Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Policy Analysis Of Minnesota's Department Of Children, Families, And Learning Violence Prevention Plan, Todd S. Harvey

Theses and Graduate Projects

School violence has received major publicity in recent years due to several violent and premeditated school shootings that received national attention. Gallup polls have indicated over the past three years that school violence is the top concern of parents, resulting in increased public pressure upon school administrators and legislators to develop effective school violence prevention policy. This study examined the Minnesota Department of Children Families and Learning (CFL) official violence prevention plan entitled Unlearning Violence. The analysis compared Minnesota's plan with elements identified in the literature as critical and necessary to prevent violence. The results of the analysis found that …

Restorative Services: Inventory Of Minnesota's Restorative Services And An Examination Of Integration Of Restorative Philosophy In Service Providers' Policies And Procedures, Deanna L. Mundt Steckman

Theses and Graduate Projects

Restorative services are offered in various settings where harm has occurred and, it has been unclear what is available in Minnesota. Minnesota, as a national leader in restorative justice, has been unable to compile a comprehensive list of restorative service providers until now. An open- and closed-ended questionnaire was sent to potential Minnesota restorative service providers. The intent was to determine what types of restorative services and models are practiced by what types of agencies, where services are provided, and to examine to what extent restorative philosophy values are integrated into agency policies. Various univariate and bivariate analysis were utilized. …

The Role Of The School Social Worker With English Language Learner Students In Suburban Elementary Schools, Pamela Sue Storry

Theses and Graduate Projects

This descriptive study explores the role of the school social worker with English Language Learner (ELL) students in suburban elementary schools. It has become increasingly more common for classrooms to have students who do not speak English and spend part of their school day in an English Language Learner class. The purpose of the study is to provide information and awareness of immigrant issues to school districts, social workers and teachers. Three school districts with similar demographics, northwest suburbs of a metropolitan area, participated in the study. A survey that included both quantitative and qualitative questions, focused on the role …

Recovering From Mental Illness, Karla Schmitt

Theses and Graduate Projects

Only recently has the notion of recovery for people diagnosed with a serious and persistent mental illness been considered a possibility. Because of this, research on the topic is limited. This qualitative study sought to explore what the concept of recovery means to people diagnosed with a mental illness. A semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data. Grounded theory analysis was used to identify common themes. Factors that were identified as hindering the participant's recovery were the following: frustration with the 'system' and dehumanizing mental health professionals. Factors that were identified as fostering their recovery included: medications, a sense …

Environmental Factors That Affect Juvenile Delinquency, Helen Marie Lewis

Theses and Graduate Projects

This qualitative study explored the environmental factors that affect juvenile delinquency. One of the most important family life factor that places children at risk for delinquency is inadequate supervision. Findings suggest that there is a strong commonality between truancy and corrections. Five Juvenile Probation Officers and five Children and Family Social Workers were interviewed using open-ended questions. The interviews focused on the services provided to the adolescents and their families by each professional. Results indicate the importance of prevention and intervention at the micro and macro level. Implications for social work practice is also discussed.

Parent/Caregiver Satisfaction With A Youth Diabetes Climc In A Rural Setting, Donald E. Holland

Theses and Graduate Projects

Studies have shown that a valuable source of information for people who have diabetes and who live in an urban area can be a multi-disciplinary diabetes clinic. This study examined the perceived benefit of such a clinic for the parents/caregivers of children diagnosed with Type-1 diabetes. Using a questionnaire, 112 parents/caregivers of children with diabetes were surveyed; 51 returned the surveys within the time alloffed, and these were used in the analysis. These children and the parents/caregivers were served by a multi-disciplinary diabetes clinic located in the rural Minnesota town of Willmar. Their rcsponses were recorded and analyzed, and showed …

Rural Pregnant And/Or Parenting Teenagers And Their Informal Support Systems, Rhonda Burns

Theses and Graduate Projects

Pregnant and/or parenting teenagers are influenced by education level, socioeconomic status and social support systems. Numerous studies of urban pregnant and/or parenting teenagers have examined the formal support systems and their efficacy. Few researchers have examined rural pregnant and/or parenting teenagers and their informal support systems. This quantitative study surveyed 37 pregnant and/or parenting teenagers receiving case management services through Kandiyohi County Family Services, resulting in 7 respondents. The research questions included:

1. What are the perceptions and of rural Kandiyohi County pregnant and/or parenting teenagers regarding their informal support systems?
2. What are their interpretations of the support being offered?
3. Do …

An Evaluation Of The "Freshman Academy's" Programs Effectiveness To Provide A Smaller Community Environment, Dru Kneeland

Theses and Graduate Projects

Large schools of 1000 + students have become very prevalent. Studies have shown, however, that small size and tight-knit structured learning communities allow the school to give increased amounts of attention to students (Cotton, 1996). In larges chools, a sense of anonymity prevails causing students to feel disconnected and without roots, sometimes leading to frustration, anger and rage. As the last few years have shown, the results are violence, anti-social behavior and other serious violations of community rules. Research has shown that small schools have a better chance of meeting the needs of these disenfranchised adolescents by giving them roots …

Admitting A Loved One To A Nursing Home: A Family Experience, Karen Hinrichs

Theses and Graduate Projects

Admitting a loved one to a nursing home is often a traumatic event for family members. The Minnesota Department of Health states that nursing homes are experiencing higher resident turnover rates due to shorter lengths of stay for nursing home residents. With increased resident turnover, social workers have less time to orient each resident's family to the facility. Yet, numerous studies have concluded that residents, family members, and staff are more satisfied in nursing homes that view the resident and family as clients rather than only the resident. A needs assessment was completed in a 140-bed nursing home in a …

Is Mother Loss Curriculum Effective In Promoting A Healthy Grieving Process?, Patricia A. Hill

Theses and Graduate Projects

The death of a mother for a daughter carries certain effects that are different than those experienced with the death of a father or another loved one. This practice evaluation was initiated to study the effectiveness of the curriculum in promoting a healthy grieving process. Current literature is minimal in regards to the impact of mother loss on adult daughters as well as methods in which to assist adult daughters through the grief process. The research design and method included a grief/depression self test which was administered as a pre/post-test and eight weekly evaluations. Both were quantitative although the evaluations …

Female Adolescent Offender's Experience With Restorative Justice Practice, Leslie Ann Houghtaling

Theses and Graduate Projects

This hermeneutic study examines the lived experience of one female juvenile offender as she went through the restorative justice practice of either victim-offender mediation (VOM) or group conferencing. Hermeneutics is an interpretive approach to looking at everyday experiences and uncovering what is usually hidden from us. When asked about her experience, one theme stood out as essential for the participant: becoming trustworthy. Several aspects including being listened to, re-developing relationships, and making amends with those who were harmed by the crime marked the participant's transformation. These findings correspond with Erikson's psychosocial stages of adolescence and young adulthood, as well as …

A Hermeneutic Experience Of Social Workers With Dying Prisoners, Ted R. Page

Theses and Graduate Projects

This hermeneutic qualitative study sought to discover the effectiveness of social work practice with dying male prisoners. An in depth interview was conducted of two male social workers who have worked with dying male prisoners. Hermeneutics is an interpretative approach to understanding the world around us through the narratives of the participant, in this study the social worker's narrative. This study attempted to catch a glimpse into the world of social workers as they practice their craft with dying prisoners. One social worker went into the prison to serve the dying prisoner, the other social worker helped early released dying …

Political Involvement And Noninvolvement Of Social Work Practitioners, Thomas A. Skarohlid

Theses and Graduate Projects

This exploratory study interviewed 8 social work practitioners from a nonprobability convenience sample in the public and private sector, using a one-to-one semi-structured interview guide. Content analysis of interview transcripts identified major themes in the perceptions of social workers involvement or noninvolvement in political activity. Findings suggest that social work practitioners are involved in advocacy activity at both the micro and macro levels. There were differences in personal resources and interests of social work practitioners, that influenced political involvement or noninvolvement in both the public and private sector. The expansion of advocacy beyond casework to the broader aspects of macro …

A Descriptive Study Of Accessibility To Mobile Crisis Services, Joni M. Heine

Theses and Graduate Projects

Mobile crisis services are seen as a secondary modality in provision of health care services. Past research indicated a lack of integration into the health care system and funding as obstructions. Accessing these services is limited to law enforcement, jails, emergency rooms, crisis line phone contacts, and providers. This research explored a mobile crisis service from greater Minnesota as a primary modality in health care services by examining who was accessing the service, voluntary or non-voluntary individuals in relation to hospitalization, and follow up and does this relationship vary by gender, utilizing the chi-square statistical test. Hospitalization and follow up …

Social Work Practice In The Real World: An Argument For Evidence Tested Practice, Tomi Gomory

Tomi Gomory

This chapter explores the relevance of practice guidelines for the advancement of clinical social work by attempting to explicate the current epistemology of empirical social work practice, Justificationism, and contrasting it with an alternate epistemology, Fallibilism (Karl Popper’s Critical Rationalism). The chapter asserts the superiority of fallibilism for the advancement of knowledge and recommends its implementation. It is further argued that whether or not clinical practice guidelines are essential to practice depends on whether guidelines can be more explanatory (helpful) than some other alternative such as Falibilitic Critical Thinking (Fa.C.T.) when critically assessed against it. Examples and arguments are offered …

Methamphetamine Treatment: A Hermeneutic Study, Sandra S. Hamann

Theses and Graduate Projects

This hermeneutic study examines and compares the life experiences of three methamphetamine users who have been in chemical dependency treatment for their methamphetamine use. Findings of this researcher indicate that cognitive behavioral practice models have the best results when working with chemical users. There are few chemical dependency treatment programs which address methamphetamine users as needing different treatment approaches than other chemical users. Research indicates that those chemical dependency programs that address the multiple needs of the methamphetamine users and not just their drug use have the best results with helping them maintain long-term recovery from their chemical use. The …

From A Father's Point Of View: A Hermeneutic Study Of Non-Custodial Fathers And The Contributions That They Make To Their Children's Lives, Susan Pohl

Theses and Graduate Projects

This research is a hermeneutic study of three non-custodial fathers and contributions that they make to their children's lives. The literature review explores how children benefit from the presence of their fathers in their lives. The hermeneutic design was used asking the question, "What do you believe are the contributions that you make to your child's life?" The findings reveal that the fathers believe that they are contributing to their children's cognitive development, the development of humor, educational support, social emotional development, and identity. Implications for social work practice and programming are discussed.

Forgiveness And The Post-Abortive Woman: Achieving Self-Forgiveness, Amy M. Peck

Masters Theses

Concepts of forgiveness explore the sum of the parts of any individual within any context or belief system an individual is a part of. The sum of these parts involve forgiveness within the context of an entire person, empathy being at the heart of forgiveness, forgiveness as a relationship and forgiveness being that of a personal commitment. Forgiveness is an art within the process toward emotional maturity and is a part of any aspect of the human experience toward achieving self-acceptance. Applications of forgiveness are therapeutic and can be a way in which personal healing can take place. In addition, …

An Evaluation Of Transitional Services - A Program For Youth With Aggressive Episodes, Lyla Peterson

Theses and Graduate Projects

Youth who display aggressive tendencies has been a domain of

increasing interest in the arena of social work. This

qualitative program evaluation examined if Transitional

Services was viewed as helpful in reducing the clients'

aggressive episodes while participating in the program, This

study also investigated Anoka County's Transitional Services and

its mission to promote a smoother transition from a restrictive

out-of-home placement back into the clients home environment.

Five social workers completed a qualitative questionnaire that

focused on the program's services for its assistance in

lessening youth aggression, and factors pertaining to family

reunification. The outcomes are based on common …

Fathers' Lived Experiences Of Perinatal Loss: A Hermeneutic Study, Leann R. Nelson

Theses and Graduate Projects

Despite a growing body of perinatal loss research since 1970, the lived experiences of fathers bereaved by perinatal death are virtually unexamined. This interpretive study presents shared meanings and common themes uncovered, using hermeneutic research methodology, in the transcribed texts of in-depth interviews with three bereaved fathers. The fathers' narratives revealed how they lived with two abiding philosophical questions--"Why us?" and "What if?"--during and for a long time after the actual loss experience. Fathers' cultural understanding of life and death as a natural progression was undermined by their loss experience, leaving them with an understanding of the tentativeness of life …

A Study Of School Social Workers' Perceptions Of Disruptive School Behaviors And Their Role In Response To The Problem, Thomas E. Lucy

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study examines the topic of disruptive behavior in the schools, with a focus on how the role of the school social worker relates to this issue. Specifically, this research asked two questions. First, how do school social workers perceive the issue of disruptive behavior in the schools? Second, what is the role of the school social worker in addressing this issue? To answer these questions, 75 school social workers from the Minnesota School Social Work Association were given a self-administered mail survey. The data showed that school social workers feel disruptive behavior is an increasingly difficult issue faced in …

Substance Dependent Women And Family Support, Christina Marie Decker

Theses and Graduate Projects

This hermeneutic study was undertaken to discover the lived experience of two substance dependent women with family support. This study attempted to capture the experience of two women and show how this experience affected their recoveries. The use of the hermeneutic research method allowed the researcher to engage in a process with the participants, both shaping and being shaped by the experience. The women's experiences were interpreted around the theme of connection. This involved a fluid process by which the women disconnected from original family, connected with other supports and then reconnected with original family in their new role as …

Trends. Abuses Of Child Abuse: Suspecting The Usual Suspects In The World Of Elian Gonzalez, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This article discusses the concept of child abuse, and expert opinion about it, pertaining to the Elian Gonzalez case. Many different definitions of child abuse were applied to the situation (from differing perspectives) as authorities tried to decide if Gonzalez belonged in Miami, Florida with is "new family," or in Cuba with his father.

The Role Of Community Support Programs With Mothers And Fathers Who Are Mentally Ill, Deborah A. Hesli

Theses and Graduate Projects

Although issues faced by adults with mental illness have been visible for centuries, the implications of mental illness on parenting have only recently been considered. Consequently, service providers in the mental health field have begun to examine their roles with these families, such as balancing the rights of the parent with disabilities with the vulnerabilities of the children. This study asked service providers in the mental health field about their roles working with parents with mental illness and their children. A questionnaire was completed by twenty-one Community Support Program staff working in an urban setting with parents with a mental …

An Infusion Model For Including Content On Elders With Chronic Mental Illness In The Curriculum, Nancy P. Kropf, Sherry M. Cummings

SW Publications

Older people with chronic mental illness (CMI) are experiencing longer life expectancies that parallel those of the general population. Due to their experience of having CMI, these older adults present unique issues that affect service delivery and care provision. Content on this population is often omitted in the curriculum, which leaves students unprepared to practice with these clients. This article proposes an infusion model that can be used in baccalaureate or graduate foundation courses to increase exposure to elders with CMI.

The Role Of Amcap And The Amcap Journal: Past, Present And Future: A Conversation With Burton C. Kelly, Phd, Carrie M. Wrigley

Issues in Religion and Psychotherapy

Burton C. Kelly, PhD, has been one of AMCAP's most faithful and fruitful contributors since its earliest years. He served from 1977-1978 as AMCAP's third President, and from 1982- 1987, as Journal Editor, during the journal's most prolific season to date. He has also served in a number of leadership capacities in other professional organizations. He earned a PhD in Human Development and Psychology from the University of Chicago and has served in many Church capacities over the years, including Bishop and Stake Mission President, and has served four full-time missions. Dr. Kelly retired ten years ago from BYU after …

"Spiritual Roots Of Ethical Marital Therapy", Wendy Watson Nelson

Issues in Religion and Psychotherapy

No abstract provided.

Focal Point, Volume 14 Number 01, Portland State University. Regional Research Institute

Research and Training Center - Focal Point

FROM THE EDITORS. It is with great pleasure that we welcome you to the premiere collaborative issue of Focal Point. The joint effort between the Center For Effective Collaboration and Practice and the Research and Training Center on Family Support and Children’s Mental Health exemplifies a larger partnership initiative put forward by the Center for Mental Health Services’ (CMHS) Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and Their Families Program. The goal of an enhanced partnership is to promote improved services that lead to better outcomes for youth and their families. Along these lines we hope you find the fruits …

The New Philanthropy In The New West Virginia, Roger A. Lohmann

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Although philanthropy is a very old concept, many authorities today see a new philanthropy, including dramatic increases in donations and the assets of foundations. Also a new West Virginia may be emerging from the past of the forest agriculture of buckskin-clad mountaineers and coal mining. This presentation examines the convergence of the new philanthropy and this new West Virginia.

Measuring Patient Satisfaction: A Study Of Former Nursing Home Residents, Bethany J. Roberts

Theses and Graduate Projects

It is be becoming more common for patients to be admitted short-term to nursing homes for rehabilitation and recovery, however, little attention is paid to their satisfaction with the services they receive. This study explores how patient satisfaction is related to discharge, using a quantitative survey research design. The survey was mailed to the universal sample of 60 patients discharged back to the community within a six-month time frame from a St. Paul nursing home. Findings indicate a correlation between how former patients rate their satisfaction with nursing home care and their preparedness at the time of their discharge. The …