Social Work Commons^™

Exploring Cancer Health Disparities Among Formerly Incarcerated African Americans, Vickii Coffey, Tera Ivy, Brittany Harding, Mary Muse, Carolyn Rodgers, Lori Crowder, Shirley Spencer, Joseph Strickland, Giesela Grumbach, Linda Campos-Moreira, Delawnia Comer-Hagans, Alicia Matthews

Research Days

Incarcerated populations have a higher burden of chronic disease and elevated risk factors for cancer (BJS, 2012). In 2013, cancer (31%) and heart disease (26%) accounted for over half of all prisoner deaths. The Genomics Research Program of the National Cancer Institute’s Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences (2016) identified incarcerated persons as an understudied population about which there is limited data regarding cancer risks and outcomes. A majority of studies on corrections populations focus on health issues associated with reduction of infectious diseases such as HIV, Tuberculosis, and Hepatitis. Scant research has been conducted on issues associated with …

Behavioral Health Practice Competencies Among Graduate Social Work Students: A Program Evaluation, Jane C. Barney

LSU Master's Theses

The Health Services and Resource Administration (HRSA) of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has recognized a need for mental health and substance abuse services for children, adolescents, and transitional youth who are at-risk for developing behavioral health disorders. In response to this need, the Obama administration delegated funds to multiple universities for the purpose of expanding the social work labor force. Louisiana State University is among those that received a block grant, allowing some of the students in the School of Social Work to participate in a Behavioral Health Workforce Education Training (BHWET) Program. This quasi-experimental study …

Falling On Deaf Ears: Social Workers’ Attitudes About Deafness, Hearing Loss, And Deaf Cultural Competence, Esperanza J. Garibay

LSU Master's Theses

D/deaf and hard of hearing people have lower health literacy and higher rates of misdiagnosis of serious illnesses than their hearing counterparts (Sheier, 2009). This is, in part, a result of the inaccessible and culturally incompetent care provided to d/Deaf and hard of hearing individuals (Kuenburg, Fellinger & Fellinger, 2016; Hoang, LaHousse, Nakaji & Sadler, 2010 Sheier, 2009). Inaccessible and culturally incompetent care may be byproducts of human service providers’ attitudes towards d/Deaf and hard of hearing people (Ulloa, 2014; Cooper, Mason & Rose, 2005), and providers’ level of competence with properly caring for d/Deaf and hard of hearing clients …

The Aaspire Practice-Based Guidelines For The Inclusion Of Autistic Adults In Research As Co-Researchers And Study Participants, Christina Nicolaidis, Dora M. Raymaker, Steven K. Kapp, Amelia E.V. Baggs, Elesia Ashkenazy, Katherine E. Mcdonald, Michael Weiner, Joelle Maslak, Morrigan Hunter, Andrea Joyce

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

As interest in autism in adulthood grows, so does the need for methods to promote the inclusion of autistic adults in research. Our objective was to create practice-based guidelines for the inclusion of autistic adults, both as research team members and as study participants. We conducted an institutional ethnography of three closely related research partnerships that used participatory methods with autistic adults over the years 2006–2018. We used an iterative approach which combined discussions with community and academic partners and artifact review. Guidelines to promote the inclusion of autistic adults as co-researchers focus on being transparent about partnership goals, clearly …

The Role Of Adverse Childhood Experiences In Relation To Opioids, Kay Hanson, Kimberlee Lamoth, Amelia Smith

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

The aim of this study is to address the current gap in research regarding the relationship between childhood trauma and the misuse of opioids among women ages eighteen to thirty-five. Research participants were recruited at community service agencies throughout the Portland area and completed questionnaires measuring Adverse Childhood Experiences, substance use, and use of community supports. Statistical analyses were conducted to assess whether a correlation exists between childhood trauma and opioid use and whether community supports moderate this relationship. Findings of this study have the potential to confirm the existence of a correlation between childhood trauma and opioid misuse that …

Opioid Use Treatment Via Telemedicine: Treatment Options For Rural Maine, Benjamin Knapp

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

The ongoing opioid crisis has overwhelmed the traditional opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment resources across America. The treatment resources in rural communities have been especially hard hit as geographic and financial barriers limit service capacity. Telemedicine, or medicine delivered via remote means, has been proposed as a potential solution to the lack of conventional opioid treatment resources in rural Maine. Current legalities in the US prohibit telemedicine being used to prescribe opioid agonist drugs, and insurance reimbursement for telemedicine remains a major barrier. This qualitative content analysis looks at the existing research on telemedicine's treatment efficacy for use with OUD …

Professional Impressions And Experiences Of The Complex Needs Of Human Trafficking Survivors, Jackie Klock, Kelsey Haynes

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

Abstract Human trafficking is a monumental and pervasive human rights issue, and one that carries immense physical, psychological, and psychosocial repercussions to its survivors. This project explores the complex needs and service gaps that exist for survivors of human trafficking. Through a qualitative study, with six in-person interviews of professional providers in Maine, we gain access to important information regarding complex needs of human trafficking survivors. Using thematic analysis we analyze common themes throughout the interviews in relation to previous literature. Recommendations for practice are also presented.

Experiences Of Veterans With Ptsd And Sud In An Outpatient Setting, Andrew Breault, Hannah Shifflett-Kohler

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

In 2014, there were approximately 7.9 million adults in the United States with co-occurring Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Substance Use Disorders (SUD) (SAMHSA, 2014). Of the veterans who served in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan alone, 30% of those in SUD treatment also meet the criteria for PTSD (Seal et al, 2008, pp. 476). Furthermore, statistics show that about 20 Veterans in the United States complete suicide daily (Spiva, 2019, p. 8). The Department of Veterans Affairs is urgently seeking successful approaches to addressing the high incidence of suicides among all veterans along with the low retention …

Cyberbullying And Suicide Among Lgbtq Youth: Is There A Connection?, Holly Wright, Victoria Wilson Townley

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

The suicide rate among children and teens has been rising over the last decade, and members of the LGBTQ youth population are at considerably greater risk for suicide than their heterosexual peers. LGBTQ youth are also at heightened risk of being bullied due to sexual orientation. Recent technological advancements have created a new platform for bullying, that of cyberbullying, which can contribute to feelings of depression and low self-esteem. The detrimental impact that cyberbullying can have on mental health suggests the possibility of a potential connection between cyberbullying and LGBTQ youth suicide. This qualitative study examines the possible link between …

Lgbt+ Teens, Social Media Use & Depressive Symptoms, Megan Curtis, Danielle Ryder

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

Sexual and gender minority youth are statistically more likely to face severe mental health challenges than their cisgender, heterosexual peers; they consistently comprise a disproportionate percentage of youth who report experiencing depression, suicide ideation and attempted suicide in the United States every year (e.g. Abreu & Kinney, 2018). The aim of this study was to fill a gap in the current literature base by investigating the effects of social media use on sexual and gender minority youth mental health. The researchers conducted an online anonymous questionnaire targeted toward American LGBT+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, etc.) youth ages 14 to 18, …

Perceptions Of Mental Health: Eight Conversations With Mainers From Africa, Teresa Sosa, Emelda Ogweta

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

As of 2016, 42 million refugees from around the world had been forced to flee their homes due to war, persecution, or natural disaster (George & Jettner, 2016). Due to these factors, as well as relocation and resettlement, refugees are at a significant risk for trauma and other mental health issues (George & Jettner, 2016). While the literature consistently validates this heightened risk for mental illness in refugees, more research is needed into refugee's perspectives on mental health. Through analysis of semi-structured interviews with eight refugees from Africa, this phenomenological study investigated refugee's perceptions of mental health and mental illness. …

The Experience Of Social Workers Who Utilize Therapy Dogs In Practice, Kathryn Jochems

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

Animal assisted therapy, which incorporates animals into structured therapeutic interventions, and its use within social work has been shown to increase social interactions, communication, and the overall health and safety of clients (Nimer & Lundahl, 2007). However, there is a gap in the literature regarding the professional and personal experiences of individual social workers with incorporating certified therapy dogs into their practice. This study examined the approval process, perceived effects on practice, perceived effects outside of practice, and future implications of using therapy dogs in social work through the analysis of qualitative data from seven in-depth interviews with licensed social …

Food Security @ Pitt State, Bre'onna Shockley, Marisela Resendiz, Hyejoon Park

Posters

A college student’s current socioeconomic status contributes to food insecurity. A student’s current living situa­tion may cause barriers to food access. When students do not have a sense of security of food and a student is hungry, he does not feel safe, and it is hard to help him synthesize class material. Meeting students’ basic needs is vital for them to fully concentrate on obtaining the information in a class in a way that they can apply it, learn, and take it forward eventually acquiring assimilation into society. We are conducting a qualitative study of PSU undergraduate students ages 18+. …

A Thematic Analysis Of Adults’ Reflection On Childhood Experiences Being Parented By An Adult With Mental Health Issues, Jennifer Luja, Meg O'Malley

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

Children are impacted by their relationships with caregivers. The objective of this research was to develop awareness of the impact on children being cared for by caregivers with mental health issues by examining the experiences of individuals who had a caregiver with severe and persistent mental health issues during childhood. Researchers also gained insight on how social workers can be more supportive to children in these circumstances. The researchers conducted interviews with five participants, the recordings of which were then transcribed and coded to identify themes. Prevalent themes include critiques of available services, resiliency and challenges of family members as …

Unheard Warriors: Creating An Effective Child Welfare Workforce, Yina Cordero

Community Engagement Student Work

As child abuse and neglect cases continue to increase in the United States, child welfare workers continue to experience challenges that have made it increasingly difficult to adequately care for the children and families in the child welfare system. Unfortunately, this has led to increased turnover rates among child welfare workers. Policy surrounding the child welfare workforce have pushed for changes that do not appropriately address issues such as the lack of education, training, and unsafe organizational environment that child welfare workers experience daily. An extensive overview of the current state of the child welfare workforce, has demonstrated a need …

Forensic Social Work: Interviewing Sexually Abused Children, Maleaha F. Davis

Selected Honors Theses

In the United States, each year, there are at least one million cases of child sexual abuse and even more cases that were not reported. For the cases that are reported, the child will meet with a social worker or other professional for a forensic interview. The goal of a forensic interview is to explore claims or suspicions of sexual abuse. The sexually abused children who participate in these interviews have already been traumatized and may not want to disclose. Yet the job of the interviewer is to elicit forensically sound information and details about the events from the children …

Women & Adhd Functional Impairments: Beyond The Obvious, Noelle Marita Lynn

Masters Theses

Women with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder are an understudied and underserved population. Research on women with ADHD has shown that they are significantly impaired by ADHD and its functional impairments. It also shows that women often internalize their symptoms and impairments. However, no research was found that explores what this internalization does to the women. The researcher chose to begin to address this gap in the literature through this qualitative phenomenological study. The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of functional impairments caused by ADHD on the internal lived experiences of women.

The researcher conducted fourteen interviews …

Dampak Bumdes Terhadap Kesejahteraan Masyarakat Di Desa Aik Batu Buding, Kabupaten Belitung, Provinsi Bangka Belitung.

Jurnal Ilmu Kesejahteraan Sosial

Village development is a priority in national development, because it is closely related to the third point of the President's Nawacita which states that it is developing Indonesia from the periphery by strengthening regions and villages within the framework of a unitary state. This study aims to describe the impact of BUMDES on the welfare of rural communities. BUMDES is one of the programs to strengthen the role of the region. village aik batu buding, Belitung Districts, Bangka Belitung Islands Province has become one of the best BUMDES in the Province in 2016, because it is interesting to see the …

Analyzing Social Policy From A Network Perspective, Jill M. Manit, Aleksey Kolpakov, William Eubank

School of Social Work Faculty Publications

Governance models influence the approach that public service organizations take when implementing programs, policies, and practices. The networked model of governance supports the involvement of multiple actors who span organizational boundaries and roles to implement solutions to address complex social problems. This paper presents the utility of network analysis for the study of policy implementation from a network perspective. The paper describes networks within the context of social work policy implementation, basic network components, common structural variables, and sources of data for the study of policy implementation. A study of a statewide policy implementation is partially presented as an illustration …

State Of Domestic Violence Content In Msw Curriculum In The U.S. Perspectives On Social Work, Abha Rai, Yoon Joon Choi, Lalit Khandare

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

Domestic violence remains a serious concern in the U.S. and stopping family violence is one of the 12 grand challenges for social work. Further, the core values of our profession are deeply rooted in social justice, dignity and worth of the person and importance of human relationships. This makes the preparedness of social work students to address domestic violence crucial. Social work students need to be provided with support to work with survivors, perpetrators and their families, while engaging in prevention of domestic violence. The present study explores the extent to which domestic violence content is covered within MSW curriculum …