Social Work Commons^™

The Effectiveness Of Homelessness Prevention Services In Southern California, Marlon N. Gonzalez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This research project aimed to determine the effectiveness of available prevention services for individuals and families at risk of experiencing homelessness in a region of Southern California. Homelessness is a prevalent social problem for society and the social problem has been growing significantly. The study adopted an exploratory and qualitative research design by interviewing social services professionals working in the arena of homelessness. The Snowball Sampling method was used to recruit social services professionals after interviewing a select few individuals first. Ten interviews of social services professionals were completed via a Zoom setting.

Data analysis revealed the following ten open …

A Systematic Review Of The Effects Of Family Separation On Children’S Psychological Development, Janice Garcia, Jazmin Elizabeth Barriga

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: Under the Zero-Tolerance policy formulated by President Donald Trump, families were forced to separate from their children, which led to a broken bond between parents and their children. As a result, children were classified as unaccompanied alien children to be put in the care and custody of the Department of Health and Human Services. Research has found that separating families at the border has harmful and lasting effects on children’s psychological development. However, no research efforts have been made to systematically synthesize the evidence on the effects of family separation. Objective: This systematic review proposes to review recent literature …

Breaking Barriers: Addressing Mental Health Disparities In Transgender Communities, Lauren Pettite

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study explores the impact of barriers to gender-affirming care (GAC) on the mental health outcomes of transgender individuals using a mixed-methods secondary data analysis. Drawing on an existing dataset originally collected by California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) faculty in collaboration with the Transgender Health and Wellness Center (THWC), this research examines both quantitative survey data and qualitative open-ended responses from transgender participants in Southern California. This study focuses on how healthcare access issues—particularly those related to insurance coverage, provider discrimination, and systemic inequities—affect reported experiences of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidality.

This research is guided by intersectionality theory …

Barriers Individuals And Families Experience Utilizing Anti-Poverty Programs, Miranda C. Dube'

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This proposed study aims to explore the barriers experienced by residents of the High Desert communities. Using a quantitative method approach, the proposed research will employ surveys to provide a comprehensive understanding of the outcomes experienced by the High Desert residents. Participants will be selected within the High Desert communities, aged 18 years or older, who have or are currently experiencing poverty. The findings from this proposed study would contribute to bridging gaps in understanding the barriers residents of the High Desert experience. By identifying factors that suppress successfully utilizing anti-poverty programs, this research proposal would aim to inform the …

The Adverse Effects Of Substance Use Among Caregivers On Children In The United States: A Systematic Review, Amanda R. Suchaire

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

In the United States, Caregiver Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is a significant public health issue that disrupts family dynamics and can severely impact the health of millions of children. The systematic review examines the adverse impact of caregiver substance use on children, with research published from 2020 onwards. The significance of this study is due to the increasing prevalence of substance use disorders among caregivers and their harmful effects on child maltreatment, psychosocial health, physical health, and overall well-being. A systematic review framework will be utilized, synthesizing peer-reviewed studies to describe the prevalence of caregiver substance use, developmental issues for …

Incarcerated Parents And Their Minor Children: A Study On The Impact Of Maintaining Relationships, Jennifer M. Upstill-Tokaji

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Parental incarceration is a social problem that has not received enough attention in the criminal justice literature despite the increase in the prison population over the years and the large number of children adversely impacted by this issue. The purpose of this research proposal is to determine if regular communication between incarcerated parents and their minor children has a positive influence on their rehabilitation and if that communication is also beneficial for the development and well-being of children. Using convenience and snowball sampling methods, this cross-sectional study will recruit approximately formerly incarcerated individuals who had at least one minor child …

Mental Illness Among The Homeless Communities, Tania Wilcox

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The goal of this study is to gain a deeper understanding of the perspectives of individuals with substance use and mental illness on their co-occurring conditions. Mental illness and substance use disorder are commonly known in homeless communities, especially those experiencing chronic homelessness. Other social factors like gentrification, displacement, systemic racism, and insufficient affordable housing also contribute to the problem by restricting the availability of shelter for vulnerable groups. Furthermore, the lack of stable, affordable housing in California is a significant problem, and having access to comprehensive healthcare services exacerbates these problems.

Understanding Victim Blaming In Domestic Violence Among Adults In The U.S., Katja Estrada, Juliana Hernandez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Domestic violence, encompassing a range of abusive behaviors, remains a pervasive issue affecting countless individuals globally. Understanding the factors that shape attitudes toward domestic violence is crucial for developing effective interventions and prevention strategies. This study intends to explore the relationship between gender role belief, cultural orientation, and media influences and attitudes toward domestic violence. A non-random sample of 92 participants currently residing within the United States and over the age of 18 were recruited to participate in an online survey. Regression analyses revealed significant associations between attitudes toward domestic violence and gender role beliefs, indicating that individuals with more …

The Effectiveness Of Combined Approach Intervention And Group Social Skills Intervention For School Aged Children With Asd, Cecilia Ester Subroto

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder which ranges from low to severe functioning levels, communication is one of its deficits coming from the disorder. As many individuals get diagnosed at a young age, they may have difficulties with their social skills. If interventions are personalized to meet the unique needs of everyone, there can be an increase in their social skills level. Objective: This evaluative study will aim to determine combined approach intervention or group social skills intervention is more effective for enhancing the social skills of school-aged children with ASD. Method: This research proposal …

Evaluating Trauma-Informed Care In Higher Education For Hispanics, Latino/A/X/E, And Afro-Latinos Impacted By Adverse Childhood Experiences, Daylene A. Medina, Lilian Grijalva

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: Henshaw (2022) discusses the importance of trauma-informed approaches in higher education institutes by implementing culturally responsive policy, research, and practice to support students impacted by trauma. However, less is known about how effective trauma-informed care is and its impact on the educational outcomes of racial and ethnic minority students, specifically Hispanics, Latino/a/x/e, and Afro-Latinos students in community colleges. Past studies have excluded Hispanics, Latino/a/x/e, and Afro-Latinos from research due to insignificant participation and risk re-traumatization. Objective: This evaluative study aims to determine effectiveness of trauma-informed care for adult (18 and older) Moreno Valley College students in their last academic …

Exploring The Contributing Factors To College Completion Among Csec Former Foster Youth, Xandra Vaughn

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: While 33% of the general population earns a college degree, only 3% of foster youth who age out of the child welfare system achieve this milestone. This percentage may be even lower among former foster youths who were commercially sexually exploited. Understanding the factors contributing to the lower educational attainment in this population is a critical step toward addressing this disparity. Objective: The purpose of this exploratory study is to determine whether social capital is a contributing factor to college completion among former foster youths who were commercially sexually exploited in San Bernardino County. Methods: This …

Exploring The Factors That Influence Telehealth Usage Among Immigrants In The United States: A Mixed Methods Study, Jose M. Garcia-Castañeda

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: Immigrants in the United States continue to face barriers in accessing healthcare services which are rooted in systemic inequities, cultural disconnects, and language-related challenges. The growing presence of telehealth services has offered new opportunities to expand access, but it has also highlighted new barriers which are language proficiency and digital literacy which could increase the gap in services for already marginalized populations. These barriers are factors that influence outcomes such as delayed care, reduced preventative care, and overall poorer health outcomes. The Andersen Behavioral Model of Health Service Use (Andersen, 1995) provides a useful framework in understanding how predisposing, …

The Effectiveness Of Services In California For Youth Who Have Experienced Commercial Sexual Exploitation Of Children (Csec), Rebecca A. Mcgill

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) remains a pervasive issue with profound consequences for affected youth, yet research on effective service interventions remains limited. This study examines the perceived effectiveness of existing services in California for youth who have experienced CSEC, providing critical insights to inform best practices. Seventeen professional service providers participated in one-hour, semi-structured interviews, sharing their expertise on service strengths, challenges, and areas for improvement. Using thematic analysis, ten key themes emerged as central to effective service provision, including individualized interventions, the therapeutic value of relationships, trauma-informed providers, opportunities for healing experiences, multi-agency collaboration, and access to …

The Effectiveness Of Trauma Informed Care Interventions After A School Mass Shooting Incident, Maurelys M. Areas Mendoza, Alondra Odaliz Rios

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: School mass shootings have a profound psychological and educational impact on students. Survivors often experience long-term trauma, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety, which affects the overall well-being and educational development of a student. Objective: This pilot study proposes to evaluate the effectiveness of a trauma-informed care intervention implemented in elementary schools for student survivors of school shootings. Methods: This study proposes a pre-experimental research design, with the proposed implementation taking place at Oakland High School in Oakland, California. A total of 100 students will be offered the opportunity to participate in the study. The primary tool …

The Underutilization Of Mental Health Services Amongst The Hispanic Community: An Exploratory Study, Stephanie Renteria, Andrea Aguilar

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: Despite the development of mental health services, the Hispanic population within San Bernardino, CA continue to encounter barriers and limitation seeking mental health support. Objective: This exploratory study aimed to identify contributing factors that affect the level of accessibility to mental health services. Method: We propose to collect quantitative data from 25 participants ages 18 to 65 utilizing semi-structured interviews to gather personalized experiences. Recruitment will be collected utilizing interviews conducted in community hospitals. We are going to present open ended questions and collect demographic data to measure the factors of underutilization of mental health in the Hispanic …

Impact Of Childhood Exposure To Parental Substance Misuse On Adults, Jennifer Martinez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Studies show that children who experienced parental substance misuse are at greater risk of developing symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD, behavioral problems, or becoming a substance misuser later in adult life. This quantitative study used an on-line self-administered survey to examine whether adults who experienced parental substance misuse in childhood experienced greater levels of trauma in later life than those who did not experience parental substance misuse in childhood. This study used an independent variable t-test to compare participant scores on self-reported experiences of trauma between two groups: those who experienced parental substance misuse in childhood and those who did …

Safety, Access To Resources, And Inclusion: A Mixed-Methods Study Of The Lgbtqia+ Community In The Inland Empire, Jessica Mary Fanene, Leonardo Serrano Jr.

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

LGBTQIA+ individuals face growing discrimination, exclusion, and systemic inequities that threaten well-being. Rising anti-LGBTQIA+ rhetoric exacerbates these challenges, contributing to anxiety, depression, and heightened suicide risks. This study explores LGBTQIA+ individuals’ sense of well-being by analyzing how external factors impact safety and inclusion. Using an exploratory, mixed-methods approach, this study surveyed members of the LGBTQIA+ community in the Inland Empire to determine perceptions on well-being (n = 219). Based on descriptive statistics, about one third of participants reported a below average to average sense of safety (35.6%), access to resources (32.0%), and inclusion (33.8%). Meanwhile, thematic analysis revealed that the …

Exploring The Role Of Intersecting Identities In The Prevention And Disclosure Of Child Sexual Abuse, Karen M. Lemus Lares

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Child sexual abuse (CSA) threatens the safety of children all around the world. It puts at risk their immediate physical and emotional well-being but also profoundly affects their long-term physical and mental health, as well as their emotional and social stability. This epidemic creates a cycle of harm and violence that persists from generation to generation and contributes to adverse outcomes. Despite various studies demonstrating the immediate and long-term consequences CSA has on survivors and their families, there are significant gaps remaining in understanding how cultural factors influence the prevalence and disclosure of CSA. This study aims to answer the …

What Is The Correlation Between 9-1-1 Emergency Psychiatric Calls In San Bernardino County And Mental Health Services, Lea M. Munoz

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

It is important to address the mental health crisis in the United States to understand the effects it has on individuals, families, and communities and promote better access to mental health services. The mental health crisis has led to an increase in demand for mental health care and economically the U.S. has not been able to satisfy this demand. This paper raises awareness about the issue by emphasizing the need for better access to mental health, reducing the stigma in mental illness, building resilience in individuals, and connecting people to resources that will create a safer and more welcoming environment. …

Literature As A Tool For The Introduction Of Mental Health To Children, Kira Ott

Undergraduate Honors Theses

In childhood, literature is a quintessential learning tool, so it is imperative it is used in the introduction of mental health. Around the ages of seven to nine children begin to become aware of their own needs and comprehend others' perspectives (Short et al., 2017, p. 13). At this time non-fiction books can be used to present information when it is organized, accessible, and informative (Short et al., 2017, p. 13). This can be effectively paired with fiction which can help contextualize abstract ideas, and develop self-monitoring skills (Gunawardena, 2023; Short et al., 2017). Mental health, which encompasses thoughts, feelings, …