Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Assessing And Meeting The Needs Of Homeless Populations, Mitchell Greenwald

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Problem Formation: As homeless populations have continued to grow, it is important to analyze services and replace ones lacking efficacy. This research sought to locate gaps in service delivery and to let the data fuel newer, innovative services. Significance: This study brought greater awareness of needs and services available to homeless people and to clinical staff at the agencies who work with them. It also provided new ideas for interventions that might better meet client needs. Design: This study was designed as a mixed-methods project. It was believed that master’s level social work students would be an ideal group to …

Accessibility Of Services For Transgender Adolescents From A Child Welfare Perspective, Eduardo Cedeno

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The following is a quantitative study with an explorative element conducted at Southern California University with a convenience sample of 23 social worker participants with experience in child welfare. A Qualtrics questionnaire was administered during the Fall 2023 semester and was used to assess the social workers perception, preparedness, and knowledge in providing services to transgender youth in foster care. The study aimed to gain an understanding of the overall perception of the effect in available transgender resources and training within the child welfare system.

What Are The Barriers To Seeking Psychotherapy Services Across Different Racial And Ethnic Groups?, Deysee Chavez, Elisa Rodarte

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study explored barriers to seeking psychotherapy services across racial and ethnic groups among adults of 18 years of age or older (2) any individual who has considered, sought, or received mental health services (3) residing in Southern California. The surveys consisted of questions from the Barriers to Mental Health Services Scale Revised (BMHSS-R) sub-scales; Help Seeking, Stigma, Knowledge and Fear of Psychotherapy, Belief about Inability to Find a Psychotherapist, and Belief that Depressive Symptoms are Normal. It was hypothesized that Latino individuals face greater barriers when seeking psychotherapy services as compared to other racial groups. This study consisted of …

Seeking Steatite: Analyzing The Spatial Distribution Of Southern California Arrow Shaft Straighteners, Christina Angela Livingston

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Arrow shaft straighteners are ground stone tools used in the production of arrows. Over the years, before Spanish colonialism, California Natives formed arrow shaft straighteners using various types of stone, such as granite or basalt. My thesis will focus on the arrow shaft straighteners made out of steatite. Steatite, or soapstone, is a metamorphic rock that is smooth to the touch. The smoothness makes steatite very easy to carve and modify. In California, there are many main sources of steatite. For my thesis, I will focus only on four of these sources: Inyo County, Santa Catalina Island, Sierra Pelona, and …

Archaeological Perspectives On Human-Horse Dynamics: Reexamination And Analysis Of The Ca-Sbr-2110 Collection, Gabrielle Nicole Carpentier

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

In this thesis, I analyzed the CA-SBr-2110 collection which contains a human and a horse skeleton. The collection was excavated in 1965 from Yermo, California and is currently housed at San Bernardino County Museum in Redlands, California. This research explores human-horse relationships in an archaeological context. The human skeleton was not analyzed in this research due to unknown cultural affiliation and sensitivity towards potential indigeneity. My research examines the horse remains within this collection and utilizes radiocarbon dating on three samples. Dating two samples from the horse provided approximate dates of 1829–1900 cal AD and 1798–1942 cal AD while dating …

Stress And Help-Seeking In Farmworkers In The Coachella Valley, Alexis Garcia, Daniela Mejia

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

California farmworkers are a vulnerable population who face unique stressors that may increase their risk for mental health problems. The study’s purpose is: (1) to quantitatively investigate the relationship between stress and help-seeking attitudes among Coachella Valley farmworkers and (2) to qualitatively explore the factors affecting the utilization of mental health services. Data came from 28 participants recruited through the snowball sampling method. Quantitative data from the Migrant Farmworker Stress Inventory (MFWSI) and the Mental Health Seeking Attitudes Scale (MHSAS) suggests no relationship between help-seeking attitudes and stress levels. Qualitative data analysis revealed themes that reflected cultural views. Results show …

Exploring The Experiences Of Minority Former Foster Youths During And Post Care: A Qualitative Study, Caithlyn Snow

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: The intersectionality perspective states that the challenges of minority foster youths are amplified by their status as racial and ethnic minorities, making them more vulnerable to adverse experiences during and after the foster care system. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of minority FFYs as they are in-care, transitioning out of care, and as they strive for self-sufficiency post-care. Methods: This study employed a qualitative design with a phenomenology approach. Primary data collection utilized non-probability sampling. Participants had to be 18 years or older and a former foster youth (FFY). Participants were recruited from …

Mandated Reporters’ Knowledge And Reporting Of Child Abuse, Alexis Reilly Warye

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Individuals working with children should have the ability to identify and report child abuse based off their knowledge as a mandated reporter. The purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge of individuals working with children on their ability to identify and report child abuse. The literature suggests that some mandated reporters lack adequate training and display little knowledge of what to do in a situation where a child shows signs of abuse. This study incorporates the Systems Theory Approach and the Psychosocial Development Theory.

This study uses a cross-sectional quantitative research design using an online questionnaire designed by …

Justice-Involved Students: Effects Of Using Support Services To Overcome Barriers, Gabby Walker, Sofia Alvarenga

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study investigated formerly incarcerated students' perspectives on the effectiveness of re-entry programs in alleviating barriers to higher education. The study focused on six barriers: parole and probation, collateral consequences, admission, housing, and stigma, aiming to provide insights into program effectiveness. Using an exploratory, quantitative approach, data was collected through surveys distributed via social media and online platforms. Parole and probation were not perceived as significant barriers by participants. Challenges related to collateral consequences, such as limited access to housing and employment opportunities, were highlighted as barriers. Participants did not view recidivism as a significant obstacle to pursuing higher education. …

How Did The Covid-19 Pandemic Impact Extended Foster Care Social Workers While Providing Social Services, Omar Ramirez, Victoria Lopez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study used ten interviews with Extended Foster Care (EFC) workers about their experiences with EFC youth from a county agency before, during, and after COVID-19 pandemic using a qualitative research design. The purpose of the research was to learn from EFC social workers how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted their ability to provide services to the EFC youth, negatively or positively, and how supported they felt in delivering these services. Data was collected by interviewing the ten participants via Zoom. Data was analyzed by categorizing the responses with different colors based on the responses. Significant findings were identified regarding agency …

Examining A Relationship Between Sexual Satisfaction And Child Maltreatment, Amanda Titone

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Child maltreatment is prevalent despite extensive research informing interventions. While many risk factors have been identified, exploring additional determinants may improve existing methods or reveal better alternatives. This study’s basis was family systems theory, and it utilized the post-positivist paradigm to explore the topics of relationship fulfillment, sexual satisfaction, and parenting. Qualitative interviews with five heterosexual, cisgender parents born between 1971 and 1991 (average age 39-40) revealed four main themes: participants' childhood/parental relationships, history of abusive relationships, current sex life, and role balancing between relationships and parenting. Although limited by a small sample size and a specialized population (social work …

Bridging Training Gaps: Assessing Knowledge And Confidence Of Mental Health Interns In Opioid Misuse Intervention For School-Aged Children And Adolescents, Carolina Rodriguez, Gabriela Guadalupe Gonzalez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The rising threat of opioid misuse among children and adolescents demands urgent attention. Despite documented increases in opioid misuse among school-aged children and adolescents, internship placements in conjunction with academic institutions neglect training of mental health interns in school-based settings, specifically in the areas of opioid education and intervention. To meet the multifaceted needs of children and adolescents who misuse opioids, it is imperative to conduct research and provide thorough training for mental health interns. The purpose of this study is to assess the levels of knowledge and confidence of mental health interns concerning opioid misuse and the perceived benefit …

Gender Dysphoria In Adolescence And The Models Of Care: A Systematic Literature Review, Arnold Briseno

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This systematic literature review examines and compares the efficacy of gender-affirming care and mixed-method approaches in treating adolescents with gender dysphoria. Through a detailed analysis of existing empirical studies, the research aims to identify optimal strategies that support the mental health and well-being of adolescents who are exhibiting criteria of gender dysphoria. The findings suggest a nuanced landscape where gender-affirming and mixed-method care models offer valuable benefits, highlighting the importance of individualized and flexible treatment approaches. This work contributes to the ongoing discourse on adolescent mental health care, advocating for policies and practices that prioritize the needs of this population, …

Study Exploring Feelings Of Self-Blame And Shame Among Individuals Raised By Severely Mentally Ill Caregivers, Joanie Minion

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The focus of this quantitative research project is to explore feelings of self- blame and/or shame among people who were raised by a primary caregiver with severe mental illness. Examples of serious mental illness (SMI) that are used in this study are bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and major depressive disorder (MDD) if psychotic symptoms are present, or it is treatment-resistant. Twenty-six adult participants were recruited via the researcher’s social media account and through others’ sharing the research project information. Demographic data and data regarding self-blame and shame as a child and as an adult and if they felt their family, friendships, …

Commercially Sexually Exploited Children Targeted Within Social Services, Britny Ragland

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study used a survey to describe social workers’ and MSW students’ level of preparedness in identifying and providing prevention and intervention for commercially sexually exploited children (CSEC). The purpose of this study was to evaluate perceptions of social workers and social work students have the necessary skills, knowledge, and training to identify, and provide intervention for Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC). Data was collected from thirty-five participants. Findings were that there appears to be no significance between the level of skills, knowledge and training among social workers and social work students in their ability to provide intervention for commercially …

The Effects Of Parenting Styles On Communication Among Asian American Young Adults, Abigail Camarce

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Objective: This study investigated the relationship between parenting styles and communication difficulties. Previous studies explored different types of parenting styles and their impact on both mental health and child behavior outcomes. However, the relationship between these styles and communication challenges has largely remained underexplored. This study aimed to fill this void by examining data collected from Asian American (AA) young adults aged 18 to 30, shedding light on how various parenting approaches influence communication difficulties in their families. Method: Quantitative data for this study was gathered through Qualtrics from participants meeting the criteria of AA aged 18 to 30, who …

Mishopshno: Remnants Of The Past A Midden Analysis From Carpinteria, California, Alyssa Del Rosario

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

For this study, my primary goals are to determine the depositional history of a shell midden at the archaeological site of Mishopshno (CA-SBA-07) through accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) dating, examine the artifacts found at the site, and analyze the midden contents. Mishopshno was initially recorded in the 1920s by David Banks Rogers with the Santa Barbara Natural History Museum. The portions of midden analyzed for this thesis were excavated during construction monitoring of the sewer loop replacement in the Santa Rosa Campground at Carpinteria State Beach, Carpinteria, California.

Over time, significant disturbances have occurred to the site due to resource …

Students Of Higher Education Receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program And Its Impact On Mental Health, Cristina Palacios Mosqueda

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The focus of this research study was the impact of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on the mental health, specifically anxiety and depression, of students pursuing higher education. The study analyzed if food security from receiving SNAP benefits relieved mental illnesses for students pursuing higher education. This study utilized a post-positivist paradigm. The data was obtained through qualitative methods, including 14 audio interviews and verbal observations of current undergraduate and graduate students from Southern California. At the time that the research interviews were conducted, the students participated in the student and discussed their experiences of dealing with mental health symptoms …

Traffic Analysis Of Cities In San Bernardino County, Sai Kalyan Ayyagari

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This research offers an in-depth analysis of vehicular traffic within San Bernardino County, California, aiming to spotlight congestion areas and suggest improvements for more efficient and sustainable transportation. Leveraging 2021 data from StreetLight Data, traffic patterns in 15 key cities were examined based on their population sizes, covering various vehicle types to dissect dynamics and flow. The methodology focused on analyzing trip purposes and metrics to calculate Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) and its influence on congestion and environmental factors.

Findings indicate considerable disparities in traffic volume, purposes, and timings across different urban areas, with population density and intercity connections significantly …

Truck Traffic Analysis In The Inland Empire, Bhavik Khatri

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study undertakes a meticulous examination of truck traffic within the Inland Empire, focusing on the distribution and dynamics of medium and heavy-duty vehicles, to advocate for the region's transition to electric trucks. Utilizing advanced spatial analysis and data from Streetlight Data, it segments the region into six subregions, revealing distinct traffic patterns and environmental impacts. Notably, the research uncovers that the North Center and West zones, integral to the logistics and warehousing sectors, exhibit the highest traffic volumes, significantly influencing air quality and infrastructure.

Quantitative results from 2021 illustrate a pronounced disparity in truck activity: medium-weight vehicles accounted for …

Barriers To Gender-Affirming Care, Gloria Garcia

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of transgender and nonbinary individuals who have accessed or are thinking of seeking gender-affirming medical care in a rural California county. The study adopted a post-positivist approach, and data was gathered from ten qualitative interviews with study participants. In the data analysis phase, the researcher utilized a bottoms-up approach and engaged in open, axial, and selective coding. Data analysis of qualitative interviews revealed sixteen open codes and connections between these codes. These codes were then categorized into three themes: the impact of an individual’s experience when accessing care, barriers to …

Childhood Neglect And Incarceration As A Adult, Marissa Mejia, Diana Gallegos

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This research project aims to explain the relationship between experiencing childhood neglect and being incarcerated as an adult, and to see if childhood neglect is a contributing factor to incarceration as an adult. This systematic literature review will identify prior research and analyze it in order to answer the formulated research question. Does Childhood Neglect lead an adult to incarceration? This specific research method also identifies trends, gaps in knowledge, and areas for future research. The results from this study have provided empirically supported information that could be used in the field of social work, in schools, and in the …

The Aftermath Of The Pandemic’S Effect On College Student Depression, Lorena Sedano

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The present study examines how stress from the aftermath of the pandemic has affected college student depression. Using qualitative methods, ten college students voluntarily participated in recorded interviews. During these interviews students shared how the return to normality affected their experiences with depression, and the experiences of other students on campus. The study examined coping mechanisms to their adaptations, student’s individual stories, the effects that were viewed on campus, and their experiences during this transition. Students also completed the PHQ-2 and brief questions from the perceived stress scale. During the completion of the PHQ-2, 60% of students reported to have …

Stressors, Caffeine Consumption, And Mental Health Concerns Among College Students, Stacey Trejo

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to understand the relationship between mental health challenges, life balance concerns and caffeine consumption among college students. As caffeine is considered a psychoactive and cognitive enhancer that enhances physical performance, consuming an excess of caffeine can result in caffeine intoxication, which may include experiencing negative side effects.

Utilizing quantitative methods and availability sampling, 61 college students completed a self-administered online survey via Instagram and, with the assistance of professors, in classrooms. The self-administered Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21) reveals that college students are experiencing high levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. A majority …

Factors That Contribute To Disparities In Access To Mental Health Services Within Hispanic Adults, Jasmine Soriano

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The focus of this research project was to understand and identify the challenges Hispanic adults face when accessing their mental health services to better understand this concerning issue and help support social workers in bridging that gap in the Hispanic community. The study took place at a mental health clinic in Southern California through virtual interviews for those who chose to participate. This agency provides mental health therapy to individuals 0-21 years of age, but for the purpose of this study, only adults aged 18-21 qualified to participate. The study consisted of twelve voluntary participants from both Hispanic adult clients …

Self-Care Habits And Burnout Among County Social Workers On The Central Coast Of California, Jaclyn Boyd, Denise Ojeda

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Burnout, stress, and retention challenges have become pervasive issues among social workers in Child Welfare Services. The experience of stress and burnout can profoundly impact a worker's physical health and overall well-being. Implementing self-care practices, which involve attending to one's health and well-being through activities such as exercise, spiritual engagement, and hobbies, can effectively mitigate feelings of stress and burnout, fostering a positive impact on individuals. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between reported stress levels and self-care habits among Child Welfare Services social workers in two counties on California's central coast. To gather relevant data, …

The Role Of Social Support And Emotional Regulation In Relationship With Adverse Childhood Experiences And Food Addiction, Negin Ghaffari

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic experiences that occur before the age of 18 and can have long-standing impacts on mental and physical health. Individuals with high exposure to ACEs may be at increased risk for depression, substance use disorders, and cardiovascular disease (Hughes et al., 2017). Social support has been shown to play an essential role in reducing the likelihood of adverse outcomes, such as substance dependence following exposure to adverse experiences. Furthermore, emotional regulation difficulties have been shown to mediate the relationship between childhood trauma and food addiction. There has been little research on adverse events in …

Through The Lens Of Families And Staff In Emergency Shelters, Elizabeth Barcenas

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This research study explored the effectiveness that emergency shelters have on families transitioning into stable housing by gathering the perspectives of a former client and a staff member from a shelter in Riverside County. This research study utilized a qualitative approach, interviewing participants one-on-one from the shelter with open-ended questions. The themes that emerged during the study were the perspectives of the shelter, the barriers and challenges families face, and the services and support received within the shelter.

The study provides insight into the shelter, the challenges families face, the services offered, what’s working, and areas for improvement through the …

Addressing Rural Mental Health Crises: An Alternative To Police, Faith Ann Weatheral-Block

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

There has been an increase in contacts between law enforcement and people with mental illness since the start of deinstitutionalization in the 1960s. When law enforcement officers respond to crisis calls without the proper training, the likelihood of that interaction ending fatally is far greater. The purpose of this study is to determine mental health professionals' readiness to serve as an alternative to law enforcement in addressing mental health crises in rural areas. Using the nonprobability sampling methods of convenience and snowball, this exploratory qualitative study involved semi- structured interviews with 10 adult mental health professionals from various backgrounds in …

Adverse Childhood Experiences And Altruism: The Impact On Social Work As A Career Choice, Nancy Salas, Brittany Altuna

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to explore and examine whether adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and altruistic behavior have a correlation between whether an individual chooses social work as a career choice. A quantitative study was conducted which included the responses of 99 students enrolled in a school of social work from a Southern California University. The participants were administered two sets of questionnaires via a Qualtrics online survey. One questionnaire measured the number of ACE’s a participant had experienced before the age of eighteen. The second questionnaire was a simplified nine item self-report altruism (SRA) scale that measured the …