Social Work Commons^™

An Exploration Of Social Supports And Cultural Traditions On The Development Of Posttraumatic Growth Among Adult Haitian Immigrants, Patricia L. Weldon

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

The research objective was to explore how post-traumatic growth is expressed in Haitian immigrants and what role social supports and cultural traditions may play in the development of post-traumatic growth. Post-traumatic growth is defined by positive changes in one or more of five domains including; personal strengths, relating to others, appreciation of life, spirituality and life philosophy (Calhoun & Tedeschi, 2006). Conceptual frameworks of constructivism (Rodwell, 1998), strength based approach (Saleebey, 2000)and eco systems theory (Bronfenbrenner, 1979) were employed to guide the study.

Acculturation, Family Dynamics And Psychological Well-Being Among Asian And Hispanic Adolescents In Immigrant Families : A Comparative Analysis, Yong Li

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Past research has consistently supported the view that adolescents in both Asian and Hispanic immigrant families may experience mental health problems such as depression and low self-esteem. The mechanisms influencing psychological well-being (PWB) may be conditioned by unique aspects of Asian and Hispanic culture. Based on the ecological systems framework, family systems theories, acculturation theories, and relevant literature, factors such as family dynamics, acculturation and their interactions may be important in shaping adolescent PWB. Examining these factors from a comparative perspective, between Asian and Hispanic adolescents, could provide new insights into the ways culturally responsive and competent services are planned …

Networking And Performance Of Community Based Organizations In Taiwan : A Social Capital Perspective, Yi-Yi Chen

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Developing partnerships is a crucial strategy for Community based organizations (CBOs) to maximize service capacity, serve clients of diverse needs, and compete for funding, yet the evidence is scant. The study asks whether organizational networking is helpful to a CBOs' service performance and whether the effect of networking varies by certain organizational features of a CBO. The research framework is built with the literature review of social capital theories with a focus of organizations, community practice models, and case studies on CBOs' networking. Two forms of networking, within and beyond community, are hypothesized as associated with two traits of performance, …

A Survey-Based Study Of Social Workers' Critical Consciousness And Practice With Lgb Clients, Cynthia Lynn Bott

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Social workers are responsible for providing the majority of mental health and substance abuse services in the United States in the role of direct service. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LBG) individuals utilize these services at rates that are believed to be higher than other populations. The field of social work embraces social justice as one of its core principles. This cross-sectional survey of 220 BSW and/or MSW social workers investigates two questions: what is the relationship among key aspects of social worker critical consciousness, i.e., attitudes about social justice, change agency, and awareness of heterosexism; and in what ways does …

A Multiple Case Study Exploring The Intervention Processes Influencing Success For Dd/Mi Dually Diagnosed Adolescents, Julanne Colvin

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Given what has been described in the literature about the life circumstances of youth who are dually diagnosed with a developmental disability and a mental or behavior disorder, we know that in the trajectory of their lives they are likely to live out of their homes and communities for lengthy periods of time in order to receive specialized treatment. The Intervention and Supports for Adolescents and Families (ISAF) program, an integrated multi-disciplinary treatment approach, was designed to cross over multiple service systems to address the challenges of delivering services to dually diagnosed youth and their families and reduce the risk …

Quality, Objectivity, And Tone In Media Portrayals Of Care For Older Adults, Jennifer Van Loan

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

In response to the growing population of older adults who will need assistance to care for themselves, this research evaluates media coverage of care options for older adults presented in local newspapers, an informational resource used by baby boomers and older generations interested in planning for their futures and caring for their loved ones. Computer databases for four newspapers representing the Capital Region of New York State were scanned for keywords to identify articles about older adult care, then articles were reviewed to ensure they were relevant to older adult care. A quantitative content analysis was performed on the articles …

A Multilevel Investigation Of The Influence Of Family And School Level Factors On Age Of Sexual Initiation : A Focus On Sex Differences, Candace White

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Background and Purpose: Early sexual initiation is associated with unwanted pregnancy, depression, and other health risks, yet sexual intercourse is occurring at earlier ages than in past decades and teen pregnancy rates in the U.S are the highest in the

Two Sources Of Child Care Assistance And Their Relationship With Maternal Employment : Evidence From The Fragile Families And Child Well-Being Study, Manrong Chen

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

This study aims to understand how child care assistance from informal social support networks and from governmental sources relate to the employment of mothers with young child(ren), and how the two sources of child care assistance relate to each other. Both the availability and utilization of child care assistance are investigated.

Re-Arrest Among Juvenile Justice-Involved Youth: An Examination Of The Static And Dynamic Risk Factors, Jun Sung Hong, Joseph P. Ryan, Yu-Ling Chiu, Bushra Sabri

Social Work Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study is to investigate the static and dynamic risk factors for re-arrest among detained youth by examining gender, race/ethnicity, age, special education and mental health variables (i.e., anger/irritability, depression/anxiety, somatic complaints, suicide ideation, thought disturbances, and traumatic experiences). The demographic profiles of detained youth with one admit were also compared with those with multiple admits to the juvenile detention center. With regards to static risk factors, older, white, and special education were significantly at risk of re-arrest. Concerning dynamic risk factors, only anger/irritability predicted re-arrest. Practice implications are also discussed.

Frequency, Patterns, And Preferences Of Lubricant Use During Anal Intercourse Within Male Sexual Partnerships In Lima, Peru: Implications For A Rectal Microbicide Hiv Prevention Intervention, Jesse L. Clark, Hector Salvatierra, Eddy R. Segura, Ximena Salazar, Kelika Konda, Jerome T. Galea, Jeffrey D. Klausner, Thomas J. Coates, Carlos F. Caceres

Social Work Faculty Publications

Understanding current practices of lubricant use during anal intercourse can help to assess the contexts for the introduction of topical rectal microbicides as an HIV prevention tool for men who have sex with men (MSM). We used quantitative and qualitative methods to assess: current patterns of lubricant use; preferred characteristics of commercial lubricant formulations; and social and behavioral contexts of lubricant use within male sexual partnerships in Lima, Peru. Between 2007 and 2008, we conducted a quantitative behavioral survey with 547 MSM followed by qualitative individual and group interviews with 36 MSM from Lima, Peru. Approximately half of all participants …

Review Of They Say Cut Back, We Say Fight Back! Welfare Activism In An Era Of Retrenchment, By Ellen Reese, Sanford F. Schram

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

No abstract provided.

Hpv And Genital Warts Among Peruvian Men Who Have Sex With Men And Transgender People: Knowledge, Attitudes And Treatment Experiences, César. R. Nureña, Brandon Brown, Jerome T. Galea, Hugo Sánchez, Magaly M. Blas

Social Work Faculty Publications

Background: Several studies have assessed the epidemiology of HPV infection among MSM, but no qualitative studies have specifically assessed how HPV and genital warts (GW) affect South American men who have sex with men (MSM) and male-to-female transgendered women (TG). This study explored the knowledge, attitudes and experiences of Peruvian MSM and TG regarding HPV and GW.

Methods: We performed a qualitative study consisting of fifteen in-depth interviews and three focus groups carried out in Lima, Peru with diverse MSM and TG groups, including sex workers. Resulting data were analyzed by applying a systematic comparative and descriptive content …

Evidence-Based Treatment For Anxiety Disorders And Marijuana Use Across The Lifespan, Tanya Borchert

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this capstone project was to identify evidence-based practices relating to anxiety disorders and cannabis use throughout the lifespan. Identification of the practices will more effectively meet the needs of the clients served at the Dual Recovery Program and allow the agency to best serve clients with co-occurring anxiety disorders and cannabis use in a parallel manner. The literature indicates that there is a correlation between anxiety disorders and cannabis abuse (Buckner & Schmidt, 2011; Buckner, Zvolensky, & Schmidt, 2012; Bricker, et al., 2006; Bonn-Miller, Vujanovic, Boden, & Gross, 2011). If the anxiety disorder can be properly diagnosed …

Best Practices In The Provision Of Group Therapy For Adult Male Clients Diagnosed With Schizophrenia At Fernbrook Family Center, Nathaniel S. Gendron

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this project was to provide Fernbrook Family Center with evidence-based research on treatment modalities, strategies, and curricula that have been proven successful for group based therapy with adult males who are suffering from schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. This included group screening protocol, group therapy techniques, and cohesion in the group process. The importance of group therapy was explored and why it is an appropriate treatment recommendation for adult males with Schizophrenia.

The Development And Implementation Of Trauma-Informed Care Within A Clinical Setting, Molly Hildebrandt

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This capstone project facilitated the classification of CSSM as a trauma-­‐informed service system for children. Following a specific framework, the project included the development and implementation of an intake model for the agency to follow in order to begin the process. The student designed a new intake procedure, in which all children were screened for the possibility of trauma and then linked with a trauma-­‐ informed therapist based on a positive screening. This procedure produced the ability to effectively link children with trauma-­‐informed services.

A Guide To Understanding, Building And Sustaining An Effective Therapeutic Community, Sara Loose

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this guide is to facilitate an understanding of therapeutic community/ milieu therapy concepts as well as building and sustaining an effective therapeutic community on each unit, in each cottage, and within Leo A. Hoffmann Center as a whole. This guide includes evidence based research that supports the use of therapeutic community principles, and interventions and evaluation tools that can potentially be used by Leo A. Hoffmann Center to enhance services. Ultimately, the goal of the project is to provide the agency with a tangible, well rounded resource that can be used by the multidisciplinary team to provide …

Identification Of Effective Play Techniques For Use With Children In A Outpatient Mental Health Clinic, Jan Schwarzrock

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this research project was to identify which play techniques are the most effective and produce good outcomes for children. Children enter therapy for a number of reasons to improve their emotional and cognitive wellbeing, however engaging them can be challenging. During a therapeutic session, children use play to share experiences through the toys they choose, whereas adults verbally express themselves. The Allina Health/NUMC Outpatient Therapy Department was interested in the identification of play techniques that they could be used to enhance their work with children with the intent to explore the impact of using play techniques on …

Parental Influence On Inhalant Use, Alina M. Baltazar, Gary L. Hopkins, Duane C. Mcbride, Curtis J. Vanderwaal, Sara Pepper, Sarah Mackey

Faculty Publications

The purpose of this article is to examine the dynamics of the relationship between parents and their adolescent children and their association with lifetime and past-month inhalant usage. The population studied was seventh- through ninth-grade students in rural Idaho (N = 570). The authors found a small, but consistent, significant inverse correlation between parental bonding and monitoring of behavior and inhalant usage. There was also a significant positive correlation between verbally aggressive behavior in the family and inhalant use. The data imply that family interaction may play a significant role in the use of inhalants and that the family can …

Maternal Mortality And Female Literacy Rates In Developing Countries During 1970–2000: A Latent Growth Curve Analysis, Vijayan K. Pillai, Arati Maleku, Fanghsun Wei

Social Work Faculty Publications & Presentations-Archive

No abstract provided.

Social Work, Yoga, And Gratitude: Partnership In A Homeless Shelter, Jennifer Davis-Berman, Jean Farkas

Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work Faculty Publications

This narrative explores the personal lessons learned about life and practice from YogaHome, a yoga program for homeless adults. The yoga program, taught in partnership by a social worker/professor of social work (Jenny) and a yoga teacher (Jean) with 17 years of experience, exemplifies the merging of social work and yogic practices , but also illustrates the evolution of these two professionals in their chosen fields as many of their traditional views, values, intentions, and expectations unraveled and led to a re-revaluation of their professional practices, transforming their personal perspectives on life. This reflection is based on the YogaHome program, …