Social Work Commons^™

Working With Foster Families: What Providers Should Know, The Rees-Jones Center For Foster Care Excellence

White Papers and Policy Briefs

Foster parents play a vital, yet often challenging role in the lives of children who have experienced trauma and instability. Navigating the healthcare system for children in foster care can be particularly complex and overwhelming, requiring understanding, collaboration, and a unique approach from healthcare professionals. This page offers insights and practical ideas for healthcare professionals to effectively support foster parents, ultimately contributing to the well-being of the children in their care.

For questions about this publication or others, please email [email protected]

childrens.com/fostercare

Ensuring The Health And Well-Being Of Children After Adoption, The Rees-Jones Center For Foster Care Excellence

White Papers and Policy Briefs

Children in foster care have higher rates of health concerns and healthcare utilization than their peers who have not experienced foster care. For example, one study found that children in foster care had 2.5- and 2.3-times higher odds of having a mental health diagnosis and developmental disability diagnosis, respectively. Data on our patient population supports these findings, revealing that 70.4% of our patients had chronic or complex chronic health conditions.

For questions about this publication or others, please email [email protected]

childrens.com/fostercare

Feasibility Of An Lgbtq+ Public Health Surveillance Platform In Kentucky: A Brief Report On Mental Health Signals, Keith J. Watts, Sydney Howard, Missy Spears, Carolyn Lauckner, Rachel H. Farr, Glenn Means, Justin X. Moore

Social Work Faculty Publications

Background/Objectives: Robust, state-level LGBTQ+ health surveillance is scarce in Kentucky, limiting evidence-based healthcare planning and policy. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and early public-health utility of a community-partnered annual survey and compare selected mental health stressors between Kentucky and non-Kentucky respondents.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey (13 April–15 July 2024) developed with a statewide LGBTQ+ nonprofit. Recruitment occurred via organizational channels and community events. A content warning preceded the survey, which was administered via Qualtrics. Data quality was screened using reCAPTCHA. We assessed feasibility metrics including recruitment and completion rates. Mental health stressors were captured …

Examining The Role Of Peer And Family Belongingness In The Mental Health Of Black Lgbtq+ Youth, Keith J. Watts, M. Alex Wagaman, Andrew D. Eaton, Vivian W. Y. Leung, Shelley L. Craig

Social Work Faculty Publications

A sense of belonging to familial and peer networks is crucial for the mental health of LGBTQ + youth. Black LGBTQ + youth report feeling rejected and isolated due to their sexual and/or gender identities. Utilizing linear regression analyses, this study explored the relationship between peer and family belongingness and levels of depression, anxiety, and self-rated mental health among 181 Black LGBTQ + youth in the United States and Canada. Findings suggest that family and peer belongingness are important factors in Black LGBTQ + youth’s mental health and warrant further study into the protective nature of peer and family relationships …

Out Of Institutions, Into Society: A Qualitative Interpretive Meta-Synthesis Exploring The Shared Experiences Of Veterans And Formerly Incarcerated Persons Reintegrating Into Civilian Life, Hannah C. Pederson

Social Work Theses - Archive

The reintegration experiences of veterans and formerly incarcerated persons (FIPs) share significant parallels, yet there is a notable lack of literature exploring these similarities. This study employs qualitative interpretive meta-synthesis (QIMS) methodology, a cross-study qualitative analysis approach developed specifically for the social work field, to identify commonalities in the reintegration narratives of U.S. veterans transitioning from military service and FIPs returning to civilian life post-incarceration. The author conducted a QIMS on ten studies published between 2006 and 2024 (N=172). The QIMS yielded seven overarching themes: supports, mental health and wellness, institutional residue, culture shock, socioeconomic hardships (“it’s hard out here”), …

Experiences Of Community Leaders And Organizers Within The Stop Six Community, Caitlin Herron

Social Work Theses - Archive

Although community-based and grassroots leadership research exists, little exists in the way of exploring the personal and relational experiences of community organizers to their work and to their community. Using data collected from semi-structured interviews with self-identified community leaders, this research addresses insights into their lived experiences. In particular, a thematic exploration looks at what appeared across each interview. This research is intended to serve as a basis for future research into the lived experiences of community organizers outside of one specific experience or cause, but rather to take an in-depth look into them, their perceptions, and their relationship to …

From Insight To Experience Mapping Experiential Approaches To Cultivating Self-Awareness In Undergraduate Social Work Curricula, Georgianna E. Goff

Social Work Theses - Archive

This scoping review examines the current state of experiential learning methodologies used to increase self-awareness among undergraduate social work students. While the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) emphasizes self-awareness as a core professional competency, the literature reveals a notable lack of a standardized, field-wide definition and a reliance on fragmented pedagogical approaches. This Review systematically analyzed nine empirical studies, mapping the key characteristics, theoretical frameworks, and teaching methods. The findings indicate that most studies used qualitative or mixed-methods designs, with a majority relying on Kolb’s and Dewey’s experiential learning theories to bridge the gap between classroom theory and professional …

Developing The Rural Older Adult Dementia Prevention-Health Behaviors (Road-Hb) Questionnaire: A Mixed Methods Approach To Instrument Development, Jessica Cassidy

Social Work Dissertations - Archive

Older adults living in rural communities are at heightened risk of dementia; however, preventative strategies can reduce these risks. To facilitate dementia prevention efforts in rural communities, this methodological study developed the Rural Older Adults Dementia prevention–Health Behaviors questionnaire (ROAD-HB) by applying a lifespan approach to the Health Belief Model (HBM). The questionnaire contained three embedded instruments and was constructed following a stage development design involving item pool processes with community and expert review panels. Convergent mixed methods were used to assess the ROAD-HB’s validity, including a pretest in 36 older adults from two rural Northeast Texas counties and cognitive …

Understanding The Sociodemographic Correlates Of Early Social Security Retirement, Erica D. Robinson

Social Work Dissertations - Archive

Using data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a nationally representative sample of Americans aged 50 and older, this study employed logistic regression analysis guided by intersectionality theory and the Intersectionality-Based Policy Analysis (IBPA) framework to examine the influence of marital status, ever having children, educational attainment, self-reported health, and race/ethnicity on receiving Social Security retirement benefits early (before reaching the Social Security Administration’s full retirement age (FRA)) among women. Individuals’ monthly and total lifetime Social Security retirement amounts, as well as longevity, are influenced by when they begin receiving Social Security retirement payments. Findings revealed that reporting excellent/ …

Burnout Among Nurses In The United States, Faheem Ohri

Social Work Dissertations - Archive

Burnout is an exhausted state of the body, mind, and emotions, characterized by feelings of “depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishment” resulting from prolonged and continuous occupational stress. Burnout among nurses in the United States (U.S.) is a growing concern with significant implications for healthcare professionals and patient outcomes. Nurse burnout compromises patient safety and workforce stability, but pre-pandemic national correlates remain understudied. This dissertation examined employment settings and demographic correlates of burnout among U.S. nurses using the National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses (NSSRN) secondary datasets. Compared inpatient burnout odds pre-/post-pandemic using national twin surveys. Jackknife complex survey logistic regression …

Exploring A Collective Grief Experience In The U.S.: Qualitative Findings From Older Parents Whose Only Child Has Died, Yongqiang Zheng, Leslie Wuest, Jeongah Kim, Rebecca Rodriguez

Faculty Publications - College of Social Work

Despite its profound physical and mental health impacts, research on the loss of an only child in later life among older U.S. adults remains scarce. This phenomenological qualitative study explores the lived experiences and meanings older bereaved parents attribute to their loss. Data from 24 participants were collected through written narratives guided by structured questions, and online focus groups. Inductive thematic analysis revealed 6 themes: the enduring intensity of grief, significant secondary losses, feelings of isolation and alienation, the role of social support in coping, and spirituality and religion’s influence on their journey. By amplifying these parents’ voices, the study …

Podcasting As An Innovative Pedagogical Tool In Social Work Education, Mim Fox, Jonathan B. Singer

Social Work: School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Other Works

Podcasting as a means of educational delivery has been slowly increasing since the introduction of podcasting to the consciousness of the general public in 2004. In parallel, social work education has experienced a global increase in online and remote delivery. Social workers globally have embraced social work content podcasts as a means of providing, and supplementing, their traditional pedagogy. In this article, the authors, both international podcasting social work academics, present an innovative framework for podcasting pedagogy and discuss co-production of podcasts as a form of teaching and learning co-design that is grounded in social work approaches to knowledge creation, …

Psychotropic Prescription Use Among Foster Care Alumni Medicated With Psychotropic In Childhood, Zoe D. Daugherty

Social Work Theses - Archive

Psychotropic medication use among youth in foster care has been a longstanding concern in child welfare research, with studies consistently documenting disproportionately high prescribing rates, frequent polypharmacy, and the use of potent or off-label medications to manage behavioral or trauma-related symptoms. This study conducted an inductive thematic review of 17 peer-reviewed articles, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method studies, to explore the lived experiences of foster youth and foster care alumni related to psychotropic medication use and mental health treatment. Guided by principles of reflexive thematic analysis, findings across diverse methodologies were synthesized to better understand how systemic, clinical, and experiential …

Factors Associated With Residential Treatment Discontinuation For Black Adults With Co-Occurring Mental Health And Substance Use Diagnoses Living In States With Expanded Medicaid Vs. States Without Expansion, Gabrielle Scott

Social Work Dissertations - Archive

This dissertation investigated factors associated with treatment discontinuation of residential substance use programs for Black adults with co-occurring mental health and substance use diagnoses living in states that had expanded Medicaid versus states without expansion. This study explored and identified gaps in the research pertaining to treatment retention for Black adults since 2014, the year when Medicaid expansion began. The study focused on Black adults aged 18 or older who self-identified as Black or African American with a current diagnosis of co-occurring mental health and substance use diagnoses at the time of their discharge from a residential substance use treatment …

Preliminary Evaluation Of A Brief Intervention To Enhance Trauma-Informed Attitudes Among Educators And School Mental Health Counselors, Cheri Shapiro, Kara Lee, Courtnie Collins, Tristan Collier, Carl Sorensen

Publications

Professional development training designed to advance knowledge of the impacts of trauma and trauma-responsive practices for educators and counselors in schools and mental health settings have become common. Given the popularity of these training approaches, it is important to understand the potential impact on trauma-informed attitudes and beliefs. This descriptive, exploratory study examined changes in traumainformed care attitudes as a function of participating in a novel intervention designed to support trauma-informed practices in a sample of elementary school educators, administrators, and school mental health counselors (n=194) from one state in the Southeastern US. Positive changes in trauma-informed attitudes from pre …

Repowering Through Indigenous Research Methodologies: A Case Study Of Culturally Appropriate Mental Health Interventions For Native/ Indigenous Men, Stephen Silva-Brave

Social Work Theses - Archive

Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing have the power to strengthen social work and healing practices for all communities. This study explores how relationships and connections create spaces that feel more like ceremony than research, where trust, storytelling, and shared knowledge guide the way. Bringing Native/Indigenous (N/I) men together in Talking Circles, this work reflects how culturally rooted approaches can shape meaningful mental health support that honors lived experience and community care. Instead of following rigid models created outside of Indigenous ways of life, this approach prioritizes relational accountability, centering voices often excluded from traditional research. Through conversations with …

The Invisible Struggle: Unveiling The Realities Of Living With Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Maura A. Stewart

Social Work Theses - Archive

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a group of rare connective tissue disorders that impact multiple systems of the body and are frequently misunderstood or misdiagnosed. This thesis explores the lived experiences of adults with EDS, focusing on the physical, emotional, and systemic challenges they face in daily life and healthcare. Using a mixed-methods survey, data were collected from 83 participants across the United States and beyond. The results revealed common themes of delayed diagnosis, medical dismissal, mental health struggles, and lack of access to knowledgeable providers. While chronic pain and fatigue were the most frequently reported symptoms, participants also described emotional …

The Unintended Consequences Of Normalization: Unmonitored Mental Health Discourse Among Youth And Suicide Risk, Farley Morris

Social Work Theses - Archive

Suicide has become an increasingly common cause of death among U.S. children ages 10–14. In 2001, suicide accounted for 8% of deaths in this age group; by 2010 the proportion rose to 12%, and by 2020 it reached 22% (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2020). Although factors such as adverse childhood experiences (Felitti et al., 1998; Jones et al., 2024), psychache (Shneidman, 1998), burdensomeness (Joiner, 2005; O’Connor, 2011), and hopelessness (Bat Tonkus et al., 2022; Qiu et al., 2017) are associated with suicide, these elements alone do not explain the significant rise in suicide deaths over the past …

Academic Preparedness And Institutional Support For Low-Income Students: A Scoping Review Of College Success And Retention, Davina Wilson

Social Work Theses - Archive

Students from lower-funded high schools often enter college with lower levels of academic preparedness and limited access to advanced coursework, individualized advising, and extracurricular opportunities, all of which contribute to disparities in retention and academic success. These inequities, rooted in longstanding school funding gaps and systemic barriers, disproportionately affect first-generation and racially minoritized students, who may also experience cultural mismatch or isolation within college environments. This scoping review synthesizes existing research conducted by other scholars to examine how academic preparedness and institutional support services such as tutoring, mentoring, bridge programs, and college transition initiatives influence college readiness for students from …

Social Drivers Of Suicide In Rural And Urban Texas Counties, Maria Y. Vaughan

Social Work Theses - Archive

Abstract

Suicide remains a critical public health issue in Texas, with rural counties consistently experiencing higher mortality rates than urban areas. This study examined county-level suicide rates across Texas and analyzed how demographic characteristics and Social Drivers of Suicide (SDoS)—including economic stability, education access and quality, health care access and quality, neighborhood and built environment, and social and community context—relate to suicide outcomes. Using a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional, and correlational design, secondary data from the 2024 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps and the American Community Survey were analyzed for 170 Texas counties with reliable suicide data. Results showed that rural …

Resilience And Reality: Exploring The Lived Experiences Of People Living With Hiv In Texas During The Covid-19 Pandemic – A Qualitative Study., Ahmed F. Alanazi

Social Work Dissertations - Archive

This study investigated the lived experiences of individuals living with HIV (PLWH) in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area of Texas during the COVID-19 pandemic, using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) framework. The research examined the intersection of health, social dynamics, and psychological resilience among PLWH, who faced compounded vulnerabilities due to systemic inequities and the dual public health crises of HIV and COVID-19. Through semi-structured interviews with ten participants from diverse backgrounds, the study captured the profound impacts of disrupted healthcare systems, heightened stigma, and social isolation on this marginalized population. The findings reveal that the pandemic exacerbated existing inequities …

Unmet Family Planning Care And Health-Literacy Needs Among Low-Income Immigrant Women In The United States, Priyanjali Chakraborty

Social Work Dissertations - Archive

Unintended pregnancies have been linked to adverse outcomes such as pre-term births and low infant birthweight (Harron et al., 2020), psychological distress(Abbasi et al., 2013; Barton et al., 2017; Gauthreaux et al., 2017; Mercier et al., 2013), relationship strain (Barton et al., 2017; Moseson et al., 2019), intimate partner violence (IPV) and reproductive coercion (K. T. Grace & Anderson, 2018), and economic strain from unanticipated medical costs despite insurance coverage (Trussell, 2007). Unintended pregnancy outcomes offer crucial insights into the complexities of women's reproductive desires and intentions (CDC, 2023; Rossen et al., 2023). These outcomes inform public health interventions to …

Examining Youth Experiences Aging Out Of Foster Care, Emma M. Croy

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

This systematic literature review explores the challenges faced by youth aging out of the foster care system with a focus on the role of Independent Living Programs (ILP). Nationally, around 18,538 children are aging out of the foster care system. Issues that children aging out face include lack of transitional housing, limited access to education, inadequate healthcare, and an increased risk of involvement in the justice system. Challenges related to these issues can lead to instability in housing, employment, and health, further contributing to the risk of justice system involvement. This population does not appear in more recent literature; however, …

“I Learned To Bottle Up My Feelings From A Young Age”: A Narrative Analysis Of Latina Young People’S Family Mental Health Socialization, Jenn M. Lilly

Social Service Faculty Publications

Latina young people report high levels of mental health problems and low levels of helpseeking

compared with their white peers, but little research has examined factors influencing

their mental health views. Inductive analysis of 25 participants’ narratives revealed that Latina

young people described three stages in the development of their mental health-related beliefs,

attitudes, and behaviors: undergoing a process of family mental health socialization, suffering

in silence, and attaining a new perspective. Within each of these phases, participants shared

stories that attest to their agency and resilience. This research uncovers a novel theoretical

construct, “family mental health socialization,” which elucidates …

Digital Zines As Mental And Sexual Health Communication Tools For Latina Teens: Format And Content Acceptability And Initial Findings, Jenn M. Lilly, D'Andrah Almanzar, Susan R. Pace, Dante D. Bryant

Social Service Faculty Publications

Recognizing the potential of digital zines (defined as selfpublished,

online publications combining artwork and

text) as culturally tailored health communication tools,

this article examines the acceptability and impacts of two

digital zines about mental and sexual health created by

Latina young people for Latina teens as a health communication

strategy. We conducted an anonymous online

survey completed by Latina teens who read the zines (32

for sexual health and 33 for mental health). Data analysis

aimed to explore, summarize, and interpret the collected

data using an artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced

approach. Survey participants found the zine format and

content acceptable and …

Examining Mental And Sexual Health Themes In Latina Youth Zines: A Multi-Modal Content Analysis, Jenn M. Lilly, D'Andrah Almanzar, Doreen Dorcely, Luisa Fernanda Sandoval Cortes, Ana Iris Murcia

Social Service Faculty Publications

Multiple, convergent risk factors place Latina youth at disproportionate risk for mental

and sexual health issues. Yet, their firsthand perspectives and experiential knowledge of

how to navigate mental and sexual health challenges is rarely the subject of scholarly

inquiry. This article presents a multi-modal content analysis of themes and messages

conveyed by two digital zines created by Latina young adults for Latina teens through an

arts-based research project. In this arts-based research, zines functioned as both data and

method, capturing Latina youth’s nuanced perspectives and lived experiences of mental

and sexual health. We identified six themes in their works—acknowledging and …

Geographic Patterns Of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (Hiv) Risk Behaviors Among Older Adults: A Strategy For Identifying Space As A Risk Exposure, Laneshia R. Conner, Reuben Adatorwovor, Sarah Jane Robbins, Rujeko O. Machinga-Asaolu, Kathryn Showalter, Carrie B. Oser

Social Work Faculty Publications

Objectives: This study examined geographical patterns of HIV risk among adults aged 60 and older.

Methods: The 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) weighted data was used to analyze self-reported participation in HIV risk behaviors among older adults (n = 62,852). Logistic regression models were used on a dichotomous HIV risk variable to map the distribution of HIV risk behaviors across both census regions and divisions.

Results: The weighted model revealed significance across regions. Across all regions, identifying as female, identifying as Hispanic, and reporting not having depression were protective from participating in HIV risk behaviors.

Discussion: The …

Factors Affecting The Joy Of Life In Old Age: A Scale Development Study, Yalçın Karagöz, Yusuf Karaşi̇n, Mustafa Filiz, Mehmet Ateş

Adultspan Journal

This study aims to introduce a measurement tool into the literature that can reveal the factors affecting the joy of life in older adulthood. Participants included 266 individuals aged 55 and over living in Izmir, Turkey. The process of developing the scale includes the following stages: problem identification, item pool creation, expert opinion, form shaping, pilot application, and finalizing the scale. The exploratory factor analysis revealed that the scale consists of 6 different dimensions, and the variance explained by these dimensions was found to be 65.184%. The acceptable values for the scale's fit indicators are as follows: χ²/df0.90, IFI > 0.90, …

Impact Assessment Of Uniqlo’S Neighbours Helping Neighbours, Weng Lin Ng, Dalvin Sidhu

Lien Centre for Social Innovation: Research

The UNIQLO Neighbours Helping Neighbours (NHN) is a pilot programme that redistributes recycled UNIQLO products to those in need. Preloved UNIQLO clothing in good condition are collected, washed and pressed, and then redistributed to partnered social service organisations and family service centres for donation to their core beneficiaries.

The objective of the current study is to document and evaluate the impact of the NHN programme on its beneficiaries and present evidence-based recommendations that will aid UNIQLO’s efforts to improve and scale subsequent iterations of this programme.

This report will present results obtained from the following data sources: (1) a quantitative …

Housing Quality For Whom? Housing Quality As A Form Of Housing Insecurity And Housing Inequality For Black Women Renters, Jenee Lee

Theses and Dissertations

Housing quality is an often overlooked but critical aspect of housing insecurity that often impacts one’s well-being physically, mentally, and socially. As a compromise for affordable housing, some individuals reside in substandard conditions, often lacking essential safety measures and amenities needed for a comfortable and secure living environment. Consistent with broader patterns of housing disparities, Black women renters are disproportionately affected by housing insecurity and more likely to live in substandard housing. Although previous literature has explored the impact of poor-quality housing and its characteristics, there is a gap in understanding how Black women renters uniquely perceive and experience housing …