Social Work Commons^™

The Effects Of Housing And Childcare On Academic Persistence: Perceptions Of Scholar House Residents, Jessica Hawkins

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Scholar House is a program that provides college students who are parents with supports such as affordable housing and childcare so that they are able to stay enrolled full time in school in hopes that they might graduate. This research investigates the perceptions the program participants have about the supports and how they affect their ability to persist academically. Residents were given the Scholar House Supports Survey, a 22-item instrument, that measured their perceptions of how being a part of the Scholar House program affected their grade point average, time, and finances. Mean scores were taken revealing that Scholar House …

Towards The Practice Of Volunteering 2.0: Volunteers’ Digital Choices With Social Affordances In The Web 2.0 Era, Ayse Kok

Online Journal for Workforce Education and Development

There is little evidence that helps to inform education, practice, policy, and research about issues surrounding the use of online collaboration tools for organisational initiatives (Brown & Duguid, 1991; Cook & Brown, 1999); let alone a single study conducted with regard to the volunteering practice of knowledge workers. The underlying objectives of the research study are to explore and describe how corporate volunteers experience and participate in learning in technology-rich environments; investigate the strategies, beliefs and intentions of corporate volunteers who are effective in learning in technology-rich environments and identity factors that enable or inhibit effective e-learning and make recommendations …

Disaster Management Policy And People With Disabilities In The United States And Jamaica, Jessica Jagger

Theses and Dissertations

Natural and human-influenced disasters impact every demographic group around the world. People with disabilities face unique barriers to disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery related to functional needs and societal barriers. This study examines the relationship between emergency management planners and disability communities, by exploring the intent of emergency management policy, implementation of the policy, and the experiences of people with disabilities in Jamaica and Virginia. In this study, 36 people with disabilities were interviewed about their experiences with disaster, and 18 planners were interviewed about the intent and implementation of disaster management plans. Participants were from different communities across …

Caring For Grandchildren And Intergenerational Support In Rural China: A Gendered Extended Family Perspective, Zhen Cong, Merril D. Silverstein

Falk College Research Center

This investigation examines how support from adult children is affected by their parents’ involvement in grandchild care. Instead of focusing on dyadic interactions, we adopt a gendered extended family perspective to examine how financial and emotional support from children was influenced when their siblings received help with child care from their elder parents. The data were from a two-wave (2001, 2003) longitudinal study of 4,791 parent–child dyads with 1,162 parents, aged 60 and older, living in rural areas of Anhui Province, China. Random effects regression showed that emotional support from both sons and daughters was strengthened when parents provided more …

Successfully Incorporating The Participant Perspective: Analysis Of Participatory Research In Development, Zachary T. Revene

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Literature from recent decades has highlighted the importance of incorporating the perspective of communities into development project planning and implementation. In this project, the participant perspective was documented through qualitative ethnographic techniques and illustrates the different ways in which this perspective was either included or excluded in two separate case studies along the northern coast of Peru. The case study of huachaque farmers surrounding the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Chan Chan provided an example of the general failure to incorporate the participant perspective into planning of future biodiversity conservation projects. The case study of Huaca Chotuna provided an example …

Perceptions And Experiences Of Bsw Students With Religion And Spirituality In Social Work Education And Practice, Clifford J M Rosenbohm

Faculty Publications - College of Social Work

The role of religion and spirituality has not always been included in conversations about social work education and practice, but there has been an increased interest in the topics as evidenced by the attention given to religion and spirituality in the professional literature. Although there have been multiple studies focused on students at the masters’ level as well as with practitioners and a few with faculty there were even less with social work students at the undergraduate level.

Using a cross-sectional survey design, a national stratified random sample of social work programs were asked to invite senior BSW students to …

Acceptability Of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (Prep) As An Hiv Prevention Strategy: Barriers And Facilitators To Prep Uptake Among At-Risk Peruvian Populations, Jerome T. Galea, Janni J. Kinsler, Ximena Salazar, Sung-Jae Lee, Maziel Giron, Jennifer N. Sayles, Carlos Cáceres, William E. Cunningham

Social Work Faculty Publications

This study examined Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) acceptability among female sex workers, male-to-female transgendered persons, and men who have sex with men in Lima, Peru. Focus groups explored social issues associated with PrEP acceptability and conjoint analysis assessed preferences among eight hypothetical PrEP scenarios with varying attribute profiles and their relative impact on acceptability. Conjoint analysis revealed that PrEP acceptability ranged from 19.8 to 82.5 out of a possible score of 100 across the eight hypothetical PrEP scenarios. Out-of-pocket cost had the greatest impact on PrEP acceptability (25.2, p < 0.001), followed by efficacy (21.4, p < 0.001) and potential side effects (14.7, p < 0.001). Focus group data supported these findings, and also revealed that potential sexual risk disinhibition, stigma and discrimination associated with PrEP use, and mistrust of health care professionals were also concerns. These issues will require careful attention when planning for PrEP roll-out if proven efficacious in ongoing clinical trials.

Majority Tyranny Or Minority Power? Impact Of Direct Democracy On Same-Sex Relationship Rights, Jylisa Renea Doney

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

This research study examined the conditions under which direct democracy advanced versus impeded gay relationship rights. Many policy makers argue that direct democracy works to create a “tyranny of the majority” in which the majority impedes the rights of minority citizens. However, other researchers disagree and note that direct democracy contests advance gay rights as seen in Switzerland (Frey & Goette, 1998). I hypothesize that direct democracy advanced gay relationship rights legislation when influenced by non-traditional norms regarding family and gender, and/or the contests occurred in states or cantons that were heterogeneous in their values, while direct democracy hindered gay …

Child Advocacy Centers And Child Sexual Abuse In Nevada, Chrystal Ruggieri

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Child sexual abuse has gained significant attention from the medical, legal and social research communities over the last couple decades. Developed in the 1980s, Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) have been noted as one of the leading developments in combating child sexual abuse. Child Advocacy Centers bring together multi-disciplinary teams in a child friendly environment to improve resources for abused children and their families as well as aid in prosecution. The majority of states across the country have adopted aggressive legislation and funding initiatives to aid in protecting this vulnerable population. This study analyses Nevada's position on childhood sexual abuse and …

Exploring The Relationship Between Place Identity And Personalization Of Space In Temporary Student Housing, Joshua H. Rowley

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study is to better understand the relationship between the personalization of one’s physical environment and the degree of place identity the person has toward their space, specifically those living in temporary student housing. There have been several studies on peoples’ inherent need to personalize their space. While previous research has identified key factors that help to define place identity in general, this study addresses the fact that not much has been said about how people in temporary housing, specifically student housing, actually go about creating their living spaces.

The key issues this research addressed were the …

Distinguishing Between Homeless And Unstably Housed Men On Risk Factors For Homelessness, Valerie Holton

Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the risk factors for homelessness in single men, the largest group of people experiencing homelessness and a group about which little is known regarding their risks for homelessness. A case control design was used to differentiate risk factors between men who were homeless and men who were unstably housed. Risk factors included cumulative risk, negative life events, and demographic factors. Two models were tested using discriminant function analysis (DFA). The Cumulative Risk Model did not significantly differentiate between the two groups. However, the Negative Life Events Model yielded one discriminant function that significantly differentiated between the groups …

Reducing The College Progress Gap Between Low- To Moderate-Income (Lmi) And High-Income (Hi) Young Adults, William Elliott Iii, Monique Constance-Huggins, Hyun-A Song

Center for Social Development Research

College progress identifies young adults who are “on course,” that is, those who are currently enrolled in, or who have a degree from, a two-year college or a four-year college. However, little is known about the impact of these factors on low-to-moderate-income (LMI) young adults. Findings suggest LMI young adults with school savings are two and half times more likely to be on course than LMI young adults without savings. Policies such as universal Child Development Accounts (CDAs) that can help adolescents accumulate savings may be a simple and effective strategy for helping to keep LMI young adults on course.

Toward A Conceptual Model Linking Community Violence Exposure To Hiv-Related Risk Behaviors Among Adolescents: Directions For Research, Dexter R. Voisin

Faculty Scholarship

Purpose: To present a conceptual framework which accounts for the relationship between community violence exposures (CVEs) and youth HIV risk behaviors. Methods: This article provides an overview of existing research on the links between CVE and HIV risk for youth and offers a conceptual framework for clarifying how CVE might contribute to HIV sexual risk behaviors. Results: Increasing empirical findings substantiate that the links between CVE and HIV risk behaviors among youth are mediated by psychological problem behaviors, low school success rates, and negative peer influences. Conclusions: Researchers have identified the behaviors that place teens at risk for becoming infected …

Direct Effects Of Assets And Savings On The College Progress Of Black Young Adults, William Elliott Iii, Ilsung Nam

Center for Social Development Research

Large disparities in attendance and graduation rates exist between White and Black young adults. We find that 63% of White young adults between the ages of 17 to 23 are on course (i.e., either in college or have graduated from college) in 2007 compared to only 35% of Black young adults. Moreover, research suggests that Black young adults who manage to stay on course and graduate are facing ever increasing amounts of college debt. Debt can lessen the return on education, making college appear less desirable for future generations. Thus, finding novel and promising ways to promote college progress that …

An Assessment Of Child Welfare: The Value Of Training And Family Engagement, Kelly L. Scherado

Graduate Research Symposium (2010 - 2017)

Child maltreatment in the United States continues to be one of the nation’s most serious social problems. Child welfare practice is intended to ensure the safety, permanency, and well-being of children and families. One of the ways child welfare systems can achieve positive outcomes for vulnerable children is to utilize the most current best practices in training, focused on family engagement and strengths-based empowerment. To this end, child welfare training programs that are family centered, culturally competent, and focused on preventing out of home placements, should be implemented nationwide to better prepare child welfare agencies to meet the needs of …

Culture, Language And Gendered Violence In Southern Nevada, Kelly Campbell-Kiser, Kathleen J. Bergquist

Graduate Research Symposium (2010 - 2017)

Nevada is increasingly becoming culturally ethnically and linguistically diverse with approximately 25.1% of Nevadans estimated in 2006 to 2008 by the U.S. Census Bureau to be non-white, 27.3% speaking a language other than English at home, (compared to 19.6% nationally), ad 24.9% of Hispanic or Latino origin (compared to 15.1% nationally)

Service providers nationally struggle with providing culturally and linguistically relevant services to meet the needs of shifting demographics. Southern Nevada similarly struggles with decreasing resources and increasing needs in all sectors, to include service provisions for women who are at-risk of gendered violence. Linguistic and cultural barriers have been …

Clark County Family Mediation Center: A Time Efficient Solution To Child Custody Dispute Resolution, Danielle Puentedura

Graduate Research Symposium (2010 - 2017)

To reduce court dockets and streamline child custody resolutions, a growing number of US states are implementing mandatory mediation sessions for divorce cases where child custody is in dispute. Clark County Eighth District Court, Family Division implements such mandatory mediation through the Family Mediation Center.

During 2008, approximately 6,295 divorce cases were filed, and of those 2100 were ordered to attempt mandatory mediation.

Discrimination Vs. Acceptance Of Homosexuality At Valparaiso University, Jennifer Johnson, Jennifer Pokorny, Brittany Smiejek

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

Views of homosexuality have been a major issue for many years and still are to this day. As stated in the Declaration of Independence, all citizens should be granted equal rights and respect. However, many still are struggling to offer their acceptance to those of diverse populations, especially to those who identify themselves as members of the GLBTQ community. This lack of equality has escalated to a nation full of discriminating views, attitudes, and stereotypes. While all ages have portrayed negative attitudes towards members of the GLBTQ population, it is most visually prevalent among students at college campuses. Because of …

Facebook: Friend Or Foe?, Lizz Mook, Cate Valentine

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

Online social networks have been a presence in our society since the first notable sites were developed in 1995 and have now attracted more than 90% of American teens and young adults. This study measures the effect that social networks have on Valparaiso University students’ real life connectivity through social connections and on campus involvement. The study uses a sample of 1994 VU graduates as the control group and current VU students. Through an online survey, participants were asked questions regarding their Facebook and Internet use, their on-campus involvement, and how they saw Facebook being utilized by student organizations. The …

Religious Affiliation And Its Influence On Attitudes Toward Intimate Partner Violence, Christiana Redman, Angela Robertson

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

Intimate partner violence (IPV) has been recognized as a serious social problem since the 1970s. Research has investigated how race, socioeconomic class, and other factors are related to levels of IPV, but little research has been done about how religious beliefs and IPV are related. The few studies that have been done have not been conclusive. Some research has shown a correlation between the amount of religious services attended per week and a decrease in likelihood of perpetrating IPV. In this study, the researchers sought to gain more information on the relationship between IPV and religious affiliation by surveying 100 …