Social Work Commons^™

Financial Knowledge Of The Low-Income Population: Effects Of A Financial Education Program, Min Zhan, Steven G. Anderson, Jeff Scott

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This study examines the effects of one large financial management training program for low-income people. The data are from tests of pre- and posttraining financial knowledge of 163 participants. The test was designed to measure basic knowledge of participants in five content areas: predatory lending practices, public and work-related benefits, banking practices, savings and investing strategies, and credit use and interest rates.

The findings demonstrate that substantial pre-training knowledge deficiencies existed on basic financial management issues, especially on public and work-related benefits and savings and investing. Results also indicate that the program was effective in improving the financial knowledge of …

Journal Of Sociology & Social Welfare Vol. 33, No. 1 (March 2006)

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• SPECIAL ISSUE ON COPING WITH POVERTY THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT: A STUDY OF ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS VS. NON-PARTICIPANTS - Richard K. Caputo
• WHEN POLICY MEETS PRACTICE: THE UNTESTED EFFECTS OF WELFARE REFORM - Amy D'Andrade and Jill Duerr Berrick
• FINANCIAL KNOWLEDGE OF THE LOW-INCOME POPULATION: EFFECTS OF A FINANCIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM - Min Zhan, Steven G. Anderson, and Jeff Scott
• PATIENT INSURANCE STATUS AND DO-NOTRESUSCITATE ORDERS: SURVIVAL OF THE RICHEST? - Gigi Nordquist
• THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACT OF SANCTIONS AND TIME LIMITS ON RECIPIENTS OF TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE TO NEEDY FAMILIES - Taryn Lindhorst and Ronald J. …

The Severely-Distressed African American Family In The Crack Era: Empowerment Is Not Enough, Eloise Dunlap, Andrew Golub, Bruce D. Johnson

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Numerous African American families have struggled for generations with persistent poverty, especially in the inner city. These conditions were further strained during the 1980s and 1990s by the widespread use of crack cocaine. For many, crack use became an obsession, dominated their lives, and superseded family responsibilities. This behavior placed additional pressure on already stressed kin support networks. This paper explores the processes prevailing in two households during this period. In the 2000s, children born to members of the Crack Generation are avoiding use of crack but face major deficits from their difficult childhoods. This presents both challenges and opportunities. …

The Effect Of Parental Work History And Public Assistance Use On The Transition To Adulthood, Stephanie Cosner Berzin, Allison C. De Marco, Terry V. Shaw, George J. Unick, Sean R. Hogan

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

No abstract provided.

From "Poor" To "Not Poor": Improved Understandings And The Advantage Of The Qualitative Approach, Eleanor Wint, Christine Frank

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Re-analysis of qualitative data generated in six Country Poverty Assessments in the Caribbean, suggests that traditional ways of seeing the poor might well lead to unfair categorisation of a people who are unwilling to be seen as living in poverty. Use of qualitative data software was able to bring out new understandings of the conceptual difference between being poor and living in poverty. Wint and Frank suggest that this is a distinction which those responsible for designing and implementing poverty intervention strategies would be wise to bear in mind as it would allow for creative and timely use of community-based …

Citizen Participation In Neighborhood Organizations In Poor Communities And Its Relationship To Neighborhood And Organizational Collective Efficacy, Mary Ohmer, Elizabeth Beck

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Collective efficacy describes residents' perceptions regarding their ability to work with their neighbors to intervene in neighborhood issues to maintain social control and solve problems. This study examines whether citizen participation in neighborhood organizations located in poor communities is related to neighborhood and organizational collective efficacy among residents. The results indicate that the more residents participated in their neighborhood organization, the greater their level of organizational collective efficacy, but not neighborhood collective efficacy. The results of the current study will help support social workers and other community practitioners understand how to effectively facilitate citizen participation in ways that enhance collective …

The Sequential Costs Of Poverty: What Traditional Measures Overlook, Elizabeth A. Segal, Laura R. Peck

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This research note proposes an addition to the poverty measurement debate. Motivated by dissatisfaction with the official poverty measure, which many scholars and practitioners share, we propose the use of sequential costs of poverty to enrich the poverty measure so that it might capture more closely the life-experiences of low-income families. After presenting some background on poverty measurement, this research note explores the conceptual framework that surrounds the notion of sequential costs. Drawing on our past research, we propose ways in which these sequential costs surface, with illustrative examples from health, employment, housing, and income maintenance.

Review Of Home Ownership And Social Inequality In Comparative Perspective. Karen Kurtz And Hans-Peter Blossfeld (Eds.). Reviewed By James Lee., James Lee

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Karin Kurtz and Hans-Peter Blossfeld (Eds), Home Ownership and Social Inequality in Comparative Perspective. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press, 2004. $70.00 hardcover.

Review Of The Politics Of Multiracialism: Challenging Racial Thinking. Heather M. Dalmage (Ed.). Reviewed By Wilma Peebles-Wilkins., Wilma Peebles-Wilkins

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book review of Heather M. Dalmage (Ed.), The Politics of Multiracialism: Challenging Racial Thinking. Albany, NY.: State University of New York Press, 2004. $65.50 hardcover, $21.95 papercover.

Review Of Healing From The Trauma Of Childhood Sexual Abuse: The Journey For Women. Karen A. Duncan. Reviewed By Carol T. Tully., Carol T. Tully

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book review of Karen A. Duncan, Healing from the Trauma of Childhood Sexual Abuse The Journey for Women. Westport, CT: Praegar 2004, $39.95 hardcover

Social Policy For Development. Anthony Hall And James Midgley., Joon-Yong Jo

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book note for Anthony Hall and James Midgley, Social Policy for Development. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 2004. $110.00 hardcover, $42.95 papercover.

Concepts And Strategies For Combating Social Exclusion: An Overview. Jordi Estivill.

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book note for Jordi Estivill, Concepts and Strategies for Combating Social Exclusion: An Overview. Geneva: International Labour Office, 2004. $11.95 papercover.

The Correlation Between Social Support, Socioeconomic Status And Psychological Well-Being Among Hispanic Adolescent Females, Xochitl Margarita Alvarez, Marcela Mercado

Theses Digitization Project

The specific purpose of this study was to explore the correlation between social support, socioeconomic status and psychological well-being among Hispanic adolescent females. In examining these specific variables, the researchers obtained a clearer picture as to the predictors that influence Hispanic adolescent female's psychological well-being.

Prevalence Of Depression Among Adolescent Males In Residential Treatment, Keri Nicole Chavez, Alexa Joy Perez

Theses Digitization Project

Examines the prevalence of depression among delinquent adolescent boys placed in a residential placement facility located in Yucaipa, California and managed by Trinity Children and Family Services, a non-profit organization. The Beck Depression Inventory was administered to 54 randomly selected boys (ages 12-18) of different ethnic backgrounds. Independent variables included length of time in the group home, the level of support from the family and the number of visitations the client received from family or other support systems. Results indicated that (1) White adolescents experience the highest levels of depression, (2) there was no difference in regards to depression in …

Filipino-American Perceptions Of And Experiences With Domestic Violence, Bernice Macaraeg Tabil

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this research is to assess Filipino Americans' perceptions of and experiences with domestic violence. The Original Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS1) was used to assess participants' experiences with domestic violence.

Domestic Violence Exposure: Effects On Adolescents' Dating Relationships, Karina Sicairos, Leah Marie Campos

Theses Digitization Project

The purposes of this study are to examine adolescents' level of exposure to domestic violence throughout their life and to explore whether there is a difference in the likelihood of engaging in conflict behaviors, justification of violence and help-seeking behaviors between adolescents who have been exposed to domestic violence and those who have not.

Factors Contributing To Higher Level Of Functioning Among The Dually Diagnosed, Dragana Gajic, Larry Godinez Rodriguez

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study is to expand on already existing knowledge on the phenomenon of dual diagnosis. By contributing to the expansion of information on comorbidity, the primary goal is to assist clinicians and the overall profession of social work with the necessary apparatus and techniques to be competent enough to properly assess their dually diagnosed clients.

Clients In A Mandated Treatment Program: A Needs Assessment, Sabrina Gail Eisner, Adriana Vazquez

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of the study was to acknowledge legally mandated client's needs in their substance abuse treatment. De Jong and Berg (2001) found that practitioners could begin to build cooperation with their mandated clients by focusing on what the clients want. However, there are no specific treatment modalities for legally mandated clients.

Impact Of Parental Visitation On The Behavior Of Foster Children, Tricia Lynn Haggerty

Theses Digitization Project

This study employed a behavioral symptom checklist filled out by foster parents to examine the impact of biological parents' visits on the behavior of children in foster care. It includes recommendations on educating both foster and birth parents' regarding the effect of these visits.

The Needs Of Children With Autism And Their Parents Or Caretakers, Dannely Hernandez, Soé Myrna Cortez

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to gather information for professionals in the field ofSchool of Social Work, and to identify the needs of children with autism and their parents or caretakers.

Concurrent Planning In Public Child Welfare Agencies: Oxymoron Or Work In Progress?, Amy C. D’Andrade, L Frame, J D. Berrick

Faculty Publications

Concurrent planning is used increasingly in child welfare practice as one strategy to expedite permanency for children. The strategy was developed in small, private agency contexts utilizing comprehensive and intensive services; how and with what success concurrent planning concepts have been implemented by large public child welfare bureaucracies is not known. This study examines the implementation of concurrent planning in six county child welfare agencies in a large western state. Quantitative data were extracted from case files of a sample of 885 children entering out-of-home care before and after implementation of concurrent planning legislation. Interviews and focus groups with 180 …

Children's Asthma: Relationship Between Parental Education And Frequency Of Emergency Room Visits, Victorine Natalie Brewer-Benjamin

Theses Digitization Project

Examines the relationship between parental education on asthma and the frequency of emergency room visits with their children for asthma incidences. The research was conducted at an acute care hospital in Southern California using a sample of 32 parents. Data was collected using a self-administered survey questionnaire employing a quantitative research design and chi-square test. Results indicate that although parents found education beneficial in controlling their child's asthma, there was no significant correlation between education and frequency of hospitalization and emergency room visits.

Motivational Levels And Abstinence Rates In Substance Abuse Clients, Stephen Sean Borchers

Theses Digitization Project

Analyzes the motivation of clients beginning a drug and alcohol treatment program to see if their level of motivation affects their success in the program, as measured by drug screens. Thirty-six participants from the Perris Valley Recovery Program (PVRP) in Southern California took a motivation for treatment questionnaire reflecting their levels of motivation for treatment. Results of the study found significant relationships between clients' motivation to be in substance abuse treatment and clean or dirty drug screens.

How Youth In Transitional Housing Perceive The Independent Living Program And Aftercare Services At Cameron Hill, Savannah Vankummer, Richard Vela

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study is to explore how emancipated youth, who are clients of the aftercare ILP (Independent Living Program) and transitional housing program with Cameron Hill, evaluate those services.

Overrepresentation Of African Americans In The Child Welfare System: Differential Treatment In Risk Assessment By Public Child Welfare Workers, Rebecca Sheree Owens, Courtney Marques Roushion

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to identify salient factors contributing to the overrepresentation of African Americans in the child welfare system. This study seeks to examine whether or not public child welfare workers are biased in their assessments of African Americans, and if years of experience influence their judgment. By understanding some of the salient factors that contribute to these disproportionate numbers, Child Welfare Services can begin to revamp their programs and services to ensure that they are more culturally sensitive and equitable.

Role Satisfaction: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, Noreen Orman Ayres

Theses Digitization Project

Three psychosocial dynamics were assessed for their effect on role satisfaction among grandchildren: (1) the impact of expanding a household on a limited fixed income, (2) health issues of the grandparent as they apply to stamina, and (3) the interaction with their existing social structure to include grandchildren (adjustments, prioritizing, and social isolation). Sampling included a population of 33 custodial grandparents (age=55 and older; male and female; various ethnicities) and selected from a Grandparents Raising Grandchildren support group in Idyllwild, California. The instrument of this quantitative and qualitative study was an adaptation from the County of Riverside, Department of Mental …

Family Medicine Physician Residents' Perspectives On Domestic Violence, Christina Marie PeñA

Theses Digitization Project

This project surveyed 21 respondents to determine whether family medicine physician assistants' medical education and training while in residency is sufficient to assess or identify domestic violence. The project found that although family medicine physician assistants do receive education and training on domestic violence, it is insufficient because victims may still go undetected and unserved.

Falling Through The Cracks: A Look At Factors Contributing To Non-Participation In Independent Living Program Services, Cheryl Joy Babb, Holly Sue Ninneman

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to identify the youth who do not participate in Independent Living Program (ILP) services and, if possible, to ascertain if any characteristics or factors appear to affect participation in ILP services. The study utilized a quantitative research method to assess ILP participation by extracting data from existing case records via a data extraction form created in conjunction with the San Bernardino County Legislation, Research and Quality Support Services Unit.

Caregiver Burden In The Latino Family, Yvonne Arellanes-Amador

Theses Digitization Project

The study focused on the attitudes and beliefs regarding perceived and actual burden experienced by Latino caregivers and their use of formal support services. It also looked at the needs of Latino caregivers and explored their beliefs about why they had taken on the caregiver role, the responsibilities the role entailed, and coping skills used by these caregivers. Participants were obtained from two Alzheimer's caregiver support groups in the East Los Angeles area, and an adult day health care center in the high desert area of San Bernardino county. The author used both qualitative interviews and quantitative questionnaires. The findings …

Narrative Discovery Of Spirituality And Its Correlation With Late Life Satisfaction, Cherie Lynn Barnstable, Samantha Georgeann Lillo

Theses Digitization Project

This study utilized both qualitative and quantitative research to explore the correlation of spirituality and late life satisfaction of assisted living residents. The narrative life review process revealed a wealth of information on the effect spirituality had upon various aspects of respondents' lives.