Social Work Commons^™

Beyond The Individual: Exploring Structural Explanations Of Homelessness Through Thematic Analysis Of Extant Research, Madison R. Mcclain

Senior Theses

This thesis examines how homelessness is defined, explained, and addressed within contemporary U.S. research using Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Intersectionality as guiding frameworks. Through a qualitative, deductive thematic analysis of 16 peer-reviewed articles, this study identifies six key themes related to structural causation, policy governance, measurement practices, racial inequality, dominant narratives, and intersecting systems of disadvantage. Findings reveal that while structural explanations of homelessness are widely acknowledged, they are inconsistently defined and often insufficiently theorized. Institutional systems primarily function to manage rather than resolve homelessness, while measurement practices and definitions actively shape who is recognized and prioritized. Additionally, structural …

Mental Health In Rural School-Age Youth: Examining Trends In Adverse Childhood Experiences, Positive Childhood Experiences, And Family Resilience From 2018-2023, Mary Katherine Shires

Brown School Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

This study examined trends in adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), positive childhood experiences (PCEs), family resilience, and mental health conditions in rural and urban youth in the United States from 2018-2023. It also assessed whether PCEs and family resilience moderated the association between ACEs and youth mental health and whether these relationships differed by geographic setting and across time. Data were drawn from six years (2018-2023) of the National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH), a nationally representative, cross-sectional, caregiver-reported survey assessing child wellbeing. The analytic sample included school-age youth (ages 6-17) residing in states that reported metropolitan (urban) versus non-metropolitan (rural) …

"I Know Who I Am": Gender-Creative Children Draw-And-Tell Their Social And Healthcare Experiences, Eline L. Lenne, Ben Anderson-Nathe, Christina J. Sun, Martha Driessnack

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Gender-creative children have an elevated risk of healthcare avoidance and adverse health outcomes related to stigma and discrimination. Despite evidence that family affirmation is protective and pediatric providers influence care outcomes, young children’s perspectives related to their social support and clinical experiences remain underrepresented in health research. Indeed, children’s agency has been historically restricted in healthcare and health research. This community-engaged, artsbased, qualitative study used Draw-and-Tell Conversations—a participatory approach combining drawing, storytelling, and writing—with 12U.S.-based gender-creative children (ages 5–10). Although children’s caregivers completed surveys to contextualize findings, the project highlighted children’s capacity to report on their own experiences. Data were …

The Power Of Beliefs: Cognitive Pathways Linking Mental Health Literacy To Psychological Distress, Katherine Elise Kirsch

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Mental health disorders are prevalent in children and adolescents, and they are accompanied by challenges throughout the lifespan. Mental health literacy (MHL) provides a flexible framework to address child and adolescent mental health. Identifying significant relationships between MHL and mental health outcomes has the potential to inform successful interventions. This study uses a secondary analysis of data gathered for the Study on Attitudes of Adolescents and Young Adults Toward Relevant Health Issues to isolate MHL belief domains that significantly effect psychological distress levels in adolescents.

The Swiss Youth Mental Health Literacy and Stigma Survey was used to assess the MHL, …

Measuring Indigenous Cultural Strengths: A Systematic Review Of A Decade Of Approaches., Melissa L. Walls, Danica Love Brown, Victoria M. O'Keefe, Evan J. White, Miigis Gonzalez, Ivy Blackmore, Tara L. Maudrie, Meenakshi Richardson, Timothy R. Werwie, Hariata G Tai Rakena, Multiple Additional Authors

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Indigenous Peoples experience severe health inequities rooted in experiences of colonization. Calls for strengths-based, culturally grounded research and practice to redress these harms continue to grow. This systematic review assesses how Indigenous "culture" has been quantified in research across the globe over a 10-year span. Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched four databases (2013-2023) for peer-reviewed, English-language articles featuring quantitative measures of Indigenous culture as a positive/protective factor. Data were extracted via a double coding system to assess cultural domains, operationalization strategies, and sociodemographic characteristics of reviewed studies. We reviewed 279 records and identified 461 measures, 289 of which were unique. …

Beyond Words: Supporting Nonverbal Autistic Preschoolers With Exceptional Cognitive Abilities, Dawn Timms

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

This project explores how caregivers can support autistic preschoolers who are nonverbal yet demonstrate advanced cognitive abilities. Grounded in communication theory and neurodiversity‑affirming practice, it reframes communication as a shared, relational process that extends beyond spoken language. Drawing from interdisciplinary research, I created a strengths‑based caregiver communication toolkit that translates complex theory into clear, practical strategies families can use in everyday routines. This work honors the intelligence of children whose thinking outpaces their speech and equips caregivers with tools that make communication more accessible, responsive, and affirming.

Protecting Older Adults In Hospice Care: Digital Risks And Vulnerabilities, Monalisa Gonzalez

Staying Safe, Smart, and Well Online: Empowering Older Adults in the Digital Age

No abstract provided.

Techno Loteria: Working With Senior Planet From Aarp, Darryl Greer

Staying Safe, Smart, and Well Online: Empowering Older Adults in the Digital Age

No abstract provided.

What Am I Actually Sharing? Everyday Data Decisions And How To Stay In Control, Yair Cabrera Menendez

Staying Safe, Smart, and Well Online: Empowering Older Adults in the Digital Age

No abstract provided.

Digital Challenges Experienced By Older Adults In Hidalgo County, Migdalia (Dee) Ochoa

Staying Safe, Smart, and Well Online: Empowering Older Adults in the Digital Age

No abstract provided.

Clinicians’ Perceived Preparedness To Support Clients Who Have Co-Occurring Disorders, Jessica A. Love Jordan, Joseph Day

Journal of Applied Disciplines

Co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders are prevalent, yet many clinicians feel underprepared to provide integrated care for this population. This study explores the factors influencing clinicians' perceived preparedness and objective knowledge in treating clients with co-occurring disorders. Data were collected from 131 clinicians using the CODECAT EZ 2.0 and TIP ZIP assessments to evaluate their competence in co-occurring disorders treatment. Results indicate that while participants held positive attitudes toward integrated care, their practical knowledge and skills were often rated as average or below. Education, clinical experience, and continuing education were found to significantly influence both perceived preparedness and …

Exploring Immigrant Youth Bullying Behaviors Through A Socio-Ecological Lens To Inform Culturally Responsive Anti-Bullying Programs And Services, Florence Chiang

Student Conference Presentations

No abstract provided.

Single Custodial Fathers And The Challenges To Receiving Services, Oriesha Anyah Peña

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Single fathers are an increasing population in the United States and worldwide. However, the literature and programs that guide human services professionals supporting single fathers’ parenting experience are limited in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. There is a need to further study the varied challenges these fathers experience so that professionals in social support organizations and agencies can implement appropriate services, support, programs, and resources into practice and ensure access to support their families and parenting. This qualitative study includes a force field analysis as part of a formative program needs assessment to explore human services professionals' perceptions of service needs, …

Teaching Evidence-Based Practice In Social Work: Practical Instructional Design Approaches For Graduate Students, Nicholas D. Bambach

Transforming Libraries for Graduate Students

Across the social and health sciences, evidence-based practice (EBP) serves as a cornerstone of professional education and links research-based knowledge to real-world decision-making. Students are expected to integrate empirical findings with client needs, ethical considerations, and professional best practices. Yet many graduate students struggle to translate theoretical concepts into applied practice. Academic librarians, particularly those serving as subject liaisons and specialists, are well positioned to partner with social work faculty to design scaffolded instructional experiences that integrate research literacy with social work’s ethical and humanistic frameworks. Through librarian–faculty partnerships, librarians can help students critically engage with research evidence while honoring …

Behind The Jersey: Exploring Athletic Identity And Depression In College Athletes, Matt A. Moore, Lana Loken, Anne Kelly, Mastano Nambiro Woleson Dzimbiri, Payton Bennett, Lawrence W. Judge

Journal of Athlete Development and Experience

A significant increase in mental health concerns among college athletes has fueled interest in the impact of athletic identity on psychological outcomes. Research has produced mixed results regarding the association between athletic identity and mental health. This study sought to clarify this relationship and to improve our understanding of depression among NAIA college athletes, especially those who attach a great degree of importance and strength to the athlete’s role in relation to other activities. Voluntary college athletes aged 18-years-old or older and attending an NAIA member institution participated in the study (n = 361). They completed a web-based instrument that …

"Hey, I Need Help": Student-Survivor Perceptions Of Engagement With Title Ix., Rachel J. Voth Schrag, Jennifer Thompson, Alexandra Jacobs, Christine Highfill, Leila Wood

School of Social Work Faculty Publications

Interpersonal violence on college campuses disrupts academic experiences and impacts outcomes for students. This study sought to understand the experiences of students in the United States engaging with Title IX offices, within the context of additional state mandates. Interviews were conducted with 24 students and analyzed through inductive content analysis. Students described negative impacts such as challenges with the organizational processes, impacts to institutional trust, frustration with ineffective protections, and high personal and academic costs. Positive outcomes expressed included feeling more empowered to engage in self-advocacy and finding validation of their experience. Recommendations for promising university violence response practices are …

Cv: Michael Lloyd, Michael Lloyd

Social Work Department Faculty Curricula Vitae

No abstract provided.

Using A Place-Based Harms Typology To Inform Community Practice And Research: Illustrative Cases And Contexts, Jason Sawyer, Greer A. Hamilton, Amie Thurber, Amy Krings

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Place-based harms comprise direct threats to community wellbeing within the spaces where people live. These harms, rooted in structural and cultural violence, are codified in policies and programs that contribute to poverty, homelessness, over-policing and surveillance, and environmental injustices. This paper argues, although community practitioners are needed to work alongside communities impacted by place-based harms, there are critical tensions and tradeoffs embedded within the place-based strategies. To illustrate this, we draw from the Contested Places Typology and present cases that highlight key tensions, tradeoffs, and nuances associated with its six approaches: (1) Reparation, (2) Remembrance, (3) Regeneration, (4) Resistance, (5) …

Relationships Between Resource Utilization And Relapse In Rural Areas, Shane Sneddon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In the United States, over 100,000 deaths were attributed to drug overdose in 2021. Relapse rates are higher in rural communities than in urban communities due to sociocultural barriers such as employment, limited entrainment activities, and peer pressure during social events. Previous research did not indicate whether the increase or decrease of Daily Living Assessment (DLA-20) scores have a correlation between community resource utilization and relapse. Using systems theory as the research lens, this study examined the correlation between use of community engagement resources and relapse as manifested by scores on the DLA-20. Data were collected from 100 individuals enrolled …

Internal Family Systems Therapy For Trauma Recovery And Addiction In Sexual And Gender Minorities, Walter Saunders

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Sexual and gender minorities (SGM) experience disproportionately high rates of substance use disorders linked to trauma exposure, minority stress, and barriers to affirming behavioral health care. Although trauma-informed approaches have expanded, little is known about how SGM individuals experience and make meaning of their engagement in internal family systems (IFS) therapy for trauma and addiction. Guided by Schwartz’s theory of the multiplicity of the mind and minority stress theory, the purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore how SGM individuals describe and interpret their engagement in IFS therapy within the context of trauma and addiction. Interpretative phenomenological analysis …