Social Work Commons^™

Guilt, Blame, And Responsibility: The Experiences Of Parents And Clinicians Providing Services To Adolescents With Co-Occurring Mental Health And Substance Abuse Challenges, Katherine Cohen-Filipic

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to understand and describe the experiences of parents of, and clinicians who provide services to, adolescents with co-occurring mental health and substance use challenges, particularly as they relate to issues of guilt, blame, and responsibility. The study is based in a theoretical framework derived from Symbolic Interactionism (Blumer, 1969), Attribution Theory (Heider, 1958), and Barrett`s (1995) Theory of Guilt and Shame. The guiding question the study is: What are the experiences of parents of adolescents with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse challenges and clinicians who provide treatment services around issues of blame, guilt, …

Mental Health Service Utilization Among African American Emerging Adults, Sha-Lai Williams

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

Mental illness affects 25-30% of US adults ages 18 years and older in a given year. Of those individuals, about 41% fail to utilize mental health services. Research indicates that being African American and between the ages of 18 and 29 are associated with decreased rates of service utilization. Yet, less is known about the factors related to mental health service utilization among a specific subset of these groups, namely, African American emerging adults. Using empirically-tested theoretical frameworks as its foundation, this dissertation study aimed to address this gap in literature by examining specific predisposing, enabling, and need factors: e.g., …

Dimensions Of Informal Support Network Development In An Asian American Community In The New South: A Grounded Theory, Suzie Weng

Theses and Dissertations

The continuum of care framework posits that individuals move from one level to the next in seeking resources for help ranging from first using informal support to finally using formal services. Yet, the literature is mostly focused on formal services. It is well-known in the literature that existing formal services are underutilized by the Asian American population. If that is also the case in nontraditional settlement cities like Richmond, Virginia, the continuum of care framework and existing literature suggest that Asian Americans are turning to their informal support networks to meet their needs. Thus far, the literature on informal support …

The Effects Of Disaster On Women’S Reproductive Health In Developing Countries, Ronald J. Swatzyna, Vijayan K. Pillai

Social Work Faculty Publications & Presentations-Archive

No abstract provided.

Youth In Mixed-Income Communities Replacing Public Housing Complexes: Context, Dynamics And Response, Mark L. Joseph

Faculty Scholarship

Several of the theories that drive the rationale for mixed-income development as a response to urban poverty and the problems of traditional public housing are directly concerned with children and youth. These include assumptions about the possible "role modeling" effects of living among working and middle class people as well as social capital arguments, in which children may act as a kind of "bridge" to foster relationships among adults with children. In spite of these assumptions, young people - particularly older adolescents and young adults - are often at the contentious core of how problems of social control and organization …

Death And Dying In Young Adults: Reflections From A Surviving Parent, Andreya Stephenson

Undergraduate Research Conference

Dying is a process that all must face. No one is left untouched by death. Research reveals that preparation and using hope as a coping strategy can help make the process easier on the dying and bereaved. These strategies are more difficult to employ when the dying person is a young adult in what should be the prime of life. The purpose of this project is to gain a better understanding of how young adults with terminal illness prepare for death so that professionals can better serve that population.

Factors Influencing Worker Morale: Evaluating Provider Demographics, Workplace Environment And Using Ests, David A. Patterson Silver Wolf (Adelv Unegv Waya) Phd, Catherine N. Dulmus Phd, Eugene Maguin Phd, Maria Cristalli

Brown School Faculty Publications

Objectives: Mental health organizations are strongly encouraged to implement empirically supported treatments (ESTs), however little is known about their working environments. The present study investigated how provider demographics, workplace environment and whether ESTs were used affected the worker morale. Methods: Front-line workers (N = 1,273) from 55 different programs in a single, large organization completed a measure of organizational culture and climate (OCC) and worker morale. A multilevel regression analysis used worker demographics to predict worker morale at level 1 and EST use and OCC scales to predict program level worker morale. Results: Worker morale was significantly negatively correlated with …

A Proposed Health Education And Physical Fitness Incentive Program To Decrease Alcohol Misuse And Increase The Physical Health Of Rural Probationers, Sarah Graff

Research and Creative Activities Poster Day

No abstract provided.

Women In The Criminal Justice System, Nickole L. Stein-Fisher

Senior Honors Theses and Projects - Social Work

In this paper, seven counties were investigated in Northern Michigan (Otsego, Cheboygan, Emmet, Alpena, Charlevoix, Mackinaw, and Sault St. Marie and compared to Washtenaw County. What was specifically investigated and compared was the criminal rulings that were given to women who have committed a criminal sexual conduct crime. They were compared by their location, race, and formal educational level to see if this had any influence on their court rulings.

The research method used is convenient sampling, of court rulings in two different areas of Michigan. To make the comparison, twenty five women that are on the Michigan State Sex …

¿Cuánta Conciencia Tenemos Hacia El Maltrato De Los Niños? / How Aware Are We About Children Abuse?, Angela Bauman

Spain: Language, Community, and Social Change

This semester I worked with Aldea Infantiles SOS, an NGO aiming to place children without a concrete home or security into secure housing with a loving family. Founded in 1949 by a WWII veteran from Austria, this program has grown internationally with 119 autonomous members active in one hundred and thirty-three countries and governs itself through a system similar to the United Nations. Twice a week I traveled to the school, Ave Maria las Vistillas, where I volunteered with two groups of kids participating in the sports program, aiming to teach teamwork skills and improve integration into society.

For this …

Ecocity Mapping Using Gis: Introducing A Planning Method For Assessing And Improving Neighborhood Vitality, Richard J. Smith, Kristin Miller

Social Work Faculty Publications

Background: Assessing neighborhood vitality is important to understand how to improve quality of life and health outcomes. The ecocity model recognizes that cities are part of natural systems and favors walkable neighborhoods. This article introduces ecocity mapping, an innovative planning method, to the public health literature on community engagement by describing a pilot project with a new affordable housing development in Oakland, California between 2007 and 2009. While ecocity mapping began as a paper technology, advances in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) moved it forward.

Objectives: This article describes how Ecocity Builders used GIS to conduct ecocity mapping to: …

Do Age-Friendly Characteristics Influence The Expectation To Age In Place? A Comparison Of Low-Income And Higher Income Detroit Elders, Amanda J. Lehning, Richard J. Smith, Ruth E. Dunkle

Social Work Faculty Publications

Currently there is limited evidence linking age-friendly characteristics to outcomes in elders. Using a representative sample of 1,376 adults aged 60 and older living in Detroit, this study examined the association between age-friendly social and physical environmental characteristics and the expectation to age in place, and the potential differences between low- and higher-income elders. Based on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) age-friendly guide, we identified six factors reflecting age-friendly characteristics. Logistic regression models indicated that regardless of income level only neighborhood problems were significantly associated with expecting to age in place. Low-income elders were more likely to expect to age …

The Challenges Of Minority, Non-Affluent Students: Perceptions Of The Transitions To College, Justin Gilliam

Social Work Theses

This study explored whether low income minority students at a predominantly White institution felt socially, financially, and academically prepared for college. A review of the literature revealed that the supports necessary for low income minority students to ensure a positive transition to college are their family members, staff members at their high school, mentors, and college preparation programs. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted through interviewing eight participants who fit this study’s definition of a low income minority. The findings from this study revealed that family members, mentors, staff members at their high school, and college preparation programs were supports …

Female Students’ Perceptions Of Sexual Victimization In The College Environment, Nicole Sadoski

Social Work Theses

Research indicates that sexual victimization is a significant problem on college campuses in the United States. Ranging from unwanted sexual contact to rape, sexual victimization of female students is not only a pervasive issue in the college environment, but it also may lead to devastating short- and long-term consequences for survivors, including physical, psychological, and emotional implications. In an effort to better understand the scope of this issue, the researcher attempted to conduct a comprehensive study about female students’ perceptions of sexual victimization at a mid-size, Northeastern, Catholic, liberal arts college. Participants’ recommendations for ways in which colleges can educate …

Obstacles In Human Service Work With Teen Mothers, Chloe Casale

Social Work Theses

Research has shown that it is extremely beneficial for teen mothers to have support during their pregnancy and during their new experience of motherhood. Teen mothers can be extremely vulnerable because of the many obstacles they may face including unhealthy relationships, lack of education attainment, mental health concerns, and isolation. One source of support can come from human service workers. In an effort to better understand the obstacles faced by teen mothers, and thus the obstacles faced by home visitors, this study focused on the stories, opinions, and experiences of those who are working with teen mothers in a home …

The Effects Of Advertising And The Media’S Portrayal Of The “Thin Ideal” On College Women’S Self-Image, Mary Sheehan

Social Work Theses

This study explores the relationship between media images’ portrayal of the “thin ideal” and college women’s self-image and self-esteem. A review of the literature validated the researcher’s hypothesis that women are negatively affected by the media’s portrayal of “ideal” body types. However, the review of literature also presented a contrasting theme that media images can positively affect women through motivation and determination to maintain healthy lifestyles. A mixed methods study using Rosenberg’s Self Esteem Scale and media images portraying different body types was used to examine this relationship. Findings indicated that the level of the women’s self-esteem prior to completing …

Prevalence Of Bullying At The Elementary School Level: A Descriptive Analysis, Katherine M. D’Ascenzo

Social Work Theses

A quantitative, descriptive study on the prevalence of bullying at the elementary school level was conducted in Providence, Rhode Island. A review of the literature outlined the definition of what aggressive behavior constitutes as bullying, details the aggressor and target roles and confirms the potentially harmful consequences of bullying. Factors such as the aggressor and target’s grade level, gender and race were documented to explore whether these factors held an influential role in the bullying incidents. Findings suggested that elementary aged children bully students within their same grade and of similar gender. Another finding revealed that race is not a …

The Religious Influence Inside Bali Orphanages, Shelly Strickland

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

I first wanted to research orphanages because I love children. I decided to visit three orphanages each of a different religious affiliation. I set out to find 3 non-corrupt orphanages. I decided to first visit Elisama Christian orphanage where I spent a week playing with the children, interviewing the staff, and observing their daily lives. I then visited Tat Twam Asi Hindu orphanage for girls and observed their daily routines as well as their Full Moon celebration. My third visit was to Yappa Muslim Orphanage for boys. During my final week I found that I still had many questions and …

Best Practices Regarding Homelessness And Mental Illness, Brittany Kowaleski

Social Work Theses

Preliminary research indicates that homelessness is a growing problem in the United States, especially in Rhode Island. It is very common for those who are homeless to also be impacted by a mental illness, which creates an additional barrier for them to overcome. This qualitative research collected stories from homeless individuals in Rhode Island regarding their perceptions of services that work best to overcome homelessness as well as related problems, including mental illness and substance abuse. This is a local and national problem, and understanding the stories from those who “live” the experience of homelessness is valuable for practice and …

Fostering The Orphaned And Vulnerable Child: Exploring Identity Economics In Relation To Orphaned And Vulnerable Children In The Eastern Cape And Cape Town, South Africa, Khaliyah Yasmeen Washington

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

According to UNICEF, 3.7 million children are orphaned in South Africa (2010). Parliament enacted the Children’s Act on April 1, 2010 to grant and protect the rights orphaned or vulnerable children (OVC). The Children’s Act aims to promote the well being of children, prevent abuse or neglect, and increase options for the care of children found to be in need or care and protection (Jamieson, Mahery, and Scott 2011). Children not receiving care and protection from a parent or guardian are placed in one of three options of alternative care. One being child and youth care centers (CYCC); also known …