Social Work Theses

Is Mental Illness an Access Barrier to Seeking and Receiving Abortion Services?

Miranda Cummings — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 12:37:09 PDT

This study examines the relationship between one’s mental health status and access to abortion services. A review of the literature confirms that no prior research has been completed to determine whether or not mental health status is a barrier to seeking and/or receiving abortion services. A qualitative study using professionals from the mental health and abortion service fields was conducted to explore this relationship. Findings suggest that there are implications for some individuals experiencing mental illness. Another finding concludes that mental illness may be a secondary access barrier if one’s health insurance is provided by governmental funds. An implication for future research pertains to examining the degree to which mental illness may be a primary barrier to accessing abortion services.

Caught in Cultural Limbo?: A College Student’s Perspective on Growing Up with Immigrant Parents

Melissa Weiss — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 12:35:49 PDT

Much recent scholarship of immigrants, has found a second-generation disadvantage, or an “immigrant paradox” instead of a “second generation advantage”. In contrast to past studies, this study employed qualitative methods to explore mental health and risky behavior variables of the immigrant paradox among college-aged children of immigrants who attend a private, liberal arts institution to gain a more meaningful understanding of this “paradox”. No strong evidence suggesting an “immigrant paradox” in terms of these variables was found, but instead participants expressed cultural pride. It was also found that these individuals valued their present support systems and those they had while growing up.

Why Do College Students Stay in Unhealthy Relationships and Why are Peers Hesitant to Intervene?

Melissa DeVito — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 12:27:21 PDT

This study focused on why college students remain in unhealthy relationships and why they may not intervene. Additionally, the study sought to determine student’s perception of themselves and others using scales that measured their self-esteem, comfortability, and vulnerability. Sixty five students at a Catholic southern New England private college participated in this mixed method study. Results revealed that the definitions of relationships were gender based and students were aware of sexual abuse but remain neutral about reporting it and intervening. Implications from this study include the need for future research on reporting sexual abuse on college campuses and to gather data from a greater student sample who are currently in relationships.

Effects of a Witnessing History on the Female Ability to Negotiate Romantic Relationships: A Retrospective Analysis

Kimberly Rodrigues — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 12:17:31 PDT

Research suggests that witnessing domestic violence (DV) in childhood may have long-term negative effects as a person enters adulthood. This exposure may hinder the ability for adults to build healthy romantic relationships. In an effort to better understand how a witnessing history affects adult romantic relationships, this study focused on the retrospective stories of women who were in recent domestically violent relationships and who also reveal witnessing DV as children. Participant’s narratives were analyzed for themes relating to their witnessing history, such as type of violence witnessed, frequency of violence witnessed, and whether or not participants felt their witnessing history has affected their ability to negotiate romantic relationships.

Facebook: The Newest Weight Loss Supplement?

Jaclyn Longo — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 10:42:51 PDT

This study sought to find a correlation between Facebook usage and exercise and diet habits among college-age females. A review of literature has shown the prevalence of eating disorders on college campuses and the pressures directly associated with these statistics. Eighty surveys were collected in order to measure both qualitative and quantitative data concerning the participants Facebook, eating, and dieting habits. Results revealed a strong drive among these females to stay thin through the use of diet and exercise habits, along with a correlation between viewing Facebook photos and the urge to workout. Further research on this subject should focus on the potential danger caused by extreme Facebook usage.

Discovering Resilience in Children who Witnessed their Caregivers with Cancer: A Retrospective Study

Cassandra Menz — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 15:19:32 PDT

Cancer is a powerful disease and has been shown to affect both the individual battling the disease as well as the friends and families. Research has shown that children and/or adolescents who have witnessed their caregivers with cancer have emerged as resilient from this experience. Through interviews, this study investigated college students at a small liberal arts school in Southern New England, who have or have had primary caregivers with cancer to see if they have gained resilience. This study revealed the effects that cancer can have not only on the individual who is battling the disease, but also on the children and/or adolescents who have witnessed their struggle. It identified possible support systems that were used by the college students to cope with their caregiver’s cancer. Information from this study can be used to understand if children and/or adolescents that grow up with a parent with cancer may develop resiliency as they mature and grow older.

Effectiveness of Anti-Bullying Policies in High Schools

Angela Ju — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 15:13:04 PDT

This study focused on the effectiveness of anti-bullying policies in high schools from the perspectives of college students. Literature suggests that anti-bullying policies are in place nationally in high schools but implementation of these policies have been questionable. Several studies have indicated a need for more enforcement of bullying prevention efforts in high schools. This quantitative study gathered data from surveys distributed to and completed by college freshmen students, almost all of whom have had a bullying experience at least once in high school. Findings imply that participants were split in their perspective of how effective and beneficial their high school’s attempts were in implementing their anti-bullying policies. This study suggests that more research be done in order to closely and further investigate the effectiveness of anti-bullying policies in high schools.

The Pragmatics of Transracial Adoption: A Parents’ Perspective

Ashley Chuha — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 13:06:30 PDT

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 race or ethnicity. This study is a qualitative exploratory study, involving semi-structured interviews with five families who have adopted transracially. The main findings of this study are that the participants have largely adopted a colorblind approach when raising their children, that the children of these participants bring up questions or concerns about being different from their parents, and that exposure to people of the same race or ethnicity as the children varied family to family. The implications of this study include more in depth interviews with more families, interviewing transracially adopted children, and providing trainings and support groups for families adopting or having adopted transracially.

Self-Awareness of Food Choice and Body Image: A Relational Study in the Undergraduate Female Population

Cassandra Lenza — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 13:06:27 PDT

The present study has measured, by self-report, factors that affect food choice in the college-aged female population and the relationship between these factors and perceived body image. A review of the literature reveals that health, appearance, cost, time and availability all serve as influential factors in this population’s food choices, but the literature does not investigate the relationship between comparing the variables of food choice and body image. This correlational study employed a survey research design with Likert-scaled questions to gain insight regarding food choice in seventy-five undergraduate students. The main findings suggest that the target population based food consumption primarily on its consideration of physical appearance and that the four food choice factors, appearance, cost, time/availability and health, were negatively correlated with body image. Implications are considered, primarily concerning the generalizability of this study and suggestions for further research in this field of study.

Building Stories of Resilience in the Face of Childhood Cancer: Exploring the experiences of childhood cancer survivors

Gabrielle LeMarier — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 13:06:24 PDT

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 experience and accepting the survivor identity. Finally, this study found that professional collaboration utilizing aspects of narrative therapy is an ideal vehicle towards supporting survivors in building stories of resilience.

The Sensory Treatment Approach in Dealing with Trauma in Children: Does it Work?

Kathy Da Silva — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 13:06:21 PDT

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 and limitations of the study are discussed.

Understanding College Students Perceptions of Unhealthy Dating Relationships

Kristina Cofone — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 13:06:18 PDT

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.

The “Double Loss” Effect: Exploring how people react to another person’s loss – the griever’s perspective

Laura Bienashski — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 13:06:15 PDT

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.

Personal History of Violence and Response to Violence: A Quantitative and Free-Response Study Focusing on College-Age Students

Margaret Haswell — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 13:06:12 PDT

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 was associated with more extreme responses to violent videos. Suggestions are made for further research involving a larger study utilizing different types of violence recorded in real-life situations.

Transition and Transformation of Service Agencies Following an Emergency Response

Mary Patrice Bogan — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 13:06:09 PDT

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 involved in recent Gulf Coast emergencies, all of whom had participated either as employees at a service agency or through other in-depth involvement in the recovery efforts. The findings from this study confirm that the emergency response is demanding not only on the community but also on the service agencies as they are challenged to maintain general operations and service as funding and attention are redirected to newly arising demands. Transformation and changes take place in the internal structure of service agencies, personnel in both numbers and assigned tasks, and overall areas of attention the service agency provide, leading to either more effective practice or the downfall of the service agency due to unmanageable demands. Implications of this research study encourage further collaboration between service agencies and community partners working to respond due to the vastly limited resources available and the frequent and superfluous duplication of services.

Sex Education and Its Influences on College Sex Practices

Matthew Yetsko — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 13:06:05 PDT

This was a relational study to examine the possibly of a correlation between type of high school sex education and types of attitudes and behaviors towards sex within the context of the college social environment. A review of the literature shows that comprehensive sex education has been more effective than no sex education or abstinence only sex education in delaying sexual activity, more effective in providing students information on using contraceptives for safe-sex practices, and more effective in preventing unwanted pregnancies and the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases and the HIV virus. The literature lacked any substantial information on the effects of sex education specifically for college students. The data for this quantitative relational study came from a questionnaire administered to 100 freshman and sophomores at a private Catholic college in the New England area. Findings showed that there was a significant relationship between having a comprehensive education and having more positive knowledge and behaviors towards sex compared to those who had no sex education or an abstinence only sex education. Those who received a more comprehensive education were also less likely to drink and use illegal substances compared to those who did not have a comprehensive sex education. Future research should be used to determine ways in which sex education can be taught that may influence students to perform less risky behavior within the college social scene.

The Effects of Permanency on Youth in Foster Care: The Successes They Achieve After Exiting the System

Megan Foster — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 13:06:02 PDT

This study reported on the connection between the permanency a youth in the foster care system experienced and the success they achieved as they transitioned out of the system. Housing, education, and employment were factors addressed. Data was gathered through four interviews with youth who had recently transitioned out of the foster care system and 435 surveys were collected in the months of April and October 2010. Results revealed that youth often use state programs to supplement their needs during the treatment process. Youth that attained success created and maintained relationships with workers who become adult supporters for them. Implications of this research can address policy and practice, specifically in the areas of more support from state programs in the areas of employment and education.

Burnout Prevalence and Prevention in a State Child Welfare Agency

Molly Heverling — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 13:05:59 PDT

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, policy, and research implications were addressed.

Safe Voluntary Exit Plans for Gang Involved Youth in Rhode Island: A Qualitative Study

Patricia Foley — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 13:05:56 PDT

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.

Childhood social factors and their impact on young adulthood obesity

Sarah Burke — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 13:05:52 PDT

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 school environment factors. By learning this information the researcher was able to make implications for practice, policy, and research.