Social Work Commons^™

Psychosocial Strengths Associated With Higher Functioning After Interpersonal Adversity In The United Kingdom And Ireland, Matthew Brooks, Victoria Banyard, Xiafei Wang, Sherry Hamby

Social Work Faculty Publications

Objective: Over the past two decades, positive psychology research has identified correlates of resilience. Although a range of strengths have been explored, there is a need to identify specific strengths that best support individuals to thrive after interpersonal trauma and adversity. This study assessed the contribution of 24 strengths from the Values in Action (VIA) positive psychology survey, alongside five other measures of strengths identified from resilience research, to identify those that show most promise.

Method: In total, 1,440 adults from the United Kingdom and Ireland completed the online VIA survey, and questions on five psychosocial strengths (ecoconnections, …

Cannabis Retail Environment And Treatment For Cannabis Use Disorder, Jeremy Mennis, J. Douglas Coatsworth, Nikola Zaharakis, Nathaniel R. Riggs, Aaron Brown

Social Work Faculty Publications

Purpose: This research investigates whether the efficacy of a digital cannabis use disorder (CUD) treatment for young adults (age 18–25) differs by exposure to cannabis retailers in the residential neighborhood and activity space (significant places visited throughout daily life).

Methods: This is a secondary analysis of data from a randomized clinical trial of the digital substance use disorder treatment Peer Network Counseling-txt (PNC-txt) for reducing cannabis use among young adults with CUD ( n = 425). We hypothesize that the indirect effect of treatment on reducing cannabis use via the mediating mechanism readiness-to-change is moderated by exposure to cannabis retailers, …

Legislative Debate-Attributed Suicidality Among Lgbtq+ Adults: The Buffering Effect Of Community Belongingness, Keith J. Watts, Shawndaya S. Thrasher, Laneshia Conner, Nicole Campbell, Louis G. Baser, Dekeitra Griffin, Sydney Howard, Missy Spears, Justin X. Moore

Social Work Faculty Publications

Background: In recent years, the sociopolitical landscape in the United States has shifted due to an increase in state-level legislation regarding LGBTQ+ rights, a trend that has been particularly pronounced in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. While the mental health impacts of enacted laws are increasingly documented, a critical gap remains in understanding the psychological toll of the legislative debates themselves—the prolonged periods of public discourse surrounding the restriction of rights.

Methods: Utilizing data from the 2025 Queer Kentucky Survey (N = 817), this exploratory study examined the association between LGBTQ+ community belongingness and acute suicidality attributed specifically to anti-LGBTQ+ legislative …

“Oh, You’Ve Come To Visit The Yard?”: Phenotypic Capital, Intragroup Marginalization, And The Gated Sanctuary In Black Lgbtq+ Communities, Keith J. Watts, Shawndaya S. Thrasher, Nicole Campbell, Laneshia Conner, Julian K. Glover, Janet K. Otachi, Dekeitra Griffin

Social Work Faculty Publications

Identity-based communities that share common characteristics, beliefs, and experiences (e.g., Black LGBTQ+ communities) have historically been conceptualized as protective bubbles that buffer Black LGBTQ+ individuals against the deleterious effects of systemic racism and cisheterosexism. However, this monolithic narrative often masks the internal power dynamics that divide belonging. This study explores the exclusionary dynamics embedded within these safe spaces, examining how internal hierarchies of skin tone, socioeconomic status, and gender performance function as proximal stressors. Guided by a critical constructivist paradigm, this study utilized Reflexive Thematic Analysis to analyze open-ended survey responses from 74 Black LGBTQ+ adults. Data were drawn from …

Community Place Attachment As A Significant Correlate Of Motivation To Change Substance Use Behavior Among Adults Who Inject Drugs In Rural U.S., Janet K. Otachi, Shawndaya S. Thrasher, Keith J. Watts, Juma S. Mwenda, Hilary L. Surratt

Social Work Faculty Publications

Introduction: While motivation is critical for substance use disorder (SUD) recovery, many individuals fail to engage in treatment. The need to belong is a fundamental human motivation, yet the role of community place attachment (CPA) as a social asset in fostering motivation to change substance use behaviors (MCSUB) among people who inject drugs (PWID) is understudied. This paper examines the effect of CPA on PWIDs’ MCSUB.

Methodology: Cross-sectional data were collected from 350 PWID recruited from syringe service programs in rural Appalachian Kentucky (2018–2021). We used hierarchical multivariable linear regression to assess the association between CPA and MCSUB, controlling for …

“They Don't Care If I'M Here Or Not”: The Impact Of Exclusionary Discipline On Black Boys In Elementary Schools, Arielle Gulley

DSW Capstone Projects

Disproportionate and exclusionary school discipline practices continue to affect African American boys as early as elementary school, with significant implications for their mental health, academic engagement, and long-term educational trajectories. This capstone project examines how racially biased discipline contributes to disparities in belonging, emotional well-being, and student-teacher relationships, and advances the need to reframe discipline as a site of mental health intervention rather than punishment.

The systematic literature review synthesizes peer-reviewed research to examine the relationship between exclusionary discipline and mental health outcomes among African American boys in elementary settings, with particular attention to patterns emerging in early educational environments. …

Unseen To Unstoppable: Critically Redefining Care For Rural Women With Alcohol Use Disorders, Nicole Gerace

DSW Capstone Projects

Research reveals that rural women with alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are up to 90% less likely to seek treatment than men or urban women. This Doctor of Social Work capstone project brings together a systematic literature review (SLR), a conceptual paper, and a practice application paper to examine the clinical social work practice problem of rural women with AUDs underutilizing treatment. Collectively, these products investigate factors contributing to these disparities, identify gaps in care, and propose more equitable and responsive approaches to treatment for these women. This project began with an SLR (2020–2025) that investigated clinical treatment interventions that demonstrated …

Poppers, Apps, And Pleasure: From Set To Setting Among Sexually Diverse Men In Mexico, Juan Carlos Mendoza-Pérez, Keith J. Watts

Social Work Faculty Publications

Background: Poppers (alkyl nitrites) are widely used among sexually diverse men to enhance sexual pleasure. However, research has historically been dominated by risk-centered frameworks such as associations with HIV or other STIs, overlooking user motivations related to hedonic reward, intimacy, and agency. This conceptual oversight is particularly evident in the Global South. This study explores the benefits, motivations, and social meanings of poppers consumption among sexually diverse men in Mexico, emphasizing its relationship with dating applications.   Methods: A mixed-methods cross-sectional study used an electronic survey administered in 2023 to sexually diverse cisgender men. The analytic sample included participants who reported …

Childhood Mental Health And Major Depression In Later Life: A Survival Analysis Across 12 Years, Xiaoling Xiang, Xiafei Wang, Xinyin Zhang, Josephine Abrials

Social Work Faculty Publications

Objectives: This study examined the relationship between childhood mental health conditions and incident major depression in middle-aged and older adults.

Methods: This longitudinal panel study used 12 years of data from 27,220 adults aged 51 and older in the U.S. Health and Retirement Study. Childhood mental health conditions were assessed retrospectively with a question about having a depression, drug/alcohol, or other emotional problem before age 16. Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs).

Results: Childhood mental health conditions were reported by 6.04% of the unweighted sample (n = 1643) and were associated with a more than 2-fold …

From Barriers To Breakthroughs: Academic Advising And Resilience Among Online Social Work Students In Appalachia, Jessica Williamson

DSW Capstone Projects

This Doctor of Social Work (DSW) capstone project examines how academic advising can be leveraged as a resilience-informed intervention to support persistence among online social work students in the Appalachian region. Although online education has expanded access to higher education, Appalachian students continue to face significant structural, technological, and cultural barriers, including limited broadband access, financial instability, geographic isolation, and norms that emphasize self-reliance. These challenges contribute to lower retention and degree-completion rates, highlighting the need for intentional, context-responsive support strategies. This project integrates three scholarly products: a systematic literature review (SLR), a conceptual paper, and a practice application paper. …

Scrolling, Searching, And Self-Diagnosing: Examining How Social Media Influences Self- Diagnosis And Shapes Mental Health Literacy, Conceptualization, And Identity Development, Sara Elaine Hamilton

DSW Capstone Projects

This capstone examines the influence of social media on the growing issue of self-diagnosis of mental health disorders through three scholarly works: a systematic literature review (SLR), a conceptual paper, and practice application paper. Accessibility, anonymity, and social isolation are identified as contributing factors of self-diagnosis, as individuals increasingly prioritize convenience over traditional help-seeking methods. Research suggests that self-diagnosis is influenced by misinformation and reinforced by validation and a sense of belonging, leading individuals to internalize mental health disorders as part of their identity. Findings further indicate that social media plays a significant role in the dissemination of misinformation about …

The Impact Of Medicaid Policy Limitations On Access To Eating Disorder Treatment: Uncovering The Consequences Of A System Built To Fail, Meghan Frost

DSW Capstone Projects

Individuals who rely on Medicaid face major barriers when trying to access eating disorder (ED) treatment, reflecting broader patterns of structural disadvantage in publicly funded health care. Research shows delayed diagnosis, limited access to ED specialists, and frequent denials for recommended services. These gaps occur because Medicaid policies do not match the needs of evidence based ED care, resulting in delayed or incomplete care for many individuals with eating disorders.

This issue is highly relevant to social work practice because the policies shaping these barriers are complex and difficult for clients and ED providers to navigate. Social workers across clinics, …

Navigating Mental Wellness: A Peer-Led Journey Into Adult Services, Kristin G. Haberek

DSW Capstone Projects

Students with severe emotional disturbances (SED) occupy one of the most underserved intersections in American education and mental health care. As they age out of children’s services, they face abrupt service discontinuation, disrupted therapeutic relationships, and adult systems ill-equipped to meet their needs. These vulnerabilities, including heightened risks of crisis, hospitalization, homelessness, and justice involvement, constitute a central practice problem. This capstone addresses these transitions across three scholarly products: a systematic literature review, a theoretical concept paper, and a practical application paper, tracing a unified arc from diagnosing structural failures to proposing an evidence-informed, equity-oriented clinical response. Synthesizing key findings …

Introducing Neuro Social Work: A Brief Reflection On Neuroscience And The Profession, Priscila Llamosa

Social Work Faculty Publications

Neuroscience offers language and evidence that can strengthen interdisciplinary communication, support advocacy in biomedically dominated settings, and validate relational practices long recognized in social work, including the impacts of early adversity, attachment, and healing through connection. At the same time, an epistemological tension underlies the profession’s unease with neuroscience when brain-based narratives are used to individualize structural harm or justify surveillance of marginalized families and communities. This teaching note introduces Neuro Social Work as a justice-oriented specialization that integrates contemporary neuroscience with social work’s person-in-environment commitments, relational practice traditions, and anti-oppressive ethics.The author argues that the key question is no …

Introducing Neuro Sscial Work: A Brief Reflection On Neuroscience And The Profession, Priscila Llamosa

Social Work Faculty Publications

This reflection introduces and contextualizes the term Neuro Social Work, which I coin to name a specialized practice area at the intersection of social work, neuroscience, and neurodiversity. Drawing on my experience as a social work educator and practitioner, I discuss social work’s uneasy relationship with neuroscience, marked both by the opportunity to deepen our understanding of trauma, development, and healing, and by the risks of using brain‑based evidence to individualize structural harms or justify surveillance of marginalized communities. I outline, in broad strokes, what distinguishes Neuro Social Work from general neuroscience‑informed practice. The note is intended as a concept …

Suicide Exposure In The Army National Guard: A Three Manuscript Dissertation, Rebecca Willis-Nichols

Theses and Dissertations--Social Work

Between 2000-2022, the U.S. suicide rate increased 36% with one death now occurring every 11 minutes (CDC, 2024). Despite the Department of Defense making a concerted effort to curb the suicide increases in their ranks, the rates have continued to rise. Active-duty component rates have slowly increased since 2011 while reserve and guard components have held steady (U.S. Department of Defense, 2023). After adjusting for age, the suicide rate in the veteran population was 57% greater than the civilian population in 2020 (CDC, 2024). There is a need for a better understanding of the impact of these deaths and the …

Professional Quality Of Life Of Air Force First Sergeants: An Exploratory Study, Ryan K. Barney

Theses and Dissertations--Social Work

This exploratory study was designed to measure the prevalence and correlates of professional quality of life constructs in a novel population: active-duty Air Force First Sergeants. Given the similarities in duties and stressors that First Sergeants encounter with those of other helping professionals, this study aimed to expand the scope of existing professional quality of life research by applying Stamm’s (2010) professional quality of life framework to cross-sectional survey research with a sample of First Sergeants. Four primary research questions guided this study: first, what is the prevalence of secondary traumatic stress (STS), burnout, and compassion satisfaction in a sample …

Feasibility Of An Lgbtq+ Public Health Surveillance Platform In Kentucky: A Brief Report On Mental Health Signals, Keith J. Watts, Sydney Howard, Missy Spears, Carolyn Lauckner, Rachel H. Farr, Glenn Means, Justin X. Moore

Social Work Faculty Publications

Background/Objectives: Robust, state-level LGBTQ+ health surveillance is scarce in Kentucky, limiting evidence-based healthcare planning and policy. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and early public-health utility of a community-partnered annual survey and compare selected mental health stressors between Kentucky and non-Kentucky respondents.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey (13 April–15 July 2024) developed with a statewide LGBTQ+ nonprofit. Recruitment occurred via organizational channels and community events. A content warning preceded the survey, which was administered via Qualtrics. Data quality was screened using reCAPTCHA. We assessed feasibility metrics including recruitment and completion rates. Mental health stressors were captured …

Examining The Role Of Peer And Family Belongingness In The Mental Health Of Black Lgbtq+ Youth, Keith J. Watts, M. Alex Wagaman, Andrew D. Eaton, Vivian W. Y. Leung, Shelley L. Craig

Social Work Faculty Publications

A sense of belonging to familial and peer networks is crucial for the mental health of LGBTQ + youth. Black LGBTQ + youth report feeling rejected and isolated due to their sexual and/or gender identities. Utilizing linear regression analyses, this study explored the relationship between peer and family belongingness and levels of depression, anxiety, and self-rated mental health among 181 Black LGBTQ + youth in the United States and Canada. Findings suggest that family and peer belongingness are important factors in Black LGBTQ + youth’s mental health and warrant further study into the protective nature of peer and family relationships …

Geographic Patterns Of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (Hiv) Risk Behaviors Among Older Adults: A Strategy For Identifying Space As A Risk Exposure, Laneshia R. Conner, Reuben Adatorwovor, Sarah Jane Robbins, Rujeko O. Machinga-Asaolu, Kathryn Showalter, Carrie B. Oser

Social Work Faculty Publications

Objectives: This study examined geographical patterns of HIV risk among adults aged 60 and older.

Methods: The 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) weighted data was used to analyze self-reported participation in HIV risk behaviors among older adults (n = 62,852). Logistic regression models were used on a dichotomous HIV risk variable to map the distribution of HIV risk behaviors across both census regions and divisions.

Results: The weighted model revealed significance across regions. Across all regions, identifying as female, identifying as Hispanic, and reporting not having depression were protective from participating in HIV risk behaviors.

Discussion: The …

Identifying Adverse Childhood Experiences And Mental Health Needs Among A Small Sample Of Pregnant Women Who Use Cannabis, Aubrey Jones, Lisa M. Blair, Julie A. Kurzer, Kathy Rademacher, Letitia Ducas, Cynthia Cockerham, Kristin Ashford

Social Work Faculty Publications

Introduction: As the legalization of cannabis becomes more widespread use has steadily increased. Approximately 5 percent of pregnant individuals self-report use during pregnancy.

Methods: This study uses a mixed methods approach to examine adverse childhood experiences, mental health needs, and cannabis use among a small sample (N =59) of women. Cumulative ACE scores of four or more were considerably high within this sample compared to the US average.

Results: Results of a binary logistic regression indicate an association between ACEs and Cannabis use (OR 1.27, 95% CI (1.002- 1.616) when controlling for maternal age and anxiety. Qualitative results identified two …

Psychological Impacts In Exercise Riders And Professional Jockeys Following Injury, Kelley M. Renner

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

One of the most well-known equestrian sports, horse racing, is not only a cornerstone of Kentucky’s economy, but also a vital part of its culture, with professional jockeys playing an essential role in the local communities and traditions that define the state. Despite its popularity and financial impact, mental health challenges within the sport have continually been shrouded in silence and ignored in research (Ball et al., 2007). Equally concerning is the high injury prevalence, and psychological impact of these injuries (e.g., psychological distress, depression, anxiety, loss of identity, and self-esteem (King et al., 2022; Losty et al., 2019; McConn-Palfreyman …

Weighted Family History Density Of Substance Use: Influence On Participant Substance Use Onset, Escalation, And Duration, Carleigh A. Litteral

Theses and Dissertations--Psychology

Substance use disorders impose a staggering toll on the United States (U.S.), straining healthcare systems, destabilizing communities, and profoundly impacting both individuals and families. Approximately one in six Americans aged 12 and older had a past-year substance use disorder in 2022 (Key Substance Use, 2022), and nearly one-third of adults experience a substance use disorder in their lifetime (Wu, 2010), contributing to an economic burden exceeding $400 billion annually (National Drug Threat Assessment, 2011). Family history of substance use disorders is a key predictor of vulnerability, with individuals who have affected relatives being 2–8 times more …

Shifting The Paradigm: Empowering School Social Workers As Leaders In Family Engagement Policy And Practices In K-12 Education, Amber Onkst

DSW Capstone Projects

This capstone examined the school social worker’s role in family engagement in K–12 education. It consists of three products that collectively review the current literature, conceptualize a gap in practice, and provide a tangible application to school social work in Kentucky. The first product, the systematic literature review, critically examines literature related to the school social worker’s role in family engagement policy and practices to inform an understanding of increasing engagement at the macro level. A narrative review was conducted to assess common themes. There was substantially limited research regarding this topic, showcasing a knowledge gap. The literature primarily revealed …

Adjustments To Social Work Practice During The Covid-19 Adjustments To Social Work Practice During The Covid-19 Pandemic In North Carolina: Effects On Burnout And Commitment Pandemic In North Carolina: Effects On Burnout And Commitment, Aaron Brown, Jayme E. Walters, Aubrey E. Jones, Lara Cates

Social Work Faculty Publications

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for social workers in the U.S. and abroad has increased. There is demand for more social workers in North Carolina due to ongoing and increasing mental health, substance use disorder, and child welfare needs. COVID-19 has taken a toll on the personal and professional lives of social workers, and research is needed to understand the pandemic’s effects on burnout and commitment among social workers. The present study sought to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the personal and professional lives of social workers practicing in North Carolina and to determine how …

Addressing Pedagogical Challenges In Teaching Social Justice Issues: Are We Scared Yet?, Laneshia R. Conner, Rujeko Machinga

Social Work Faculty Publications

While films are popular as teaching tools in social work education, to critique social inequalities, horror films have not been the conventional genre. This teaching note describes the creation and deployment of a course that uses horror films to address social justice issues as part of different critical reflection, which is linked to practice wisdom. The author describes the structure of course, readings, activities, and reflections for expanding the use of this genre and well as limitations. The
use of horror films can be a useful and salient tool to engage students to draw upon social constructions of what it …

Treating Young Adult Cannabis Use Disorder With Text Message-Delivered Peer Network Counseling, Nikola Zaharakis, J. Douglas Coatsworth, Nathaniel R. Riggs, Aubrie Radford, Stephanie Rayburn, Jeremy Mennis, Michael A. Russell, Aaron Brown, Michael J. Mason

Social Work Faculty Publications

Background: Approximately 16.5% of U.S. young adults have a cannabis use disorder (CUD) and are at risk for negative outcomes. Treatment can reduce cannabis use, but young adults are less likely to seek help than older adults. Peer Network Counseling-txt (PNC-txt) is a brief, text-delivered, Motivational Interviewing-informed substance use intervention focusing on peer relations and activity spaces as mechanisms for behavioral change. PNC-txt has shown evidence of reducing tobacco and cannabis use with adolescents and young adults, but it has not been tested in the context of legal cannabis use. The current randomized controlled trial sought to expand the evidence …

Exploring The Therapeutic Relationship In Mental Health Therapy With Queer And Disabled Adults, Rachel Womack

Theses and Dissertations--Social Work

Queerness and disability have been shown to be intimately connected, with members of the LGBTQIA+ community significantly more likely to identify as disabled compared to the general population. Though there are roughly 3-5 million queer and disabled individuals living in the United States, this remains a multiply marginalized and understudied population. Owing partially to stigma, minority stress, and discrimination, these individuals face an increased risk of a variety of mental health problems including depression, anxiety, self-harm, PTSD, and suicidality. Additionally, several barriers to mental health treatment exist, including inaccessible services, lack of provider knowledge, and outright discrimination from providers. Though …

What’S Harm Reduction Got To Do With It? A Study Of The Implementation Of Substance Use Management Practices Among A Sample Of U.S. Domestic Violence Programs, Stephanie H. Ratliff

Theses and Dissertations--Social Work

Domestic violence programs are essential resources for survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). Programs offer services that go beyond providing safety and shelter. To improve outcomes, program staff have expanded services to meet the needs of survivors. One population of survivors that has gained attention in the peer-reviewed literature is survivors who use substances (SWUS). These survivors have unique needs and are at increased risk of IPV due to substance misuse. Research about the support available to SWUS after they access shelter is scarce. Using cross-sectional data from a national sample of 97 U.S. domestic violence programs, this study describes …

Fathers’ Perspectives On The Role Of Spirituality In Substance Misuse Disorder Treatment And Engaging With Their Children, Kendra Michelle Eubank

Theses and Dissertations--Social Work

The father's role and the extent of involvement with his children have shifted over the past several decades. As a result, researchers have made considerable advances in understanding paternal influences on child development and families. However, one under-researched topic is how fathers' substance misuse, and the recovery process may influence father involvement and effective co-parenting, and specifically, how spirituality plays a role in that. In this qualitative study, fourteen participants participated in semi-structured interviews. The data revealed two main themes: 1) pillars of a spiritual awakening and 2) applying spirituality to healthy fatherhood engagement.

These findings led to four interpretations: …