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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
Embodied Practice : Do Social Work Therapists Explore Client Strengths As Expressed In The Lived Experience Of The Body?, Duncan Nichols
Embodied Practice : Do Social Work Therapists Explore Client Strengths As Expressed In The Lived Experience Of The Body?, Duncan Nichols
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This study was undertaken to explore how seven social work therapists attend to client strengths, with an emphasis on embodied experience and embodied strengths where competency and resourcefulness are experienced. Besides asking questions about the obvious markers of a person's physical experience (hobbies, work, etc.), questions about the psychoanalytic concept of body-self and attributes of certain popularized mind/body approaches or techniques social work therapists may use were also posed. Workers, whose practices are in community mental health, inpatient psychiatry, medical and private practice settings, provided experience-near narrative data. Major findings were workers' belief in the clinical value of using a …
Deconstructing White Privilege : Social Variables That May Affect White Males' Race Identity Development, Karen Christine Nelson
Deconstructing White Privilege : Social Variables That May Affect White Males' Race Identity Development, Karen Christine Nelson
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This mixed method study explored aspects of White privilege that may affect White males' White racial identity development (WRID). Janet Helm's White Racial Identity Attitudes Scale was used along with nominal demographic information and five open-ended questions. WRID has been identified as an aspect of identity that determines one's ability to dismantle racism and internalize a positive White identity. This researcher did not hypothesize that specific demographic data would yield specific results; however, the literature implies that those with the multi agent status are less likely to develop a sophisticated White racial identity. Fifty-four White adult males were surveyed to …
In Whose Mirror : A Comparative Analysis Of The Conceptualization And Treatment Of Pathological Narcissism, Using Modern Analysis And Self Psychology, Heather Novack
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
Pathological narcissism is an emotional disorder clinical social workers are likely to encounter. Psychodynamically oriented social workers have access to a variety of models to structure the treatment of narcissistic individuals. Self-Psychology and Modern Analysis are two analytic treatment models which serve to explain and treat this exact clinical population. The two models define narcissism extremely differently which ultimately impacts each theory's understanding of the developmental trajectory, treatment implications, and the definition of a successful treatment experience. Ultimately, the two models serve to treat two different clinical populations. The two theories are also not equally applicable in social work settings.
Elementary School Teachers' Perceptions Of The Foster Care System And The Children In Its Care, Irja Carol. Peck
Elementary School Teachers' Perceptions Of The Foster Care System And The Children In Its Care, Irja Carol. Peck
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
Elementary school teachers' perception of children in the foster care system and the foster care system was investigated. The perceptions were gathered by conducting a single individual 45 to 90 minute interview on 12 different teachers, who taught grades ranging from pre-kindergarten to the fifth grade. All teachers were identified as having a student that was currently in the foster care system during the previous or current academic year. Teachers studied reported an in-depth understanding of the challenges emotionally, socially, and academically that children in the foster care face. Teachers interviewed were found to have a greater understanding of the …
Weighing In : An Analysis Of The Nasw's Web-Based Content Regarding Theoretical Issues And Practice Recommendations For Social Workers Working With Overweight And Obese Individuals, M. Elizabeth Kanard
Weighing In : An Analysis Of The Nasw's Web-Based Content Regarding Theoretical Issues And Practice Recommendations For Social Workers Working With Overweight And Obese Individuals, M. Elizabeth Kanard
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This exploratory study was undertaken to determine the model(s) by which the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) understands issues related to overweight and obesity as represented by their published web content. Since two-thirds of the American population is categorized as overweight or obese, it is important that the NASW address social workers' roles in working with these individuals. As one of the public faces of the organization, the NASW website is an ideal forum for communicating an overarching model that represents the NASW's understanding of issues related to working with overweight or obese individuals as well as propose recommendations …
The Impact Of Race On The Decision-Making Process For Interracial Lesbian Couples Opting To Conceive Through Donor Insemination, Kendra Marie Koeplin
The Impact Of Race On The Decision-Making Process For Interracial Lesbian Couples Opting To Conceive Through Donor Insemination, Kendra Marie Koeplin
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
The purpose of this research study was to explore if and how race impacts interracial lesbian couples' decision-making process of conceiving through donor insemination. This exploratory mixed-methods study aims to contribute to a growing body of literature on lesbian donor insemination, while focusing on a population-interracial lesbian couples-that has been largely excluded from the research. The study's main areas of focus were derived from reviewing the peripheral literature. These areas of question included: the couple's individual demographics and racial background; the couples' decision-making process around who would be the biological mother; the influence of the non-biological mother's racial background on …
An Exploration Of The Influence Of Media, Advertising, And Popular Culture On The Self Esteem, Identity, And Body Image In Adolescent Girls, Jennifer A. Irving
An Exploration Of The Influence Of Media, Advertising, And Popular Culture On The Self Esteem, Identity, And Body Image In Adolescent Girls, Jennifer A. Irving
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This qualitative study explored the impact of the media, advertising, and popular culture on the self esteem and body image of adolescent girls. This study aimed to understand the amount and to what extent girls were potentially negatively impacted by a variety of media sources. Twelve adolescent girls, ages sixteen to eighteen, were asked a series of questions regarding their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in dealing with the ways the media influences and impacts their lives. Narrative interviews were used to understand the perspectives of the participants around topics of media, advertising, magazines, self esteem, body image, celebrity culture, and …
"What Do You Mean, 'Separate Identity'? : An Exploration Of Separation And Individuation For Second Generation Korean American Adolescents, Catherine C, Huh
"What Do You Mean, 'Separate Identity'? : An Exploration Of Separation And Individuation For Second Generation Korean American Adolescents, Catherine C, Huh
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
The objective of this study was to explore how second generation Korean Americans negotiated separation and individuation during the life cycle phase of adolescence. This qualitative study, based on in-depth interview with 12 second generation Korean American adults, examined the participants' separation – individuation process during adolescence and currently. In addition, the project addressed the applicability of the Western concept of separation-individuation theory to Confucian based collectivistic cultures. The previous research conducted on this psychodynamic process has focused on the Western ideal that this developmental stage is vital to a young person's psychological formation to adulthood. There is a dearth …
The Importance Of Racial Concordance And The Childhood Experiences Of Black Students And Practicing Clinicians In The Field Of Social Work, Candice Tara Karber
The Importance Of Racial Concordance And The Childhood Experiences Of Black Students And Practicing Clinicians In The Field Of Social Work, Candice Tara Karber
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This study was conducted in order to examine the relationship between practicing social work clinicians' and students' attitudes toward racial concordance as a precursor to a positive therapeutic outcome, while exploring the possible predictors of such attitudes based on their background childhood experiences and their scores on the Multidimensional Inventory of Black Identity (MIBI). Sixty-eight subjects were used in the web based data collection process. Preliminary data concluded that most participants (89.6%) thought that racial concordance was an important factor in order to foster a positive therapeutic experience. In addition, the majority (61.2%) of participants thought racial concordance was a …
An Exploratory Study Of Mental Health Providers' Awareness Of Internalized Oppression Of Women Who Experience Same-Sex Intimate Partner Violence, Sharon E. Harp
An Exploratory Study Of Mental Health Providers' Awareness Of Internalized Oppression Of Women Who Experience Same-Sex Intimate Partner Violence, Sharon E. Harp
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This exploratory study's purpose was to examine mental health providers' awareness of the intersecting and compounding internalized oppressions (racism, sexism and homophobia) of women who experience same-sex intimate partner violence. The research attempted to address the question: Are mental health providers aware of the internalized oppressions among women who are in same-sex relationships in which intimate partner violence occurs? A qualitative study was conducted using a semi-structured, self-designed interview guide with open-ended questions. The sample included a total of twelve mental health providers recruited using a non-probability, convenience method. The findings indicate all twelve participants were aware of internalized oppressions …
The Way We Speak Affects Our Reality : Why Speaking From The Values Of Racial Justice Begins The Creation Of A Racially Just World, Katherine Alice Hornowski
The Way We Speak Affects Our Reality : Why Speaking From The Values Of Racial Justice Begins The Creation Of A Racially Just World, Katherine Alice Hornowski
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This theoretical study is a declaration that speaking and acting from a place outside of opposition is powerful in creating a more racially just world. To explore this declaration, this thesis first reviews the language used in racial justice work today and the values that underlie this language. It then examines a different way of framing, one that seeks to come from a value system of acceptance of reality and working towards a more racially just world, rather than a value system rooted in opposition to reality and working against injustice. There is little to no literature on this topic. …
Transitional Objects In Adult Treatment : Case Studies, Sheela Madhukar Joshi
Transitional Objects In Adult Treatment : Case Studies, Sheela Madhukar Joshi
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This thesis explored how transitional objects are utilized and interpreted in adult treatment. The definition of transitional object is open-ended consistent with D.W. Winnicott's assertions and Object Relations theory. Qualitative data was obtained by conducting in-depth interviews with three mental health professionals about specific patients and the course of treatment with a focus on emergent objects. Interview questions were open-ended and related to material that spontaneously arose. The first part of the thesis question related to how transitional objects are identified in adult treatment. Objects identified ranged from concrete to abstract. Therapists and patients identified the objects. Findings revealed that …
Parental Death : Grieving Loss Of Life While Sustaining A Relationship, Maisie Lasher Ketron
Parental Death : Grieving Loss Of Life While Sustaining A Relationship, Maisie Lasher Ketron
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This study explored how an adult whose parent died during childhood understands their ongoing relationship with that parent and whether rituals or practices are integral to observing that ongoing relationship. Psychodynamic theory first examined the grieving process as a linear, time-limited experience. The field of grief and bereavement studies has become polarized around traditional psychodynamic theorists who have examined pathological bereavement and post-modern continuing bonds theorists whose focus is the nature of the ongoing relationship to the deceased. There is limited research exploring bereavement in childhood and particularly the process of mourning and relating to the deceased parent over time. …
How Clinicians' Use Of Narrative Therapy Can Assist Elders In Late-Life Transition, Glenna Sue Klein
How Clinicians' Use Of Narrative Therapy Can Assist Elders In Late-Life Transition, Glenna Sue Klein
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This study was designed to explore the experiences of social workers and clinicians who provide counseling to elderly clients and their families as they face late-life transitions. The focus of the study was to reveal more information regarding the validity of Narrative Therapy as a productive means of therapeutic intervention with elders. Nine participants from three different agencies, a Veterans Hospital, an Ecumenical Center and a Nursing Home were interviewed for this study. The interviews took place in San Antonio, Texas and all but one was done in person. The participants included six social workers, one geriatric nurse, one pastoral …
Negotiating Agency And Personal Narrative In Clinical Social Work Practice : A Qualitative Study Investigating How Clinicians' Experiences Of Multiple Narratives Influence Their Clinical Work, Emily Rebecca Fischer
Negotiating Agency And Personal Narrative In Clinical Social Work Practice : A Qualitative Study Investigating How Clinicians' Experiences Of Multiple Narratives Influence Their Clinical Work, Emily Rebecca Fischer
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This exploratory qualitative research study investigated clinical social workers' experiences negotiating agency and personal narrative in their clinical work in community mental health centers (CMHCs). Through three broad research questions, the researcher gathered narrative data which explored the influence of organizational context on clinical work. The study was informed theoretically by organizational systems literature and psychodynamic literature regarding functioning in organizations, and methodologically by narrative theory concepts. Open-ended, naturalistic interviews were conducted with twelve clinical social workers who worked in CMHCs. Three broad themes emerged in the findings: 1) participants' perceptions of agency narrative; 2) participants' narratives about themselves, their …
The Intersection Of Religion, Spirituality And Social Work : Implications For Clinical Practice, Andrea Leigh Giese-Sweat
The Intersection Of Religion, Spirituality And Social Work : Implications For Clinical Practice, Andrea Leigh Giese-Sweat
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
Although a substantial body of literature has emerged in recent years addressing the role of religion in clinical social work practice, we know very little about what actually happens in clinical practice. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine what we could learn from the practice wisdom of clinical practitioners about how issues of religion and spirituality actually emerge in their practice. The sample was comprised of twelve licensed clinical practitioners who agreed to engage in a face-to-face interview to discuss their practice wisdom. The sample was skewed towards white, heterosexual women, which is representative of the field. …
The Impact On The Self Of Growing Up With A Sibling With Autism Spectrum : An Exploratory Study, Margaret M. Dickey
The Impact On The Self Of Growing Up With A Sibling With Autism Spectrum : An Exploratory Study, Margaret M. Dickey
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This study explores the structure of the self in people who grew up with a sibling with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This research utilized a quantitative survey to assess their representations of self. D.W. Winnicott's theory of True and Self guided this investigation. The study utilized self-report to explore participants' identification with True and Self characteristics. Questions were phrased in past and present tense as a means of assessing how participants' representations of self have changed over time. At the end of the survey, participants were asked two open-ended questions which generated qualitative data and resulted in a mixed-method …
Together Or Separate : Implications For Expressing Progressive Social Justice And Spiritual Practices, Enroue Halfkenny
Together Or Separate : Implications For Expressing Progressive Social Justice And Spiritual Practices, Enroue Halfkenny
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
What happens when people have both a spiritual practice and are engaged in progressive social justice work? How does expressing or engaging in them separately or together affect themselves and the work that they do? This relational, fixed methods research looks at those who have both a spiritual practice and are engaged in progressive social justice work and at how expressing them together or separately effects their perception of themselves and the work that they do (both spiritually and as an activist). A survey, containing 40 statements using a Likert-type scale, eight questions collecting demographic information and several open ended …
The Use Of Psychoeducation In The Treatment Of Ptsd With Military Personnel And Their Family Members : An Exploratory Study From A Clinician's Perspective, Mary Elizabeth Fisher
The Use Of Psychoeducation In The Treatment Of Ptsd With Military Personnel And Their Family Members : An Exploratory Study From A Clinician's Perspective, Mary Elizabeth Fisher
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This qualitative study explores clinician's use of psychoeducation in the treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with military personnel and their family members. Seven clinicians working with military personnel or in a military setting were asked a series of questions about psychoeducation and its use in the treatment of PTSD. Utilizing interviews, clinicians provided rich and detailed narratives outlining the following questions: (1) Is psychoeducation an appropriate intervention method in the treatment of PTSD? If so, when is it appropriate to use or incorporate psychoeducation in the treatment process with military personnel and/or their family members? and (2) What have …
Religion, Spirituality, And Social Work : A Quantitative Study On The Behaviors Of Social Workers In Conducting Individual Therapy, Meghan Maureen Dwyer
Religion, Spirituality, And Social Work : A Quantitative Study On The Behaviors Of Social Workers In Conducting Individual Therapy, Meghan Maureen Dwyer
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This study was undertaken in order to determine if and how often social workers integrate spiritual behaviors with clients in individual therapy. There have been a handful of studies on this topic, none which have been conducted in the Western area of the country. In addition, this study asked social workers about their frequency in engaging in such spiritual issues with clients, which previous studies did not examine. It was hypothesized social workers would be more likely to integrate implicit spiritual behaviors and that their agreement and practice of spiritual behaviors with clients would be similar to previous findings. After …
Interracial Relationships From The Perspective Of Cambodians In Western Massachusetts, Vuthy Chhum
Interracial Relationships From The Perspective Of Cambodians In Western Massachusetts, Vuthy Chhum
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
A qualitative study was done in Western Massachusetts of how Cambodian people view interracial relationships. A total of 12 participants were involved consisted of seven men and five women. All participants had grown up in Cambodia, but were currently living in the U.S. This project explores traditional views some participants had and the role assimilation had on some of the participants. There are many factors discussed in this study involving participants' thoughts on interracial relationships, as well as anecdotal experiences.
Mothering The Mother : Can A Postpartum Doula Enhance Maternal Self Confidence And Maternal Empathy In A Primiparous Mother?, Binda Colebrook
Mothering The Mother : Can A Postpartum Doula Enhance Maternal Self Confidence And Maternal Empathy In A Primiparous Mother?, Binda Colebrook
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This study asks whether postpartum doulas enhance maternal empathy and maternal self-confidence in primiparous (first time) mothers in the postpartum phase and whether this is true across a socioeconomically diverse sample of women. A postpartum doula provides support to new mothers and their families in the first weeks postpartum. While quite a lot of research has been done on labor support doulas, less is known about the impact of the postpartum doula. No studies were found on whether they enhance maternal self-confidence and empathy. Because there are so few studies on postpartum doulas, an exploratory, qualitative method was used. In …
Exploring The Experiences Of Clinicians Treating Latino Clients Who Utilize Folk Healing Practices, Luz Eneida Cotto
Exploring The Experiences Of Clinicians Treating Latino Clients Who Utilize Folk Healing Practices, Luz Eneida Cotto
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This study was undertaken to explore the opinions, knowledge, and experiences of clinicians treating a Latino client who utilizes folk healing practices in conjunction to psychotherapeutic treatment. This study paid particular attention to how the concurrent utilization of healing practices effect the therapeutic process. The study intended to deepen and expand upon existing literature on the need to integrate traditional folk healing approaches into mainstream sychotherapeutic modalities by offering a closer look at how the clinicians, who are working with Latino populations, interpret the use of indigenous healing beliefs and practices. A number of questions were posed inviting clinicians to …
Therapists' Descriptions Of Their Beliefs And Practices Regarding Engaging Resistant Caregivers Of Children And Adolescents, Sarah Becker Crane
Therapists' Descriptions Of Their Beliefs And Practices Regarding Engaging Resistant Caregivers Of Children And Adolescents, Sarah Becker Crane
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This exploratory-descriptive study was designed to address the question: "How do child and adolescent clinicians describe their beliefs and practices with resistant caregivers in ways that adhere to or diverge from their theoretical orientations?" This study was based on the understanding that effective treatment of a child or adolescent must involve their parents, grandparents, or other caretakers, but that not all caregivers are interested in or able to engage with clinicians and/or the child's therapy. The instrument was a survey with fixed and open-ended questions, developed by the researcher. Sixteen child/adolescent clinicians were surveyed. Each respondent held a Master in …
Embodying The Therapeutic Alliance : An Exploration Of The Working Alliance In The Personal Trainer-Client Relationship, Lindsay L. Davison
Embodying The Therapeutic Alliance : An Exploration Of The Working Alliance In The Personal Trainer-Client Relationship, Lindsay L. Davison
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This quasi-experimental study examines, from the standpoint of the personal trainer, the extent to which the working alliance and its component parts of goal, task and bond as defined within Bordin's (1975, 1979) theoretical framework, are experienced in the working relationship between personal trainer and client. Additionally, the study explores whether a personal trainer's or a client's ethnicity or gender, a trainer's age or training history, the frequency of the personal training sessions, or the length of the training relationship impact the working alliance total or its subscale scores. An anonymous online survey was distributed by email to several hundred …
Mothers' Experience Of Having A Child Diagnosed With An Autism Spectrum Disorder, Amanda Gane
Mothers' Experience Of Having A Child Diagnosed With An Autism Spectrum Disorder, Amanda Gane
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
The purpose of this study was to attempt to understand how mothers experience their relationships with their children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This qualitative, exploratory study aimed to expand the body of knowledge on mothers who have children with an ASD and their unique experiences. The majority of previous research done in this area has been quantitative and has not considered the individual experiences of this population. Mothers of children diagnosed with an ASD were recruited from Massachusetts and New Hampshire for this study. Ten mothers with children between the ages of five and nineteen were interviewed …
Resilience And Street Level Prostitution : A Collective Case Study, Megan Glennon
Resilience And Street Level Prostitution : A Collective Case Study, Megan Glennon
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This study sought to discover how women in street level prostitution survive "the life," how they get out of prostitution, and how they are able to rebuild their lives. What resiliency factors contribute to their ability not only to survive, but to prosper? This qualitative, exploratory study intended to contribute to the knowledge base on women in street-level prostitution, which, although large, has not had a primary focus on how women leave "the life" and what their lives are like following departure. Three women who had been prostituted at the street level, and in other areas, for at least six …
Three Studies Of Sexual Offenders : Female Perpetrated Sexual Victimization, Comparison Of Male And Female Perpetrated Sexual Victimization, And Escalation Histories, Sarah Guillaume Belanger
Three Studies Of Sexual Offenders : Female Perpetrated Sexual Victimization, Comparison Of Male And Female Perpetrated Sexual Victimization, And Escalation Histories, Sarah Guillaume Belanger
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This thesis incorporates three studies which explore adult and adolescent male sexual offenders. The first two articles examine the occurrence and effects of female perpetrated sexual abuse within a population of adolescent sexual offenders. The final article explores the occurrence of escalation in the offending histories of adult male sexual offenders. The first article examined the occurrence and characteristics of female perpetrated sexual abuse within a population of adolescent sexual offenders, as well as the arousal and victim chooses of the youth. The findings suggest that this population experiences female sexual abuse at increased rates. Also supporting the 'victim to …
Sexual Expression Among Black Women In Relationships With Men From Different Minority Racial Groups, Sara Tildon Burton
Sexual Expression Among Black Women In Relationships With Men From Different Minority Racial Groups, Sara Tildon Burton
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This research was a qualitative study designed to investigate the expression of Black woman in relationships with males from different racial minority groups. The primary objective was to learn more about how Black women express their sexuality in interracial relationships with their partners. This study interviewed a group of Black women (n=10) within interracial relationships and explored their experiences of expressing their sexuality within these relationships both psychologically and physically (Bean, 2002). Through their narratives, participants were able to convey the impact of their partner's racial and/or cultural background on their sexual expression. The majority of these participants (n=7) would …
Taking The Bait : Countertransference Among Female Clinicians Who Work With Men Who Batter, Georgia Louise Banks
Taking The Bait : Countertransference Among Female Clinicians Who Work With Men Who Batter, Georgia Louise Banks
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This study was conducted to explore the countertransferential responses in female clinicians who work with men who batter and to determine if the clinicians felt adequately trained and supported in their unique positions within the field of abuser intervention. Participants included nine female clinicians from the mid-Atlantic region of the United States who work or have worked with men who batter. The participants answered and expanded on five open-ended questions (three on clinical experience, and two on recommendations for the field) during an audio-recorded interview that lasted approximately one hour. The clinical questions asked participants to discuss (1) their motivations …