Social Work Commons^™

Proving Their Love: Violence And Gender Norms In Descriptions Of Relationships Among Rural Mexican Adolescents, Heidi Adams Rueda, Steven Hoffman, Kaitlin Grytza

Faculty Publications

Mexican youth from impoverished areas are at increased risk for experiencing relationship violence. Research in the United States has suggested that perpetration may be contextualized by culturally-influenced gender values, specifically performance of negative aspects of male masculinity (i.e., machismo) and its female counterpart (i.e., marianismo). This study utilized focus group methods to explore how middle school adolescents (N = 98) from a rural area of Central Mexico differentiate between healthy and unhealthy dating relationships.

We evoked a feminist developmental lens to interpret themes which centralized males as physical and sexual aggressors and to offer culturally-relevant program and practice recommendations.

Discrimination, Coping, And Social Exclusion Among African Immigrants In The United States: A Moderation Analysis, Sherinah K. Saasa

Faculty Publications

This cross-sectional study examined coping strategies as moderators of the relationship between perceived discrimination and social exclusion among African immigrants in the United States (N = 409). Moderation models using path analyses were conducted to examine the moderating effects of three coping strategies (active coping, use of instrumental support, and religious coping) on the relationship between discrimination and four dimensions of social exclusion: (1) material deprivation, (2) limited access to basic social rights, (3) limited social participation, and (4) insufficient cultural integration. Increases in perceived discrimination were associated with increased social exclusion on all four dimensions. Increased use of active …

Youth Perspectives Of Healthcare In Central Mexico: An Application Of Massey’S Critical Health Literacy Framework, Steven Hoffman, Heidi Adams Rueda, Lauren Beasley

Faculty Publications

Attention to health literacy is essential more now than ever given the recognition, attention, and resources being dedicated to addressing health disparities throughout the world. Unfortunately, health literacy research is scarce in many parts of the world, particularly among youth. Using focus group discussions with junior high school students (N = 98) in a rural town of Central Mexico, we sought to learn about their experiences utilizing healthcare services at a local health clinic. The themes that naturally emerged from focus group discussions aligned with Massey’s framework on critical health literacy among US youth, and included problems navigating the health …

Future Direction For Child Mental Health: Developing A Blueprint Using The System Of Care Framework, Isaac Karikari, Betty Walton, Christine Marie Bishop

Faculty Publications

Mental illness is multi-layered and it requires a team effort in order to be addressed. Commonly, there is uncertainty toward improving and maintaining the gains that are made by professionals in the child mental and behavioral health field. Based on lessons learned from a multi-year SOC expansion grant funded by SAMHSA, project members discuss recommendations for improving child mental health, as well as providing support to families.

Women Ascending To Leadership Positions In Rural Nonprofit Organizations, Jose Carbajal, Kristin Bailey-Wallace, Bonita B. Sharma, Tiffany Bice-Wigginton, Wilma Cordova, Shanta Scott, Aparecida De Fatima Cordeiro Dutra

Faculty Publications

This study investigates women’s experiences as they ascended to leadership roles in nonprofit organizations in rural communities, primarily in East Texas. The aim of this study is to understand the lived experiences of women in top management as they ascend into leadership positions, as the characteristics and experiences of effective leaders in rural nonprofits may differ from those of urban nonprofit agencies. There is limited research regarding women’s leadership experiences in rural nonprofit organizations. Using a phenomenological inquiry approach, we interviewed 32 women currently serving in leadership roles in rural nonprofit organizations. The research question guiding this phenomenological study was: …

The Impact Of Paternal Involvement And United States Stay Length On Latino Youth's Depressive Symptoms, Christine Marie Bishop, Sara Makki Alamdari

Faculty Publications

Latino youth in the United States are more at-risk for depression than youth of other ethnic backgrounds. This manuscript assesses the impacts of sex, age, United States stay length, and whether or not Latino children of immigrants’ fathers live with them on the youth’s depressive symptoms. For this purpose, data of the Children of Immigrants Longitudinal Study was used. Using multiple regression analysis, the relationships among the aforementioned factors were examined among 1305 immigrant youth who were born in Latin America and Caribbean countries. The results of the study indicated that being male, living with one’s father and longer stay …

Divergent Caregiver And Youth Perspectives Regarding Behavioral Health Needs And Psychosocial Functioning: An Exploratory Study, Isaac Karikari, Betty Walton, Christine Marie Bishop

Faculty Publications

Background. To promote effectiveness in behavioral health treatment, the system of care framework and wraparound model accentuate inclusion of family and youth as important stakeholders, not just as consumers. This has challenged conventional practices; and youth and caregivers' perspectives have become integral to treatment planning and service delivery. This study explored caregivers and youth's perspectives of behavioral health needs and psychosocial functioning. Methods. This exploratory study utilized data collected in a Midwestern, suburban county as part of the national Child and Family Study of youth with complex behavioral health needs enrolled in the Child Mental Health Wraparound initiative. The sample …

Impacts Of Marriage Legalization On The Experiences Of Sexual Minority Women In Work And Community Contexts, Angie Wootton, Laurie Drabble, Ellen Riggle, Cindy Veldhuis, Caitlin Bitcon, Karen Trocki, Tonda Hughes

Faculty Publications

The extension of marriage rights to same-sex couples in the United States provides an opportunity to examine how legalization of same-sex marriage has impacted the experiences of sexual minority women (SMW) in interactions within their extended social networks and local communities. Interviews were conducted with 20 SMW ranging in age from 23 to 75, with varying relationship statuses, and in different regions of the United States. Inductive thematic analysis of responses revealed both positive and negative/neutral impacts in 3 broad thematic areas: workplace dynamics and interpersonal interactions in the workplace, social interactions in extended social networks and local communities, and …

Stressors, Self-Esteem, Social Activities, And Depression: A Sample Of Patients At A Federally Qualified Health Center Who Experienced Homelessness, Joohee Lee, Morgan W. Bradwell, Michelle Brazeal, Timothy A. Rehner, Stephanie T. Mcleod

Faculty Publications

This study examined the relationships between current stressors and depressive symptoms among Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) patients who experienced homelessness, with a particular focus on the role of self-esteem and social activities on these relationships. The sample included patients who visited any clinic site of a FQHC in the southern part of Mississippi and qualified for the Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) Program. Assessments included the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the DUKE Health Profile, and a checklist of stressors. Results of the multivariate analysis using structural equation modeling revealed that ambulation difficulties were related to depressive symptoms directly …

Knowledge Diffusion And Utilization Within A System Of Care Model: Success And Challenges, Betty Walton, Isaac Karikari, Christine Marie Bishop, Erin Tock

Faculty Publications

•Transitioning from required collection & reporting of grant data to routinely using information for planning and quality improvement processes at direct service, program, and system levels •Explores necessary conditions for the successful use of information to plan and monitor progress •Highlights tips •Applying tips to your practice

A Longitudinal Review Of System Of Care (Soc) Development A Case Study From The Mid-West, Betty Walton, Isaac Karikari, Christine Marie Bishop

Faculty Publications

This study examined the implementation of the System of Care (SOC) framework in a Midwestern state and efforts to assess the progress over time. The period in focus was 2014-2018.

Cultural Diversity In The Msw Learning Space: Exploring Awareness, Acceptance, And Perceptions, Natasha Bragg, Christine Marie Bishop, Minyoung Lim

Faculty Publications

This exploratory study assesses MSW students’ awareness, acceptance, and perceptions with regard to cultural diversity in the MSW learning space. Through a stepwise multiple regression analysis, seven predictor variables were inputted to assess their predictive qualities on the criterion of perceptions of cultural diversity in the MSW learning space.

Trauma-Focused Interventions: A Clinical Practice Analysis, Jose Carbajal

Faculty Publications

This paper presents a systematic review of trauma-treatment interventions, which have different theoretical perspectives on trauma etiology and its application. The empirical findings of these trauma treatment therapies are presented. The extant literature identifies five therapies as the most-effective treatment modalities for PTSD: cognitive therapy (CT), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), cognitive processing therapy (CPT), prolonged exposure (PE) therapy, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. They are all validated with some nuances on treatment approach and effectiveness. However, to use these five interventions, practitioners need to consider and apply the research findings that indicate which intervention is best for which …

Participatory And Collaborative Evaluation Strategies To Support Data-Informed Decisions And Management, Christine Marie Bishop, Isaac Karikari, Betty Walton, Stephanie Moynihan

Faculty Publications

Surveys were completed by local stakeholders who had been recruited from local communities and regions by the Indiana System of Care Planning Team. Periodic collection of System of Care Implementation Survey (SOCIS) information identified strengths and ongoing challenges.

How Does Incarceration Affect The Likelihood Of Reunification?, Amy D'Andrade

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Telling The Story: National And Local Soc Evaluation, Betty Walton, Isaac Karikari, Christine Marie Bishop

Faculty Publications

With foundation and grant funding for behavioral health, social services, and integrated health initiatives come requirements to collect and report data. State and local grantees, partners, and stakeholders can combine such requirements with local quality improvement and evaluation initiatives to tell their story and to manage initiatives. To support local system of care (SOC) coordinators in collecting and using grant and relevant information, basic grant requirements are reviewed in the context of using the information to support decisions, to monitor progress, and to improve outcomes.

The California Linkages Program: Doorway To Housing Support For Child Welfare‐Involved Parents, Amy D'Andrade, James Simon, Danna Fabella, Lolita Castillo, Cesar Mejia, David Shuster

Faculty Publications

Housing instability can complicate parents’ efforts to provide for their children. Child welfare service agencies have had difficulty adequately serving parents’ housing needs due to limited and constrained funding streams. This article integrates the voices of four important stakeholders to illuminate how an innovative model of service system coordination called Linkages addresses housing needs for child welfare‐involved parents eligible for public assistance. Facilitated by Linkages, these parents can receive supportive housing services through programs affiliated with the California public assistance program CalWORKs. Personal narratives reflecting the diverse perspectives of stakeholders in the Linkages collaboration—the statewide program director, a child welfare …

Does Fathers' Involvement In Services Affect Mothers' Likelihood Of Reunification With Children Placed In Foster Care?, Amy D'Andrade

Faculty Publications

Social science literature shows associations between fathers' involvement with their children and beneficial developmental outcomes of those children. A related but smaller body of research in the child welfare services arena has found measures of father involvement to be positively associated with beneficial child welfare outcomes, including child's reunification with parent after placement in foster care. However, the pathway by which father involvement affects reunification likelihood has not been determined. This study builds on the existing body of literature by testing a theoretical basis for the relationship between father involvement (measured as service use) and mothers' reunification in a model …

Working With Latinos In Rural Communities: “Nuts And Bolts”, Wilma Cordova, Aparecida De Fatima Cordeiro Dutra

Faculty Publications

Latinos currently compromise 16% of the entire U.S. population and 9.3% live in rural areas ((U.S. Census, 2010). These current percentages indicate that most social workers will work with this population at least once during their careers. Therefore, it is important that social workers develop skills and knowledge to work effectively with Latinos. Working with Latinos in our current sociopolitical climate poses many challenges for social workers working in rural areas. However, if social workers adhere to the guidelines and standards initially established by the profession and implement best practices many of their efforts will be successful. This chapter aims …

Partnering With Educational Leaders To Advance Social Work Education In Vietnam, Laurie Drabble, Edward Cohen, Hoa Nguyen, Alice Hines, Debbie Faires, Tuan Tran, Patrick Thanh Ngo

Faculty Publications

This case study describes the leadership component of the Social Work Education Enhancement Project (SWEEP), an international collaboration designed to strengthen the capacity of Vietnam’s undergraduate social work programmes to deliver quality education. SWEEP strategies for building capacity in leadership and administration include the following: 1) leadership development, 2) development of university-specific and collective strategic plans, and 3) improving collaboration among leaders. Thematic analysis of qualitative evaluation data identified eight effective elements of the leadership programme. Findings underscore the importance of partnership and flexibility in planning, as well as the value of supporting a leadership consortium to guide ongoing national …

Barriers Confronting Parents Reunifying With Children In Foster Care, Amy D'Andrade

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Measuring Client Satisfaction And Engagement: The Role Of A Mentor Parent Program In Family Drug Treatment Court, Laurie Drabble, Lisa Huan, Hilary Kushins, Edward Cohen

Faculty Publications

Parent engagement is an important intermediate outcome in Family Drug Treatment Court (FDTC) and child welfare services. This study explored the utility and reliability of a client satisfaction and engagement survey designed to measure interim outcomes of a Mentor Parent Program, operating in conjunction with a FDTC. Findings suggest the survey is a useful, parsimonious and reliable tool for measuring key dimensions of parent mentor services including client engagement; client-centered support and empowerment; and help with systems navigation and accessing resources. The survey may be adapted for use in other FDTC or parent mentor contexts.

Prevention Strategies And Mental Health In Vietnam, Edward Cohen

Faculty Publications

This paper addresses the current state of mental health services in Vietnam and provides recommendations for improving the care of people with mental illness. Vietnam’s mental health problems are as prevalent as anywhere else in the world. The country has recently begun an initiative to reform mental health care by improving community-based services for people with serious mental illness. However, mental illness has not been a part of public discourse in Vietnam. There is little recognition of prevalent common mental illnesses (such as depression, anxiety and alcohol abuse) and the care of people with serious mental illnesses relies on either …

Conducting Qualitative Interviews By Telephone: Lessons Learned From A Study Of Alcohol Use Among Sexual Minority And Heterosexual Women, Laurie Drabble, Karen Trocki, Brenda Salcedo, Patricia Walker, Rachael Korcha

Faculty Publications

This study explored effective interviewer strategies and lessons learned based on collection of narrative data by telephone with a subsample of women from a population-based survey, which included sexual minority women. Qualitative follow-up, in-depth life history interviews were conducted over the telephone with 48 women who had participated in the 2009–2010 National Alcohol Survey. Questions explored the lives and experiences of women, including use of alcohol and drugs, social relationships, identity, and past traumatic experiences. Strategies for success in interviews emerged in three overarching areas: (1) cultivating rapport and maintaining connection; (2) demonstrating responsiveness to interviewee content, concerns; and (3) …

Linkages Evaluation Coaching Final Report, Amy D'Andrade

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Pastors As Gatekeepers: Congregational Encounters With Mental Health And Substance Abuse Issues, Curtis J. Vanderwaal, Andrea Opei, Edwin I. Hernandez

Faculty Publications

The vocation of a pastor is to care for the spiritual needs of a congregation and community. However, as many clergy know well, pastoral care is multifaceted and complex. For example, one of the hats that pastors frequently wear is that of pastoral counselor. Although pastors have traditionally offered support and pastoral care to congregants, they are beginning to spend more hours counseling both congregants and community members. One study indicated that pastors were spending time in pastoral counseling equivalent to that of marriage and family therapists in private practice.1 The same study showed that pastors are encountering persons and …

Improving Social Work Education In Vietnam Through International Cooperation: The ‘Social Work Education Enhancement Program’, Alice Hines, Edward Cohen, Hoa Nguyen, Laurie Drabble, Meekyung Han, Soma Sen, Tuâán Trâàn

Faculty Publications

This paper describes an initiative to improve social work education in Vietnam through a three-year international collaborative, including US Aid for International Development, San José State University, eight universities in Vietnam, Vietnam's government ministries, and Cisco Systems, Inc. The social work profession was officially recognized by the Vietnamese government in 2010. Despite the rapid expansion of social work education programs, there are significant limitations in the universities' ability to provide social work education. The goal of the Social Work Education Enhancement Program (SWEEP) is to strengthen the capacity of Vietnam's undergraduate social work programs to deliver quality education and prepare …

Mental Health Help-Seeking Behaviors Among Asian American Community College Students: The Effect Of Stigma, Cultural Barriers, And Acculturation, Meekyung Han, Helen Pong

Faculty Publications

According to the 2008 U.S. Census, there are 15.5 million Asian Americans in the United States, and 17% are students enrolled in a university (Shea & Yeh, 2008). Asian American college students in higher education are oftentimes perceived as the “model minority” with high academic achievements and few mental and/or behavioral problems (Park, 2010). In contrast to this general assumption, studies have shown that many Asian American college students suffer from psychological distress (Abe-Kim et al., 2007; Breaux, Matsuoka, & Ryujin, 1997; Lee et al., 2009; Mallinckrodt, Shigeoka, & Suzuki, 2005; Nguyen & Anderson, 2005). In fact, the Centers for …

Strategies Employed By Inner-City Activists To Reduce Alcohol-Related Problems And Advance Social Justice, Laurie Drabble, Denise Herd

Faculty Publications

This study explored strategies employed by activists engaged in efforts to change policies and laws related to selling and promoting alcoholic beverages based on in-depth interviews with 184 social activists in seven U.S. major cities. Nine strategies aimed at improving local conditions and influencing policy were described by activists across regional contexts. Grassroots mobilization was central to all other strategies, which included the creation or enforcement of laws, meeting with elected officials, media advocacy, working with police/law enforcement, education and training, direct action, changing community norms, and negotiating with store owners.

State Responses To Alcohol Use And Pregnancy: Findings From The Alcohol Policy Information System, Laurie Drabble, Sue Thomas, Lisa O'Connor, Sarah Roberts

Faculty Publications

This article describes U.S. state policies related to alcohol use during pregnancy, using data from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Alcohol Policy Information System. Specifically, this study examines trends in policies enacted by states over time and types of policies enacted across states in the United States, with a focus on whether laws were supportive or punitive toward women. Findings revealed substantial variability in characteristics of policies (19 primarily supportive, 12 primarily punitive, 12 with a mixed approach, and 8 with no policies). Findings underscore the need to examine possible consequences of policies, especially of punitive policies …