Social Work Commons^™

Integrating Neuroscience Research Into Social Work, Esteban Solis

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Historically, the field of social work has implemented a bio-psycho-social perspective to conceptualize mental illness, and to further investigate how biological, psychological and social factors contribute to client circumstances. Although, the biopsychosocial model aims to emphasize all three areas, in social work, psycho-social realms receive more attention while biological factors—particularly neurological ones receive less. Research and recent findings from neuroscience can enhance social work’s understanding of mental health and improve education, training and practice. However, very limited literature of cross-disciplinary collaborations between social work and neuroscience exists and the rationale for that is unclear. This study seeks to fill this …

School Psychologists And School Counselors’ Perceptions Of Preparation Received For The Provision Of School-Based Mental Health Services, Sherika Mckenzie

Education (PhD) Dissertations

School psychologists and school counselors are increasingly playing an essential role in the provision of school-based mental health services (SBMHS). This is especially true in California. Unfortunately, there are a few studies that have examined how California school psychologists and school counselors perceive their training to provide SBMHS, how they perceive their role in providing these services, and what they regard as their needs for professional development. The purpose of this study is to determine the extent to which California school psychologists and school counselors believe that their formal pre-service education and later in-service professional experiences have prepared them to …

Low-Income Older Adults Preparedness For Long-Term Care: In-Home Supportive Services, Zina Basom

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

As older adults live longer, demand for supportive care will increase. Older adults will need a form of long-term care to manage their health and quality of life. As older adults age, they’re susceptible to having one or more chronic conditions. In taking measures to manage the chronic conditions of many older adults, in-home supportive services is a supportive program that provides non-medical personal and instrumental services to help older adults with their activities of daily living. An in-home supportive service allows an older adult to receive assistance and remain comfortably living in his or her home. However, an older …

Unequal Treatment : Sociocultural Identities And Their Effects On Eating Diorder Treatment Access And Efficacy, Hannah NoëL Smith

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The purpose of this study is to explore ways in which eating disorder treatment can be made not only more accessible, but more effective for clients who identify as people of color, lower-socioeconomic status (SES), trans and gender nonconforming, and people whose Body Mass Index (BMI) normal or higher at the time of treatment.

Data was collected using a survey, which was completed by 28 participants recruited through Facebook eating disorder recovery groups and Instagram. Participants were asked to describe their racial identity, gender identity, SES, and BMI, then reflect on the experience of seeking eating disorder treatment.

The findings …

Social Worker's Perception Of In Home Therapy To Reduce Depression Among The Elderly, Christine A. Mettlen

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This paper will discuss the barriers to the elderly population and how providing in home therapy could reduce depression in order to provide a better long lasting life. There are high levels of depression related to psychological problems, aging and illness. Depression can be associated with cumulative loss, restricted sense of control and declining abilities. The main problem is that elderly individuals tend to isolate so they will not seek help to address their depression. Providing guidance and support to the elderly will allow them to be able to function longer, remain independent, and extend their life.

The total number …

Livable Wage Legislation: Minnesota Social Workers’ Knowledge Of And Involvement In The Movement, Maggie Wangen

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Minnesota’s minimum wage provides insufficient income for full-time adult employees to meet their needs and the needs of their dependent children. The social work profession, and individual social workers, should be aware of and involved in the current social justice issue of raising the minimum wage to a more realistic (livable) wage. This research paper examines the potential impacts of raising the minimum wage, current opinions of American society regarding livable wages, and the extent to which Minnesota social workers have knowledge of and are involved in the livable wage movement. Results of a survey taken by Minnesota’s licensed social …

Successfully Incorporating The Participant Perspective: Analysis Of Participatory Research In Development, Zachary T. Revene

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Literature from recent decades has highlighted the importance of incorporating the perspective of communities into development project planning and implementation. In this project, the participant perspective was documented through qualitative ethnographic techniques and illustrates the different ways in which this perspective was either included or excluded in two separate case studies along the northern coast of Peru. The case study of huachaque farmers surrounding the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Chan Chan provided an example of the general failure to incorporate the participant perspective into planning of future biodiversity conservation projects. The case study of Huaca Chotuna provided an example …