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Articles 61 - 90 of 557

Full-Text Articles in Social Work

Identifying Motivators For Retention Of Service Workers In Youth Group Care Programs, Michelle Lynn Briegel Oct 2025

Identifying Motivators For Retention Of Service Workers In Youth Group Care Programs, Michelle Lynn Briegel

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Residential group care programs in Calgary, Alberta, Canada face challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified human service workers. This workforce retention issue affects the quality of care provided to vulnerable children and youth, as well as the overall stability of residential group care. The purpose of this qualitative action research study was to explore why service workers in front-line jobs choose to stay in their positions in youth-serving residential group care programs, guided by Herzberg’s two-factor theory of motivation. Nine participants were recruited through purposeful sampling via social media and email, with the criterion that they had been employed at …


System Barriers To Brokering School-Based Versus Community-Based Therapeutic Services From The Perceptions Of School Social Workers In Georgia, Jessica Ochei-Gilliam Oct 2025

System Barriers To Brokering School-Based Versus Community-Based Therapeutic Services From The Perceptions Of School Social Workers In Georgia, Jessica Ochei-Gilliam

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Barriers to brokering therapeutic services cause challenges for school social workers to address their students’ mental health needs, especially in Georgia, where students’ mental health needs are high. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore school social workers’ perceptions of the system barriers related to brokering these services. The research questions explored school social workers’ perceptions of brokering on-site versus community-based therapeutic services in the state of Georgia. In addition, this study inquired about the system barriers that school social workers face when brokering these services. This study was grounded in the ecological systems theory, which argues that …


Factors Impacting School Social Workers’ Trauma-Informed Support Of Students With Disabilities, La Kisha Miles-Sneed Sep 2025

Factors Impacting School Social Workers’ Trauma-Informed Support Of Students With Disabilities, La Kisha Miles-Sneed

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Children with disabilities in underserved New Jersey communities are disproportionately exposed to trauma due to compounding systemic inequities. This basic qualitative study explored how school social workers support these students through special education case management. Grounded in disability critical race theory, the trauma-informed schools framework, and ecological systems theory, the study addressed the primary needs of trauma-exposed students with disabilities and the supports and challenges school social workers face in meeting those needs. Semi-structured interviews with 9 school social workers revealed core student needs: emotional and relational safety, access to school-based mental health services, trauma-informed individualized education program (IEP) supports, …


Families Experiencing Domestic Violence Related Homelessness, Brittany Miller Sep 2025

Families Experiencing Domestic Violence Related Homelessness, Brittany Miller

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Homelessness in the United States remains a persistent issue despite legislative efforts to address it. Single parents navigating homelessness encounter unique challenges in accessing stable housing and essential services, with domestic violence often serving as a significant contributory factor. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of practitioners regarding the needs of single parents navigating domestic violence-related homelessness. The empowerment theory provided the framework for this study, and data were obtained from focus groups with leaders and administrators who work in the areas of homelessness, economic security, and family violence. The study’s findings revealed significant gaps …


Relationship Between Peer Support Services And Offender Reentry Organizations, Julie Megan Dixon Aug 2025

Relationship Between Peer Support Services And Offender Reentry Organizations, Julie Megan Dixon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study addressed the gap in understanding the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of peer support services (PSS) among two groups of reentry staff in North Carolina (NC): those in the community and those within the Department of Adult Correction (DAC). Both groups of reentry staff completed a web-based survey encompassing the Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM), Intervention Appropriateness Measure (IAM), and Feasibility of Intervention Measure (FIM). The sampling strategy, response rate, and survey administration details are provided. Guided by ecological systems theory, this study examined how PSS can improve reentry outcomes and address insufficient public safety, social relationship deterioration, and …


Covid-19 Crisis: Contemporary Trauma Theory And Clinical Social Workers’ Perspectives Of Work-Related Secondary Trauma Post-Pandemic, Dr. Veronica Y. Griffin Aug 2025

Covid-19 Crisis: Contemporary Trauma Theory And Clinical Social Workers’ Perspectives Of Work-Related Secondary Trauma Post-Pandemic, Dr. Veronica Y. Griffin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic was an unprecedented global crisis that challenged clinical social workers’ traditional client-centered strategies and exposed some to secondary trauma. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore clinical social workers’ perspectives on work-related secondary trauma post-COVID-19 pandemic using the contemporary trauma theory as the theoretical framework. The research question involved exploring their perspectives of how this trauma affected their biopsychosocial functioning. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight participants who were clinical social workers between 28 and 36. Using thematic analysis, themes were identified and grouped into the three functioning groups: personal, relationships, and career. Twelve themes …


Canada’S Indigenous Social Workers’ Medicinal Plant Knowledge: A Land-Based Way Of Knowing For Indigenous Practice, Iris Kim Plain Eagle Aug 2025

Canada’S Indigenous Social Workers’ Medicinal Plant Knowledge: A Land-Based Way Of Knowing For Indigenous Practice, Iris Kim Plain Eagle

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Canada’s Indigenous people of Treaty 7 region have experienced intergenerational trauma resulting from colonization perpetrated by the Canadian government. While the use of medicinal plants, are employed by Indigenous social workers, their integration into mainstream human services organizations remains limited. The gaps in Indigenous social work practice hinders client culturally competent care and the acknowledgement of Indigneous knowledge systems in colonial systems. This generic qualitative study explored the experiences of participants who integrate medicinal plant healing and ancestral knowledge into practice. Informed by indigenous wholistic theory, the study aimed to understand how Indigenous social workers navigate the challenges and opportunities …


A Content Analysis Of Podcasts Exploring The Experiences Of Nba Players And Mental Health, Joanna D. Hedin Aug 2025

A Content Analysis Of Podcasts Exploring The Experiences Of Nba Players And Mental Health, Joanna D. Hedin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Black male athletes are at a greater risk of not seeking treatment for their mental health issues due to cultural stigmas and expectations. The purpose of this qualitative secondary data research study was to understand the experiences of Black NBA players regarding their mental health and the sociocultural factors that influence their decision making regarding participation in mental health services, as revealed through podcast appearances. Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory was applied in this study to suggest that learning is an integral part of the social process and that culture contributes to how and what one learns. This study asked about what …


Reconciling Harm Reduction Philosophy And Approaches Among Abstinence-Only Substance Abuse Treatment Professionals, Amy Rose Ashton-Williams Aug 2025

Reconciling Harm Reduction Philosophy And Approaches Among Abstinence-Only Substance Abuse Treatment Professionals, Amy Rose Ashton-Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Historically, substance use disorder (SUD) treatment in the United States has been firmly grounded in abstinence-only treatment approaches. Harm reduction as a treatment model has gained additional traction. With increased rates of opioid use, overdoses, and advancements in medications for SUDs, harm reduction treatment approaches are becoming more important to improve lives of people who use drugs. Little is known about how counselors who have been educated, trained, and deliver abstinence-based SUD treatment reconcile use of harm reduction into their practice. To address this gap in literature, a generic qualitative study was conducted using the social constructivism theory. A purposive …


Evidence-Based Child Welfare Screening And Assessment Practices, Kristin V. Richards, Melissa A. Moyer Aug 2025

Evidence-Based Child Welfare Screening And Assessment Practices, Kristin V. Richards, Melissa A. Moyer

Journal of Social Work in the Global Community

This action research project examined the screening and assessment behaviors of child welfare workers in the southwestern region of the United States. With the use of a focus group, the study addressed whether social workers’ knowledge of evidence-based practice influenced their implementation of evidence-based practice in child welfare screening and assessment, and whether the agency environment affects evidence-based practice implementation and use. The family systems theory was used to evaluate child welfare practitioner work and systems theory was used to evaluate the child welfare system in the region of the study. Social workers’ knowledge of evidence-based practices and the impact …


Helping Bipoc, Women, And First-Generation Students Maximize The Value Of Unpaid Internships, Ted Thornhill, Nicole Torres, Christina Van Wingerden Aug 2025

Helping Bipoc, Women, And First-Generation Students Maximize The Value Of Unpaid Internships, Ted Thornhill, Nicole Torres, Christina Van Wingerden

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Internships and practicums are a required component of nearly all degree programs in human services and its subfields—and most are unpaid. These unpaid positions often have a disproportionate impact for BIPOC and first-generation students, especially women—many of whom are economically disadvantaged and must work to support themselves and sometimes their families. Increased student activism, non-profit campaigns, and journalistic accounts show student frustration over their unpaid labor. Despite the righteousness of these students’ cause, the reality is that the implementation of an equitable, robust, and sustainable nationwide system of paid internships, in the near-term, is politically impracticable. Given that most human …


Prisoner Re-Entry Into Society And Criminal Justice Social Work Practice, Aleeyah S. Norvell Aug 2025

Prisoner Re-Entry Into Society And Criminal Justice Social Work Practice, Aleeyah S. Norvell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study explores the challenges faced by social workers in supporting the successful reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals. Social workers play a critical role in the U.S. criminal justice system, yet they often encounter systemic barriers that limit their ability to meet clients’ basic needs, such as housing, employment, and healthcare. Using a generic qualitative research design, the study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with a sample of eight licensed social workers, using open-ended questions to gather rich, detailed accounts of their experiences. Guided by social learning theory and using thematic analysis, the findings reveal significant obstacles in adapting to …


Msw Degree Completion: Foster Care Alumni’S Perceptions Of Barriers, Resilience, And Success, Christa Martinez Aug 2025

Msw Degree Completion: Foster Care Alumni’S Perceptions Of Barriers, Resilience, And Success, Christa Martinez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This capstone research project involved examining foster care alumni who successfully graduated from Master of Social Work (MSW) programs as full-time students. The purpose of this study was to address resilience factors and this population’s perceptions of barriers, resilience, and success in terms of completing full-time MSW programs and career outcomes. The resiliency theory and a strength-based-perspective were frameworks for this research. This basic qualitative research study involved using purposive sampling, and 11 foster care alumni were interviewed who graduated from full-time MSW graduate programs in the United States. Through thematic analysis, themes emerged were lack of economic resources impacting …


Leadership Self-Efficacy: Exploring Social Workers’ Perceived Ability To Serve On School Boards, Jessica Zavalza Aug 2025

Leadership Self-Efficacy: Exploring Social Workers’ Perceived Ability To Serve On School Boards, Jessica Zavalza

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The low representation of social workers serving on school boards is a social work practice problem because it limits their leadership ability to advocate for student mental health and influence policy change at the local and state levels of education. Therefore, addressing this practice problem within the context of clinical social work is crucial for improving student mental health outcomes and overall student well-being. Guided by Bandura’s self-efficacy theory, this qualitative study was conducted to explore the connection between social workers’ leadership self-efficacy and their willingness to pursue policymaking roles at the local and state school board levels. With the …


Coming Out And Social Acceptance: Understanding Lgbtq Veterans' Minority Stressors, Conrado Augustine Martin Aug 2025

Coming Out And Social Acceptance: Understanding Lgbtq Veterans' Minority Stressors, Conrado Augustine Martin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This quantitative study explored the experiences of LGBTQ veterans residing in Ohio, examining the relationship between the coming out process, social acceptance, and minority stress. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer (LGBTQ) military veterans face higher rates of minority stressors, resulting in higher rates of suicidal ideation and mental health issues, which impact healthcare practices that affirm their identity. Discrimination, microaggressions, coming out, identity disclosure, and social belonging were identified as key contributing factors. Guided by Meyer’s minority stress theory, the study aimed to assess whether levels of outness, and identification with the LGBTQ community correlated with experiences of minority …


The Challenges Faced By Postrelease Offenders In Rural Mississippi, Whitney Starks Aug 2025

The Challenges Faced By Postrelease Offenders In Rural Mississippi, Whitney Starks

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Reintegration after incarceration has long been a subject of scholarly inquiry, particularly regarding barriers to employment, housing, and mental health services. However, limited research addresses the reintegration experiences of postrelease offenders in rural regions, where access to essential resources is often restricted. This qualitative single case study is an exploration of the challenges and service needs of formerly incarcerated individuals living in rural Mississippi. Using purposive and snowball sampling, six participants were selected based on residency in rural counties, a nonviolent criminal history, and at least one year of successful community reentry. The conceptual framework was guided by the assess, …


Relationship Between Indulgent Parenting, Household Composition, And Parental Efficacy In Managing Adolescents' Smartphone Use, Bernice Cook Jul 2025

Relationship Between Indulgent Parenting, Household Composition, And Parental Efficacy In Managing Adolescents' Smartphone Use, Bernice Cook

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Smartphones have become an integral part of society, resulting in increased adolescent dependence on smartphone applications. This dependence poses challenges for parents in managing the risk of problematic smartphone use among adolescents aged 11-17 years old. Rapid technological advancements have significantly reshaped parenting practices, necessitating greater adaptability and impacting adolescent development. Guided by Bandura’s self-efficacy theory, this correlational study examines how indulgent parenting and household composition, including demographic variables such as race, gender, education, employment, and income, predict parental self-efficacy in managing adolescent smartphone use. A convenience sample of 238 U.S. parents, with at least one adolescent aged 11-17 years, …


Service Provider Practice And Dual Victimization Survivors Seeking Emergency Shelter, Lana Heinen Jul 2025

Service Provider Practice And Dual Victimization Survivors Seeking Emergency Shelter, Lana Heinen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Violence Against Women Act supports responses to the crimes of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. It does not provide a permanent or guaranteed pathway to safe and stable housing for those experiencing the dual victimization of domestic violence and human trafficking. Service provider practices can alleviate or aggravate barriers faced by this population. These practices are influenced by the education and training service providers receive before entering the field and throughout their career. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore service providers’ perceptions of structures and barriers contributing to the obstacles of accessing …


Examining Firefighters’ Perspectives On Critical Incident Stress Debriefing, Olivia O'Hare Jun 2025

Examining Firefighters’ Perspectives On Critical Incident Stress Debriefing, Olivia O'Hare

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Firefighters are routinely exposed to critical incidents, potentially resulting in mental health consequences. Critical incident stress debriefing (CISD) is a common postcritical incident intervention used among fire departments in the United States to address these mental health impacts. Understanding the perspectives of firefighters’ experience with CISD can contribute information to the social work profession, may engage firefighters in the discussion surrounding their mental health needs, and could provide effective postcritical incident coping strategies. The purpose and research questions of this study were focused through a vicarious trauma lens was to understand firefighters’ perspectives and experiences of CISD, explore CISD trauma …


Examination Of Evidence-Based Practices Implementation And Perceived Job Satisfaction With Mental Health Providers, Rafael Montoya Jun 2025

Examination Of Evidence-Based Practices Implementation And Perceived Job Satisfaction With Mental Health Providers, Rafael Montoya

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Job satisfaction among mental health providers continues to be an important area of inquiry, particularly in relation to professional development and training. However, limited studies have evaluated whether training in evidence-based practices (EBPs) is associated with different levels of job satisfaction compared to traditional training models. The purpose of this cross-sectional, quantitative study was to examine whether a statistically significant difference in job satisfaction exists between mental health providers trained in EBPs and those trained using traditional approaches. The study was guided by Spector’s multidimensional job satisfaction model, which categorizes job satisfaction into nine key domains. Data from 81 mental …


A Survey Of Practice Models And Outcomes In Michigan Residential Substance Use Disorder Treatment, Lamart Hightower, Elissa Kent, Vikash Kumar, Lauren Michie, Alysha King, Tekoa Marshall Jun 2025

A Survey Of Practice Models And Outcomes In Michigan Residential Substance Use Disorder Treatment, Lamart Hightower, Elissa Kent, Vikash Kumar, Lauren Michie, Alysha King, Tekoa Marshall

Journal of Social Work in the Global Community

The United States has a lengthy history of treating individuals experiencing substance use disorders (SUDs) from an abstinence-only framework. Harm reduction practices have grown a large base of empirical support in other parts of the world and have become central to treating individuals with SUDs. Within the United States, however, a substantial number of residential SUD treatment programs that continue to perpetuate an abstinence-only framework, which creates a lack of access for people who seek a harm reduction approach—and who likely need it the most. In this study, 66 residential treatment programs in Michigan were examined to determine whether they …


Building A Theory-Based Understanding Of Sexual Health Provider Stigma: A Phenomenological Study, Harit Agroia, Rebecca Reno, Maytal Bach, Jenette Spezeski, Erin Starzyk Jun 2025

Building A Theory-Based Understanding Of Sexual Health Provider Stigma: A Phenomenological Study, Harit Agroia, Rebecca Reno, Maytal Bach, Jenette Spezeski, Erin Starzyk

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Unraveling provider-level sexual health stigma requires building an understanding of contributing factors, such as provider knowledge, values, beliefs, medical training, and other intrapersonal or interpersonal factors that may influence its manifestation at the clinic level during patient–provider interactions. Healthcare provider stigma has not been sufficiently understood or explained using classic psychological theories, such as Cognitive Dissonance Theory (CDT) or Social Cognitive Theory (SCT). We build a theory-based understanding of sexual health-provider stigma by proposing modifications to the SCT to develop the Modified SCT (M-SCT) model, where cognitive dissonance is hypothesized to influence the personal/cognitive and behavioral factors of the M-SCT. …


Social-Emotional Learning (Sel) Support Through Social Work Case Management In K-12 Schools, Dina Michelle Garrett-Parker Jun 2025

Social-Emotional Learning (Sel) Support Through Social Work Case Management In K-12 Schools, Dina Michelle Garrett-Parker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Existing research revealed that K-12, school-based social work clinicians were utilized in various ways to support students' social-emotional learning (SEL) needs in public K-12 schools in the United States. However, there was a gap in knowledge about the unique approaches K-12 school-based social work clinicians employed to address the SEL needs of non-at-risk students. This basic qualitative study explored how K-12 school-based social work clinicians used empowerment case management practices to address the SEL needs of non-at-risk students. The theoretical framework grounding this study was empowerment theory. Using purposive sampling, semistructured interviews were conducted with five K-12 school-based social work …


Perspectives On Compassion Fatigue And Self-Regulation Among Social Workers In Patient Care During Covid-19, Roberta Johnson Wright May 2025

Perspectives On Compassion Fatigue And Self-Regulation Among Social Workers In Patient Care During Covid-19, Roberta Johnson Wright

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, social workers in patient care have faced significant emotional and psychological challenges, including compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, and burnout. This study explores the perceptions of social workers working in patient care during the pandemic, specifically examining how compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma contribute to burnout. By focusing on their experiences, the research emphasizes the vulnerabilities social workers encounter as they support populations during these challenging times. The study is grounded in job demands-resources theory to help explain how the demands of social work roles impact mental health and well-being. To gather in-depth data, …


Age, Race, Religious Commitment, And Fertility Quality Of Life, Dana L. Ward May 2025

Age, Race, Religious Commitment, And Fertility Quality Of Life, Dana L. Ward

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Infertility is a major health issue that impacts an individual’s physical, social and mental well-being. Women who are childless due to infertility experience a reduced fertility quality of life. Quality of life is directly related to an individual’s overall well-being and happiness. Using family systems theory, this quantitative research study aimed to answer how age, race, and religious commitment influence the fertility quality of life in women aged 25 to 50 who are involuntarily childless due to infertility. Data were collected from 132 participants using a demographic survey, The Religious Commitment Inventory (RCI-10), and the Fertility Quality of Life Survey …


How School Professionals Perceive They Can Engage Parents In Helping Children In Fifth Grade Cope Adaptively With Stress, Hector Alejandro Soto May 2025

How School Professionals Perceive They Can Engage Parents In Helping Children In Fifth Grade Cope Adaptively With Stress, Hector Alejandro Soto

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

National education statistics indicate issues of aggressive behaviors in middle schools, such as bullying and disrespecting teachers. This suggests that fifth-grade students could benefit from parental intervention to manage stress and reduce such behaviors. However, there is limited information on effectively engaging parents in this process. The study involved a purposive sample of 20 school professionals from four schools in a large southwestern U.S. school district who were invited to address this gap. Nine professionals completed the online survey of six qualitative, open-ended questions regarding engaging parents in helping fifth graders cope with stress. The questions focused on establishing meaningful …


Strategies For Intimate Partner And Domestic Violence Survivorship, Kimberly Renee Best May 2025

Strategies For Intimate Partner And Domestic Violence Survivorship, Kimberly Renee Best

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Domestic violence victims suffer not only physical abuse but also emotional, psychological, and economic violence, leading to long-term trauma, poverty, and recovery barriers. At least 40% of victims of abuse and their children have experienced some form of violence. The lack of shelters, counseling, and legal support deepens the sense of hopelessness victims often feel. In this study, the gap in literature was addressed by exploring coping strategies of survivors of intimate partner and domestic violence in rural North Carolina. The social and economic effects of survivorship were explored in this study, especially the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, …


Experiences Of Social Workers Assisting Victims Of Domestic Violence Who Own Pets, Kimberly Elizabeth Bolesta May 2025

Experiences Of Social Workers Assisting Victims Of Domestic Violence Who Own Pets, Kimberly Elizabeth Bolesta

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Victims of domestic violence often face significant barriers when attempting to leave abusive relationships, one of which is the presence of pets. Victims form strong bonds with their pets, and if left behind with abusers, pets may be harmed or killed. When victims flee relationships, they may go to shelters. Domestic violence shelters are often unable to accommodate victims who bring pets. Victims may experience trauma and stress when turned away from shelters. Social workers may be unable to assist victims and their pets due to lack of resources. This study involved using Hobfoll’s theory of conservation of resources as …


Understanding The Treatment Experiences Of African American Women, Kimberly La'sharne Hillery-Bottorf May 2025

Understanding The Treatment Experiences Of African American Women, Kimberly La'sharne Hillery-Bottorf

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American women experience trauma at disproportionately higher rates than any other group, yet limited studies focus specifically on African American women with self-reported co-occurring substance use disorder and PTSD and their experiences in seeking and remaining in outpatient treatment. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine how this group defines trauma, its impact on their treatment experiences, and the sociocultural factors that influenced their decisions to seek help and remain in treatment. The research questions posed asked about the experiences of African American women over 31 years of age with co-occurring substance use and PTSD, how they …


The Unique Experiences Of Black Women In Childhood School Discipline, Shakeyau Brionna Jackson Apr 2025

The Unique Experiences Of Black Women In Childhood School Discipline, Shakeyau Brionna Jackson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers have explored racial disparities in school discipline and revealed consistent gaps in the discipline rate of Black students compared to White students and other students of color. The problem of African American girls being disciplined at higher rates than that faced by girls of all other races/ethnicities was addressed in this essential qualitative study. The aim was to explore the perceptions of African American women regarding their experiences with discipline in school and its impact on their well-being in adulthood. Critical race feminism formed the conceptual framework guiding this study. The research questions focused on the perceptions and experiences …