Social Work Commons^™

An Exploration Of The Role Of Computer Mediated Communications In The Lives Of Older Adults, Joanne Middaugh

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study is to explore the use of the Internet bulletin boards/Usenet newsgroups, email, and chat services by adults over age 50. Review of the literature showed that social isolation of older adults has many causal factors. Studies found that the use of telephone support groups has been helpful with cancer patients and caregivers of end-stage AIDS and Alzheimers' patients. Older members of an Internet bulletin board were invited to complete a questionnaire requesting information about their use of computer-mediated communications. Findings showed that 100% of those surveyed perceived an increase in their social network using computer …

An Exploratory Study Of Resilience Among American Indian Human Service Professionals, Georgette M. Bunker

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study explores the link between Native American cultural factors and the concept of resilience. The research design utilized personal interviews with 12 Native Americans in positions of leadership within their own community, to explore questions about protective factors, risk factors and cultural factors. The bicultural continuum was used to study participants to self assess their degree of assimilation. Findings did reflect some similarity between protective factors identified in the resilience literature and cultural factors. Discussion of findings addresses how increased knowledge of the Native American culture can assist practitioners in the assessment of resilience when working with Native American …

Children As Witnesses Of Family Violence: Needs Assessment With Program Implications, Beverly A. Seifert

Theses and Graduate Projects

Women who are victims of family violence within a rural Midwestern county receive multi-faceted services from area service providers, while their children who witness family violence receive residual attention. It was the intention of this study to discern the needs of children in this population and to determine if a program of specialized services was indicated. Research for this study was done by interviewing key informants within the service delivery system to pinpoint the percieved physical, educational/cognitive, social, and emotional needs of this population. The findings indicated that there is a need for further services within the Goodhue County area. …

Needs Assessment On Homeless Women, Sandra A. Scott

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study was to explore the needs of homeless women. This survey included 32 women, who were enrolled in a Transitional Housing Program during 1995. Data collection questionnaire. The collection involved a self-administered questionnaire. The collected data covers several areas: (1) the needs of homeless women from their perspective, (2) improvement in service delivery, and (3) intervention strategies. Of the women surveyed 71.9% were African-American, 12.5% were Caucasian, and 15.6% were Native American. The average age was 25-34. Approximately, 62.5% of the women were single, and never married. And, the women averaged 3-5 children each. Surprisingly, 34.4% …

Adolescents Who Have Experienced Parental Divorce: Saint Paul School Social Worker's Perceptions Of The Challenges And Limitations Adolescents Experience, Ken Kozemzak

Theses and Graduate Projects

Each year close to 1.2 million American marriages end in divorce, disrupting the lives of over one million children. Recent research has studied many adolescents who have been affected by the experience of parental divorce. This exploratory study presents some of that research and examines what challenges/limitations Saint Paul Middle School social workers see with adolescents from divorced families. This study will also describe services social workers offer in response to the needs of adolescents on their caseloads. Social workers at fourteen different middle school in Saint Paul were surveyed. The findings indicate the results of the literature are consistent …

A Descriptive Study Of Adolescent Truancy In Dakota County, Connie Roller

Theses and Graduate Projects

Unexcused absences continue to be a problem for schools, families and communities. In this study 50 subjects aged 12- 16 are described using two different measures. Parent-completed program forms provide information on the variables age, gender, race, family size, family income, chemical use, discipline problems, peer pressure, moves and separation or divorce of parents. The second measure examines the opinions and perceptions of key informants to these and other variables impacting school attendance. The findings suggest a larger than expected percentage of girls and minorities exhibiting this behavior. Key informants identified parent's ability to discipline, student’s chemical use and discipline …

The Empowerment Effects Of Criminal Court Legal Advocacy On Battered Women: An Exploratory Study, Elizabeth M. Jones

Theses and Graduate Projects

This exploratory study examined the relationship between battered women's legal advocacy and empowerment. It was hypothesized that women who received battered women's legal advocacy would be more empowered during their experiences with the criminal court process than women who did not receive legal advocacy. The sample consisted of 73 women in the intervention group and 60 women in the comparison group whose partners had been arrested on fifth degree domestic assault charges. The sample was drawn from 1995 police records, Nine participants completed a self-administered survey. Using measures of central tendency and bi-variate analysis it was found that women with …

Development Of A Support Group Curriculum: Building Self-Esteem With Adolescent Girls, Elaine S. Korsch

Theses and Graduate Projects

In the past few decades educators, social workers and psychologists have been examining the role self esteem plays in young people's development and have explored why adolescent girls as a group show lower self esteem than adolescent boys. The purpose of this project is two fold: 1) to research those factors that influence the development of self esteem for young girls during the time they move into adolescence and 2) to develop a support group curriculum that addresses those factors that put young girls at risk. The curriculum is designed for girls age 12-14 and is to be facilitated by …

A Historical Study Of The Minnesota Model: A Multidisciplinary Approach To Alcoholism Treatment, 1940'S To 1995, John A. Herbaugh

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study is to collect and analyze information about the development of the Minnesota Model and its relationship with the Hazelden Foundation and Alcoholics Anonymous using research literature and the scheduled interviews. The literature search revealed information which questioned specific factors related to the model treatment outcomes, inpatient vs. outpatient, and the lack of social worker participation in the treatment of chemical dependency. The interviews were conducted with three key informants. The use of existing data supported the model but questioned the methodologies to obtain treatment outcomes. The interview findings showed the model’s main objective is to …

Attrition In The Mandated Treatment Of Men Who Batter: A Look At Demographic Influence, Jill A. Yoerger

Theses and Graduate Projects

Descriptive variables associated with men completing domestic abuse treatment programs were found to be influencing factors in earlier attrition research. One hundred clients who attended a Minneapolis-based domestic abuse treatment program were selected for inclusion in this study. Six demographic variables were thought to be predictive of treatment completion or drop out.

The literature review suggested that factors positively related to attrition included being under less strain. With this in mind, the revised Strain Theory (Agnew, 1992) was used as the theoretical framework for this study. Strain Theory focuses on negative relationships with others, negative affective states and pressure toward …

Passive Victims Of Peer Bullying And Teaching Staff's Response To Them, Kenneth E. Maher

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study explored teaching staff's ability to identify passive victims of peer bullying, the strategies they use to build up a victim's self-esteem, the strategies they use to teach passive victims assertiveness skills and their views and opinions concerning bullying. Research indicated that passive victims of peer bullying tend to have lower self-esteem and don't have the skills needed to protect themselves when bullied. Since a majority of bullying happens at school, teaching staff have the best opportunity to intervene when bullying occurs.

A self-administered questionnaire was completed by 45 teachers, educational assistants and specialist/support staff at a particular elementary …

Recommendations For Parent Involvement In Elementary School Peacemaking Programs, Louise E. Goetz

Theses and Graduate Projects

Improving conflict resolution and peacemaking programs through the increased involvement of parents has been recommended by several major studies. Programs with intentional parent involvement have not been evaluated, so factors related to effective parent involvement have not been identified. This study asked parents, students and peace educators to identify techniques and preferences for parent involvement and support of student learning in a peacemaking and conflict resolution curriculum. The study population included families and peace educators involved with a peacemaking curriculum taught to second graders. Parents completed a self-administered questionnaire; students were interviewed about their experience with using the material; and …

How Hospital Social Service Directors Perceive The Current And Future Role Of The Medical Social Worker, Molly Schwegman Martin

Theses and Graduate Projects

This research explored the current roles and attempts to understand the future roles of medical social workers in hospital settings. The subjects of this study were members of the Minnesota Chapter of the Society of Social Work Administrators in Health Care who completed a 16 question mailed survey. The findings illustrated the necessity to expand social work services beyond the hospital walls into such areas as emergency rooms, community settings, and physician clinics. The information gathered and compiled for this study will be used by directors of hospital social work service departments, along with medical social workers, to examine and …

An Assessment Of The Employment Needs Of Southeast Asian Refugees On Public Assistance In Ramsey County, Nils Dybvig

Theses and Graduate Projects

As welfare programs focus increased emphasis on employment, pressure to become employed will increase for Southeast Asian refugees who depend upon these programs, and who have very different employment needs from the population at large. A series of in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 Hmong, Cambodian and Vietnamese service providers to gather information about the employment needs of refugees that can be met by welfare reform programs. The findings indicate that welfare programs that require employment for refugees are likely to be successful, particularly if the refugees receive assistance in finding work and incentives that make work more attractive than …

Causes Of Conflict Between Hmong Parents And Their Adolescent Children, Vang Thomas Chang

Theses and Graduate Projects

The phenomenon of conflict between Hmong parents and their adolescent children is increasing and showing potential for further deterioration in relationship in the future. The purpose of study is to gain insights from twenty-seven Hmong service providers who responded to a questionnaire regarding the causes of conflict between Hmong parents and their children in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. Moreover, this research is to gain insights into Hmong service providers' awareness, observations, and experience in dealing with Hmong families and their adolescent children effectively. This study will also seek to gain understanding of the phenomenon of conflict within Hmong families …

Adoption Assistance Is Crucial To Facilitate Placement And Ensure Permanency For Children With Special Needs: Perceptions Of North Dakota Parents Who Adopt, Kathlyn D. Thoreson

Theses and Graduate Projects

This descriptive study measures and analyzes the benefits and barriers of the adoption assistance program in the state of North Dakota. Data are drawn from a mail survey of the total population of 193 adoptive families, who adopted 250 children with special needs and who were receiving financial or medical assistance through the adoption assistance program in North Dakota as of October, 1995. The response return rate was 60% (116) of the families and was in regard to 65% (163) of the children in the program as of the specified date. Analysis reveals broad themes including the importance of monthly …

Chronic Child Neglect: A Journey Of Junctures, Margaret Shoemaker

Theses and Graduate Projects

Child neglect is the number one reason children are placed in out-of-home care in Minnesota. In this exploratory study, four young adults, with a history of child neglect, family preservation services, and out-of-home placement in one northern Minnesota county, were interviewed. Participants shared their opinions about how social workers and foster parents helped them develop life-sustaining relationships with a family. Findings are discussed in the context of a literature review which explores the relationship between attachment theory, chronic child neglect and the array of family preservation services offered to families. Participants provide advice for practitioners working with families who have …

Factors Which Influence Recidivism Rates For Individuals At A Regional Treatment Center (Rtc) Who Have Been Dually Diagnosed With Mental Illness/Chemical Dependency (Mi/Cd), Gina Marie Schmerler

Theses and Graduate Projects

This exploratory study was conducted to examine factors associated with the recidivism rate of hospitalization admissions for individuals who have been admitted to a mentally ill and chemically dependent unit at a local Regional Treatment Center (RTC). The subject population consists of 23 men and 7 women between the ages of 19-49 years of age who have been court-mandated to the state treatment facility due to severe psychological disorders. For the purpose of this study, the term recidivism is defined as readmission to the facility within one year of discharge. The data were drawn from existing records, such as psychosocial …

An Exploration Of The Needs Of Students Who Attend An Alternative Junior High School, Chrislee Jacobs

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the needs of students who attend Plymouth Christian Youth Center's (PCYC) alternative junior high school, which is located in North Minneapolis. Previous research indicates that students who attend alternative schools may be dealing with a multitude of issues, and therefore, have a wide array of needs which must be addressed. Due to the unique characteristics of alternative schools, these school environments seem to more efficiently meet the needs of their students. Existing literature suggests that when students' needs are met, their school experience will be more satisfying and successful.

Data for …

Exploring The Relationship Between Parental Satisfaction With Ctars And Improving Child's School Performance And To Identity The Resilient Attributes In These Children, Kathy A. Oelze

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this research was to explore parental satisfaction with CTARS, an early intervention program, housed in an elementary in South East Minneapolis. The study also examined whether there was a. Relationship between parental satisfaction and improved child’s school performance. Finally, the study identified resilient attributes in children within this program. The research focused on parents of 5^th grade students who participated in CTARS during the 1994-95 academic school year. The research design included both qualitative and quantitative methods. A questionnaire was developed and distributed to 24 parents. Findings indicate that, parental participation and satisfaction with CTARS does …

Determinants Of Resilience In Mothers Of Children With Disabilities: An Exploratory Study, Anne Dussol Humes

Theses and Graduate Projects

This exploratory study examined the factors that contribute to the resilience of mothers of children with disabilities. Two measures of resources and support were administered to 16 mothers of children with disabilities who attended parent support groups offered by three agencies in the Twin Cities area. Findings indicated that social support, employment status, and number of children with disabilities are important to the understanding of resilience within this population. The small sample size and variability in scores suggest caution in the clinical application of the findings.

A Descriptive Study: Identifying The Number Of Youth And Parents Served By The North Dakota Path Program That Have Substance Abuse Issues, Mari M. Daugherty

Theses and Graduate Projects

This is a descriptive study that identifies the number of youth and parents served by the North Dakota PATH program that have substance abuse issues- An analysis of existing files regarding youth placed with PATH and their parents was completed by social workers. A total of 79 cases were reviewed. Thirty point four percent of the youth served by PATH were found to have substance abuse issues. Their Parents also had high percentages of substance abuse issues, mothers 30.4%, and fathers 60.8%. The Researcher discusses the importance of educating social workers, families, foster parents, and youth in care on substance …

Descriptive Analysis Of The Elderly Who Utilize Mental Health Services With Implications For Program And Policy Development, Timothy P. Mahoney

Theses and Graduate Projects

The utilization of mental health services by community-dwelling elderly is examined in this study. The number of elderly in the U. S. population is increasing significantly and is projected to continue to do so for the next 40 years. Literature indicates that the mental health component of services for the elderly is strikingly underdeveloped and underutilized. Past research suggests that factors influencing this low level of service development and utilization can be found in the characteristics of the population as well as in the characteristics of the mental health care system.

In this study, data were collected on 62 elderly …

Grandparents Raising Their Grandchildren: Increased Stress Due To Role Restriction And Social Isolation, Jan B. Haugrud

Theses and Graduate Projects

This exploratory and descriptive study identifies stress associated with surrogate parenting by grandparents by surveying a small sample of grandparents raising their grandchildren in west central Minnesota. It is indicated that parenting a grandchild(ren) may lead to higher levels of stress due to role restriction and social isolation. A self-administered quantitative mail survey with a 45% response rate found grandparents who are employed and have informal- custody arrangements have increased stress, more concerns and increased need for services than grandparents who are not employed and have legal custody. Implications of the findings include the need for support services for grandparents …

Evaluation For Intensive Home Community Based Services: A Program For At-Risk Youth And Their Families, Bonnie Tali Cooper/Scheff

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this longitudinal evaluation study was to examine client perceptions of the Home Community Based Services Program (HCBS) located in two rural counties in Central Minnesota. It was hypothesized that adjudicated youth (ages 12-17), who have access to the HCBS Program may experience less out-of-home placements and less criminal re-offending. Data was collected utilizing two surveys, one at exit of services, and one six months after discharge of services.

Findings indicated clients perceived the HCBS Program a positive experience introducing change in the family system. Less out-of-home placement was experienced for youth involved in the HCBS Program.

The …

Social Support And Single Parent Families: An Evaluation Of Family Support Services, Cathy Maki

Theses and Graduate Projects

At-risk families, both single and two-parent, are those families which may not be providing children with the necessary developmental assets to thrive. Families headed by a single parent are especially at risk for financial, social and academic pressures. Social support networks can help provide resources to families dealing with these stressors.

Data obtained in this program evaluation of Family Support Services of Independent School District 191 verified the programs' effectiveness in providing instrumental and emotional support, as well as a link to community resources, for at-risk families in the district. Results also indicated that further support is needed to help …

Gender Specific Programming For Female Adolescents, Sandra J. Lindgren

Theses and Graduate Projects

Adolescent females hove criticol needs specificolly related to their psychosocial development. This study examines important factors to consider when providing gender specific services for female adolescents, Members of the Minnesota Adolescent Female Subcommittee of the Advisory Task Force on the Femole Offender in Corrections were surveyed to submit o definition of gender specific programming and using the Q-sort method, to prioritize 23 factors considered important to females, The Q-sorted factors were analyzed and categorized by level of importance. Through integration of information from the literature review ond this research study, the following definition of gender specific programming wos developed: "Comprehensive …

Heterosexual Women Arrested For Domestic Violence: Practice Guidelines For Assessment And Treatment Planning, Michele R. Braley

Theses and Graduate Projects

Heterosexual women arrested for violence are often referred to supportive services similar to those provided for battered women although there is limited documentation to justify similar treatment. The results of a questionnaire mailed to 20 practitioners and researchers form the basis for practice guidelines to standardize assessment and treatment planning for heterosexual women arrested for domestic violence. The emphasis of the practice guidelines is on the complex assessment and intervention decisions that arise when a woman has been arrested for using violence in self-defense. Practice guidelines will assist practitioners in justifying decisions about interventions for women arrested for violence against …

How Rural School Social Workers Perceive Elementary Nonattendance: Underlying Causes, Practical Interventions, And Role Identification, Anita M. Larsen

Theses and Graduate Projects

This research study explored what school social workers in rural Minnesota are doing to address elementary nonattendance. Elementary was defined as any grade between kindergarten and fifth, and rural was defined as outside the 7 county Twin Cities metropolitan area. The research design utilized a self-administered survey questionnaire distributed to 118 school social workers. Of the 76 returned surveys, 62 met the criteria for inclusion in the research. Findings from quantitative and qualitative data indicate that school social workers perceive elementary nonattendance as a problem and that contributing factors include the child, family, school, and community. The roles and intervention …

Effectiveness Of Behavioral Programming And The Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver Program: A Caregiver's Perspective., Wendy S. Walker

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this exploratory study is to determine the effectiveness of behavioral services offered to adults, ages sixteen to sixty-five, through the Traumatic Brain lnjury Waiver Program (TBIW). This community-based program provides the level of behavioral services previously only available to institutionalized individuals. 2l identified primary caregivers were sent a questionnaire consisting of qualitative ond quantitative questions to assess their perceptions and understanding of the services provided. Discussion focuses on a comparison of the research findings in relation to existing literature. Implications for the social work practice include the need for ongoing education and community support for individuals with …