Social Work Commons^™

Development Of A Workshop Curriculum For Direct Service Professionals Serving People With Mental Retardation Who Have Challenging Behaviors, John J. O'Brien

Theses and Graduate Projects

A generation ago, care provided by a, institution was the primary model for providing services to persons with mental retardation. Today, most persons with developmental and other disabilities receive services within the context of typical community housing, work places, and schools. By June 1995, 92% of the 84,532 residential settings for people with mental retardation/developmental disabilities in the United States had six or fewer residents (Prouty and Lakin, 1996). As the number of community settings increase, there is a corresponding demand to train workers to provide direct care to people with mental retardation in community settings. Competent and comprehensive training …

Medicaid Managed Care For Those With Disability: Analysis With Implications For Minnesota's Demonstration Project For People With Disabilities, Darrin P. Helt

Theses and Graduate Projects

Many states have recently begun enrolling Medicaid beneficiaries with disabilities into prepaid managed care plans. The purpose of this study was to analyze various state programs in terms of reconciling access to quality health care services for the enrollee and the financial viability for both government entities and contracted health care plans with future policy implications for Minnesota's program for those with disabilities, the Demonstration Project for People with Disabilities (DPPD). This study involved the survey of published literature of existing state Medicaid managed care programs specifically serving those with disabilities. While the future prognosis is unclear, evidence shows that …

An Exploratory Study Of The Attitudes Among Hospital Social Workers In Relationship To Managed Care, Shelby M. Lawrence-Hinshon

Theses and Graduate Projects

Hospital social workers today face many challenges due to the swift and evolving scene of health care. To a large degree. managed care has been the primary force influencing health care in recent years. In fact, the inception and development of managed care has created new conditions for the hospital social worker. These conditions have meant greater responsibility as well as higher expectations for the hospital social worker. This exploratory study examined the current and future role of the hospital social worker, the functions performed and, the attitudes among hospital social workers in relationship to managed care. Results indicate that …

A Historical Analysis Of Corporal Punishment In American Public Schools, Cathy A. Hanson

Theses and Graduate Projects

This historical thesis analyzed information about corporal punishment in American public schools from the early 1900's to the present. This historical research study examined economic, social and political trends and explored the relationship they have with corporal punishment. The study examined children's behavioral expressions to which corporal punishment was designed to respond and evaluated the effectiveness of corporal punishment. The study found a relationship between students who live in poverty and displayed difficult behavioral expressions at school and the use of corporal punishment. Students who live in poverty experience corporal punishment in their school more often than their peers who …

Social Work Perceptions Of Job Satisfaction In Host And Primary Settings: A Comparative Analysis, Lorrie A. Busche

Theses and Graduate Projects

Job satisfaction can have personal and professional effects on social workers as well as the quality of service provided to clients. Structural variables such as supervision or role ambiguity may effect job satisfaction, but the intensity to which it effects the social worker may be different from setting to setting. The purpose of this research is to demonstrate the contribution of selected factors associated with job satisfaction in two different settings. The research design for this exploratory study, is a cross-sectional mailed survey. A random sample of 75 social workers in host settings and primary settings were sent surveys. A …

Crisis Intervention And The State Comprehensive Mental Health Service Plan Act Of 1986 (P.L. 99-660): An Historical Analysis, Thomas J. Barron

Theses and Graduate Projects

Despite numerous contributions by theorists and crisis service providers in the field of crisis intervention, few reports have examined underlying legislation. This study reviews policy trends in past mental health legislation and crisis programs between 1840 to 1996. It focuses on the State Comprehensive Mental Health Plan Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-660) and describes the response to such legislation in Minnesota. An incremental policy process illustrates how crisis intervention services have evolved to be part of the array of comprehensive mental health services.

Coping Mechanisms Used By Socially And Emotionally Isolated Older Adults, Paulla Dechmann

Theses and Graduate Projects

This exploratory and descriptive qualitative study was undertaken to examine the nature of social and emotional isolation as it impacts older adults by examining the coping mechanisms they use. The participants (N=15), clients of Senior Community Services and CommonBond Communities, completed a structured interview consisting of nineteen primarily open-ended questions. The study looked at the issues of social and emotional isolation as it was identified by participants, the amount of support they received, and the methods they used to cope with any recognized feelings of isolation. The survey identified those persons involved in the senior's life, how frequently contact was …

Burnout In School Social Workers, Carol L. F Davis

Theses and Graduate Projects

This quantitative study used survey research to explore the burnout level or degree of burnout experienced by school social workers and school social worker's relationship to burnout, caseload size, and multibuilding assignment. A survey of 95 school social workers in Ramsey County showed that most had a sense of personal accomplishment, felt connected to their clients and were not emotionally exhausted. The Maslach Burnout Inventory and demographic information were used to determine the burnout significance. The variables of caseload size and multibuilding assignment had no relationship with the bunnout scores. In addition, no relationship was found between the three subscales …

Long Term Implications On Male Children Who Witness Interparental Violence, Michelle M. Erlandson

Theses and Graduate Projects

The immediate effects of family violence on child witnesses are well documented. Even with this information children often do not receive any services particularly if they have not been physically harmed. What is less evident are the long term effects of, family violence on child witnesses. This study gathered data via a questionnaire from 25 males who were attending a domestic violence education program for assaulting their female partner. The questionnaire addressed childhood experiences such as the witnessing of parental violence, conflict resolution methods observed in childhood and discipline methods used in the home. Additionally, the questionnaire asked about current …

Self-Esteem Enhancement In Deaf And Hearing Women: Success Stories, Mary Catherine Holte

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study explores the process of self-esteem enhancement in 23 women, nine Deaf and fourteen hearing, for purposes of both individual and group comparison. The qualitative design examines material from in-depth interviews to generate themes relating to the ways in which these women have described the concept of, and enhanced, their self-esteem.

It was found that, while both Deaf and hearing women described self-esteem in conceptually-equivalent terms, a distinction was noted in specific words used by each of the two groups. A contrast was also found between the number of Deaf women who reported education as a factor in self-esteem …

Interracial Adoption: In Whose Best Interest Is It?, Pamela L. Beyer

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study investigated the impact of interracial adoption on adjustment, self-esteem, and racial identity among Korean adoptees who were adopted into Euro-American families, as related by the adoptees. Twelve respondents between the ages of 18 and 22 answered survey questions relating to their self-concept, their involvement in cultural activities, problem areas as a result of their interracial adoption, adoptive parents' characteristics and responsibilities, and the roles of social workers. Respondents indicated that their adoptive parents' sensitivity as well as involvement and education in Korean culture was important and should be the focus of recruitment and training efforts by social workers.

Emerging Trends In Child Protective Work During The Progressive Era 1909-1929: Local Experience In A National Context, Michael J. Goldfarb

Theses and Graduate Projects

This historical analysis seeks to inform current

debate in child welfare practice through analysis of the

development of child protection work in the United States

during the Progressive Era. Analysis of case records and

social work debate suggests a shift occurred in the

intervention strategy used by social workers in their

approach to child protective work. Social workers shifted

from a social control model to a casework intervention

strategy in protective work. Case records from the

Children's Protective Society of Hennepin County in the

1920s depict a combination of both intervention strategies

being utilized simultaneously.

Farm Women's Roles And Their Experience Of Role Strain And Role Enhancement, Diane Dunn

Theses and Graduate Projects

Studies exploring farm women roles were limited to data of the 1980s utilizing the scarcity approach to role theory. This study expands on research by exploring farm women's roles today utilizing both the scarcity and expansion approaches. Random sampling of 81 farm women ages 26-78 were drawn from the Pipestone County Farm Service's mail-listing. Data was analyzed using JMP Statistical Data Analysis. The study revealed that farm women continued to fulfill roles involved with family, farming, and off-farm employment at rates similar/greater (employment) to those in the '80s. Findings also suggested that farm women experience both strains and enhancements from …

Adolescents' Perceptions Of Their Relationship With Family Members, John L. Upshaw

Theses and Graduate Projects

This exploratory quantitative study examined adolescents' perceptions of their relationship, in terms of interpersonal boundaries, with family members. The literature review revealed different types of boundaries and boundary positions. The Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale was the instrument utilized for assessing the adaptability. (EACES II) The questions this study answers include how the adolescents' boundary position, in terms of cohesion, and boundary adaptability effects delinquency and school achievement? Also, how do religious activities of the adolescents effect delinquency and school achievement? Self-survey questionnaires and FACES II inventories were administered at two separate high schools. The findings revealed connected family cohesion …

The Relationship Between Recreational Activity And Dementia Behavior: An Exploratory Study, Nicole Schueller

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study explores the effects recreational activity has on specific dementia behaviors such as wandering, pacing, agitation, calling out and repetitive verbal comments of 15 nursing home residents with dementia. Previous research indicated that too often a resident exhibiting a dementia behavior warranting the need for a restraint is treated with a physical or chemical restraint without careful consideration of the meaning of the behavior. The ethical dilemma of using restraints suggests the need to find alternatives to restraint usage. The study examines how activities affect agitation levels of the residents.

This research consisted of an observational study of 15 …

The Influence Of External Factors In The Overrepresentation Of African American Males In Minnesota Special Education Programs, Lynn K. Lewis

Theses and Graduate Projects

Nationally African American males are disproportionately represented in special education programs. The city of Minneapolis closely mirrors the national trend in this regard. According to the Minneapolis Board of Education black males represent 40 percent of the enrollees in the learning disability, and educational behavior disorder classrooms, even though they are only 21 percent of the total school population. Research in this area is important because if black males are inappropriately assessed for special education placements, it may lead to the following: 1) academic and social segregation from their mainstream peers; 2) inappropriate labeling and education of African American males; …

Grief And Loss Issues And Women's Drinking Patterns, Joyce M. Halstrom

Theses and Graduate Projects

This exploratory, qualitative study was undertaken to explore the relationship of grief and loss and women's drinking patterns. The literature review focused on major contributors of grief work, theoretical frameworks of the grieving process, and an overview of alcoholism in women. Ten women who were recovering from alcoholism in a half-way house were interviewed using open-ended, semi-structured questions. The interviews focused on the respondents' drinking patterns, their grief and loss issues, and the treatment of those issues in their chemical dependency treatment program. Implications for social work practice is included. Results indicate the importance of prevention, intervention, and education of …

The Transition From Adolescence To Adulthood For People With Cystic Fibrosis, Marykay Lannon Palmer

Theses and Graduate Projects

Cystic fibrosis (CF) has long been thought of as a childhood disease due to the shortened life span of its victims. Due to advances in medical research, the life expectancy for those with CF has been steadily on the rise to the current median life expectancy of 30 years. There has been extensive medical research on CF in adulthood but little or no research on the impact of CF on becoming an adult. This exploratory, qualitative study examined the perceptions of adults with CF regarding the impact the disease has had on their lives, especially during the transition from adolescence …

The Salvation Army: A Study Of Organizational Culture And Type, Susan S. Gotzman

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study of The Salvation Army examined the relationship between the organizational character type and management style related to models of communication and decision making. The research statement of this study on the organizational character type of The Salvation Army indicates its capacity to involve personnel in communication and decision making processes. Carl Jung's psychological type theory provides the theoretical framework. Jung's theory explains human behavior in terms of individual preferences for acquiring information and making decisions. The Organizational Character Index, a Jungian typing instrument adapted to an organizational context, is used to determine the organizational character type. A sample …

Bereavement Support In Central And West-Central Minnesota Schools: An Exploratory Study, Brenda K. Wiese

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study explored the need for services for school-aged children who have experienced the death of a close family member. Grieving parents and other adult caregivers may have difficulty supporting and assisting these children through the grief process. School social workers from fourteen school districts in central and west-central Minnesota were involved in this study. The results showed that the schools provide services which deal with children' s grief issues. Other needs as identified by the social workers included: 1) increased school social workers to support these students; 2) additional trainings in the area of working with grieving children; and …

A Descriptive Study Of Adolescent Truancy In Ramsey County, Minnesota, Ruth Merritt

Theses and Graduate Projects

Truancy is defined as the act of being absent from school without permission. The problem of inconsistent school attendance is often the first sign of trouble with students. Studies show a strong link between truancy, dropping out of school, and delinquent behavior. Excessive unexcused absences are present in varying degrees in all schools and across the country. Truancy is a complex problem that involves the student, the family, the school, and the community. The problem continues to increase year after year.

In this study, 50 subjects aged 12-15 are described using two different measures. Parent-completed intake forms provide information on …

Development And Implementation Of A Parent's Grief Support Group Concurrent With A Preexisting Children's Grief Support Group, Evelyn J. Swenson

Theses and Graduate Projects

Children who grieve need the support and understanding of their parent(s) in order to experience a grief reaction void of negative long-term effects. Parents experiencing grief are often exhausted from their own grief response having little energy to obtain support and information to provide a supportive atmosphere for their children. This study evaluates the efficacy of a parent grief support group in conjunction with a children grief group for ages 6-12 in response to the belief that the parent-child relationship undergoes extreme stress when a death is experienced in the family. A six session psycho-educational parent grief support group was …

An Historical Review Of Empirical Research Regarding Homophobia, Andrew Klopp

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study sought to explore empirical research which exists regarding homophobia. Only within the last thirty years has there been a serious attempt by researchers to critically examine and discuss homophobia in our society with regard to heterosexuals' attitudes toward gays and lesbians. Three themes emerged from the literature: 1) discussions of how homophobia may be quantifiably measured; 2) how the fear of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is equated with the fear of homosexuals; and 3) how direct practice with clients is affected by a practitioner's own homophobia. This researcher found varied social, medical and political schools of thought …

Attitudes Of Paternalism Among Social Workers Working With Involuntary Clients Who Are Adolescents, Karol J. Jensen-Schneider

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study identified how social workers in one metropolitan county view the use of paternalism when working with involuntary adolescents. The social workers interviewed state that paternalism is becoming more and more a part of the role of social workers. The study also discusses what attributes of involuntary adolescents and factors are important to social workers in their decision to allow adolescents to make choices about their case plans. There were nine important attributes and factors identified in the data: they are best interest of the adolescent, offering choices to the adolescent and choices made by the youth, relationships with …

Birth Parent Participation In Foster Care Placement Planning: Relationship To Discharge Outcomes, Karen A. Hulteen

Theses and Graduate Projects

Prior studies have found a positive relationship between contact of birth family and foster children and reunification, as well as with children's well-being, adjustment, and development during and after foster care. Law requires and research validates social work practice which places children in the least restrictive, most normative living situation possible to meet their needs. Examining records of 188 youth discharged from treatment foster care from Human Service Associates from January 1, 1995 to December 31, 1996, this investigation discovered that birth parent participation in placement planning meetings and quarterly reviews, one indicator of birth family involvement, was related to …

Factors That Contribute To Resiliency In Anishinabe/Ojibwe Children Overcoming Adversity, Jeffrey S. Rodin

Theses and Graduate Projects

The object of this research is to examine the resilience of the Native Americans from the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. This group of people have faced many forms of adversity over the generations. These adversities include poverty, racism, and cultural separation just to name a few. From the perspective of ecological systems theory, family systems theory, and the strengths perspective, this study focuses on individuals that grew uP on the Mille Lacs reservation and have been recognized as being successful by their tribal community. Reflecting on their childhood, these individuals discussed three factors that contributed to their resiliency. These …

Maintaining Social Services After-Hours In A Hospital Emergency Department: Health Care Preferences With On-Call And In-House Programs, Michelle L. Nash

Theses and Graduate Projects

This research describes the satisfaction of emergency department staff in relation to the social service after-hours coverage at Fairview Southdale hospital. The participants of the study were physicians, nurses, health unit coordinators, and social workers of Fairview Southdale hospital working with the emergency department. The participants completed a 17-question mailed survey. The findings illustrated the desire of staff to expand the current after-hours coverage of the emergency department to more in-house availability. The information gathered and compiled for this study will be used to help support the increase of social work services role in the emergency department at Fairview Southdale …

Exploring The Differences In Autonomy For Residents With Alzheimer's Disease Between Those Living In A Special Care Unit And Those In A Residential Group Home: A Comparative Study, Michelle Mari Jensen

Theses and Graduate Projects

Dementia of the Alzheimer's type (DAT) is a progressive, terminal disease marked by the loss of cognitive function. Due to cognitive impairments, residents with dementia exhibit behaviors that indicate disordered person in environment transactions. Due to the resulting disordered transactions, residents with dementia living in long-term care settings offen experience diminished opportunity to choose.

This paper is a comparative/descriptive study based on nursing assistant responses from an anonymous questionnaire in two long-term care facilities. Autonomy is defined by Callopy (1988) as freedom, independence and choice.

The results indicate that the residents at each respective facility seem to experience autonomy in …

A Policy Analysis Of The Minnesota Family Investment Program - Statewide: The Employment And Training Component, Rachel E. Friesen

Theses and Graduate Projects

Minnesota has just began one of its biggest welfare overhauls ever through the state's new policy: The Minnesota Family Investment-statewide (MFIP-S). The Federal welfare policy reform, Temporary Assistance for Needy families (TANF), initiated this revamp and has shifted focus to temporary assistance and mandatory work requirements for welfare participants. The employment and training component of the MFIP-S policy is currently being implemented and has proven to play an important role in this major effort that will affect thousands of people. This paper analyzes the employment and training component of MFIP-S, specifically concentrating on how it will affect single-mothers. The following …

Client-Case Manager Relationship: The Effects And Impact Of Rule 79 Case Managers Testimony In Commitment Court, Teresa M. Nordin

Theses and Graduate Projects

Changes in the mental health laws in the United States over the last 50 years has altered the manner in which individuals with a serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI) are involuntarily committed. The changes have increased the need for mental health professionals to be involved with the court system to aid in understanding the client's mental disorder. The Minnesota Comprehensive Adult and Children's Mental Health Act (MCACMHA) provides mental health case management for individuals with a SPMI. This exploratory study focuses on how the client-case manager relationship is impacted by the requirement that case managers be involved in all …