Social Work Commons^™

Short Text Messages To Motivate Hiv Testing Among Men Who Have Sex With Men: A Qualitative Study In Lima, Peru, Luis A. Menacho, Magaly M. Blas, Isaac E. Alva, Edwin Roberto Orellana

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Objective: The objective of this study is to identify features and content that short message service (SMS) should have in order to motivate HIV testing among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Lima, Peru.

Methods: From October, 2010 to February, 2011, we conducted focus groups at two stages; six focus groups were conducted to explore and identify SMS content and features and two additional focus groups were conducted to tailor SMS content. The text messages were elaborated within the theoretical framework of the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills model and the Social Support Theory.

Results: A total of …

Effective Single-Parent Training Group Program: Three System Studies, Harold E. Briggs, Keva M. Miller, Edwin Roberto Orellana, Adam C. Briggs, Wendell H. Cox

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Objective: This study highlights Dr. Elsie Pinkston and colleagues’ research on the effectiveness of behavior parent training and examines the application of single-parent training group (SPG) programs to three parent–child dyads exposed to distressed family circumstances. Methods: Single-system evaluation designs were conducted with two single birth parents, one single foster parent, and each parent’s three respective children, in an effort to appraise the results of a SPG program.

Results: Two of the three parent–child dyads benefited from the SPG. Results suggested that there were changes in parent reinforcement and attention behaviors and children’s noncompliance behaviors.

Conclusion: Behavioral improvements in …

Policies To Eliminate Racial Disparities In Education: A Literature Review, Ann Curry-Stevens, Analucia Lopezrevoredo, Dana Peters

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

In response to an increasing need to understand the reach of the literature and the research undertaken on initiatives to eliminate racial disparities, a literature review was initiated in 2012 for the Eliminating Racial Disparities Collaborative within the All Hands Raised initiative to improve academic outcomes for students in Multnomah County. This was an expansive undertaking – and at the end, we have drawn upon about 160 different articles, some of which were meta-analyses of an array of publications in a particular field.

The first section in this report is a summary document that details each policy-based recommendation in this …

Pathways To Positive Futures: State-Of-The-Science Conference Proceedings, Janet Walker, Kris Gowen, Pauline Jivanjee, Celeste Laurana Moser, Claudia Sellmaier, Nancy Koroloff, Eileen Brennan

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Over the last decade, evidence has mounted showing that young people with serious mental health conditions experience a variety of challenges as they mature into adulthood. On average, their educational, economic and vocational outcomes are distinctly worse than their peers’, and they are more likely to experience homelessness, to struggle with substance use, and to be involved with corrections systems. In 2009, researchers at the Regional Research Institute at Portland State University applied for and received a grant from the National Institute for Disability Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR, US Department of Education) and the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS, US …

Implementing The Peer Support Specialist Role: Providing Direct, Individualized Support In A Local Program, Research And Training Center For Pathways To Positive Futures, Youth Empowerment Support Program

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

This information brief provides an example of how one locally-initiated program has implemented the Peer Support Specialist role for youth and young adults with serious mental health conditions. The brief covers aspects of training, coaching, supervision, role definition and financing; and describes challenges and solutions.

Implementing The Peer Support Specialist Role: Youth Peer Support In Wraparound, Research And Training Center For Pathways To Positive Futures, Youth And Family Training Institute

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

This information brief provides an example of how one state has implemented and supported the Peer Support Specialist role for youth with serious mental health conditions. The brief covers aspects of training, coaching, supervision, role definition and financing; and describes a series of challenges and solutions.

“I Bloomed Here”: A Guide For Conducting Photovoice With Youth Receiving Culturally- And Community-Based Services, Abby Bandurraga, L. Kris Gowen, Finding Our Way Team

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Photovoice (PV) is a way to get young people engaged in their communities and be featured as “experts on their own lives” (Wang, et al., 2004). The process involves giving youth cameras they can use to document the realities of their day-to-day experiences and highlight the strengths and challenges within their communities. The photographs they take and the stories that emerge from small group discussions around the pictures are used to engage in important discussions with policymakers, community leaders, and power brokers within the community in order to promote positive change.

In this guide we have provided helpful strategies based …

Sex Differences In The Medical Care Of Va Patients With Chronic Non-Cancer Pain, Melissa B. Weimer, Tara Macey, Christina Nicolaidis, Steven K. Dobscha, Jonathan P. Duckart, Benjamin J. Morasco

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Objective

Despite a growing number of women seeking medical care in the veterans affairs (VA) system, little is known about the characteristics of their chronic pain or the pain care they receive. This study sought to determine if sex differences are present in the medical care veterans received for chronic pain.

Design

Retrospective cohort study using VA administrative data.

Subjects

The subjects were 17,583 veteran patients with moderate to severe chronic non-cancer pain treated in the Pacific Northwest during 2008.

Methods

Multivariate logistic regression assessed for sex differences in primary care utilization, prescription of chronic opioid therapy, visits to emergency …

The African Immigrant And Refugee Community In Multnomah County: An Unsettling Profile, Ann Curry-Stevens, Coalition Of Communities Of Color

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Since 1975, African immigrants, refugees and secondary migrants have been relocating to Multnomah County and now represent the fourth largest immigrant community after Latino, Asian, and Slavic immigrants. The African community here is incredibly diverse in its make-up, with over 28 different African countries and numerous ethnic groups represented. Estimates from 2003 suggest that African immigrants make up 2% of the foreign-born population in the Portland Metro (tri-county) area. Nearly half (45%) of the tri-county area’s African foreign-born population is from eastern Africa, including Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Other countries of origin include Sudan, Sierra …

Navigating Autism: Parent Experiences With Coping And Service Connection, Hilary Drew, Amber Moodie-Dyer, Jill A. Hoffman, Dawn Anderson-Butcher

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

This presentation shares findings from a qualitative study exploring the experiences of parents of youth and young adults with ASD and service providers. Themes from interviews and focus groups are discussed. The presenters explore the implications of the study for providing services to individuals with ASD in relation to research, policy and practice.

Htlv-1 And -2 Infections Among 10 Indigenous Groups In The Peruvian Amazon, Isaac E. Alva, E. Roberto Orellana, Magaly M. Blas, Antonio Bernabe-Ortiz, Armando Cotrina, Marina Chiappe, Tadeusz J. Kochel, Cesar P. Cárcamo, Patricia J. García, Joseph R. Zunt, Anne L. Buffardi, Silvia M. Montano

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Infections with HTLV-1 and -2 were detected in 12 (1.9%) and 6 (0.9%) indigenous individuals living in 27 Amazonian villages in Peru. All infections occurred in Shipibo-Konibo people. HTLV was more common among participants living in villages distant from larger port cities and women with non-monogamous sexual partners.

Family Aided Community Treatment As An Intervention For The Treatment Of Early Psychosis: A Proof Of Concept Study, Ryan P. Melton

Regional Research Institute for Human Services

Major psychotic disorders are one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, having severe impacts on the people who suffer from the conditions, their families and society. There is evidence that if these conditions are identified and treated early, the prognosis is improved. The purpose of this study is to produce findings related to the use of year long trial of family aided community treatment (FACT) with individuals who are experiencing a first episode psychosis as defined by the SIPS. Using a proof of concept design with multiple repeated measure t tests, this study focused on first-episode psychotic disorder participants …

How The Internet Supports The Lives Of Young Adults With Mental Health Challenges, L. Kris Gowen, Martin Rafferty

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Presentation that probes how young adults with significant mental health challenges use the internet, specifically as it relates to finding information and "self-diagnosis." The authors explore how youth with mental health challenges use the internet, and share the results of three Oregon focus groups and the NAMI survey of young adults.

Strengthening Family Support For Young People With Mental Health Needs In The Transition To Adulthood: A Tip Sheet For Service Providers, Pauline Jivanjee, Eileen Brennan, Claudia Sellmaier, Pathways Transition Training Collaborative

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

This document instructs service providers in strategies for engaging families supporting young people with the transition to adulthood.

Tips On Core Competencies For Transition Service Providers, Pauline Jivanjee, Eileen Brennan, Claudia Sellmaier, Pathways Transition Training Collaborative

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

This document describes ten competencies that transition service providers working with young people with mental health difficulties should develop in order to be effective.

Focal Point, Volume 26, Portland State University. Regional Research Institute

Research and Training Center - Focal Point

This issue of Focal Point focuses on the recognition that mental health and physical health should not be considered separately. It addresses how the mind and body impact each other, and how we can strive to achieve balance within ourselves.

From Portland To Paris: Clinical Perspectives On Supporting Young People Suffering From Early Psychosis, Craigan Usher, Ryan P. Melton, Sarah Lynch

Regional Research Institute for Human Services

This workshop examines the Early Detection and Prevention of Psychosis Program (EDIPPP) that focuses on reducing the incidence of major psychotic disorders in a defined population, by early detection and treatment.

Getting The Most Out Of Healthcare As An Autistic Adult, Dora Raymaker, Christina Nicolaidis, Amelia E.V. Baggs, Cody Boisclair, Clarissa Kripke, Elesia Ashkenazy, Katie Mcdonald, Kirby Erickson, Marcie Tedlow

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

The Academic Autistic Spectrum Partnership in Research and Education (AASPIRE), a partnership between academic researchers and members of the Autistic community, has conducted a series of studies to understand the healthcare experiences of autistic adults. We are using what we learned from these studies, as well as the lived experiences of our team members, to create information and tools to improve healthcare for autistic adults. After sharing what we learned from our studies, we will offer tips, ideas, information, and tools that may enable more effective self-advocacy in healthcare settings and reduce barriers to healthcare, including care for acute and …

The End Of The Honeymoon: Cbpr, Positional Privilege And Working With Community Coalitions, Ann Curry-Stevens

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

This chapter tells a story about the CBPR research project, "Making Communities of Color Count" which partners researchers at the School of Social Work with the Coalition of Communities of Color in Multnomah County. It is not the only story about this project, as the voices of community partners and the rest of the research team are quiet in this retelling, but it is the one that centers the experience of the lead academic in this partnership. I center the joys and challenges of CBPR research, and the avenues that such opportunities offer for academically-based researchers, replete with avenues for …

Healthy Body -- Healthy Mind, L. Kris Gowen

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

The author's introduction to this issue of Focal Point, which focuses on the interrelationship of mind and body, and its impact for social work with youth.

What Can Physicians Learn From The Neurodiversity Movement?, Christina Nicolaidis

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

An op-ed piece that describes the author's experiences parenting an autistic child, describing how her thinking and opinions of autism and autistic individuals have changed over time.

An Exploration Of Fiscal Resources And Systems Needs Related To Autism Spectrum Disorder Services And Supports In Ohio: Fiscal Analysis And Parent/Caregiver Interview Results, Dawn Anderson-Butcher, Hilary Drew, Amber Moodie-Dyer, Jill A. Hoffman

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

In order to advocate for policies that align and leverage funding streams in service to the needs of families and individuals affected by autism spectrum disorders (ASD), the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio (ESCCO) and the Center for Systems Change at the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence disorders (OCALI) commissioned the College of Social Work at The Ohio State University to conduct a fiscal analysis of ASD funds and to explore parent / caregiver perceptions of the ASD service delivery system in Ohio. There were two purposes of this work:

• To identify federal and state funding streams …

Student Loans, For-Profit Colleges, And Traditional Colleges: Some Things You Should Know Before Borrowing, Research And Training Center For Pathways To Positive Futures

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Many students complete programs at for-profit colleges and launch new careers. However, many other students do not have such successful experiences, ending up without the career they envisioned and/or with large debts they cannot repay. This FAQ is designed to help prospective college students become better informed about student loans, particularly those used to finance education at for-profit institutions.

Motivating Men Who Have Sex With Men To Get Tested For Hiv, Magaly M. Blas, Luis A. Menacho, Isaac E. Alva, E. Roberto Orellana

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Although men who have sex with men (MSM) have the highest HIV prevalence in Peru, they are underserved by traditional preventive programs. Interestingly, in Peru the Internet and cell-phones have emerged as a convenient tool to reach this population.

Social And Contextual Factors That Influence Hiv Risk Behaviors Among Indigenous Msm In The Peruvian Amazon, Isaac E. Alva, E. Roberto Orellana

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Men who have sex with men (MSM) face a significantly higher risk of HIV infection than the general population around the globe. In Peru, HIV prevalence among MSM range from 14% to 23%, with Lima, the capital, and port cities in the Amazonian region being the most affected. Recent studies found that indigenous MSM who leave their villages for cities along the Amazon River and its tributaries, engage in high risk behaviors such as high alcohol consumption and unprotected sex with mestizo (non- indigenous) MSM. This study examined social and contextual factors associated with risky behaviors among indigenous MSM in …

Family Psychoeducation In Clinical High Risk And First- Episode Psychosis, William R. Mcfarlane, Sarah Lynch, Ryan P. Melton

Regional Research Institute for Human Services

Seventy percent of those who will have an episode of psychosis will have done so by age 25. Data from clinical trials of intervention during the clinical high risk period of psychosis have determined that the mean age is in mid-adolescence, 16-18 years of age. For those reasons, early intervention inherently involves adolescents, and by extension their parents and other family members and supports. Regarding the type of intervention, it is relevant that the current empirically-derived standard of treatment for schizophrenia, as concluded by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research survey of the treatment outcome literature, includes family …

The Power Of Protection: A Population-Based Comparison Of Native And Non-Native Youth Suicide Attempters, Juliette Mackin, Tamara Perkins, Carrie Jeanne Furrer

Center for Improvement of Child and Family Services Publications

This study provides actionable information about intervening with American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth to prevent suicide. Statewide school survey data were used to model the impact of risk and protective factors on self-reported suicide attempts (both AI/AN and non-AI/AN). The cumulative risk and protective model worked similarly for both groups. AI/AN youth had a higher threshold of risk before making a suicide attempt. Protective factors buffered the impact of risk, particularly for the higher risk youth.

The Latino Community In Multnomah County: An Unsettling Profile, Ann Curry-Stevens, Amanda Cross-Hemmer, Coalition Of Communities Of Color

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Our report, "The Latino Community in Multnomah County: An Unsettling Profile" uncovers an array of racial inequities across the systems of income, employment, education, juvenile justice, corrections, child welfare, philanthropic giving, housing, immigration, research practices (particularly population measurement), wealth, health, health insurance coverage, racial harassment, public service and voter registration. These systems maintain our second-class status and serve to limit our current well being and the prospects for a bright future for our children.

Addressing The Physical Health Challenges Impacting Young Individuals With Major Mental Illness, Ryan P. Melton

Regional Research Institute for Human Services

Research has found that individuals who suffer from major mental illness, such as schizophrenia, are dying on average 15-25 years earlier than those who do not suffer from schizophrenia.1 Many causes for this shortened lifespan are suspected. Those causes include: lack of access to health care, suicide, poverty, substance use and side effects from anti-psychotic medications. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has challenged mental health providers treating major mental illness to address this disturbing trend by promoting their “10x10” campaign. The goal of the campaign is to increase the lifespan of individuals who suffer from major …

A Counselor’S Role In Diagnosing The Proposed Dsm-5 Attenuated Psychosis Syndrome: A Pathway To Early Intervention Or Iatrogenic Consequences?, Vanessa Jung Tirman, Ryan P. Melton

Regional Research Institute for Human Services

Psychosis in general, and schizophrenia specifically, are among the most debilitating and difficult to treat disorders in mental health (Correll, Hauser, Auther, & Cornblatt, 2010). Identifying a patient with at-risk symptoms before the first episode of schizophrenia can be invaluable to the patient, clinician, and the community because the patient is treated early in the course of the disease where treatment is highly effective. After years of research it has been confirmed that at-risk symptoms for schizophrenia generally precede the first episode of psychosis, which results in the diagnosis of schizophrenia (Correll et al., 2010). At present however, the assessment …