Social Work Commons^™

Kvaa Finalneeds Assessment.Pdf, Patricia Desrosiers, Lynde Revert

Social Work Faculty Publications

The Grants Management Branch of the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet received funding from theOffice of Victims of Crime to explore establishment of a Victim Assistance Academy in Kentucky.Victim Assistance Academies are comprised of education and skill-based classroom training for thosewho assist victims of crime. The Kentucky Victim Assistance Academy will be developed through apartnership between Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, Kentucky Crime Victims CompensationBoard, Western Kentucky University, and a practitioners’ Steering Committee. The first Academy isanticipated in mid-2013, with details to be disseminated in early-2013.In order to build the foundation of instructor curriculum and workshops offered by the …

Substance Abuse Treatment Stage And Personal Networks Of Women In Substance Abuse Treatment, Elizabeth M. Tracy, Hyunsoo Kim, Suzanne Brown, Meeyoung Oh Min, Min Kyoung Jun, Christopher Mccarty

Social Work Faculty Publications

This study examines the relationship among 4 treatment stages (i.e., engagement, persuasion, active treatment, relapse prevention) and the composition, social support, and structural characteristics of personal networks. The study sample includes 242 women diagnosed with substance dependence who were interviewed within their first month of intensive outpatient treatment. Using EgoNet software, the women reported on their 25 alter personal networks and the characteristics of each alter. With one exception, few differences were found in the network compositions at different stages of substance abuse treatment. The exception was the network composition of women in the active treatment stage, which included more …

Discerning Reported Suicide Attempts Within A Youthful Offender Population, Christopher A. Mallett, Leaanne Derigne, Linda M. Quinn, Patricia A. Stoddard Dare

Social Work Faculty Publications

With suicide being the third leading cause of death among young people, early identification of risk is critical, particularly for those involved with the juvenile courts. In this study of court-involved youth (N = 433) in two Midwest counties, logistic regression analysis identified some expected and unexpected findings of important demographic, educational, mental health, child welfare, and juvenile court-related variables that were linked to reported suicide attempts. Some of the expected suicide attempt risk factors for these youth included prior psychiatric hospitalization and related mental health services, residential placement, and diagnoses of depression and alcohol dependence. However, the most unexpected …

The School Success Program: Improving Maltreated Children's Academic And School-Related Outcomes, Christopher A. Mallett

Social Work Faculty Publications

Many victims of childhood maltreatment experience difficulties in school and with academic performance. This article reviews the evidence on the connection between child- hood maltreatment and school performance and presents an evaluation of a unique program established by Children's Services in Lorain County, Ohio. Since 2001, the School Success Program, in collaboration with 18 Ohio public school districts, has provided individual tutoring and mentoring by certified teachers to 615 maltreated children and youths, working closely with the whole family in an in-home setting. Most children and youths in the program have progressed to their appropriate grade level while improving overall …

The Role Of Human Papillomavirus In Human Immunodeficiency Virus Acquisition In Men Who Have Sex With Men: A Review Of The Literature, Brandon Brown, Mariam Davtyan, Jerome T. Galea, Erica Chow, Segundo Leon, Jeffrey D. Klausner

Social Work Faculty Publications

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) worldwide. Incidence rates of HPV infection among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals are well documented and are several-fold higher than among HIV-uninfected individuals. Few studies have demonstrated an increased risk for acquiring HIV infection in those with HPV infection, and this risk seems to be higher when HPV strains are of high-risk oncogenic potential. The estimated prevalence of high-risk oncogenic HPV infection is highest in men who have sex with men (MSM), a particularly vulnerable group with high prevalence rates of HIV infection and other STIs. In this …

Identifying Potential Mediators And Moderators Of The Association Be-Tween Child Maltreatment And Bullying Perpetration And Victimization In School, Jun Sung Hong, Dorothy L. Espelage, Andrew Grogan-Kaylor, Paula Allen-Meares

Social Work Faculty Publications

A growing body of literature is demonstrating associations between childhood maltreatment and bullying involvement at school. In this literature review, five potential mediators (explanatory) and three potential moderators (mitigates or exacerbates) of the association between childhood maltreatment and school bullying are proposed. Mediators include emotional dysregulation, depression, anger, and social skills deficits. Moderators reviewed include quality of parent-child relationships, peer relationships, and teacher relationships. Although there might be insurmountable challenges to addressing child maltreatment in primary or universal school-based prevention programs, it is possible to intervene to improve these potentially mediating and moderating factors.

Lessons Learned From Using Adobe Connect In The Social Work Classroom, Amy Cappiccie, Patricia Desrosiers

Social Work Faculty Publications

Adobe Connect is synchronous web conferencing software availableto colleges and universities. This pilot study sought to understandstudent and faculty participation in use of this software aspart of an already established hybrid master’s level social work curriculum.This software was utilized in two courses: concentrationyear field practicum and advanced social work practice. Studentfeedback and satisfaction are presented. Lessons learned for usingsuch software are explored.

Association Between Mental Health Disorders And Juveniles' Detention For A Personal Crime, Patricia A. Stoddard Dare, Christopher A. Mallett, Craig Boitel

Social Work Faculty Publications

Background: Youth involved with juvenile courts often suffer from mental health difficulties and disorders, and these mental health disorders have often been a factor leading to the youth’s delinquent behaviours and activities.

Method: The present study of a sample population (N= 341), randomly drawn from one urban US county’s juvenile court delinquent population, investigated which specific mental health disorders predicted detention for committing a personal crime.

Results: Youth with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and conduct disorder diagnoses were significantly less likely to commit personal crimes and experience subsequent detention, while youth with bipolar diagnoses were significantly more likely.

Conclusion: Co-ordinated youth …

Internet Sex-Seeking: Hiv Risks Among A Sample Of Asian American And Pacific Islander Men Who Have Sex With Men, Donna S. Baird, Linda Thong, Fayetta Martin

Social Work Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Feasibility And Impact Of Telemonitor-Based Depression Care Management For Geriatric Homecare Patients, Thomas Sheeran, Terry Rabinowitz, Jennifer Lotterman, Catherine F. Reilly, Suzanne Brown Rn, Patricia Donehower, Elizabeth Ellsworth, Judith L. Amour, Martha L. Bruce

Social Work Faculty Publications

Objective: The objective of this study was to test the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary clinical outcomes of a method to leverage existing home healthcare telemonitoring technology to deliver depression care management (DCM) to both Spanish- and English-speaking elderly homebound recipients of homecare services.

Materials and Methods: Three stand-alone, nonprofit community homecare agencies located in New York, Vermont, and Miami participated in this study. Evidence-based DCM was adapted to the telemonitor platform by programming questions and educational information on depression symptoms, antidepressant adherence, and side effects. Recruited patients participated for a minimum of 3 weeks. Telehealth nurses were trained on DCM …

Likelihood Of Asking For Help In Caregivers Of Women With Substance Use Or Co-Occurring Substance Use And Mental Disorders, Suzanne Brown, David E. Biegel, Elizabeth M. Tracy

Social Work Faculty Publications

Family members are important to the well-being of their relatives with substance use disorders or cooccurring substance use and mental disorders. Many caregivers experience high levels of burden, negatively impacting their capacity to provide support to their ill family member. The Andersen health care utilization model (Andersen & Newman, 1973, 2005) was used to identify the impact of predisposing, enabling, and need factors hypothesized to predict caregivers’ likelihood of asking for help and support with their caregiving role. The sample include 82 women recruited from outpatient or inpatient substance abuse treatment centers and 82 family caregivers nominated by these women. …

Explicating Correlates Of Juvenile Offender Detention Length: The Impact Of Race, Mental Health Difficulties, Maltreatment, Offense Type, And Court Dispositions, Christopher A. Mallett, Patricia A. Stoddard Dare, Mamadou M. Seck

Social Work Faculty Publications

Detention and confinement are widely acknowledged juvenile justice system problems which require further research to understand the explanations for these outcomes. Existing juvenile court, mental health, and child welfare histories were used to explicate factors which predict detention length in this random sample of 342 youth from one large, urban Midwestern county in the United States. Data from this sample revealed eight variables which predict detention length. Legitimate predictors of longer detention length such as committing a personal crime or violating a court order were nearly as likely in this sample to predict detention length as other extra-legal predictors such …

African American College Students: Literacy Of Depression And Help Seeking, Kim L. Stansbury, Maureen Wimsatt, Gaynell Marie Simpson, Fayetta Martin, Nancy Nelson

Social Work Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Race, Substance Abuse, And Mental Health Disorders As Predictors Of Juvenile Court Outcomes: Do They Vary By Gender?, Chiquitia Welch-Brewer, Patricia A. Stoddard Dare, Christopher A. Mallett

Social Work Faculty Publications

Predicting juvenile court outcomes based on youthful offenders’ delinquency risk factors is important for the adolescent social work field as well as the juvenile justice system. Using a random sample of 341 delinquent youth from one Midwestern urban county, this study extends previous research by examining if race, substance abuse, and mental health disorders influence important delinquency outcomes (number of court offenses, felony conviction(s), probation supervision length, detention length, and number of probation services) differently for male and female juvenile offenders. Multivariate analysis findings revealed that race was significant only for males, and having a substance use disorder was a …

What They Wish They Would Have Known: Support For Comprehensive Sexual Education From Mexican American And White Adolescents' Dating And Sexual Desires, Heidi Adams Rueda, Lela Rankin Williams

Social Work Faculty Publications

Focus groups were conducted to assess what Mexican American and White male and female adolescents wished they had known about romantic and sexual relationships. Relevant gender and ethnic differences emerged in adolescents' desires and findings across all groups supported a need for comprehensive sexual education that contextualizes sexual activity within a framework that emphasizes socio-emotional skills and well-being. Adolescents' desires were emotional, relational, physical and interpersonal in nature. Youth preferred parents and school educators as key sources of information and support. Recommendations for prevention programming and policy are discussed.

Acceptability Of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (Prep) As An Hiv Prevention Strategy: Barriers And Facilitators To Prep Uptake Among At-Risk Peruvian Populations, Jerome T. Galea, Janni J. Kinsler, Ximena Salazar, Sung-Jae Lee, Maziel Giron, Jennifer N. Sayles, Carlos Cáceres, William E. Cunningham

Social Work Faculty Publications

This study examined Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) acceptability among female sex workers, male-to-female transgendered persons, and men who have sex with men in Lima, Peru. Focus groups explored social issues associated with PrEP acceptability and conjoint analysis assessed preferences among eight hypothetical PrEP scenarios with varying attribute profiles and their relative impact on acceptability. Conjoint analysis revealed that PrEP acceptability ranged from 19.8 to 82.5 out of a possible score of 100 across the eight hypothetical PrEP scenarios. Out-of-pocket cost had the greatest impact on PrEP acceptability (25.2, p < 0.001), followed by efficacy (21.4, p < 0.001) and potential side effects (14.7, p < 0.001). Focus group data supported these findings, and also revealed that potential sexual risk disinhibition, stigma and discrimination associated with PrEP use, and mistrust of health care professionals were also concerns. These issues will require careful attention when planning for PrEP roll-out if proven efficacious in ongoing clinical trials.

Changes In Parental Assets And Children's Educational Outcomes, Vernon Loke, Paul Sacco

Social Work Faculty Publications

Several countries, including Canada, Singapore and the United Kingdom, have enacted asset-based policies for children in recent years. The premise underlying these policies is that increases in assets lead to improvement in various child outcomes over time. But little existing research examines this premise from a dynamic perspective. Using data from the NLSY79 mother and child datasets, two parallel process latent growth curve models are estimated to examine the effects of parental asset accumulation on changes in children's achievements over six years during middle childhood. Results indicate that the initial level of assets is positively associated with math scores, but …

“So I Just Took Over”: African American Daughters Caregiving For Parents With Heart Failure, Nancy Thornton, Faith Pratt Hopp

Social Work Faculty Publications

This article examines the experiences of African American women who are caring for a parent with heart failure. Seven adult daughter caregivers completed in-depth, qualitative interviews, and a phenomenological approach was used for data analysis. Results suggest the presence of caregiving stressors, including heart failure symptoms and comorbidity, caregiving duties, social–emotional stressors, and distrust of the health system. Relevant coping strategies included valuing the caregiving role, coordinating care with siblings, taking charge, and spirituality. Social workers can play a critical role in supporting and advocating for caregivers of persons with heart failure, helping them to cope with stressors associated with …

American Indian And Alaska Native Grandfamilies: The Impact On Child Development, Suzanne Cross, Angelique Day, Patricia Farrell

Social Work Faculty Publications

Traditionally, grandparents and other family members have assumed integral roles in raising children within American Indian/Alaska Native communities. The existence of an extensive support system assisted parents in passing on to their children the knowledge of customs, culture, and language essential to community survival and well-being. An increasing number of children are now being raised in “grandfamilies,” a type of family constellation where grandparents take on the role of sole or primary caregiver for their grandchildren under eighteen years of age.

Thinking About Peace, Conflict, And War: An Introduction To The Special Issue, Sondra J. Fogel, Daniel Liechty

Social Work Faculty Publications

This special issue had humble beginnings. As a matter of fact, odds were stacked against it, especially given that the original plan for this topic was for a panel discussion based on submitted work to the 2009 Society for the Study of Social Problems (SSSP) Conference. However, not one abstract was received for this topic. I found this quite curious and alarming since at that time this country was engaged in two wars, there was continuous media coverage around "terrorist" activities, and we were experiencing frequent changes to our daily routines based on new security measures. Anti-war protestors were growing …

Defining A Foster Care Placement Move: The Perspective Of Adults Who Formerly Lived In Multiple Out-Of-Home Placements, Yvonne Unrau

Social Work Faculty Publications

Several studies have demonstrated that children who experience multiple placements are more likely to experience behavioral problems and are less likely to achieve reunification. However, little is known about how move transitions— from one foster home to another, from foster care to birth family home, or between family placements and group care facilities—are perceived or experienced by children in foster care, or those formerly in foster care. This qualitative study examines the definition of foster care placement moves from the perspective of adults formerly in foster care. Participants identify both physical and psychological shifts as key dimensions of the placement …

Advice From Teens To Teens About Dating: Implications For Healthy Relationships, Heidi Adams Rueda, Lela Rankin Williams

Social Work Faculty Publications

Seventy-five Mexican American and White male and female adolescents were asked in focus groups to offer advice to other adolescents pertaining to dating relationships. Across ethnicities and sexes, “Stay on your feet” was the most prominent advice given, followed by advice to “Know when it's right”. “Have good reasoning…especially about that was a prominent theme among females; Mexican American females focused more on pressure associated with sexual activity while White females embedded their advice more often within futuristic and long-term relationship goals. Females offered roughly three times more relationship advice than did males and dialogued collaboratively at greater length, enriching …

Lessons From Learning The Craft Of Theory-Driven Research, Michael A. Dover

Social Work Faculty Publications

This paper responds to Richard's Swedberg's call for analysis of the craft of theorizing and to Gabriel Abend's work on the meanings of theory. Their work is applied to a retrospective case study of the theoretical content of the introduction to the author's dissertation. The case study includes lessons drawn from several sections of that chapter: the choice of a research topic; identifying originating, specifying and subsidiary questions; distinguishing between the object and the subject of the research; reviewing the social policy and social science relevance; identifying the relevant research tradition; presenting a general conceptual framework and a specific conceptual …

Parents Describe Finding Income And Resources For Their Medicaid-Eligible Children With Disabilities, Joanne Riebschleger, Marya Sosulski, Angelique Day

Social Work Faculty Publications

In the U.S. social system, the roles of work and parenthood are often in conflict, and this conflict is especially problematic for parents of children with special needs. This study was designed to give parents an opportunity to describe their experiences in finding income and resources while caring for a Medicaid-eligible child with a chronic illness or disability. Three themes emerged: work and parenting responsibilities constantly intersected; resources for families were often insufficient or unavailable; and when parents received help, the helpers took extraordinary measures. Findings were compared to those of emerging literature; in addition, parents offered many practice and …

Predicting Secure Detention Placement For African-American Juvenile Offenders: Addressing The Disproportionate Minority Confinement Problem, Christopher A. Mallett, Patricia A. Stoddard Dare

Social Work Faculty Publications

Disproportionate minority contact and confinement (DMC) are significant problems within the juvenile justice system in the United States. Minority youth are more often arrested, court referred, placed in locked facilities, and transferred to adult criminal courts. In fact, African American youth are 6 times more likely than White youth to experience a secure facility placement. Standardized risk assessments have been used, in part, to reduce these biased placement outcomes. The purpose of this article is to determine if DMC impacts secure detention placement even when a standardized risk assessment is used to determine youths' risks and needs in 1 Midwest …

Denial In Alcohol And Other Drug Use Disorders: A Critique Of Theory., Patricia A. Stoddard Dare, Leaanne Derigne

Social Work Faculty Publications

Despite the centrality of the construct in the field of alcohol and other drug (AOD) addiction, denial remains poorly conceptualized. One reason for this narrow conceptualization is the recent unilateral devotion to the Transtheoretical Model (TTM). In an effort to demonstrate denial’s theoretical complexity, the TTM and five additional intuitively appealing theories of denial will be summarized.The strengths and weaknesses of each theory and possible treatment implications based on each theory will also be presented. The article concludes with a recommendation for future research to evaluate multiple theories of denial using consistent and rigorous research methodology in order to develop …

The Child As Held In The Mind Of The Mother: The Influence Of Prenatal Maternal Representations On Parenting Behaviors, Carolyn Joy Dayton, Alytia A. Levendosky, William S. Davidson, G. Anne Bogat

Social Work Faculty Publications

Using a longitudinal design, this study examined the relationship of a mother’s prenatal representation of her child and her parenting behavior with that child at one-year-of-age in a sample of women who were either exposed or not exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) (n = 164; mean child age = 1.1 years, sd = .11 years; 52% male). Controlling for prenatal IPV, a MANCOVA analysis revealed that prenatal representational typology was significantly related to parenting behavior one year post-partum. Mothers whose representations were affectively deactivated (disengaged) were more behaviorally controlling with their children. Mothers whose representations were affectively overactivated (distorted) …

Predictors Of Depressive Symptomatology In Family Caregivers Of Wom-En With Substance Use Disorders Or Co-Occurring Substance Use And Mental Disorders, David E. Biegel, Shari Katz-Saltzman, David Meeks, Suzanne Brown, Elizabeth M. Tracy

Social Work Faculty Publications

This study utilized a stress-process model to examine the impact of having a female family member with substance use or co-occurring substance use and mental disorders on family caregivers' depressive symptomatology. Participants were 82 women receiving substance abuse treatment and the family member providing the most social support for each woman. Greater caregiver depressive symptomatology was predicted by greater care recipient emotional problems, less care recipient social support, and poor caregiver health. Implications of findings for treatment and future research are discussed

Prevention Of Child Abuse And Neglect Through Church And Social Service Collaboration, Erin Olson O'Neill, Jodi Gabel, Stephanie Huckins, Jeanette Harder

Social Work Faculty Publications

been a historic disconnect between the two institutions concerning child abuse prevention efforts. All too often, criticisms and mistrust tend to characterize the way in which the two interact. This qualitative investigation examines the perceptions of both Christian leaders and social service providers on the church’s role in preventing and responding to child abuse and neglect. Researchers interviewed 36 church leaders and social service providers of varying Christian congregations and specialties. Interviews focused on both current and potential church programming and activities, as well as beliefs and values held by both parties concerning child protection and real or potential collaboration. …

Placing Children In Need With Gay & Lesbian Couples: Influences On Placement Decisions, Gayle Mallinger

Social Work Faculty Publications

Thousands of children throughout the United States are currently awaiting placement with adoptive families. The literature indicates that gay- and lesbian-headed households can well meet the needs of these children. Research suggests that sexual prejudice, religious fundamentalism and attitudes about gay and lesbian adoption may influence practice decisions regarding placement. This dissertation study examined the influences of religious fundamentalism, sexual prejudice, contact with sexually diverse individuals, and attitudes towards gay men and lesbians as adoptive parents on intent to place children in need with gay and lesbian couples. A random sample of National Association of Social Workers (NASW) members was …