges throughout their daily lives. One such challenge plaguing the community is their increased risk for mental health concerns compared to their heterosexual, cisgender counterparts (The Trevor Project, n.d.; Marlay et al., 2022). In the rural Jackson County, Indiana community, very few prevention and treatment efforts are implemented to serve this community. It is worth noting …

Prevention Of Adult Obesity Through Targeting Adolescents With Counseling Educational Groups Combining Nutrition, Mindfulness, Self-Esteem, And Healthy Living, Kerri Shoumaker

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement: The goal of this portfolio aims to prevent adult obesity through the immersion of counseling educational groups targeting adolescents within the communities of Kitsap County.

Significant Findings: Kitsap County, Washington, has an adult population of 214,142 people (United States Department of Commerce, 2022). Approximately 30% are obese, which is 2% higher than Washington state (CDC, n.d.-b). Obesity increases the risk factor for severe diseases, including depression, and is a major risk factor for premature death (Bergantin, 2020). Mitigating risk factors through bolstering protective factors is essential for obesity prevention at multiple levels of the Social-Ecological Model. Social Cognitive …

Preventing Psychiatric Hospitalizations In Sangamon County, Illinois, Rachel E. Rambach

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement: The goal of my Social Change Portfolio is to prevent increased psychiatric hospitalizations by reducing the stigma associated with mental health through education, awareness, and resources.

Significant Findings: Sangamon County ranks in the worst 25% of Illinois counties in terms of hospitalizations due to mental health in people 18 years and older (Springfield Memorial Hospital, 2021). There were 7,483 preventable hospitalizations among Black people recorded in 2020, compared with 3,696 white people (County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, 2018). The social-ecological model shows the tremendous impact that individual relationships, community and society have on the issue of psychiatric hospitalizations, …

Addiction Prevention In Itasca County, Minnesota, Amanda Keech

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement: The purpose and goal of this portfolio is to raise awareness regarding alcohol consumption by highlighting influential factors and prevention techniques in order to decrease excessive drinking rates for adults residing in Itasca County.

Significant Findings: Excessive drinking is present in 23% of the population in Itasca County (County Health Ranking & Roadmaps, 2018). Excessive alcohol consumption is a growing public health issue resulting from multiple systemic, cultural, governmental, and individual risk factors that are present within the rural community. Individual risk factors include food insecurity, poverty, housing instability, a family history, trauma, medical issues, and the presence …

Suicide Awareness And Prevention With Montana (Three Forks) Youth, Joshua Jarvis

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement: Lower the number of suicide attempts or completions with Montana (Three Forks) youth.

Significant Findings: The rate of suicide has increased dramatically over the last 30 years, and the rate for suicide for those between the ages of 5-14 have increased at least 60% since 1981 (Rosston, 2022). The population for this social change portfolio is Montana youth and the problem is suicide attempts and completions. Not all groups of youth are equally at risk for suicide, with Native Americans and the LGBTQ+ population facing a much higher risk of suicide attempts and completions (Rosston, 2022). The consequences …

Sex Trafficking In Reno, Nevada, Makayla Terelak

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement: The aim of this social change is to prevent the frequency of sex trafficking in the Reno/Sparks area through strengthened awareness and advocacy.

Significant Findings: Sex trafficking is defined by forced labor of sexual acts, and is typically done through force, fraud, and coercion (Harmon, 2022). The victims of this crime are often vulnerable populations like children and young women. It is estimated that 25 million people in the world were victims of human trafficking (Harmon, 2022). In Reno, Nevada it is a huge hub for sex trafficking. This can change with more border controls and awareness throughout …

Harmful Consequences Of Vaping Among Adolescents, Eva Uhlianitsa

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement: Raise awareness of e–cigarettes use and harmful consequences, as well as make media campaigns promoting a variety of positive identities not associated with vaping.

Significant Findings: Adolescence in the US abusing e-cigarette products that lead to significant health problems. Those are respiratory, digestive issues, and brain development complications (Grimm, 2022). The LGBTQ + youth population is at higher risk of developing vaping addiction due to stigma, rejection, physical abuse, and bullying (Kelleher, 2009). Implementing Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) and Stages of Change theories can increase the chances of preventing substance use (National Cancer Institute, 2005).

Objectives/Strategies/Interventions/Next Steps:

1. …

Depression And Anxiety Among Lgbtqia+ Teens In Salt Lake City, Utah, Brittany Bullen

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement: If we can create better programming to support LGBTQIA+ teens in Utah, we can decrease the suicide rate and the rates of depression and anxiety in this population.

Significant Findings:

Due to the unusually high rate of suicide among LGBTQIA+ teens in Utah (The Trevor Project, 2022), there is clearly a need for improvement in the quality and availability of programming that supports that population. Because teens go through so much emotional upheaval during their transition to adulthood (MacMillan & Copher, 2005), they are particularly vulnerable to the discrimination many of them face when exploring their sexuality. Keeping …

Combat Veteran Mental Health Care Advocacy, Gerald Graham

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal: The goal of Combat Veteran Mental Health Care Advocacy is to promote, support and draw attention to critical combat veteran mental health issues, such as PTSD, depression and substance abuse, where the real and actual consequence may lead to suicide.

Significant Findings: Presently, there are about 18 million living veterans (Inoue et al., 2023; Vespa, 2020), of which approximately 7.7 million served between 1990 and the present; roughly 42 percent of the total (Vespa, 2020). Wounded Warrior Project (2022) reported that these combat veterans face significant mental health issues such as sleep deprivation, PTSD, anxiety, and depression. …

Smashing The Stigma: Promoting Mental Health And Resilience Among Veterans, Anna Wagle

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement: This portfolio aims to bring awareness and identify strategies and interventions to reduce veteran suicide rates by starting with the problem's source.

Significant Findings: This portfolio focuses on the high rate of U.S. veteran suicide, with 16.8 suicides per day and 51% more likely to die by suicide than non-veterans ("National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report," 2022; Vincent-Roller, 2022). Key findings highlight the complexity of suicide risk across various levels. The portfolio recommends enhancing mental health services, destigmatizing mental health, strengthening social support, and providing tailored interventions like peer support and trauma-informed care for transitioning veterans (Hester, 2017; …

The Continuing Influence Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Tertiary Education, Gary J. Burkholder, Erwin Krauskopf

Higher Learning Research Communications

We are pleased to publish the first regular issue (Volume 13, Issue 1) of Higher Learning Research Communications (HLRC) for 2023. While the World Health Organization and the governments and health departments in most of the world have ended the COVID-19 emergency, the effects of the pandemic on operations in higher education will likely continue for some time. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) published a report (Abdrasheva, 2022) that globally examines the state of higher education two years after the pandemic began. The authors noted that in the area of teaching and learning, “slow adaptation to …

Gender Roles, Sexual Cognitions, And History Of Victimization: A Preliminary Model Of Reporting Behavior Among College Students, Randi Spiker, Eu Gene Chin

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Sexual cognitions that flow from gender roles and previous history of victimization are strong predictors of sexual assault victimization. Because these cognitions reside within the individual themselves, we hypothesized that these same cognitions will also be predictors of subsequent reporting behavior to formal campus supports. An online self-report survey for assessing student awareness and perception of sexual safety was administered in a random stratified sample of college students (N = 98; 78% female). Participants were shown a hypothetical vignette involving a quid pro quo sexual harassment incident involving a student and were asked to rate their likelihood of making …

Understanding Cultural Perceptions Of Health In Middle School Females For Obesity Prevention: A Case Study, Tien Vo, Egenia Dorsan, J. Mitchell Vaterlaus, Lori A. Spruance

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

The purpose of this study was to understand acculturation and race/ethnicity influences in the home and school environment that affect physical activity and nutrition in female adolescents attending middle school. A convenience sample of eight female adolescents (n = 2 Asian American, n = 2 Black, n =2 Latinx/Hispanic, and n = 2 White) was interviewed individually via Zoom. Responses regarding acculturation, physical activity, and nutrition in the home and school environment were analyzed using qualitative case study analysis. Three themes were identified: 1) experiences related to home, health, and culture, 2) the intersection between school meals and personal …

Factors Associated With Postpartum Care During The Fourth Stage Of Labor In Nepal: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study, Ashok Kumar Paudel, Muni Raj Chhetri, Ambika Baniya, Mamta Chhetri, Aafrin Gurung

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Postnatal care is an important part of maternal and neonatal care, and life-threatening complications can occur during the postpartum period. Empirical information on the level of postpartum care services is generally scarce in Nepal. Key elements of postpartum care during the fourth stage of labor include providing proper nutrition, promoting breastfeeding, and helping the mother manage any physical discomforts or challenges that may arise. This study investigated the level of postpartum care services delivered during the fourth stage of labor in a tertiary-level hospital in the Chitwan district of Nepal. A descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted among 148 women …

Scholars From Underrepresented Groups In Engineering And The Social Sciences (Surge) Capacity In Disasters: The Benefits And Challenges Of Mentoring For Racial And Ethnic Minority Graduate Students, Melissa Villarreal, Nnenia Campbell

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mentoring program of the Minority Scholars from Under-Represented Groups in Engineering and the Social Sciences (SURGE) Capacity in Disasters initiative, a pilot program that aimed to address the challenges that graduate students of color face in academic programs. SURGE promotes mentoring and professional development through its mentoring program for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) students.

Methods: Data collection involved distributing online surveys designed in Qualtrics to mentors and mentees five months after the SURGE program’s initiation. Separate surveys were created for student mentees and faculty mentors in order to …

Recovery Journey Of Diverse Populations Using Design Thinking Method: Recommendations For Practitioners And Policymakers, Lawrence Bryant, Monica Nandan, Sherrie Cade, Bianca Anderson

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Through a state grant-funded multicultural needs assessment, researchers from a U.S. southeastern state university captured the voices of underserved populations related to their unmet needs and recovery journey from the non-medical use of opioids and other substances. Specific voices of African Americans, Latinx, mature adults, veterans, people who are homeless, college students, and individuals within the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer (LGBTQ+) communities were captured utilizing design thinking protocol in focus groups. Participants recommended that providers be culturally responsive in disseminating information and providing affirming care. Moreover, participants felt that counselors and other professionals should be more empathetic and …

Attitudes Of Muslim Americans Regarding Prejudice And Discrimination Displayed By Non-Muslims, Munder Abderrazzaq

Journal of Social Work in the Global Community

Abstract

Muslim Americans have reported experiencing racial profiling, physical threats, and verbal abuse based on their religion, ethnicity, and color (Samari, 2016). These types of lived experiences can have negative personal consequences for Muslim Americans and influence their attitudes and behavior toward non-Muslims. A literature review conducted by Simon et al. (2018) suggests the need for research that explores the point of view of minorities regarding intolerance displayed by majority members. Intolerance is defined as the refusal and unwillingness to tolerate or respect individuals from different social or minority groups who hold different beliefs. Prejudice and discrimination can hinder the …

Culturally Responsive Domestic Violence Interventions For Immigrant Communities In The United States: A Scoping Review, Abha Rai, Kristen Ravi, Nibedita Shrestha, Luis R. Alvarez-Hernandez

Journal of Social Work in the Global Community

Immigrants are at a higher risk of domestic violence (DV) victimization due to their unique positionality in the United States. The goal of this scoping review is to examine the extent to which cultural responsivity is incorporated in DV interventions developed for immigrant communities. Peer-reviewed articles between 2005–2021 were reviewed across 11 databases. Our sample included n = 15 articles that highlighted interventions designed for diverse immigrant groups, including Latinx and Asian groups. Building unique interventions for specific immigrant groups would allow for prioritizing the needs of survivors while engaging in direct service provision by social workers.

Dissecting The Interrelations Of Suicidality And Mental Health Across First Responder Subtypes Seeking Treatment: A Cross-Sectional Study, Alaina Beauchamp, Warren Ponder, Katelyn Jetelina

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

First responders are routinely exposed to traumatic events that can affect their mental health to the extent of suicidal ideation and suicide completion. The purpose of our study is to inform the comparability of predictors of suicidality across first responder types to elucidate the most efficacious targets for intervention and clinical intercession. Clients (N = 224) sought counseling services between 2015 and 2020 at a not-for-profit organization. We conducted a matched study with cases defined as those with suicidality at baseline and those without suicidality at baseline (controls). First responder types were law enforcement officers (LEOs), firefighters, and emergency …

Epidemiology And Criminology: Managing Youth Firearm Homicide Violence In Urban Areas, Joseph A. Mcmillan

Journal of Sustainable Social Impact

Violence is considered a public health problem in the United States, yet little is known about the benefit of using a combined epidemiology and criminology (EpiCrim) approach to focus on urban youth gun violence. The purpose of this general qualitative study was to determine in what ways Akers and Lanier’s EpiCrim approach, in tandem with Benet’s polarities of democracy approach, is explanatory of gun homicides by youth in U.S. urban areas and if the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System adequately addresses gun abatement measures. I collected data through semi-structured interviews with 16 criminal justice practitioners and medical professionals with experience …

Relationship Between Treatment Comorbidities And Hiv Viral Suppression Among People Who Live With Aids In Johannesburg., Nwogo Immaculata Ekeji, Tolulope A. Osoba, Hebatullah Tawfik, Mehdi Agha

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

HIV has globally infected over 37.9 million people, of which 28.2 million (73%) are on antiretroviral treatment, and 66% of those on treatment are virally suppressed. In South Africa, however, low rate of viral suppression (47%) among people living with HIV is a major health problem that has continued to fuel HIV prevalence. A cross-sectional quantitative research design was used to investigate the relationship between treatment comorbidities and viral suppression among HIV-infected adults aged 18–49 who were diabetic, had cancer, or tuberculosis in Johannesburg. HIV Care Continuum formed the theoretical framework for this research. An existing HIV-infected patient de-identifiable dataset …

Take Back Your Power: 10 New Rules For Women At Work Book Review, Tomi Daniel

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Deb Liu wrote Take Back Your Power to contribute her insights to the reckoning around the power imbalance that continues to disadvantage women in the workforce. The author reiterated that women must take back their power—whether they ceded it, had it taken from them, or never had it given them in the first place. Take Back Your Power is 240 pages of the author’s personal anecdotes and case studies of other women who experienced different nuances of power imbalance at work and how they overcame them. Written by a respected female leader who inched her way to the top in …

Photography As A Wellness Tool For Counselors-In-Training, Charaya C. Upton, Joel F. Diambra, Pamelia E. Brott, Zach Budesa

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

The academic journey to become a professional counselor can be challenging for counselors-in-training (CIT), adversely affecting their physical health, mental health, and wellness. Counselor educators (CE) have recognized a need for wellness training and interventions to assist CIT during graduate school and to prepare them for their careers. Photography is considered a tool in art therapy within the realm of expressive therapies that can be used for wellness purposes. We review wellness, CIT struggles with wellness, expressive therapies, and photography techniques to promote CIT professional development and wellness practices. We identify the history of photography tools, describe each tool more …

The Essence Of Therapeutic Relationships In Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy, Joy Clark Akin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractTraditional psychotherapeutic approaches are not always effective in alleviating psychological symptoms and improving functioning in young adults. Equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) has been shown as a beneficial alternative therapeutic method developed for clients not helped by traditional methods. However, the essence of the therapeutic relationship that develops between the client, horse, therapist, and equine specialist has not been explored. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experience of the therapeutic relationship in young adults who participated in EAP. The frameworks of person-centered theory and self psychology guided the development of interview questions, data analysis, and interpretation. Four …

Exploring Goal Setting And Motivational Experiences For Adult Workers With Autism, Daniel Ball

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractWhile the heterogeneity of autism for adults has been much more accepted over the past 40 years, research still has a broad gap to fill as there is scarce empirical evidence on how interventions, such as motivational tactics, need to be adapted to meet individual abilities and needs. Also, the number of workers entering the workforce each year is growing as a ratio. It is posited by various authors that one in 52 people are now diagnosed as having the disorder and this number has doubled over the past decade. Furthermore, 80% of this population is underemployed or unemployed, representing …

Mental Health In Black Women With Endometriosis-Related Symptoms During Covid-19, Anjanette Jaye Blunt

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Endometriosis is an incurable chronic illness impacting 190 million women worldwide. Despite the prevalence of this painful disease, research addressing how it affects Black women in the United States was limited. Research addressing this phenomenon during the COVID-19 pandemic was further limited. The purpose of this qualitative study employing an interpretative phenomenological analysis was to understand the mental health of Black women with endometriosis-related symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic and how having the illness during the pandemic might have impacted individuals in this population. The strong Black woman schema and biopsychosocial model were the theoretical foundations for the study. Data …

Nonprofit Social Service Employees’ Perceptions Of Barriers Or Facilitators To Voting Registration Among Previously Incarcerated Individuals, Anthony J. Nixon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Most U.S. states have applied permanent restrictions on incarcerated individuals in custody for crimes more serious than misdemeanors. After the time is served and limitations are removed, the right to vote may not be restored to previously incarcerated individuals. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore what nonprofit social service employees perceive to be barriers or facilitators to voter registration among previously incarcerated individuals. The social acceptance model provided the theoretical framework to support the study. Data collection was completed through a brief demographic survey and individual interviews with 15 nonprofit organizers in Ohio. Data were analyzed …

Managerial Strategies To Improve Warehouse Safety Culture, Rasheen J. Chatmon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

An unsuccessful safety program can negatively affect warehouse efficiency, profitability, and reputation. To provide a safe work environment, warehouse leaders need guidance on establishing policies and training to ensure that all employees are adequately trained and understand the safety expectations of the organization. Grounded in high-reliability organization theory, the purpose of this qualitative single-case study was to explore managerial strategies to improve the warehouse safety culture. The participants were five warehouse managers who demonstrated the ability to successfully improve their organization's safety culture. Data were collected through virtual semistructured interviews and reviews of organizational documentation. The data were analyzed using …

Case Manager Perspectives On Transition Services For Youth With Intellectual Disabilities, Alecha Davis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Youth with intellectual disabilities have poorer outcomes during the transition period from school to adulthood. Very few studies were found that examine the perspective of the human service case manager. The perspectives of human service case managers were examined regarding the services that are needed to help youth with intellectual disabilities transition effectively. The study's purpose was to determine the services available and those needed to help support the transition from school to work, college, or in living independently for youth with intellectual disabilities. The theoretical framework for this study was Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory used to explore the errors …

Thematic Analysis Of Online Predatory Grooming Behavior Among Male Offenders, Ryan Christopher Dronek

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Social media sites, gaming platforms, and online communication tools have been integrated into children’s everyday lives. This has created a new avenue for child predators to identify, communicate, and victimize children. Just as the internet and the ability to communicate online have evolved, predatory grooming behavior has evolved as well. This qualitative study aimed to identify predatory grooming themes and the thematic stage progression for online male offenders who target child victims using online chat rooms. O’Connell’s typology of cyber sexploitation and online grooming practices was used to explore online child predators’ grooming themes and stage progression. Nine male Wisconsin …