Social Work Commons^™

School Social Workers In Practice: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study On Understanding Role Navigation And Providing Mental Health Support In Educational Settings, Jennifer J. Bowers

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This transcendental phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of school social workers as they navigated their professional roles in supporting student mental health within educational settings. Grounded in Organizational Role Theory and Ecological Systems Theory, the study explored the meanings participants assigned to their roles, the challenges they encountered, and factors that supported or hindered their work. Purposeful sampling was used to recruit 11 licensed and unlicensed school social workers employed in the South Florida Tri-County area. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews and analyzed using epoché, horizontalization, and thematic clustering. Findings revealed four interrelated themes: navigating roles and …

Platforms For The Development And Sustainability Of Practice Research In Social Work: An International Cross-Case Analysis, Bowen Mcbeath, Michael J. Austin, Ilse Julkunen, Maija Jappinen, Lynette Joubert, Ralph Hampson, Rosaleen Ow, Lars Uggerhoj

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Purpose:

This paper presents an institutional and organizational comparative case analysis of practice research platforms in social work, which are institutionally embedded partnerships of university-based research centers, organizations delivering social services and healthcare, and other knowledge intermediaries that connect social work practice and research.

Methods:

An institutional and organizational comparative case analysis is presented concerning four practice research platforms from the USA, Finland, Australia, and Singapore.

Results:

We identify similarities and differences in the platforms’ purpose and basic goals, administration and financing, and substantive and methodological foci in the development of social work practice research studies.

Discussion:

We conclude by …

Survivors Of Sexual Trauma: Abortion Experiences Of Black Women In The Southern United States, Katie Grace Geter

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Women who experience both sexual trauma and abortion within their lifetime are highly likely to struggle with serious mental health symptoms; however, social work students and practitioners lack education and knowledge on how to serve these women. Recent events, including the uprising of gender and race related movements, COVID-19, heightened political division, and increased governmental control on abortion rights also impact social-work practice. Acknowledging intersectionality, the purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of abortion for Black women in the Southern United States who have a history of sexual trauma. The experiences of 6 Black women with …

Toward Transformative Social Protection: Integrating Economic Empowerment And Addressing Graduation Challenges In Egypt’S Takaful And Karama Program, Mennatalla Ahmed Zayed

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates how Egypt's Takaful and Karama Program (TKP) can enhance long-term poverty reduction and program sustainability through the inclusion of economicempowerment interventions. Based on the frameworks of Social Risk Management 2.0 and Transformative Social Protection, the study places Egypt's experience in the context of international discussions about conditional cash transfers, multidimensional poverty, and graduation models. The study uses a qualitative methodology, conducting semi-structured interviews with academics, civil society experts, and policymakers. The interviews' findings are supported by content analysis of policy documents and impact evaluations on TKP and Forsa. According to the research analysis, cash transfers help alleviate …

Enhancing Social Health Programming For Gbmsm With Meth Use Experience, William O’Leary, David J. Brennan, Yvonne Bergmans, Tim Guimond

Lyle S. Hallman Social Work Faculty Publications

This report presents key findings and recommendations based on a two-year qualitative study involving gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) who have crystal methamphetamine (meth) use experience. We explore barriers and enablers of engagement in social health programming and propose actionable strategies for fostering inclusion, safety, and retention. Our goal is to inform and support providers and stakeholders working with this population.

How Disaster Risk Shapes Voter Turnout, Laura Brugger, Pedro Spindler-Ruiz, J.S. Onesimo Sandoval

Center for Social Development Research

Climate disasters are intensifying. With the intensification comes a growing threat to democracy in the United States and to the communities that depend on fair representation. When disaster strikes, barriers arise that can silence voters, especially in communities already facing systemic inequality. This brief presents findings from an analysis of precinct-level turnout in the 2020 U.S. presidential election across over 2,000 precincts in the three cities. The cities were chosen for their size, diversity, and exposure to climate threats: hurricanes in Miami, Florida, wildfires in Los Angeles, California, and flooding in San Antonio, Texas. The findings underscore the need to …

How Do Social Isolation And Loneliness Vary By Age?, Jihye Baek, Cal J. Halvorsen

Harvey A. Friedman Center for Aging

Social isolation and loneliness, which are experienced by many older adults, can negatively impact health and well-being. Although often used interchangeably, social isolation is defined as an objective lack of social ties (e.g., number of close family members or friends) and loneliness as an internal sense of disconnection (e.g., feeling alone even when surrounded by others). Because social relationships, health, and life circumstances change as we age, patterns of social isolation and loneliness may differ by age group. Therefore, this research brief asks, How do patterns of social isolation and loneliness differ across age groups among community-dwelling older adults? 

Calculated Risks: The Power Of Predictive Risk Models To Regulate Families Of Color, Ashleigh Washington

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This dissertation examines predictive risk modelling (PRM) in New York City Administration for Children's Services (ACS), specifically exploring AI-enabled design features, practices, and encoded and racialized assumptions about risk in child welfare prevention services. Guided by Critical Race Theory and the Algorithmic Ecology framework, this study traces how PRM in ACS evolved from a service termination tool into a broader, largely internal surveillance apparatus that leverages families’ personal information, including health information, to assess risk of future maltreatment and to evaluate contracted service providers. Drawing on analysis of public records and in-depth interviews with Black parents, the findings describe how …

The Satu Wakaf Indonesia Application Development Strategy, Nurul Huda, Nova Rini, Rahma Aini Nur, Ariel Nian Gani, Muhammad Rofi'i, Nur Syamsudin Buchori

Journal of Strategic and Global Studies

The Satu Wakaf Indonesia application is a new platform for digital waqf, which necessitates a strategic policy for its development. The needs of strategic policy stand from the current problems that occur in the implementation of the application. The objectives of this study are: (1) the key sub-elements of the Satu Wakaf Indonesia development strategy, and (2) The Satu Wakaf Indonesia development strategy using the ISM approach. The research method used is a qualitative method with the Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) approach. The data source for this study is the results of filling out questionnaires by expert informants. The results …

Corrigendum To “Decolonizing Knowledge As Epistemic Justice: Key Conceptual Tendencies From The Global South” [Tanzania Journal Of Sociology, Vol. 11, Issue No.2, December 2025: 113 - 128], Richard Sambaiga

Tanzania Journal of Sociology

This article registers corrections done to a reference section of "Decolonizing Knowledge as Epistemic Justice: Key Conceptual Tendencies from the Global South” [Tanzania Journal of Sociology, Vol. 11, Issue No.2, December 2025: 113 - 128]

Attribution Of Behavior And Misdiagnosis In Mental Health Evaluation Of Primary School Children, E’Mon Ambers

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem of misdiagnosis of mental health conditions in primary school aged children because of attributions related to misbehavior is a significant issue. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore a selected sample of educators’ and mental health professionals’experiences and perceptions of the risks of attribution errors in mental health misdiagnosis among primary school-aged children in Richmond, VA. The research questions addressed how stakeholders perceive the role of attribution errors in professional practice contributing to misdiagnosis, as well as what practice-based and systemic changes stakeholders propose to enhance diagnostic accuracy. Narrative data was collected from educators …

Examining Patterns In Childcare Utilization For Low-Wage Workers And Their Access To Government And Employer-Based Childcare Supports, Amrita Kulkarni, Laura Brugger, Stephen Roll, Guangli Zhang, Mathieu Despard

Center for Social Development Research

For parents in the United States, childcare costs are one of the largest expenses in the budget. This brief examines the childcare arrangements low-wage workers adopt, their difficulties in accessing and affording childcare, and the extent to which they utilize childcare benefits offered by their employers or the government. To do so, we use on data from the Workforce Economic Inclusion and Mobility (WEIM) survey of a nationally representative sample of low-wage U.S. workers. For these analyses, the sample includes only workers with children under the age of 6.

Barriers To Entry, Barriers To Exit: Exploring The Relationship Between Administrative Burdens And Work Disincentives In Public Benefits Programs, Stephen Roll, Guangli Zhang, Mathieu Despard

Center for Social Development Research

Through the Workforce Economic Inclusion and Mobility project, the Center for Social Development has explored how the design of the U.S. public benefits system creates barriers to the economic stability and mobility of low-wage workers. The first of these barriers is the administrative burdens embedded in public benefits, which refers to the difficulties and stresses potential beneficiaries experience learning about a program, complying with program rules, or interacting with program staff. The second of these barriers is the work and savings disincentives many public benefits programs create through their eligibility rules, which can punish beneficiaries for earning or saving more …

Digital Financial Innovations, Investment Behaviors, And The Financial Well-Being Of Low-Wage Workers, Jayden Liu, Stephen Roll, Mathieu Despard

Center for Social Development Research

Digital financial innovations (DFI) are an increasingly prominent part of the financial market. These innovations may be attractive to low-wage workers as alternative investment vehicles. This brief examines low-wage workers' use of DFIs through their ownership of digital trading accounts and investment in several financial assets, including assets that are traditionally more stable as well as newer, nontraditional assets that may carry higher risk, across income levels and employment status. We also investigate whether workers reported receiving returns from using these assets, and finally, we compare use of traditional assets and nontraditional assets against workers’ savings, with emphasis on the …

Employment Circumstances And Use Of Financial Services Among Low-Wage Workers, Anthony Nixon Jr., Mathieu Despard

Center for Social Development Research

Work arrangements have become increasingly varied in recent years, with much labor-market participation happening outside of traditional full-time roles. As gig work and other forms of self-employment,  contract labor, and part-time positions grow, and work arrangements diversify, employment instability is a growing concern,  especially for low-wage workers. This brief presents original evidence on the use of financial services among low-wage workers in the United States. Data come from the Workforce Economic Inclusion and Mobility (WEIM) survey administered to a nationally representative sample of 2,511 U.S. workers earning less than 250% of the federal poverty line.

Workforce Economic Inclusion And Stability In The United States And United Kingdom: Summary Findings, Mathieu Despard, Stephen Roll, Kristian Fuzi, Adele Atkinson, Louise Overton

Center for Social Development Research

Through a partnership between the Center for Social Development (CSD) at Washington University in St. Louis (United States) and the Centre on Household Savings and Asset Management (CHASM) at the University of Birmingham (United Kingdom),the Workforce Economic Inclusion and Mobility (WEIM) project has explored a host of issues affecting low-wage workers and their families in the United States and the United Kingdom. CSD and CHASM analyzed survey datasets from their respective countries to produce a set of insights regarding the challenges low-wage workers and their families face. This Research Summary discusses and synthesizes key findings organized by cross-cutting themes to …

The Indispensable Role Of The Sister Disability Agencies: Safeguarding Progress And Enhancing Outcomes Through Collaboration, Lesley Cottrell, Susan Given, Christina E. Wiseman

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

This manuscript emphasizes the critical importance of having a Disability Network of services—including University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs), State Councils on Developmental Disabilities, and Protection & Advocacy organizations - in promoting systemic innovation and improved outcomes for individuals with developmental disabilities. Highlighting a case study from West Virginia, where collaboration between West Virginia University’s Center for Excellence in Disabilities, Disability Rights of West Virginia, and the West Virginia Developmental Disabilities Council has resulted in cost-effective, sustainable improvements, this paper underscores the urgent need to protect and expand these programs amidst current policy threats. The evidence underscores that …

Increasing Participation Through Online Focus Groups With Adults With Intellectual Disabilities, Emily L. Cary, Chris A. Taylor, Susan Havercamp, Andrea Witwer

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

The aim of this study was to develop and describe methods on how to conduct virtual focus groups with adults with intellectual disability. Using a community-engaged research approach, adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities helped develop virtual focus group methods. We report on the implementation of these methods through an illustrative application of applying these adaptations to virtual focus groups with 13 adults with intellectual disability in a study assessing their perspectives on mental health therapy.

This work resulted in several adaptations that can enhance inclusivity of focus group research to individuals with intellectual disability. Adaptions broadly included: involving guardians …

Educating Medical Trainees On Mental Healthcare And Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Andrea Palmieri, Joan B. Beasley, Micah Peace Urquilla, Jennifer Mclaren

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Many children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) experience mental health conditions and commonly receive treatment with psychotropic medications. Prescribers often overuse these medications in children with IDD, who are frequently treated with polypharmacy and antipsychotics, a trend that continues into adulthood. Medical trainees receive little training regarding the IDD patient population. This paper describes the development and evaluation of an evidence-informed, easy-to-use training curriculum. The 6-hour training establishes a foundation for medical trainees regarding the treatment of mental health conditions in people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD-MH) as part of an integrated health, interdisciplinary treatment approach. …

Stressors And Challenges Faced By Mexican American Caregivers Of Family Members With Alzheimer’S Disease, Romeo Escobar, Denise Longoria, John M. Gonzalez, Nelda Rodriguez

School of Social Work Faculty Publications

Mexican American caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease face unique stressors and challenges, which may be influenced by cultural, socioeconomic, and systemic factors. This population often assumes caregiving responsibilities based on strong cultural values of familismo which emphasizes family duty and collective care. However, this commitment can lead to increased emotional strain, mental health concerns, financial and physical strain, particularly when caregivers have limited access to healthcare resources, financial support, or respite. Language barriers and a lack of culturally competent healthcare services can further exacerbate stress, making it difficult to navigate the complex healthcare system. The purpose of this study …

Cv: Esther Nieves (Social Work), Esther Nieves

Social Work Department Faculty Curricula Vitae

No abstract provided.

Reinventing Islamic Pilgrimage In Jogokariyan Mosque, Indonesia, Ahmad Izudin

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Indonesian Muslims have a longstanding tradition of visiting holy sites as part of Islamic pilgrimages. Recently, there has been an increasing interest in mosques as popular destinations for spiritual journeys and meditation. This shift could potentially impact local communities and may lead to the development of new pilgrimage routes within the context of spiritual exploration. However, this paper examines the Jogokariyan Mosque in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, which has become a significant stop on the Islamic pilgrimage route. The author utilises a case study approach, collecting data through observation, interviews, and documentation. The study highlights that a mosque, as the material objective …

Stories From Former Foster Youth College Graduates: The Positive Impact Of K-12 Schooling And Related Educational Policy, Amanda Moon, Kristen D. Seay

Faculty and Staff Publications

Youth in foster care face disproportionate challenges when it comes to education and personal well-being. Many studies use a deficit lens when evaluating these challenges. In contrast, this study is asset-based, centering first-person accounts from five former foster youth college graduates. Using a counter-narrative framework, we conducted semi-structured interviews with participants to reveal key supports in K-12 schooling participants believed helped them achieve academic and life milestones. These were relationships with teachers and coaches, access to extracurricular activities, and literacy-rich environments. We also reviewed 11 relevant federal educational policies to identify provisions and implementation needs that aligned with participant experiences. …

A Qualitative Examination Of The Motivations For Homeschooling Among Black Americans, Portia J. Witt

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the motivations and lived experiences of African American homeschooling families. Twelve Black parents from multiple states participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using Moustakas’ (1994) Modified Stevick–Colaizzi–Keen method and coded thematically using NVivo. Nine themes emerged: autonomy, holistic education, community belonging, online networks, public resources, curriculum gaps, personal values, effective learning, and legacy of harm. While racialization in schools—including tracking, microaggressions, and misidentification—contributed to participants’ decisions, motivations also reflected intersectional factors such as faith, disability, mental health needs, giftedness, and a desire for cultural protection and flexible learning. Findings suggest homeschooling serves as a …

Built On Dignity, Backed By Love: A Mixed Methods Study And Curriculum Grounded In Black Caregivers’ Racial Socialization To Cultivate Youth Agency, Heather Watson

Dissertations

This dissertation explores how low-income Black youth and their caregivers experience, interpret, and respond to racial discrimination, with a focus on the development of youths’ dignity as a culturally grounded resilience process. Using a mixed-methods, community-based participatory research (CBPR) design, the study addresses three central aims: (1) to identify the forms of discrimination youth and caregivers encounter and their relationship to racial stress and resilience; (2) to define dignity from the perspectives of youth and caregivers; and (3) to identify caregiver-youth conversations that cultivate dignity and inform the development of the Dignity Development Curriculum (DDC). Data were collected through semi-structured …

The Impact Of Digital Reverse Mentoring On Older Adults' Digital Literacy: Mediating Roles Of Self-Perceptions Of Aging And Self-Efficacy, Jierong Hu, Minzhi Ye, Haotian Wan, Wengian Leong

School of Social Work Faculty Publications

Background and Objectives: Digital literacy is critical for older adults to maintain social connections, access information, and support overall mental well-being. However, many older adults struggle with using digital devices. Guided by the self-fulfilling prophecy theory, this study investigates how digital reverse mentoring (DRM), referring to younger individuals assisting older adults in learning and using digital technology, is associated with digital literacy, with self-perceptions of aging and self-efficacy as mediators.

Research Design and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 402 community-dwelling older adults aged 60+ in Macao, China. Control variables include gender, age, education, income, self-rated health, and home …

Bridging Theory And Self-Development In Human Services And Counselor Education, Kristy Carlisle

Journal of Human Services Scholarship and Interprofessional Collaboration

Counselor and human services education increasingly recognize self-awareness as a core component of professional competence and ethical practice. This conceptual manuscript presents a pedagogical framework that integrates major helping theories as tools for structured self-reflection and self-development among students and practitioners. Drawing from experiential learning theory, reflective practice, and models of counselor identity formation, the approach encourages learners to view themselves through theoretical lenses such as person-centered, cognitive-behavioral, and existential frameworks, paralleling the very lenses through which they will view their clients in practice. By engaging in guided reflective activities, students examine personal beliefs, emotions, and behaviors to enhance self-understanding, …

Exploring Juvenile Justice System Social Workers’ Dual Role Conflicts, Tayler Janet Deggendorfer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Social workers working within the juvenile justice system face challenges in managing dual roles of providing social support for clients in a punitive environment of incarceration. The problem that was explored in this study is the ethical and practical dilemmas of dual roles for social workers—specifically the potential for burnout and mental health injury for social workers who work within the parameters of both roles. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of a selected criterion sample of social workers. The study was framed by Goffman’s role theory. Oral narrative data were collected …

Technology-Enabled Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Insomnia (Cbt-I) In Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment: Development And Feasibility Study, Hongtu Chen, Marta Pagán-Ortiz, Sara Romero Vincente, Emma Chapman, James Maxwell, Otis L. Owens, Sue E. Levkoff Scd, Msw, Sm

Faculty and Staff Publications

Background/Objectives: Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a transitional stage between normal aging and early dementia, affecting up to 20% of older adults. Sleep disturbances, particularly insomnia, affect around 60% of individuals with MCI, contributing to declines in cognitive and physical function. Although Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is an evidence-based non-pharmacological treatment, few studies have adapted it for individuals with MCI. This pilot study developed and evaluated Slumber, a clinician-supported mobile CBT-I app tailored for older adults with MCI and insomnia. Methods: The study had three aims: (1) to develop the app for delivering CBT-I to individuals with …

Cultural Influences Experienced By Self-Identified Hmong College Students, Nkaujntsa Lovy Lee

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this qualitative research was to explore how self-identified Hmong college students aged 18–24 perceived their culture’s influence on their academic experiences. The study examined the relationships shaping individual identity and their effects on academic pursuits. A basic qualitative inquiry approach was used to interview ten Hmong undergraduate students enrolled in colleges across the United States. Semi-structured interviews facilitated data collection guided by the ecological systems theory, while thematic analysis and inductive coding were employed to identify patterns and develop themes from the data. The themes identified in the study were family as the central influence, negotiating conflicting …