Social Work Commons^™

Aging In Place: Perceptions Of Older Adults On Low Income Housing Waitlists, Angela L. Lavery

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Many American older adults with low incomes wait years for affordable housing or housing assistance. Insight is needed on the concerns of older adults who need to move but cannot. In addition, within the study of aging in place, there is a paucity of research regarding older adults with low incomes. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of aging in place from the perspective of older adults with low incomes, and to understand the process in making the decision to move to agesegregated housing. The purpose incorporated an examination of potential oppressive factors that …

Feasibility Of Recruiting Peer Educators To Promote Hiv Testing Using Facebook Among Men Who Have Sex With Men In Peru, Luis A. Menacho, Jerome T. Galea, Sean D. Young

Social Work Faculty Publications

Abstract: A peer leader-based intervention using social media can be an effective means to encourage Peruvian gay men to test for HIV. The objective was to explore the feasibility of recruiting and training leaders to deliver a peer intervention via Facebook to promote HIV testing. Training consisted of three sessions focused on HIV epidemiology, consequences of stigma associated with HIV, and ways to use Facebook. We performed pre- and post-training evaluations to assess HIV knowledge and comfort using Facebook. We trained 34 peer leaders. At baseline, the majority of peer leaders were already qualified and knowledgeable about HIV prevention …

Beliefs About Children Who Have Been Incarcerated: What Do Parents Know?, Aryriana Alexander

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between traditional African-American American parenting and the overrepresentation of African-Americans in America’s jails and prisons. This qualitative study utilized semi-structured interviews of twelve parents who have had a child incarcerated in their adult life to gather data. Study participants were asked their experiences with several traditional happenings, supported by research, in some traditional African-American households. Topics discussed included religion, spanking, and single parenthood. The study found that many of the traditional happenings of African-American parenting occurred within the homes of parents with children who were incarcerated, which supports previous research. …

Alcohol Use And The Older Adult: Addressing Older Adults’ Perceptions, Megan R. Grisso

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

In order to create more efficient, useful alcohol treatment and intervention methods tailored specifically for the older population, it is important to understand the reasons that older adults perceive that they consume alcohol. For this reason, this study explored older adults’ perceptions regarding why they use alcohol. Older adults, age 60 and older, were surveyed through questionnaires completed at senior community centers within San Bernardino County. This was a mixed method design that used qualitative and quantitative analysis for the purpose of exploring the most frequently reported reasons for why older adults use alcohol. The main finding of the study …

Journey To Self-Sufficiency: An Analysis Of Motivation Level And Employment Hope Of Affordable Housing Residents, Erica R. Youngblood

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The Pilot Work Requirement (PWR) for the Housing Authority of San Bernardino is a mandated welfare to work program that was implemented with the goal of promoting self-sufficiency of its residents. Self-sufficiency is both economic and psychological. Participants in welfare-to-work programs view self-sufficiency as a process which includes empowerment, autonomy and confidence and not attainable without motivation. This study measured participant motivation in relation to the PWR program and how it correlates psychological self-sufficiency. The findings of this study suggest that PWR participants have accepted the mandate and have integrated the values of work, education and volunteerism, as their own. …

Community Attitudes Toward Early-Release Offenders Under Ab 109, Mari Lily Herrera, Matthew Erik Mcgiffen

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine community attitudes towards ex-offenders released in San Bernardino under AB 109 on subjects that would likely impact the ex-offender reintegration process. Past research has shown that a community’s willingness to employ and offer social support to ex-offenders has a substantial impact on their probability of re-offense. This study focused on individuals whose roles in the community give them greater influence over ex-offenders. A total of 11 community members participated in this qualitative study. Of the 11 respondents, 4 were employers, 4 were social service workers, and 3 were community center workers. Respondents …

Social Work Students' Perceptions Of Sex Offenders, Mayra Bernal, Henry Christopher Meza

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Social workers who choose to work in the field of child welfare will almost unavoidably be exposed to sexual trauma. This requires that social workers are prepared to understand and work with those who have been sexually abused, as well as the perpetrators of sex crimes. The purpose of this study was to explore social work students’ perceptions of sex offenders since it is anticipated that they will work with the sex offender population at some point in their careers. Exploring this topic could help future social workers gain valuable knowledge related to recognizing barriers that may exist when working …

Knowledge And Use Of Family Planning Services By Extended Foster Care Clients, Ashley M. Diaz, Melodie Anne Chronister

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

There has been extensive, mostly negative research on the outcomes of foster care youth. Due to the abundance of this research, Extended Foster Care (EFC) was created to help to provide additional resources and support to young adults in foster care until age 21. This is a fairly new program, therefore little research has been completed. One of the negative outcomes of foster youth is the high pregnancy and parenting rates. The purpose of this study is to be able to understand the knowledge and use of family planning services among the young adults participating in EFC. Understanding this information …

Substance Abuse Among The Elderly: What Works In Treatment, Sophia Morelli

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Social workers are trained during the course of their education to work with the elderly and to understand the various dynamics of aging. These professionals also receive education on substance abuse and how to assess clients as well as link them to appropriate supportive services. How can social workers be more inclined to effectively treat the elderly substance abuser? What are, if any, special considerations a social worker should be aware of when working with the geriatric population? What treatment modalities seem to be more effective with the elderly client? This study utilized a qualitative analysis consisting of interviews with …

Caregivers’ Emotional Experiences Regarding Their Adolescent’S Substance Abuse Problem, Cindy Reyes, Brenda Jane Duchene

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The primary aim of this investigation was to explore caregivers’ emotional experiences regarding their adolescent with substance abuse problems. These researchers systematically examined the literature on caregiver stress and found a large body of studies on caregivers of persons with mental illness, severe medical problems including cancer, HIV/AIDS, and developmental disabilities. Yet, an absence of research was found on caregivers including parents of adolescents with drug and/or alcohol problems. Based on the findings on investigations with other types of caregivers, these researchers expected caregivers of adolescent substance abusers to report high levels of emotional and psychological distress. Like caregivers of …

Exploring Cultural And Linguistic Aspects Within The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, And Queer Youth Community, Justine Carrillo, Julie Marie Houston

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the cultural and linguistic aspects within the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) youth community. A qualitative research design with an exploratory approach was utilized in this study. An interview questionnaire was created to explore participants’ perceptions and experiences to generate an understanding on LGBTQ culture in practice. The study sample consisted of 12 youth who self‑identify as LGBTQ recruited by snowball sampling. One‑on‑one interviews were conducted, audio‑recorded, per participant consent, and transcribed for thematic analysis. Based on participant narratives, this study found there are cultural considerations that pertain specifically to …

Effectiveness Of Parenting Classes For Parents Of At-Risk Youth, Kristyne Armenta, Janell Edith Huerta

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Parent education classes offered at the Catholic Charities Organization of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties were the focus of this study. A pre-test and post-test design was utilized to evaluate the effectiveness of the classes for parents receiving parent education classes. The hypothesis was directed towards parents who attended parent education classes that would show improvement in knowledge of instrumental parental skills and an increase in parent satisfaction. This included understanding parents awareness and knowledge of healthy emotional expression, which further positive communication, appropriate developmental methods of discipline for their children and utilizing the coping strategies learned to deal with …

Hispanics' Under-Utilization Of Hospice Care Services, Ian M. Montoya

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The purpose of this project was to learn about Hispanics’ utilization of hospice care and to increase knowledge about under-utilization of hospice services by the Hispanic community. Research in hospice services indicates that the Hispanic community underutilizes end-of-life resources when compared to their majority counterparts, European Americans. Research that has controlled for variables such as socio-demographic characteristics, medical history, prognosis, and access to health care demonstrate Hispanics significantly under-utilizing hospice services. This project was conducted within Southern California in the cities of Riverside and Anaheim which are predominantly Hispanic communities. A quantitative design was used to explore the perspectives of …

What Social Workers Need To Know About Cyberbullying, Laura Jeanette Franco, Brenda Maria Miranda

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Cyberbullying (CB) has been a growing concern that has affected students, parents, and professionals in significant ways.One of the main professionals that have been affected by CB are school social workers. The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify what social workers need to know about CB. This study used a qualitative study design because we wanted to obtain an in-depth examination of CB views and beliefs.Data was gathered from 8 middle school teachers, a school principal and a school counselor from a public school in the western region of the United States.In the study participants were interviewed with …

Extended Foster Care: The General Population's Perspective, Laura Andrade, Daniela A. Salinas

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The following is a quantitative study, with a convenience sample of 117 adults, ranging in age from 18-73, to gather information about the public’s perspective towards extended foster care (EFC) and emerging adulthood. Topics varied from when foster youth should emancipate to when emerging adult children should move out of their parents’ homes. There is very little literature regarding the topic of EFC, which could impact the sustainability of this program as its objective is to help emerging adults transition more successfully into adulthood and out of the child welfare system. An online survey was created through Qualtrics with 25 …

What Factors Contribute To Foster Youth Enrolling In Post-Secondary Education?, Manuel Perez, Stella Njideka Anisalone

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study explores the perceptions of former and current foster youth, who either graduated from a post-secondary institution, enrolled in college or a vocational training, in order to identify the factors that contributed to their post-secondary education enrollment.

Sixteen participants provided information about their personal experience with post-secondary education enrollment via personal interview and self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used to compare responses on the self-administered questionnaire. Constant comparative analysis method was used to analyze interview data and code it into themes or codes.

This study’s findings show that the majority of the participants enrolled in college because they were …

Utilization Of Specialized Camp Services Among Parents Of A Child With A Disability, Heather Ann Wroten

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the utilization of specialized camp services among parents of a child with a disability. This study sought to investigate specialized camp services as respite for families. The data was gathered utilizing a mixed method survey approach. The surveys were distributed to primary caregivers of a child with a disability who have attended Camp Paivika within the past three years. The sample size of this study was 69 respondents. The results show that the family unit benefits by way of de-isolation. The camper increases social skills, confidence, and independence. The caregivers experience emotional …

The Importance Of Social Support For Newly Emancipated Foster Youth, Valentina Vela

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The Child Welfare system is widely known as the macro system responsible for ensuring the safety of children within particular parameters, which, in some cases, results in the removal of these individuals from their family of origin. Research has explored the short- and long-term effects of this disruption in hopes of improving the ability of services to effectively prevent negative effects. Despite improvements on a macro and micro level, foster youth continue to be unprepared for the transition out of the foster care system, resulting in negative outcomes. According to research, the newly developed theory of emerging adulthood may have …

Barriers To Services For Transitional Age Youth, Amanda Lucero

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This qualitative study examines the current barriers of services to transition age youth (TAY) who are newly emancipated from foster care. Data collection was derived from eight in depth interviews with local administrators within San Bernardino County with experience with youth and services within the TAY population. Study themes focused on how professionals suggested to engage TAY, tactics to instilling hope, highlighting successful services, and providing professional insight on working with the unique population. Present day research emphasizes the importance of the emotional capacity of TAY, which is a key theme within the present study. As current rates of homelessness, …

Social Worker's Perception Of In Home Therapy To Reduce Depression Among The Elderly, Christine A. Mettlen

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This paper will discuss the barriers to the elderly population and how providing in home therapy could reduce depression in order to provide a better long lasting life. There are high levels of depression related to psychological problems, aging and illness. Depression can be associated with cumulative loss, restricted sense of control and declining abilities. The main problem is that elderly individuals tend to isolate so they will not seek help to address their depression. Providing guidance and support to the elderly will allow them to be able to function longer, remain independent, and extend their life.

The total number …