Social Work Commons^™

Social And Media Influences On Vaping, Emily D'Arcy

Social Work Student Scholarship

Major: Social Work

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Katie Kranz, Social Work

Vaping in the United States is becoming an epidemic especially among young adults and adolescents. As the attention and perception of vaping increases, very little is known about treatment plans and recovery strategies. Based on the current literature and qualitative research from a social work research class, most information on vaping is received through peer to peer communication or social media platforms. Both peer and social media influence have impacted and influenced vaping behaviors, especially the use of a Juul. Vaping is prevalent because of how quickly it’s gained popularity …

Representations Of Alcoholism In Pop Culture: The Mom Project, Alexandra Rose

Social Work Student Scholarship

Major: Social Work

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Katherine Kranz, Social Work

The Mom television series is the perfect medium to call attention to the idea of women in addiction recovery in pop culture today. As it simultaneously calls upon known stereotypes and misconceptions about addiction, it also subconsciously educates the viewer on facts about what addiction recovery may really look like. To a viewer with no knowledge of addiction and recovery, it hints at what recovery life may look like while using humor. Humor in itself can serve to be a beneficial coping mechanism, as it is the physical release of …

Giving Voice To The Voiceless, Victoria L. Palmer

Social Work Theses

The purpose of this study is to understand the experiences of matriculated, full time college students from a medium-sized Catholic, Liberal Arts College in the Northeast who identify as multi-racial or multi-ethnic, specifically identifying as coming from a white and non-white mixed background. In the ever-changing political climate in the United States, those who identify as mixed white and non-white backgrounds feel conflicted in how they ethnically or racially identify. Emerging adulthood (ages 18-25), and college experiences, are important years for identity development. This study tells the untold narratives of mixed non-white and white multi-racial, multi-ethnic individuals.

What Do You Bring To The Classroom? – A Look At Approaching Difficult Dialogues, Katherine Holleran

Social Work Theses

This qualitative research study assessed and evaluated experiences of professors from different departments, regarding their encounters with difficult dialogues and the perceived response from students in their classroom through untimed, semi-structured interviews. The interview questions were designed to have an open dialogue with the professor about their experiences in the classroom and how they feel their identities and strategies may have influenced or shaped conversations that took place. The findings include the perspective of four white female professors, one white male professor, and one female professor of color. The results emphasize that there are effective strategies that professors have found …

13 Reasons Why Not: Examining Peer Networks And Barriers To Help Seeking, Katharine Comber

Social Work Theses

This paper examines mental health perceptions on a college campus, with an emphasis on the importance of peer networks, the barriers to help-seeking behaviors, and the persisting stigma against mental health treatment. The researcher hypothesized that students will report confiding in family, friends, and peers in times of emotional distress, rather than more formal support networks. The study utilized a 13-item survey that examined what barriers students face in seeking help, to whom students turn in times of distress, and if they feel that there is stigma on campus that is a deterrent to formal mental health treatment. The results …

Nurses’ Perceptions Of Parents Staying During Chronically Ill Child’S Hospitalization: Learning To Speak The Same Language, Nicole Toscano

Social Work Theses

Since parents and nurses are at the forefront of a hospitalized child’s care, it is crucial to understand the views of parents and nurses to provide the best care for the patient. Parental views have been examined by previous research; thus, this qualitative research study assesses nurses’ perceptions concerning the parental role during a child’s hospitalization. Assessing where nurses’ place parents in the medical world will help the overall care of the patient. The results of the semi-structured interviews of two nurses corresponds with the hypothesis that nurses’ view parents as integral to the care of the patient, even if …

Domestic Violence In The Spotlight: From The Private Sphere To Popular Culture, Taylor Rinefierd

Annual Undergraduate Conference on Health and Society

No abstract provided.

The Stressors Of The Military Lifestyle And The Services Available To Help Military Families, Jacquelyn Desrosiers

Social Work Theses

This quantitative, descriptive study focuses on the effectiveness of the various services available for military families from the perspective of Rhode Island military residents. A review of the literature outlines the major stressors of the military lifestyle. The services available to help military families deal with these stressors are analyzed in the study. Five Rhode Island military families participated in this study. Results revealed overall satisfaction with the resources available through the military itself, dissatisfaction with services available through other areas, such as schools, churches, or organizations, the necessity of aid during the reintegration experience, the minimal usage of the …

Helping Children Find A Home That Offers Safety, Stability, And Love, D'Nique Melissa Stevens

Social Work Theses

The researcher wanted to look closely to see if preferences of adoptive parents, such as a particular race, age, or gender of the adoptee, helped or hindered the process of adoption. Gathering research, based on previous studies, the researcher was able to compare and contrast, to see if there are any patterns regarding adoptive parent preferences. There was a hole in the literature in regards to the preference of gender. This was a quantitative descriptive study completed by Providence College students, using a Likert-like style instrument. The main findings in the research was the statistically significant relationship of the values …

The Impact Of Partner Support In Abortion, Amy Gentile

Social Work Theses

This quantitative, relational study aimed to examine whether there was a significant relationship between mental health of the female post-abortion and partner support both during and after abortion. A review of the literature indicates that many women do not suffer psychological trauma post-abortion and a large majority of women who have abortions report feeling supported by the prospective father. However, no research has examined if these two groups are in fact one in the same. One hundred forty-three questionnaires were collected on a college campus to measure respondent’s predictions of partner support and emotional well being post-abortion. Results indicate a …

The Challenges Of Minority, Non-Affluent Students: Perceptions Of The Transitions To College, Justin Gilliam

Social Work Theses

This study explored whether low income minority students at a predominantly White institution felt socially, financially, and academically prepared for college. A review of the literature revealed that the supports necessary for low income minority students to ensure a positive transition to college are their family members, staff members at their high school, mentors, and college preparation programs. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted through interviewing eight participants who fit this study’s definition of a low income minority. The findings from this study revealed that family members, mentors, staff members at their high school, and college preparation programs were supports …

Prevalence Of Bullying At The Elementary School Level: A Descriptive Analysis, Katherine M. D’Ascenzo

Social Work Theses

A quantitative, descriptive study on the prevalence of bullying at the elementary school level was conducted in Providence, Rhode Island. A review of the literature outlined the definition of what aggressive behavior constitutes as bullying, details the aggressor and target roles and confirms the potentially harmful consequences of bullying. Factors such as the aggressor and target’s grade level, gender and race were documented to explore whether these factors held an influential role in the bullying incidents. Findings suggested that elementary aged children bully students within their same grade and of similar gender. Another finding revealed that race is not a …

Female Students’ Perceptions Of Sexual Victimization In The College Environment, Nicole Sadoski

Social Work Theses

Research indicates that sexual victimization is a significant problem on college campuses in the United States. Ranging from unwanted sexual contact to rape, sexual victimization of female students is not only a pervasive issue in the college environment, but it also may lead to devastating short- and long-term consequences for survivors, including physical, psychological, and emotional implications. In an effort to better understand the scope of this issue, the researcher attempted to conduct a comprehensive study about female students’ perceptions of sexual victimization at a mid-size, Northeastern, Catholic, liberal arts college. Participants’ recommendations for ways in which colleges can educate …

Best Practices Regarding Homelessness And Mental Illness, Brittany Kowaleski

Social Work Theses

Preliminary research indicates that homelessness is a growing problem in the United States, especially in Rhode Island. It is very common for those who are homeless to also be impacted by a mental illness, which creates an additional barrier for them to overcome. This qualitative research collected stories from homeless individuals in Rhode Island regarding their perceptions of services that work best to overcome homelessness as well as related problems, including mental illness and substance abuse. This is a local and national problem, and understanding the stories from those who “live” the experience of homelessness is valuable for practice and …

Obstacles In Human Service Work With Teen Mothers, Chloe Casale

Social Work Theses

Research has shown that it is extremely beneficial for teen mothers to have support during their pregnancy and during their new experience of motherhood. Teen mothers can be extremely vulnerable because of the many obstacles they may face including unhealthy relationships, lack of education attainment, mental health concerns, and isolation. One source of support can come from human service workers. In an effort to better understand the obstacles faced by teen mothers, and thus the obstacles faced by home visitors, this study focused on the stories, opinions, and experiences of those who are working with teen mothers in a home …

The Effects Of Advertising And The Media’S Portrayal Of The “Thin Ideal” On College Women’S Self-Image, Mary Sheehan

Social Work Theses

This study explores the relationship between media images’ portrayal of the “thin ideal” and college women’s self-image and self-esteem. A review of the literature validated the researcher’s hypothesis that women are negatively affected by the media’s portrayal of “ideal” body types. However, the review of literature also presented a contrasting theme that media images can positively affect women through motivation and determination to maintain healthy lifestyles. A mixed methods study using Rosenberg’s Self Esteem Scale and media images portraying different body types was used to examine this relationship. Findings indicated that the level of the women’s self-esteem prior to completing …

Discovering Resilience In Children Who Witnessed Their Caregivers With Cancer: A Retrospective Study, Cassandra N. Menz

Social Work Theses

Cancer is a powerful disease and has been shown to affect both the individual battling the disease as well as the friends and families. Research has shown that children and/or adolescents who have witnessed their caregivers with cancer have emerged as resilient from this experience. Through interviews, this study investigated college students at a small liberal arts school in Southern New England, who have or have had primary caregivers with cancer to see if they have gained resilience. This study revealed the effects that cancer can have not only on the individual who is battling the disease, but also on …

Facebook: The Newest Weight Loss Supplement?, Jaclyn Longo

Social Work Theses

This study sought to find a correlation between Facebook usage and exercise and diet habits among college-age females. A review of literature has shown the prevalence of eating disorders on college campuses and the pressures directly associated with these statistics. Eighty surveys were collected in order to measure both qualitative and quantitative data concerning the participants Facebook, eating, and dieting habits. Results revealed a strong drive among these females to stay thin through the use of diet and exercise habits, along with a correlation between viewing Facebook photos and the urge to workout. Further research on this subject should focus …

Effects Of A Witnessing History On The Female Ability To Negotiate Romantic Relationships: A Retrospective Analysis, Kimberly Rodrigues

Social Work Theses

Research suggests that witnessing domestic violence (DV) in childhood may have long-term negative effects as a person enters adulthood. This exposure may hinder the ability for adults to build healthy romantic relationships. In an effort to better understand how a witnessing history affects adult romantic relationships, this study focused on the retrospective stories of women who were in recent domestically violent relationships and who also reveal witnessing DV as children. Participant’s narratives were analyzed for themes relating to their witnessing history, such as type of violence witnessed, frequency of violence witnessed, and whether or not participants felt their witnessing history …

Why Do College Students Stay In Unhealthy Relationships And Why Are Peers Hesitant To Intervene?, Melissa Devito

Social Work Theses

This study focused on why college students remain in unhealthy relationships and why they may not intervene. Additionally, the study sought to determine student’s perception of themselves and others using scales that measured their self-esteem, comfortability, and vulnerability. Sixty five students at a Catholic southern New England private college participated in this mixed method study. Results revealed that the definitions of relationships were gender based and students were aware of sexual abuse but remain neutral about reporting it and intervening. Implications from this study include the need for future research on reporting sexual abuse on college campuses and to gather …

Effectiveness Of Anti-Bullying Policies In High Schools, Angela Ju

Social Work Theses

This study focused on the effectiveness of anti-bullying policies in high schools from the perspectives of college students. Literature suggests that anti-bullying policies are in place nationally in high schools but implementation of these policies have been questionable. Several studies have indicated a need for more enforcement of bullying prevention efforts in high schools. This quantitative study gathered data from surveys distributed to and completed by college freshmen students, almost all of whom have had a bullying experience at least once in high school. Findings imply that participants were split in their perspective of how effective and beneficial their high …

Is Mental Illness An Access Barrier To Seeking And Receiving Abortion Services?, Miranda Cummings

Social Work Theses

This study examines the relationship between one’s mental health status and access to abortion services. A review of the literature confirms that no prior research has been completed to determine whether or not mental health status is a barrier to seeking and/or receiving abortion services. A qualitative study using professionals from the mental health and abortion service fields was conducted to explore this relationship. Findings suggest that there are implications for some individuals experiencing mental illness. Another finding concludes that mental illness may be a secondary access barrier if one’s health insurance is provided by governmental funds. An implication for …

Caught In Cultural Limbo?: A College Student’S Perspective On Growing Up With Immigrant Parents, Melissa Weiss

Social Work Theses

Much recent scholarship of immigrants, has found a second-generation disadvantage, or an “immigrant paradox” instead of a “second generation advantage”. In contrast to past studies, this study employed qualitative methods to explore mental health and risky behavior variables of the immigrant paradox among college-aged children of immigrants who attend a private, liberal arts institution to gain a more meaningful understanding of this “paradox”. No strong evidence suggesting an “immigrant paradox” in terms of these variables was found, but instead participants expressed cultural pride. It was also found that these individuals valued their present support systems and those they had while …

The Effects Of Permanency On Youth In Foster Care: The Successes They Achieve After Exiting The System, Megan Foster

Social Work Theses

This study reported on the connection between the permanency a youth in the foster care system experienced and the success they achieved as they transitioned out of the system. Housing, education, and employment were factors addressed. Data was gathered through four interviews with youth who had recently transitioned out of the foster care system and 435 surveys were collected in the months of April and October 2010. Results revealed that youth often use state programs to supplement their needs during the treatment process. Youth that attained success created and maintained relationships with workers who become adult supporters for them. Implications …

Sex Education And Its Influences On College Sex Practices, Matthew Yetsko

Social Work Theses

This was a relational study to examine the possibly of a correlation between type of high school sex education and types of attitudes and behaviors towards sex within the context of the college social environment. A review of the literature shows that comprehensive sex education has been more effective than no sex education or abstinence only sex education in delaying sexual activity, more effective in providing students information on using contraceptives for safe-sex practices, and more effective in preventing unwanted pregnancies and the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases and the HIV virus. The literature lacked any substantial information on the …

Transition And Transformation Of Service Agencies Following An Emergency Response, Mary Patrice Bogan

Social Work Theses

This study will focus specifically on the transforming effects service agencies experience as they respond to the highly increased need in the surrounding community. A review of the literature reveals that recovery efforts cannot elicit the needed response and support without a sense of urgency that stems from the event(s) being considered an “emergency.” The lack of longevity of the initial urgency threatens the resiliency of the agency as the availability of funding and necessary attention is not maintained. A qualitative, exploratory study was conducted by interviewing ten individuals involved in the Rhode Island emergency winter shelter crisis and five …

Self-Awareness Of Food Choice And Body Image: A Relational Study In The Undergraduate Female Population, Cassandra Lenza

Social Work Theses

The present study has measured, by self-report, factors that affect food choice in the college-aged female population and the relationship between these factors and perceived body image. A review of the literature reveals that health, appearance, cost, time and availability all serve as influential factors in this population’s food choices, but the literature does not investigate the relationship between comparing the variables of food choice and body image. This correlational study employed a survey research design with Likert-scaled questions to gain insight regarding food choice in seventy-five undergraduate students. The main findings suggest that the target population based food consumption …

Safe Voluntary Exit Plans For Gang Involved Youth In Rhode Island: A Qualitative Study, Patricia Foley

Social Work Theses

This study was conducted with the intent of understanding safe exit plans for gang involved youth. There is limited literature around the existence of exit planning in the State of Rhode Island. Three interviews were conducted with four local stakeholders in the Rhode Island community. These interviews revealed that at risk youth can be safely guided out of gang life with the proper support systems and access to new life experiences. Social work practice, policy and research implications were addressed.

Bullying At The Middle School Level: A Descriptive Study, Sara C. Johnson

Social Work Theses

Bullying within schools has been a topic of great interest in recent years. Due to various factors, bullying is a particularly large problem at middle schools. In order to obtain further research on this topic, a study was conducted at a small suburban middle school in Connecticut. Teachers were given surveys to complete to address their thoughts on bullying. Additionally, a smaller subsample of teachers and the school social worker were interviewed. The data gathered from the surveys and interviews revealed that bullying was in fact present at the school. Participants expressed that students tend to bully one another in …

The Sensory Treatment Approach In Dealing With Trauma In Children: Does It Work?, Kathy L. Da Silva

Social Work Theses

This study focused on the sensory treatment approach for children with histories of trauma. It was an exploratory, qualitative study where four licensed social workers were interviewed at a small agency in Rhode Island that uses the sensory treatment approach. Each participant had attended a day long training on this approach for use in their agency setting. The findings revealed that each participant highly rated this method of treatment and found it to be effective. All participants used the sensory treatment approach differently and in combination with different treatment modalities and models. Implications for social work practice, policy, and research …