Social Work Commons^™

Review Of Can’T Catch A Break: Gender, Jail, Drugs, And The Limits Of Personal Responsibility. Susan Starr Sered And Maureen Norton-Hawk. Reviewed By Brandy Henry, Brandy Henry

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Susan Starr Sered and Maureen Norton-Hawk, Can’t Catch a Break: Gender, Jail, Drugs, and the Limits of Personal Responsibility. University of California Press (2014), 216 pages, $29.95 (paperback).

Review Of Ghettoside: A True Story Of Murder In America. Jill Leovy. Reviewed By John Decarlo., John Decarlo

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Jill Leovy, Ghettoside: A True Story of Murder in America. Spiegel & Grau (2015), 386 pages, $28.00 (hardcover).

Review Of Café Culture In Pune: Being Young And Middle Class In Urban India. Teresa Platz Robinson. Reviewed By Michael Gilbert, Michael Gilbert

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Teresa Platz Robinson, Café Culture in Pune: Being Young and Middle Class in Urban India. Oxford University Press (2014), 320 pages, $55.00 (hardcover).

Can People Experiencing Homelessness Acquire Financial Assets?, Allison De Marco, Molly De Marco, Alexandra Biggers, Maggie West, Jonathan Young, Rachel Levy

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Through an innovative Individual Development Account (IDA) program run by the Community Empowerment Fund (CEF), individuals at risk for or experiencing homelessness receive financial education, access matched savings accounts, and have saved a total of $89,831.55. This is notable as low-income individuals often lack access to the means to build assets, which can moderate financial distress. In this mixed-method study we examine the program's impact through administrative data, surveys, and qualitative interviews. Of the 17 interview participants, 15 opened an account, saving an average of $1,356.24 toward housing, emergency savings, cars, education, and computers. Few U.S. IDA programs have served …

A Heated Debate: Theoretical Perspectives Of Sexual Exploitation And Sex Work, Lara Gerassi

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The theoretical and often political frameworks of sexual exploitation and sex work among women are widely and enthusiastically debated among academic and legal scholars alike. The majority of theoretical literature in this area focuses on the macro perspective, while the micro-level perspective regarding causation remains sparse. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the philosophical, legal, and political perspectives pertaining to sexual exploitation of women and girls and addresses the subsequent controversies in the field.

Review Of The End Of Normal: The Great Crisis And The Future Of Growth. James K. Galbraith. Reviewed By Charles Levenstein, Charles Levenstein

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

James K. Galbraith, The End of Normal: The Great Crisis and the Future of Growth. Simon and Schuster (2014), 304 pages, $26.00 (hardcover), $16.00 (paperback).

Technology And Social Work Practice: Micro, Mezzo, And Macro Applications, Jonathan B. Singer, Melanie Sage

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

No abstract provided.

Comparing The Clinical Approaches Of Christian Social Workers And Secular Social Workers, Kristin Larsen

Dissertations

This mixed methods research study explores the current interface of religion and social work in clinical practice. A total of 91 National Association of Social Workers, Illinois Chapter members and 120 North American Association of Christians in Social Work members responded to clinical vignettes via an online survey. Subsequently, a small group of Christian social workers and a small group of Secular social workers convened for focus group discussion. This study found that the approaches of Christian social workers and secular social workers were not fundamentally different; however, there was some evidence of significant differences between the groups and their …

The Prevalence Rate Of Underage Drinking Among School-Age Adolescents Receiving Social Work Intervention In A Community Mental Health Research Health Setting, Karen Abonza

Social Work Theses - Archive

Adolescents participate in underage drinking across the United States, causing significant consequences to themselves, others, communities, and the state. Underage drinking is one of the nation's leading causes of deaths in American adolescents. The current study examines the prevalence rate of underage drinking among a clinical population. The hypothesis is that peers (peer groups and peer influence) may contribute to underage drinking greater than the impact of families encouraging alcohol. An epidemiological case record review of 100 participants from the years 2012 to 2014 was conducted at the University of Texas at Arlington's Center for Clinical Social Work (CCSW) using …

Associations Among African American Parent Education, Perceptions, Behaviors, And Child Weight Status: A Cross-Sectional Data Analysis, Tracey Marie Barnett

Social Work Dissertations - Archive

Purpose: Obesity in children and adolescents is a worldwide epidemic that is anticipated to worsen over time (Budd & Volpe, 2006; Chatterjee, Blakely, & Barton, 2005; Hossain, Kawar, & El Nahas, 2007). Within the past 30 years, the prevalence of childhood obesity in the United States has more than doubled among children and quadrupled in adolescents (Ogden, Carroll, Kit, & Flegal, 2014). People often have inaccurate perceptions of their body size and weight status and this may play a key role in the prevalence of obesity especially for ethnic minorities (Gillard, Lackland, Mountfored, & Egan, 2007; Hendley, et al., 2011). …

Perceptions Of Professional And Financial Worth Among Master Of Social Work Students, Rebecca Allison Peeler

Social Work Theses - Archive

The purpose of this study is to explore professional perceptions (intraprofessional, interprofessional, and societal) among UT Arlington (UTA) second-year and advanced-standing master of social work (MSW) students and investigate the connections of these perceptions to financial worth. Three focus groups were conducted with UTA MSW students (n=31) to explore this topic. The findings from this research suggest that the link between professional perceptions and financial worth is salient. Internal and external devaluation may contribute to a continued acceptance and expectation of low financial earnings. Implications for social work education policy and professional advocacy are addressed. This researcher hopes that the …

A Metatheoretical Analysis Of Social Support Theory In Application To Military Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Mikayla Lynn Jacob

Social Work Theses - Archive

More organizations, researchers, and practitioners are now measuring social support with military Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD; however, many are measuring very different specific variables under the overarching title of social support. These differences have created complications when interpreting the data. A number of different outcomes have been noted in empirical research regarding the relationship between military PTSD and social support.. This is a secondary analysis of previously published research, similar to a research synthesis. George Ritzer's (1989) metatheoretical analysis method is used. Social exchange theory and social network theory are discussed as they relate to social support theory. Three …

The Social Determinants Of Immigrant Well-Being In The United States: A Gendered Perspective, Arati Maleku

Social Work Dissertations - Archive

This dissertation examines the overlapping effects of structural vulnerabilities that arise from individual’s position in a society translated through gender, race, ethnicity, class, age, and marital status on the well-being of immigrants in the United States. Despite the increasing understanding of migration as a gendered process, research in this area is still limited to gender and/or women ignoring class, ethnicity, or race as relevant axes of structural disadvantage and differentiation. This empirical study addresses this lacuna in knowledge via two objectives: (1) advance a conceptual and methodological model of health and migration that integrates a gendered perspective drawing interconnections, interdependence, …

Predicting Condom Use Behavior In Sexually Active Adolescents: Application Of The Health Belief Model And Developmental Assets Framework, Holli M. Slater

Social Work Dissertations - Archive

A significant amount of progress has been made over the past decade to reduce the impact of risky sexual behavior among adolescents; however, rates of unwanted pregnancy and contraction of sexually transmitted infections remain high. Finding ways to mitigate the consequences of risky sexual behavior continues to be a focus of many working with adolescents engaging in risky behavior. This study performed a secondary analysis of data collected during a 5-year evaluation of a teen pregnancy program targeting youth ages 17-19 who were at high risk for dropping out of high school. The goals of this study were two fold: …

Start With Us! Culturally Relevant Pedagogy In The Preschool Classroom, Tonia Renee Durden, Elsita Escalante, Kimberly Blitch

Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families, and Schools: Faculty Publications

Using an ethnographic case study approach, we examined how teachers and parents within an eth-nically diverse early childhood program conceptualized and implemented culturally relevant peda-gogy and how these primary caregivers were encouraging children’s sociocultural development and awareness. Data sources included questionnaires, interview transcripts, and observational field notes (classroom and community). Findings suggest there were multiple strategies and resources teachers used to facilitate the sociocultural growth of young children indicative of culturally relevant practices. However, we discovered there were mediating factors that impacted how and whether teachers were able to implement culturally relevant pedagogy in the early childhood classroom.

Leaning Out: Exploring Organizational Advocacy Activities From An Open Systems Perspective, Lauri Goldkind

Social Service Faculty Publications

his article explores the effect of organizational culture on engagement with advocacy activities, both traditional and electronic. The Competing Values Framework offers a model for understanding how organization's culture influences behavior. Using a sample of nonprofit providers from across the country, the author hypothesized that organizations that use electronic advocacy tools are more involved with advocacy activities of all types. A paper and pencil survey was used to collect data on organizational culture, advocacy tools and techniques, perceived effectiveness of the advocacy tools, policy goals, organizational sustainability goals as well as barriers and facilitators of electronic advocacy. The study used …

Metaphoric Generative Genograms: A Journey To Bring Genograms To Life Through Metaphorical Components, Elisa Garcia

Department of Family Therapy Dissertations and Applied Clinical Projects

The purpose of this dissertation is to offer a greater understanding of the potential of genograms through my clinical work from a Bowen Family Systems lens. I account for how I processed and effectively blended metaphorical components, by examining six cases from my two-year journal entries, of bringing genograms to life in sessions. I also explain how I created a useful tool, the Metaphoric Generative Genogram, that can benefit other clinicians working with children and families in the foster care community.

Victims' Perspectives Of Their Roles In Unwanted Sexual Experiences When Alcohol Is Consumed, Lindsey C. Grove

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Sexual violence among college students is recognized as a serious public health concern in the United States. Among college students, sexual violence is associated with high levels of PTSD symptoms and psychological consequences (Frazier et al., 2009). For ages 18 to 25 sexual violence is the only crime that is found to occur more frequently among college students than the same age group not attending college and is at its highest rate during the first year of attendance(Baum & Klaus, 2005) Research has already uncovered increased risk of victimization for young college students including heavy alcohol consumption (Messman-Moore, Coates, Gaffey, …

Helping Students Graduate: An Examination Of The Services Provided By A Dropout Prevention Program, Caren Putzu

Theses and Dissertations

The Alliance for Excellent Education (2011) estimates every 26 seconds in America, a student drops out of school. Numerous intervention and prevention approaches have been implemented to reduce the incidents of school dropout. One program, Communities In Schools (CIS), has shown promise in impacting the issue of school dropout by attending to both academic and non-academic factors at play in influencing a student’s risk for dropping out. The primary aim of this secondary data analysis was to develop an increased understanding of CIS services, to explore whether service provision varies systematically in relation to student outcomes and student characteristics, and …

Kate Martin: Individual And Couples Therapist And Workshop Leader, Erin Olson, Diana S. Richmond Garland

Faculty Work Comprehensive List

Whether she is working as therapist with a couple in crisis in her office or leading a workshop in a church fellowship hall, Kate sees this as her way, as she says, of "answering God's call to bring redemption."

Clinical Encounters With Immigrants: What Matters For U.S. Psychiatrists., Carolina Hausmann-Stabile, Peter J. Guarnaccia

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

About 3.2 percent of the population across the globe are migrants. Today, unprecedented numbers of people are relocating in the U.S. and more than ever, psychiatrists find themselves caring for immigrant patients. International migration is a multilayered issue that often has implications for the mental health of migrants. Thus, there is an increasing interest in understanding how the different factors associated with migration processes affect the mental health outcomes of immigrants. We group these factors into three categories: immigrant process, clinical encounter, and mental health services. When possible, we incorporate a gendered and life span perspective and suggest avenues for …

An Exploratory Study Of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury And Suicidal Behaviors In Adolescent Latinas, Lauren E. Gulbas, Carolina Hausmann-Stabile, Susan M. De Luca, Tee R. Tyler, Luis H. Zayas

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

To date, there is little research to validate empirically differences between nonsuicidal self-injurious behavior (NSSI) and attempted suicide among Latina adolescents. Understanding the characteristics and contextual features of self-harmful behaviors among Latina teens is a critical public health and social justice matter given the disproportionate rates of attempted suicide and anticipated population growth of this vulnerable group. In this article, we draw on an ecodevelopmental model to focus attention on factors in the sociocultural environment that shape suicidal behaviors and NSSIs. Through analysis of qualitative interviews conducted with girls who used NSSI (n ! 18), attempted suicide (n ! 29), …

Parent To Parent Support For Parents Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: Perspectives Of Parents And Program Staff, Nina Nelson

Theses and Dissertations

This short-term longitudinal qualitative study used grounded theory methods to explore how parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) benefit from one-to-one support (P2P), factors affecting success, and how these relationships evolved. In-depth interviews were conducted with 6 staff, 12 referred parents, and 11 support parents.

Most referred parents found P2P helpful, deriving informational/practical, emotional, and a few social benefits. Six interrelated factors affected success including a) parent-support relationship; b) program level; c) support parents’ experiences with P2P and the disability community; d) practical/logistical factors; e) psycho-emotional factors; and f) referred parents’ expectations relationship program level. The relationship was …

Farm Work As Treatment For Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Mindy L. Walls

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This exploratory, descriptive study assessed what, if anything, is beneficial about engaging in agricultural work, or, farm work, for individuals living with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). An anonymous, online survey was utilized, asking a series of multiple choice and open ended questions about the participants’ farm work history, PTSD experience, and demographic information. Thirty-nine participants responded with varying identities and work history, but many shared experiences of PTSD. Almost all of the participants found farming to be beneficial for managing PTSD. Specifically, four themes arose from the data that explained what about farming was beneficial for individuals with PTSD: farming …

I Googled. "How Do You Know You're Gay?" : A Qualitative Study On Lgbtq Identity Formation And The Internet /, Rebekah M. Meresman

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This qualitative, exploratory study examined the impact of the internet on the identity formation process of LGBTQ individuals. This study aimed to answer the question: How and why do some LGBTQ-identified adults use the internet as a tool to formulate their sexual/gender identity? Through an anonymous online survey, LGBTQ identified participants were asked several open-ended questions about their identity formation experiences, and the role of the internet on this process.

Fifty individuals participated in the study, from a wide range of sexual and gender identities, half of which identified as transgender or gender non-conforming. Of these participants, most indicated that …

Assessing Lgbtq Youth Cultural Competency In Direct-Care Behavioral Health Workers: Development And Validation Of A Measure., Megan E. Gandy

Theses and Dissertations

Direct-care workers can provide an array of service types to children, adolescents, and their families in behavioral health treatment. They may also work in a variety of settings (e.g., group homes, inpatient units/hospitals, residential treatment, treatment foster care, day treatment, in-home treatment, etc.). Direct-care workers typically are involved in the supervision of youth and in the implementation of a treatment plan developed by the youth’s treatment team. For youth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) and are receiving behavioral health services, such workers form a critical part of their therapeutic experience. However, …

The Effect Of Caring For Grandchildren On Older Adults' Well-Being : Caregiving Grandparents Vs. Non-Caregivers In South Korea, Jwakyum Kim

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Purpose: The aim of the present study is to provide theoretical explanations of the relationship of caregiving and older adults’ health (i.e., a life course perspective and Andersen’s Behavioral Model). Specifically, this study examines the effect of caring for grandchildren on older adults’ well-being in South Korea.

The Process Of Learning To Do Social Work In The Undergraduate Field Practicum In Mainland China : Bsw Students' Perceptions Of Most Useful Learning Event, Qiang Chen

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Social work educational programs have been rapidly expanded in mainland China since 2000, and field practicum is considered as one of the most problematic areas. This qualitative study explores baccalaureate social work students’ perceptions of the most useful learning event in the field practicum. Critical Incident Technique-based interview was conducted with 27 students from one undergraduate program in Beijing. Interview transcripts were analyzed using Nvivo software, guided by a constant comparative method in the ground theory tradition. From data analysis, a general learning process emerged that reveals similar patterns of learning among the student participants. This general learning process comprises …

The Effects Of Parental Monitoring And Parent-Child Relationships Quality On Children's Academic Engagement In Mother-Headed, Single-Parent Families, Benjamin Robert Malczyk

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Using a sample of 110 mother-headed single-parent families, this longitudinal study examined the relationship between pre-adolescent students’ academic engagement and three variables: Parental monitoring, parent-child attachment, and observed child-parent relationship quality. Special interest resided in the extent to which observed relationship quality or attachment moderated the relationship between parental monitoring and academic engagement.

The Lived Experiences Of Lesbian Clergy In Four Protestant Mainline Denominations : The Formation Of Their Religious, Spiritual, And Sexual Identities, Pamela Jeanne Pater-Ennis

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

This study explores the multiplicity of challenging issues that lesbian clergy face today from a social work perspective, utilizing the intersecting concepts found in social work and theology as an interpretive framework. From the social work perspective, the theoretical constructs of social identity theory, ecological theory, and anti-oppressive theory inform the qualitative questions of this study. Answers flow from the data extracted from interviews with the sample, utilizing modified grounded theory and listening guide methodologies to give “voice” to the lesbian clergy and the challenges that they faced due to their religious, spiritual, and sexual identities. Specifically, this is a …