Social Work Commons^™

Calling Attention To Campus Trends: Let’S Talk About Wellness, Mandy Magalhaes, Rachel Cullity

The Graduate Review

Abstract

This article explores the emerging focus on self-care and wellness amongst college students. In this article, the authors highlight the cultural shift from the “grind culture,” the complete and exhaustive dedication towards one’s work, to a focus on individual and community well being and how educational institutions are responding to students’ needs (Absher, 2020). Bridgewater State University's current response to student wellness is discussed, with a focus on the School of Social Work’s research efforts, programs and services being implemented, from the voices of graduate students. Self-care and wellness is an emerging conversation occurring in many professions and educational …

On The Cover Artist’S Statement For Living Outside The Binary

The Graduate Review

No abstract provided.

Supporting Indigenous Women And Enhancing Cultural Humility And Competent Practice: An Ethnographic Approach

The Graduate Review

No abstract provided.

The Epidemic Of Missing And Murdered Indigenous Women And Girls (Mmiwg) In North America

The Graduate Review

No abstract provided.

Food Insecurity Among Those Living With Mental Illness In Massachusetts

The Graduate Review

No abstract provided.

Quality Of Life Among Transgender And Gender Non-Conforming

The Graduate Review

No abstract provided.

Safe Injection Sites: Existing Evidence And Implications For Massachusetts

The Graduate Review

No abstract provided.

Preterm Birth And Infant Mortality Among African American And Caucasian Women: A Critique Of The Systematic Devaluing Of African American Women And Infants, Catherine E. Cooper

The Graduate Review

Health disparities are a persistent reality for minority groups in the United States with serious, and sometimes lethal, consequences. The disparate rates of preterm births and infant mortality between African-American and Caucasian women is a well-documented but largely unaddressed occurrence falling into this category. The complex systems that contribute to the perpetuation of this health disparity are explored with particular attention to the intersection of race, culture and socioeconomic status. The influence of personal health beliefs and often-over-emphasized role of behavior are also investigated in an effort to examine why there has been an inadequate response to this problem in …

Determinants Of Health Disparities Among African And Caucasian Americans With Chronic Kidney Disease, Renal Cell Carcinoma, And End-Stage Renal Disease, Kathleen Cosgrove

The Graduate Review

Many studies have confirmed the disparity that black patients have an increased prevalence of severely impaired kidney function compared to whites. Without dialysis, or a kidney transplant, chronic kidney disease will progress to a fatal prognosis of end-stage kidney failure. The most common type of kidney cancer, renal cell carcinoma, occurs most often in adult males, age 50-70. Diabetes and hypertension are two of the most determinant factors of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the United States, which most often develops following a chronic kidney disease (CKD) diagnosis. The poor are most susceptible to disease due to high risk community …

Disparities In U.S. Elementary And Secondary Public Education, Myhanh D. Barrette

The Graduate Review

Educational disparities in America’s elementary and secondary public education are illustrated by official statistics on school readiness in young children, per pupil expenditures, high school graduation rates, standardized test scores, advanced courses enrollment, high school dropout rates, school disciplinary actions, and college entrance and completion rates. The astounding disproportionate difference in achievement (or lack thereof) between Black and minority students compared to their White counterparts raises alarming concerns regarding two important aspects of public education: equal access and equal quality. This paper attempts to understand our society’s view of education throughout the nation’s history in order to analyze important public …

Harmful Or Helpful? Direct To Consumer Advertising, Sally A. Kiss

The Graduate Review

Policy change in 1997 by the Food and Drug Administration made the United States only one of two countries to allow direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA). DTCA refers to the promotion of prescription medications through media directly to consumers as opposed to distribution of information only medical professionals. Supporters argue that DTCA educates consumers and helps them to make more informed decisions about their health care. On the other side, opponents argue that it leads to otherwise healthy people believing they are sick, thereby increasing profits for pharmaceutical companies. After reviewing the history of DTCA and literature demonstrating the pros and cons …

Treatment Of Women Veterans With Ptsd, Julie Boucher

Undergraduate Review

This study addresses the question, what is the most effective treatment method for female veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)? Female veterans experience unique difficulties when dealing with symptoms of PTSD that their male counterparts do not. Some of the causes of their PTSD are different as well. Evidence suggests that treatment programs should be developed in a manner that tailors to gender-specific needs. This research consisted of a thorough review of the literature, including peer- reviewed articles.

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the top …

Lgbt Homeless Youth In Boston Ma: Experiences Regarding Resources And Potential Barriers, Brittney Connery

Undergraduate Review

LGBT youth are at an escalated risk of leaving home, mental health concerns, victimization, substance abuse, and risky sexual behavior. However, research shows a lack of LGBT-specific resources. This raises concern as LGBT youth comprise 20 to 40 percent of homeless youth – disproportionate to the general youth population which is only 10 percent LGBT. The purpose of this research was to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of LGBT homeless youth in Boston, Massachusetts regarding their use of resources and any potential barriers they may face. Furthermore, this study examined whether or not current resources are safe, welcoming …

The Experiences Of Transgender Students In Massachusetts’ Colleges And Universities, Kayla Spagna

Undergraduate Review

This research examines the experiences of transgender students attending four-year colleges or universities in Massachusetts. I pursued a series of qualitative interviews to gain a deeper understanding of the resources available to transgender students and to identify potential barriers to full integration on college campuses. Ten transgender students were interviewed; all were between the ages of 18 and 24 years. Data were coded using grounded theory and a constant comparative approach. Themes include: awareness, safety, college and university policies, and support by trans-inclusion through programs and policies. These findings highlight the importance of transgender-specific information and broader education for both …

Ex-Prisoners’ Perceptions Of The Availability And Effects Of Programs And Services In Correctional Settings, Jenna Houston

Undergraduate Review

The U.S. system of retributive justice drives punitive measures, rather than interventions that could reduce recidivism. If prisoners’ needs are not met while serving time within the penal system, their chances of re-offending are greater (Baillargeon, 2010). The purpose of this study was to gather information about correctional programming from male ex-prisoners who have been involved in community re-entry services at Span Inc. in Boston, MA. Furthermore, this study also examines whether or not the programming contributed to positive coping skills during their incarceration as well as adaptation upon reentering the community. Data were collected during ten interviews, using a …

Child Maltreatment Fatalities: A Report From The 2010-11 Bridgewater Presidential Fellow, Emily Douglas

Bridgewater Review

No abstract provided.

Gender Differences And Perspectives On Elderly Care In China, Stefanie Carreiro

Undergraduate Review

China not only has the largest population in the world but also the fastest population aging rate. The one-child policy was created in 1979 as a means to control the dramatic growth in China’s population (Hesketh, Lu & Xing, 2005). The first generation of children born into the one-child policy is coming to the age where they will need to consider how they are going to care for their parents. Often these individuals have the challenge of caring for four grandparents, a child as well as themselves and a husband or wife, otherwise known as the 4:2:1 phenomenon (Hasketh et …

Globalization And Its Effects On Chinese College Students’ Perspectives On Elderly Care, Juliann Manning

Undergraduate Review

In China, the need to care for the elderly population is increasing dramatically. China’s baby boomer generation is now aging, and in great need of assistance. As a result of China’s economic reform in the 1990’s, the country has undergone a rapid process of globalization that is now changing our world. Increased geographic mobility, longevity, the one-child policy, increased job opportunities, and the change of social roles in China are all factors that have resulted in decreased availability for adult children to take care of their aging parents. Attitudes and perspectives on elderly care have developed and varied as the …

Overcoming Educational Disadvantage: Shelter Initiatives For Homeless Children, Diana Demont

Undergraduate Review

This project addresses the challenges confronting children living in Massachusetts homeless shelters, with particular attention to these youths’ education as well as the services that family shelters provide to support their academic achievement. With 1.35 million homeless children living in the United States each year (“How Many People Experience Homelessness?”, 2009), it is imperative that this population receives a quality education. Homelessness can result in academic disadvantage for many children, who benefit from a strong collaboration between the school system and a well-equipped shelter to meet their unique educational needs. This qualitative study involved interviews with ten shelter employees across …

Older Immigrants In The United States: The New Old Face Of Immigration, Jing Tan

Bridgewater Review

No abstract provided.

Exploring Recovery Experiences Of Women In Alcoholics Anonymous, Linda Myllmaki

Undergraduate Review

Twelve step recovery programs are prevalent in the United States, however, there is relatively little empirical evidence regarding the effectiveness of these programs for female alcoholics or addicts. How women experience the process of recovery within the twelve-step model is critical to our overall understanding of the recovery process. This article reports the results of an exploratory qualitative study of women in Alcoholics Anonymous. Through the use of semi-structured interviews, nine women were asked to discuss their personal experiences of recovery in the AA program. Grounded theory methodology was utilized to analyze the data. Reasons for joining AA, meeting attendance, …

Geriatric Competency, Training, And Services: Surveying A Local Aging Access Point, Toni Aiduk

Undergraduate Review

By the year 2030, 61 million baby boomers will be between the ages of 66 and 84. Add to that cohort the nine million “oldest old,” or those born before 1946, and significant numbers of 70 million individuals will need access to aging related services. Researchers and policy makers predict huge shortfalls in services and resources for the elderly, and document - that even now – there are too few social workers in the geriatric field. Many of those currently in the field lack professional geriatric training and may not be adequately prepared to help aging clients. However, these studies …

Siblings Of Children With Autism: An Exploratory Study Of Sibling Concerns And Coping Strategies, Mary Canha

Undergraduate Review

Autism (sometimes called “classical autism”) is the most common condition in a group of developmental disorders known as the autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and is characterized by impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and unusual, repetitive, or severely limited activities and interests (NINDS, NIH, 2009). Other ASDs include Asperger Syndrome, Rett Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder not otherwise specified (usually referred to as PDD-NOS). Experts estimate that three to six children out of every 1,000 will have autism. Males are four times more likely to have autism than females. (NINDS, NIH, 2009)

The rise …

Corporal Punishment And The Case For Policy Action, Emily M. Douglas

Bridgewater Review

No abstract provided.

Eye-Movement Desensitization And Reprocessing: Implementation And Utilization Of Emdr As A Treatment For Trauma, Kelly Medeiros

Undergraduate Review

Trauma is a pervasive global issue that affects both children and adults. It is officially defined in the most recent Diagnostic Manual as an event that threatens death or serious injury, and that elicits a response of fear, helplessness, or horror (American Psychiatric Association, 2002). Other respected definitions include a “sudden, unexpected, overwhelmingly intense emotional blow....[that] quickly becomes incorporated into the mind” (Terr, 1992, p. 8), and something that makes “both internal and external resources...inadequate to cope with external threat” (Van der Kolk, 1989, p. 393). Literature suggests that people who have experienced trauma may present with symptoms including depression, …

Grandparents Who Care For Their Grandchildren, Alzira Murphy

Undergraduate Review

No abstract provided.

Life Before Legal Status: The Experiences Of Undocumented Immigrants, Latoya Staine Carriker

Undergraduate Review

No abstract provided.

Counseling And Katrina: The Challenges Of Practice In The Aftermath Of The Hurricane, William C. Levin, Louise Graham, Maxine Rawlins, Michael Kocet

Bridgewater Review

No abstract provided.