Social Work Commons^™

Stepparents: Social Support Systems And Factors That Contribute To Role Fulfillment, Lydia Guerrero, Sonia Marlene Valadez

Theses Digitization Project

Forty-five stepparents responded to four scales: Perceived Social Support Friend Scale, Perceived Social Support Family Scale, Kansas Family Life Satisfaction Scale and the Kansas Parental Satisfaction Scale. The study found a significant positive correlation between family and friend support and stepparents' role fulfillment.

Levels Of Social Intimacy Among Women In Substance Abuse Treatment, Jean Emiko Ishihara

Theses Digitization Project

This study found that women in substance abuse treatment have higher levels of social intimacy than women with no history of substance abuse (treatment). Other factors examined in relation to level of intimacy were: type and number of substances used, length of use, length of treatment, participation in mental health treatment, substance abuse in the home when the subject was a child, and a history of the subject being a survivor of abuse.

Operation Iraqi Freedom And Mental Health Of Vietnam Veterans, Janice Lynn Moody, Ron Robinson

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to provide a clear conceptualization of how Vietnam veterans who have previously been diagnosed with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) respond and cope with the emotional and psychological effects presented by the present war in Iraq.

The Impact Of Race And Ethnic Identity On Adolescents' Use Of Coping Skills, Victoria Estelle Keyser

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to compare the differences in the utilization of coping mechanisms of minority and White adolescents. By measuring the coping skills in adolescents, it sought to identify which strategies are most frequently used within the construct of race.

Adolescent Participation In Pregnancy Prevention Interventions, Brooke Marie Prince-Slocum

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of the study is to identify what types of pregnancy interventions in which adolescent females in San Bernardino have participated.

Social Support And Mental Health Outcomes In Battered Women, Alicia Kay Vallellanes, Kelley Ferris

Theses Digitization Project

This study examined the relationship between perceived social support and negative mental health outcomes in battered women. Correlations between perceived social support and depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder were analyzed. Perceived social support, particularly from family members, was found to be significantly related to mental health outcomes. Results indicate that agencies that work with battered women should include social support in the assessment and intervention processes. The study utilized a quantitative survey design with a sample of 120 battered women from four domestic violence agencies throughout Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Quantitative data analysis procedures, such as multivariate analysis …

Cache County Recycling And Greenwasteservice Study: Phase I Report, Douglas B. Jackson-Smith, J. Ericksen

Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology Faculty Publications

This report summarizes the results of a survey project examining the attitudes and behaviors of Cache County residents regarding recycling and greenwaste disposal programs. The surveys were conducted by Utah State University on behalf of the City of Logan and the Cache County Service District No. 1 in the summer and fall of 2004. The purposes of the overall project were to gain a better understanding of the recycling behaviors of county residents, with particular focus on their views towards current recycling programs and feedback on the design of possible new county recycling efforts. In addition, we sought to evaluate …

Military Communities: Families At Risk, Marlena Sue Mccormic, Kristine Diane Brown

Theses Digitization Project

This project examined whether there is a change in the rates of child abuse reported in communities with active military installations, specifically Fort Irwin in Barstow and Marine Corp Air Ground Command Center in the Morongo Valley, in comparison to a comparable non-military communities, during times of military conflict from October 2000 through October 2004.

Factors In Older Adult's Resistance To Substance Abuse Treatment For Prescription And Over-The-Counter-Medication, Charles Henry Eugene Maingot

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that cause resistance in older adults to participation substance abuse (prescription drugs) treatment programs.

The Utilization Of Parent-Child Visitations For Reunification And Stability Among Children And Families, Susanne Allison Jimenez, Lori Hai Stooksbury

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to measure how effectively San Bernardino County, Department of Children's Services utilizes visitations for family reunification and stability.

The Needs Of Informal Grandparent Caregivers And How They Are Met At The Kinship Family Center, Emily Jane Osborne-Lewis, Shanta Lashawn Clardy

Theses Digitization Project

Seventeen grandparent caregivers, who have primary responsibility for one or more grandchildren and do not have a parent of the grandchildren living in the household, were interviewed to evaluate the effectiveness of the services offered by Kinship Family Center (KFC), a non-profit support agency for relative caregivers and the children in their care. Kinship Family Center is a program of the Central City Lutheran Mission and is funded by the San Bernardino County Department of Children's Services. The researchers found that KFC was an effective asset for informal grandparent caregivers. For grandparents, it was a source of support and comfort …

Social Support As An Influential Factor In Treatment-Seeking, Liana Christine Gonzalez

Theses Digitization Project

This study was conducted using a quantitative design and statistical analysis to determine the extent to which social support will influence an individual's decision to seek treatment for a medical illness. Main findings include significant correlations between measures of perceived and tangible social support and treatment compliance.

A Bi-County Examination Of Child Welfare Workers' Levels Of Compassion Fatigue And Coping Skills, Pamela Marie Keyes, Christina Leigh Smith

Theses Digitization Project

This study examined the relationship between child welfare workers' coping skills and their levels of empathy. The author developed instruments for measuring empathy and for measuring coping skills. Measures of the coping skills and empathy of child welfare workers in San Bernardino County and San Diego County were compared and found to be similar; the author hoped that this would demonstrate that the results can be generalized. The hypothesis that excellent coping skills diminish compassion fatigue and lead to increased empathy was supported.

Interracial Couples Therapy: Social Work Students' Knowledge And Attitudes, Lena Marie Damper

Theses Digitization Project

Currently there is a lack of studies that examine cultural competence, especially interracial marriages. This study seeks answers from social work graduate students to find out their attitudes and knowledge towards interracial marriage. It is hoped that these students become more aware of culturally competent practices in order to strengthen the social work profession.

Are Gutter Punk Youth Satisfied With Homeless Services In Berkeley, California?, Eleanor Rachel Sommers

Theses Digitization Project

The present study assessed the satisfaction with homeless services and needs of gutter punk youth in Berkeley, California. The purpose of the study was to explore the ways in which a marginalized population with radical social and political beliefs functions in a liberal social welfare system.

The Experience Of Urban Aboriginals With Health Care Services In Canada, Ron Levin, Margot Herbert

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

This exploratory study investigates the experience of Cana- dian Urban Aboriginal persons as consumers of health care services. Re- sults highlight significant gaps in the training, skills, and knowledge of health care providers to optimally serve their Aboriginal patients. Also, sev- eral programs which are potentially most problematic for Aboriginal pa- tients are identified. The discussion outlines important roles for hospital social workers in improving the care provided to urban Aboriginal patients.

A Structural Equation Modeling Analysis Of The Effect Of Religion On Adolescent Delinquency, Jeongah Kim

Faculty Publications - College of Social Work

No abstract provided.

Criminal Prosecution And Civil Remedies For Victims Of Sexual Offenses: Amendment Of The Rape Shield Law, Carol E. Jordan, Elizabeth S. Hughes, Mary Jo Gleason

Office for Policy Studies on Violence Against Women Publications

In 2003, the Kentucky Supreme Court adopted the amended KRS 412, effectively making the language of KRE 412 consistent with the analogous Federal Rule of Evidence 412. Now, as in federal court, the provisions of the Rape Shield Law apply in both criminal and civil cases to govern when and how evidence of a victim's alleged sexual behavior or sexual predisposition may be introduced. The article describes the intent of the original Rape Shield Law and the implications of its amended version in both civil and criminal cases.

Experiences Of Adults Abused As Children After Discharge From Inpatient Treatment: Informal Social Support And Self-Care Practices Related To Trauma Recovery, Carol A. Stalker, Kim Harper, Sally Palmer, Susan Gadbois

Lyle S. Hallman Social Work Faculty Publications

This qualitative study explored adults’ perceptions of experiences that were helpful and unhelpful to their recovery from the traumatic effects of childhood physical and sexual abuse. The authors conducted in-depth interviews with 30 participants approximately 6 months after discharge from an inpatient trauma treatment program. Participants reported that barriers to recovery postdischarge were lack of follow-up support immediately after discharge, social isolation, lack of friends, problems with partners, and lack of emotional support from family members. Facilitating factors were concrete support from family and friends; emotional support, particularly from friends; developing a social network unrelated to the abuse history; and …

Caregivers' Readiness For Change: Predictive Validity In A Child Welfare Sample, Julia H. Littell, Heather Girvin

Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research Faculty Research and Scholarship

Objective:

To assess the predictive validity of continuous measures of problem recognition (PR), intentions to change (ITC), and overall readiness for change (RFC) among primary caregivers who received in-home services following substantiated reports of child abuse or neglect.

Method:

A modified version of the University of Rhode Island Change Assessment scale was included in interviews with a sample of 353 primary caregivers at 4 weeks, 16 weeks, and 1 year after referral for in-home services. Additional data were obtained from administrative records and caseworker surveys. Hierarchical linear and nonlinear models were used to assess relationships between PR, ITC, RFC and …

The Challenge Of An Aging Population, Nicole Cauvin, Elaine B. Davis

Sociology Faculty Publications

In chapter seven of Public Policy in Connecticut, Nicole X. Cauvin and Elaine B. Davis discuss the policy challenges associated with an aging or "graying" state population. Demographic data clearly demonstrate that Connecticut's population, similar to the population of other states, is becoming older. The authors propose innovative public policies designed to accommodate the long-term health care and social service needs of the state's elderly.

Prevention Of Child Abuse And Neglect: An Evaluation Of A Home Visitation Parent Aide Program Using Recidivism Data, Jeanette Harder

Social Work Faculty Publications

Objective: The purpose of this research was to examine the secondary and tertiary prevention of child abuse and neglect through an evaluation of the Parent Aide program at the Child Abuse Prevention Center in Dallas, Texas. Method: Using a quasi-experimental, retrospective research design, this project compared abuse recidivism rates for those parents who completed, dropped out, or refused to participate in a home visitation child abuse prevention program. Results: Parents who completed the Parent Aide program had fewer subsequent, substantiated reports to Child Protective Services (CPS) of child abuse or neglect than those parents who refused to participate or dropped …

Comorbid Childhood Sexual Abuse And Substance Abuse Among Women: Knowledge, Training, And Preparedness Of Graduate Counselor Education And Social Work Students, Laurie Elizabeth Pennington

LSU Master's Theses

This descriptive-correlational study examined the knowledge, training and perceived preparedness of graduate social work and counselor education students in the area of comorbid childhood sexual abuse and substance abuse among women. Participants were 71 graduate social work and approximately 12 counselor education students scheduled to graduate in the spring semester of 2005. The study was analyzed using univariate and bivariate statistics. No significant differences emerged between graduate counselor education and social work students using independent-samples t-tests and a Fisher’s exact test on the measure of knowledge and training. Using a Mann Whitney U test, significant differences emerged between counselor education …

The Financial Feasibility Of Marriage For Women Receiving Tanf: An Analysis Of Six States, Sally Margaret Brocksen

Theses and Dissertations

This project employed a descriptive case study methodology guided by rational choice theory to examine the financial feasibility of marriage for low income women. By modeling the income and expenses of eight different low income family types in six states (Arizona, California, New York, Oklahoma, Virginia, and Wisconsin) this study illustrates the financial situation of various low income families. The family types under investigation include: a single parent family, a family receiving TANF, cohabiting couple with two wage earners, cohabiting couple with one wage earner, a married family with two wage earners, a married couple with one wage earner, a …

An Examination Of The Transitional Support Needs For Young People Leaving Detention, Kirsten Janke

Theses : Honours

A successful transition from detention to living in the community is a critical step in preventing young people from recidivism and entrenchment in criminal activity (Utting & Vennard, 2000). According to Outcare, an organisation that provides support services to offenders, ex-offenders and their families, there seems to be difficulty accommodating newly released young people in existing accommodation services: additionally, many of these young people are not able to access existing support services which contributes significantly to recidivist behaviour. The purpose of undertaking this qualitative study was to examine the transitional support needs for young people leaving detention. The investigation adopted …

Literature Review: Diagnostic Utility Of The Million Clinical Multiaxial Inventories In Various Settings : The Detection And Effect Of Faking Good ; Research Project : The Impact Of Faking-Good On The Mcmi-Iii : Implications For Child Custody Evaluations, Paul Lenny

Theses : Honours

Research surrounding the ability of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI; Millon, 1977, 198 7, 1994) to detect faking good was reviewed; along with the effect faking has on diagnostic accuracy. Limited research indicates moderate success of the MCMI validity indices (VI) at detecting faking good. Suggested improvements include developing a fake-good profile combining the personality scales and VI and developing new base rate adjustments with populations likely to fake good. Faking good reduces the overall diagnostic accuracy of the test but determining local base rates of faking to produce optimal cut-offs for the VI would improve diagnostic utility. Future …

Social Impact: Knowledge Monographs: The Question Of Questions: An Agenda For Social Work Practice Research, Enola K. Proctor, Frank Bruno

Social Impact Publication

No abstract provided.

Research Implications In The Prevention Of Child Abuse And Neglect, Jeanette Harder

Social Work Faculty Publications

Child abuse and neglect is a problem of vast proportions. Research on the effectiveness of child abuse and neglect prevention programs is critical for the provision of effective and efficient services. This paper provides a critical analysis of the research methodologies on child abuse and neglect prevention programs at the secondary and tertiary levels, as represented in the empirical literature. The paper begins by outlining the levels of prevention, and by describing child abuse and neglect prevention programs, as published in the empirical literature. This paper then goes on to describe and analyze the research conducted on these programs, to …

Midwest Evaluation Of The Adult Functioning Of Former Foster Youth: Outcomes At Age 19, Mark E. Courtney, Amy Lynn Dworsky, Gretchen Ruth, Thomas E. Keller, Judy Havlicek, Noel S. Bost

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

The Midwest Evaluation of the Adult Functioning of Former Foster Youth (Midwest Study) is a longitudinal study that has been following a sample of young people from Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois as they transition out of foster care into adulthood. It is a collaborative effort involving Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago; the University of Wisconsin Survey Center; and the public child welfare agencies in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin. This report concentrates on the outcomes of 19 year old youth as they "age out" of the child welfare system and transition to adulthood.

Participation In The Paid Labor Force By Caregivers Of Children With Emotional And Behavioral Disorders, Eileen M. Brennan, Ana Maria Brannan

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

We explored the relationship between school-age children's emotional and behavioral symptoms and workforce participation of their family caregivers using structural equation modeling. Secondary analysis of data from the national evaluation of the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and Their Families Program was performed with a subsample of 2,585 caregivers. Findings from structural equation modeling indicated that higher levels of internalizing and externalizing symptoms were significant predictors of more frequent school absences, less adequate childcare, and greater caregiver strain related to missing work. In turn, more adequate childcare and greater caregiver strain from missed work were associated with lower …