Social Work Commons^™

Personal Conservatorship Services For The Elderly: A Needs Assessment With Program, Linda Keintz Hickman

Theses and Graduate Projects

Elderly persons who have difficulty making and carrying out decisions because of decreased decision-making capacities are at risk of decreased physical and emotional well-being. Because the number and proportion of elderly persons in the United States is growing, there is increasing concern regarding the rights to autonomy and the need for protection for this population. Personal conservatorship services are a form of surrogate decision-making in which a person is legally appointed to make decisions for another. After review of current literature, this research examines the nature and extent of personal conservatorship services for the elderly in two Minnesota counties. Findings …

Elementary School Teaching Staffs' Responses To Children Who Act Out Disruptive, Defiant Or Aggressive Behaviors, Bonnie Beckel

Theses and Graduate Projects

A written survey of teachers and educational assistants in the Minneapolis Public Schools explored teaching staffs' awareness of their own emotional and behavioral responses to children with acting out behaviors and how such responses impact their effectiveness at helping children resolve their acting out behavior problems. The major findings of the study were: 1) the 18 teacher staff respondents were aware of experiencing a broad range of emotional and behavioral reactions to children with acting out behaviors and 2) most reported that they were working to modify an individually unique aspect of how their emotional responses interfered with their effectiveness …

Training, Guidelines, And Use Of Anatomically Correct Dolls In The Investigation And Assessment Of Children Who May Have Been Sexually Abused, Evelyn Jean Rondeau Thompson

Theses and Graduate Projects

In the past ten to fifteen years the general knowledge about sexual abuse and the number of persons abused has greatly increased. Many of the victims are young children who may have difficulty verbalizing the incident. As a result, various tool have been developed. One of these is anatomically correct dolls.

The purpose of this research was to explore the use of anatomically correct dolls by child protection workers, law enforcement offices, and psychologists who work with sexually abused children. They were asked if they used the dolls, features of the dolls, training they had, and guidelines that were available …

A Policy Analysis Of The Continuing Education For Pregnant And Parenting Students Of The Minneapolis Public Schools, Cheryl Rose Zurek

Theses and Graduate Projects

Nationwide, pregnant and parenting adolescents are at tremendous medical, social, economic, and educational risk. Pregnancy is the greatest single reason why girls drop out of school. Unemployment and welfare dependency are high for adolescent mothers. Current law mandates that Minnesota schools cooperate with human service agencies in the education planning process and with the needs of pregnant and parenting students.

This research study is an analysis of the Minneapolis Public Schools adolescent pregnant and parenting policy in regards to continuing education. The analysis includes history of the problem, definitions of the issue, underlying values, strengths and limitations of the policy, …

Spirituality In Social Work Practice, Barbara J. Schmidt

Theses and Graduate Projects

Spirituality is an integral part of human experience. Personal belief systems impact the client as well as the professional social worker. Literature in the last 10 years reflects the growing interest in the influence of spirituality in people's lives both personally and professionally. Some people are searching for, and others have found, a set of beliefs that give them hope, strength, and guidance.

Social workers actively seek ways to understand and accept diversity with regard to a variety of human conditions. Spirituality remains a frontier to be explored as a means to further understand cultures as well as individuals.

This …

Cambodian Refugee Experience History Of Genocide Implications For Social Workers, Mark Cavanaugh

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study is to provide social workers and other human service professionals with an understanding of the Cambodian refugee experience. Understanding the history of the Genocide and the horrific impact it has had upon the Khmer is an important dynamic in understanding the Khmer experience.Cambodian civilians who survived the Pol Pot and Khmer Rouge regime experienced massive trauma. As a result, Khmer refugees in the United States face a special challenge in the areas of social and psychological adjustment.This research examines the historical and political events which led to the communist take over of Cambodia. It also …

Poor You Will Have With You Always, Beryl Hugen

Pro Rege

No abstract provided.

Bringing Violence Out Of The Closet: An Exploration Of Domestic Violence In Gay And Bisexual Male Intimate Relationships, Anthony D. Weeks

Theses and Graduate Projects

This thesis explores the type and frequency of domestic violence among gay and bisexual men. The thesis also addresses the willingness of gay and bisexual men to seek intervention services for domestic violence-related issues. Respondents to the written, self-report survey questionnaire were clients at a gay-affirmative chemical dependency treatment center and a community-based mental health/social service agency in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Research findings indicated that most respondents had experienced some form of abuse from an intimate partner. Fewer, but still a considerable number, of respondents had been abusive to an intimate partner at least once. Although the sample …

Lesbian Battering: An Exploratory Study, Raquel Volaco Simoes

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this research study was to examine the incidence of same-sex female battering. An overview of the existing material on lesbian abusive relationships confirmed the need to further validate and clarify this problem. The Conflict Tactics Scales, Couple Form R, was used to gather data. Fifty percent of the sample reported having perpetuated or experienced physical abuse in current or past relationships. Due to the sample size, the results from this study may not be generalized to the larger lesbian/bisexual community.

Adolescents' Perceptions Of Long-Term Hospitalization And Post-Hospitalization Experience, Mary J. Kacvinsky

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study was to provide a description of adolescents' perceptions of their long-term hospitalization and post-hospitalization experience. The study sample included ten previously hospitalized adolescents (aged 13-18) who had been hospitalized long-term (6+ weeks) at Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, Twin Cities Unit, a pediatric orthopedic hospital. They were interviewed by telephone to get their perceptions of past hospital experiences. Study findings indicate that adolescent patients become very knowledgeable about life in the hospital and what is allowed and expected of them. Findings are consistent with the review of the literature which indicated that, giving up independence …

Socio-Economic And Political Implications Of The Termination Of General Assistance Benefits For Undocumented Victims Of Torture In Minnesota, Evelyn C. Lennon

Theses and Graduate Projects

The Minnesota State Legislature amended the General Assistance benefits statutes, effective October 1, 1993, to exclude undocumented persons. This research project attempts to define the socio-economic and political issues as they impact victims of political torture who reside in Minnesota without legal status. The history of public assistance, its underlying social problem, and its judicial context reveals the controversy over entitlements versus rights. Social program and policy systems analysis highlights the linkage between the goals and objectives of the legislation and the message that is inherent in the delivery of services. An examination of the files of four clients of …

A Short-Term Group Model For Female Survivors Of Childhood Sexual Abuse, Linda M. Pavic

Theses and Graduate Projects

The current changes in the health care system require mental health professionals to provide short-term, cost-effective services that are accessible to a broader population. Chrysalis Mental Health Clinic is meeting this challenge. The clinic has designed and implemented a short-term psycho educational group model for female survivors of childhood sexual abuse. This thesis is an evaluation of the group model's effectiveness from the members' perspective. The evaluation examines the following three research questions: 1) From the group members' perspective, how helpful is the psycho educational approach of the short-term group model at Chrysalis Mental Health Clinic?; 2) Was a feeling …

Services For Homeless Youth: A Needs Assessment And Program Design, Noya J. Woodrich

Theses and Graduate Projects

Homelessness among youth is a problem that is growing in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area. The purpose of this study was to examine the services currently available for this population and to assess whether or not they are sufficient enough to serve the population of young homeless adults. Research for the study was done by looking at existing records such as studies done by the Minnesota Department of Education, and the Minnesota Department of Education. A local study done by the Wilder Research Center on homeless youth and a program evaluation done by the Bridge Inc., was also used to …

Case Evaluation Of The Student Leader Program At Tanglen Elementary School, Renee E. Ward

Theses and Graduate Projects

It is apparent that the educational system is very influential upon children's learning abilities. Therefore, schools may be a key place to teach problem-solving skills at an elementary level. These skills wilt be needed to confront societal conflicts that await them as adolescents and adults. This thesis identifies a student leader program in an elementary school that trains sixth grade students to become leaders and mediate conflicts with kindergarten through fourth grade students. The evaluation of this program finds that student leaders successfully attain leadership roles as peer mediators, and also role model problem-solving skills as well as positive behavior …

The Evaluation Of Organizational Structure In The Rape Crisis Movement In Minnesota From 1970-1990, Cheryl A. Champion

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study documents the changes in the organizational structure of the rape crisis centers (RCC) in Minnesota. It compares the organizational types of similar alternative agencies with those organizational types that emerged in RCC. It considers a framework that predicts at what period in the natural history of a social movement changes in organizational structure and personnel occur. It determines how the evolution of RCC reflects this framework. Finally, it assesses the relationship between feminist ideology and organizational functioning. Several findings emerge from this study. Over time, RCC evolved from grassroot collectives into programs of the Minnesota Department of Corrections. …

An Examination Of The Ecosystems Perspective In Consideration Of New Theories In Biology And Thermodynamics, Barney Mcdowell

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Eco-systems perspective and its predecessor, systems theory, have been put forth as the guiding methodological framework for social work. In fact, operationally and theoretically most of these formulations are mechanistic and dualistic. Social work systems theory claims ecology, thermodynamics, and biology as its historical roots. It is, therefore, incumbent on the profession to examine the fundamentals of those disciplines. This paper examines social work's eco-systemic formulations in light of new hypotheses in biology and thermodynamics as well as the ecological crisis of our times. Professionalism will then be discussed as the operational demonstration of social work's mechanistic philosophy.

Changes In Labor Force Activities And Income Of The Elderly Before And After Retirement: A Longitudinal Analysis, Namkee G. Choi

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This paper analyzes the changes in work hours and the economic profile of the elderly for a period of 11 years before and after retirement. Workers of all economic status decreased their work hours gradually as retirement approached. But findings show that, as they decreased their work hours, workers with higher preretirement economic status experienced more drastic reduction in income than those with lower economic status. Nevertheless, the preretirement income gap was maintained in postretirment economic status mostly due to differences in asset income and pension benefits. Policies to assist low-income retirees are recommended.

A View From The Inside Out: Recipients' Perceptions Of Welfare, Mark R. Rank

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Welfare use is a highly stigmatized behavior in American society. The word itself conjures up various images of disdain in the minds of most Americans. Yet how do the recipients of welfare discern and react to being on public assistance? The focus of this paper is on understanding the manner in which recipients view their own situation, how they perceive the general public's attitudes toward themselves, and their views on fellow welfare recipients. Also examined are how such attitudes influence recipients' behavior towards welfare. These perceptions and behaviors are explored in detail through the use of in-depth, open-ended qualitative interviews …

Social Work, Social Science And The Disease Concept: New Directions For Addiction Treatment, Douglas Frans

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The perception of alcoholism and other substance abuse disorders as disease entities is a view ardently defended not only among chemical dependency professionals but, increasingly, by the general public as well. Over the past two decades, this perspective has also become so ensconced within the addiction treatment industry that alternative interventions are almost nonexistent even though evidence of their effectiveness is available (Miller & Hester, 1989). And yet, "no leading research authorities accept the classic disease concept" (Fingarette, 1988, p. 3). Competing views are generally characterized as irresponsible, and their sponsors summarily dismissed as dangerously uninformed by disease view proponents …

Client-Driven Advocacy And Psychiatric Disability: A Model For Social Work Practice, David P. Moxley, Paul P. Freddolino

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This paper presents an innovative advocacy model designed to assist people coping with psychiatric disabilities to fulfill their basic living needs. The model emphasizes the importance of clients defining their own needs for advocacy and then, with the support and assistance of an advocate, taking direct action to fulfill these needs. The model is elaborated in terms of its basic attributes, the interlocking roles of both clients and advocates, the importance of the advocacy relationship, and seven core processes of advocacy. The authors conclude with a discussion of possible effects of introducing the model into social work practice in mental …

Review Of Out Of Bedlam: The Truth About Deinstitutionalization. Ann Braden Johnson. Reviewed By Kia J. Bentley, Virginia Commonwealth University, Kia J. Bentley

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book Review. Ann Braden Johnson. Out of Bedlam: The Truth about Deinstitutionalization. New York: Basic Books, 1990. $13.00 paperback.

Review Of Vision And Aging: Crossroads For Service Delivery. Albert L. Orr. Reviewed By James A. Leja, Western Michigan University., James A. Leja

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Orr, Alberta L., Vision and Aging: Crossroads for Service Delivery. New York: American Foundation for the Blind. 1992. $29.95 papercover.

Review Of Families And Schools In A Pluralistic Society. Nancy Feyl Chavkin. Reviewed By Steven R. Rose, Louisiana State University., Steven R. Rose

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Nancy Feyl Chavkin (Ed). Families and Schools in a Pluralistic Society. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press, 1993. $59.50 hardcover; $19.95 papercover.

Disabling Barriers: Enabling Environments. John Swain, Vic Finkelstein, Sally French And Mike Oliver.

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

John Swain, Vic Finkelstein, Sally French and Mike Oliver (Eds). Disabling Barriers: Enabling Environments. London: Sage Publications, 1993. $22.95 papercover.

International And Transracial Adoptions. Christopher Bagley With Loretta Young And Anne Scully.

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Christopher Bagley with Loretta Young and Anne Scully. International and Transracial Adoptions. Aldershot, England: Avebury, 1993. $66.95 hardcover. (Distributed in the United States by Ashgate Publishing Co. Brookfield, VT).

A Nation In Denial: The Truth About Homelessness. Alice S. Baum And Donald W. Burnes.

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Alice S. Baum and Donald W. Burnes, A Nation in Denial: The Truth About Homelessness. Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 1993. $49.95 hardcover; $16.95 papercover.

Child Abuse: Towards A Knowledge Base. Brian Corby.

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Brian Corby. Child Abuse: Towards a Knowledge Base. Buckingham, England: Open University Press, 1993. $32.50 papercover. (Distributed in the United States by Taylor and Francis, 1900 Frost Road, Bristol, PA 19007).

Leaving Home Before Marriage: Ethnicity, Familism And Generational Relationships. Francis K. Goldscheider And Calvin Goldscheider.

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Frances K. Goldscheider and Calvin Goldscheider. Leaving Home Before Marriage: Ethnicity, Familism and Generational Relationships. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Press, 1993. $27.50 hardcover.

The Politics Of Readjustment: Vietnam Veterans Since The War. Wilbur J. Scott.

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Wilbur J. Scott. The Politics of Readjustment: Vietnam Veterans Since the War. Hawthorne, NY: Aldine de Gruyter, 1993. $47.95 hardcover, $23.95 papercover.

Journal Of Sociology & Social Welfare Vol. 21, No. 2 (June 1994)

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• CHANGES IN LABOR FORCE ACTIVITES AND INCOME OF THE ELDERLY BEFORE AND AFTER RETIREMENT: A LONGITUDINAL ANALYSIS - Namkee G. Choi
• A VIEW FROM THE INSIDE OUT: RECIPIENTS' PERCEPTIONS OF WELFARE - Mark R. Rank
• AN EXAMINATION OF ECOSYSTEMS PERSPECTIVE IN CONSIDERATION OF NEW THEORIES IN BIOLOGY AND THERMODYNAMICS - Barney McDowell
• SOCIAL WORK, SOCIAL SCIENCE AND THE DISEASE MODEL: NEW DIRECTIONS FOR ADDICTIONS TREATMENT - Douglas Frans
• CLIENT-DRIVEN ADVOCACY AND PSYCHIATRIC DISABILITY: A MODEL FOR SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE - David P. Moxley and Paula P. Freddolino
• A MARXIAN REVIEW OF GERONTOLOGICAL LITERATURE - Stephen M. Marson …