Social Work Commons^™

Safe Voluntary Exit Plans For Gang Involved Youth In Rhode Island: A Qualitative Study, Patricia Foley

Social Work Theses

This study was conducted with the intent of understanding safe exit plans for gang involved youth. There is limited literature around the existence of exit planning in the State of Rhode Island. Three interviews were conducted with four local stakeholders in the Rhode Island community. These interviews revealed that at risk youth can be safely guided out of gang life with the proper support systems and access to new life experiences. Social work practice, policy and research implications were addressed.

The Sensory Treatment Approach In Dealing With Trauma In Children: Does It Work?, Kathy L. Da Silva

Social Work Theses

This study focused on the sensory treatment approach for children with histories of trauma. It was an exploratory, qualitative study where four licensed social workers were interviewed at a small agency in Rhode Island that uses the sensory treatment approach. Each participant had attended a day long training on this approach for use in their agency setting. The findings revealed that each participant highly rated this method of treatment and found it to be effective. All participants used the sensory treatment approach differently and in combination with different treatment modalities and models. Implications for social work practice, policy, and research …

Personal History Of Violence And Response To Violence: A Quantitative And Free-Response Study Focusing On College-Age Students, Margaret Haswell

Social Work Theses

This study examined the relationship between people’s history with violence and how they responded to a graphically violent real-life video. A review of the literature revealed there had been extensive research done about the effects of media and violence on individuals, yet there is a lack of evidence about the effect that violent home footage can have on college-aged students. This relational study utilized a questionnaire that included both a Likert scale and a free-response portion with 25 undergraduate students rating their relationship with violence in the past and their response to a violent video. Greater prior exposure to violence …

Narrative Analysis Of Students’ Of Color Experiences At Predominantly White Institutions And The Implications Of Support Systems, Stephanie Blake

Social Work Theses

This study will look at support systems for students of color at predominantly White institutions. A review of the literature reveals that the supports that are needed for this population of students to ensure a positive experience are their family and peers from home and on campus and faculty/staff and on-campus services. A qualitative, exploratory study was conducted through interviewing seventeen participants who describe themselves as minorities within a predominantly White institution. The findings from this study revealed that the above aspects were seen as supports while at this institution and that there was also the underlying theme of perceptions …

Green-Eyed Facebook Monster: Social Network Use And Relationship Disruption, Theresa Hurton

Social Work Theses

This study looks at the relationship between the social network site Facebook and how it impacts college romantic relationships. A review of the literature reveals that Facebook can be a direct cause of jealousy and a negative impact on romantic and sexual relationships and can be responsible for creating suspicion between romantic partners, but there is still need for more research to be done in the future. This correlational study used a questionnaire with Likert style items administered to one hundred undergraduates having them rate frequency of Facebook use and jealousy in past and present relationships. The findings reveal that …

Childhood Social Factors And Their Impact On Young Adulthood Obesity, Sarah Burke

Social Work Theses

Obesity is a growing concern in the United States, particularly among children and adolescents. This study aimed to ascertain what factors including school/peer influences, culture, family lifestyle, and neighborhood environment, during individuals’ adolescence, impact their weight as young adults. The researcher conducted a survey that was given to students at a private catholic college in southern New England. A survey instrument was developed and distributed as a Facebook event restricted to college students at the specific institution, and additionally was distributed to one social work undergraduate course. The findings indicated that participant’s weight was most influenced by family lifestyle and …

Burnout Prevalence And Prevention In A State Child Welfare Agency, Molly Heverling

Social Work Theses

This study addressed the prevalence of burnout and coping strategies within a sample of forty child welfare direct service workers. Although social work can be an extremely gratifying profession, the difficulties inherent in the social work field cause added stress to the worker. Surveys were distributed and measured participants’ levels of burnout in three areas to include: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment. Results revealed a group of dedicated workers that are under stress due to the urgency of their work. Workers described a wide array of positive and negative coping methods as means to address work related stress. Practice, …

The Pragmatics Of Transracial Adoption: A Parents’ Perspective, Ashley Chuha

Social Work Theses

This study examines the relationship between transracial adoption and racial and ethnic identity development from a parent’s perspective. By listening to stories and hearing experiences of these parents, the writer was able to obtain an idea regarding how the family as a whole views race and how the child expresses his or her differences within the family context. A review of the literature indicates that transracial adoption is an ongoing debate because of the importance of finding a permanent placement for a child and the potential loss of a cultural heritage by not living with a family of the same …

The “Double Loss” Effect: Exploring How People React To Another Person’S Loss – The Griever’S Perspective, Laura Bienashski

Social Work Theses

This study intended to explore the “double loss” effect and people’s reactions to another person’s loss. When individuals negative react to a person who is in grief there is a common tendency to avoid, provide pseudo care, and/or stiff-arm. Five interviews were conducted with college students who experienced losing a loved one. These interviews addressed the phenomenon of the “double loss” effect and other people’s reactions to another person’s loss through the perception of the grievers. Practice, policy and research implications resulted from this research and are discussed within paper.

Understanding College Students Perceptions Of Unhealthy Dating Relationships, Kristina M. Cofone

Social Work Theses

This study addresses the prevalence and perceptions of unhealthy relationships at a medium size catholic college campus. An online voluntary survey measured student’s perceptions and understanding of unhealthy relationships through the use of silhouettes. Additionally, participants were asked to define psychological abuse. Results revealed that many of the college students were able to correctly identify types of abuse in relationships. Participants defined psychological abuse to include manipulation, control and guilt. Practice and policy implications were addressed as well.

Bullying At The Middle School Level: A Descriptive Study, Sara C. Johnson

Social Work Theses

Bullying within schools has been a topic of great interest in recent years. Due to various factors, bullying is a particularly large problem at middle schools. In order to obtain further research on this topic, a study was conducted at a small suburban middle school in Connecticut. Teachers were given surveys to complete to address their thoughts on bullying. Additionally, a smaller subsample of teachers and the school social worker were interviewed. The data gathered from the surveys and interviews revealed that bullying was in fact present at the school. Participants expressed that students tend to bully one another in …

Surviving As A Runaway: Services For This Population, Noelia Sanchez

Theses Digitization Project

There are thousands of children who run away from their homes each year for a variety of reasons. These children involved themselves in risky behaviors to survive while on the streets. This has been an ongoing problem that many have tried to alleviate by providing- different types of resources throughout the United States. However, there is more that could be done to help our youth stay safe. This population should be of great concern to society because they are part of the future.

This study looked into what runaways have to do to survive while on the streets by interviewing …

Susan Weinger, Nate Coe

International Faculty Researchers

Advancing the knowledge of rural Bangladeshi women about gardening and nutrition and increasing access to basic health care services and information for Cambodian school children was the foci of Dr. Susan Weinger’s research and volunteerism on a three-month overseas trip in summer 2010.

Susan Weinger's website

Like Crazy: A Writer’S Search For Information And Inspiration, Sarah Lawrence

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

I began this project with the sole aim of learning about the experience of the mentally handicapped in Morocco and the treatment and care options available to their families. However, with my independent study project on hold until I could find an advisor, I began brainstorming a Moroccan-themed fantasy story. Once I started my field research, many of my findings and observations about modern and traditional healing practices for the mentally disabled in the context of the Moroccan family enriched my developing world.

Building Stories Of Resilience In The Face Of Childhood Cancer: Exploring The Experiences Of Childhood Cancer Survivors, Gabrielle Lemarier

Social Work Theses

This qualitative study addressed the personal stories, characteristics, influences, and factors which assisted childhood survivors of cancer to be resilient and thrive. Six childhood cancer survivors told stories of coping with the hardships of a cancer diagnosis and eight common themes uniquely experienced by each survivor were revealed. Results of this study indicated that professionals should address a cancer diagnosis as a family diagnosis, constantly facilitating communication within the family system. Health promotion should also be a common professional practice, supporting the individual in self-advocacy. Professionals should also support survivors in the process of making meaning out of his/her cancer …

Transition And Transformation Of Service Agencies Following An Emergency Response, Mary Patrice Bogan

Social Work Theses

This study will focus specifically on the transforming effects service agencies experience as they respond to the highly increased need in the surrounding community. A review of the literature reveals that recovery efforts cannot elicit the needed response and support without a sense of urgency that stems from the event(s) being considered an “emergency.” The lack of longevity of the initial urgency threatens the resiliency of the agency as the availability of funding and necessary attention is not maintained. A qualitative, exploratory study was conducted by interviewing ten individuals involved in the Rhode Island emergency winter shelter crisis and five …

Changes In Parental Assets And Children's Educational Outcomes, Vernon Loke, Paul Sacco

Social Work Faculty Publications

Several countries, including Canada, Singapore and the United Kingdom, have enacted asset-based policies for children in recent years. The premise underlying these policies is that increases in assets lead to improvement in various child outcomes over time. But little existing research examines this premise from a dynamic perspective. Using data from the NLSY79 mother and child datasets, two parallel process latent growth curve models are estimated to examine the effects of parental asset accumulation on changes in children's achievements over six years during middle childhood. Results indicate that the initial level of assets is positively associated with math scores, but …

Journal Of The American Deafness And Rehabilitation Association Year 2011, Volume 44, Number 3 Complete

JADARA

Upload of old JADARA issue for digital access

“So I Just Took Over”: African American Daughters Caregiving For Parents With Heart Failure, Nancy Thornton, Faith Pratt Hopp

Social Work Faculty Publications

This article examines the experiences of African American women who are caring for a parent with heart failure. Seven adult daughter caregivers completed in-depth, qualitative interviews, and a phenomenological approach was used for data analysis. Results suggest the presence of caregiving stressors, including heart failure symptoms and comorbidity, caregiving duties, social–emotional stressors, and distrust of the health system. Relevant coping strategies included valuing the caregiving role, coordinating care with siblings, taking charge, and spirituality. Social workers can play a critical role in supporting and advocating for caregivers of persons with heart failure, helping them to cope with stressors associated with …

The Basic Economic Security Tables For The Us Report, Center For Social Development

Center for Social Development Research

The Basic Economic Security Tables for the US Report