Perspectives on Social Work
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Perspectives on Social Work is a publication of the doctoral students of the Graduate College of Social Work at the University of Houston. The journal was founded in 2003 to provide an opportunity for the college's social work doctoral students to showcase their work. Since that time, the journal has expanded and now accepts submissions from social work doctoral students nationwide and internationally. See the journal's home page [link] for more information.
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Item Editorial from Perspectives on Social Work Volume 3 (Fall 2005)(University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, 2005) Russell, Amy; Kindle, Peter A.Editorial for volume 3 of Perspectives on Social Work, by journal editors Amy Russell (LMSW) & Peter Kindle (MA, MDiv)Item PeaceJam: A Model of Peace Education(University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, 2005) Trachte, BrianThis research project examines the PeaceJam model and reviews the literature surrounding peace and nonviolence. The PeaceJam model is comprised of three parts: education, inspiration, and action. Students educate themselves about violence, racism, nonviolence, and the peacemaking process. They use the real-life inspiration of the most highly honored peacemakers of our times, the Nobel Peace Laureates. From their knowledge and inspiration, they create peace projects in their schools, local community, and/or global peace efforts.Item Person-In-(Dual) Environment: Reflecting on the Dual MSW/PhD Program(University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, 2005) Willis, Nicole; Needham, BrettStudents encounter various obstacles in the process of earning a doctorate, and these obstacles are often voiced in the literature (Brown, 1999; Chan, 2003; Chauvin, Rodenhauser, Bowdish & Shenoi, 2000). Most of the literature on the doctoral student experience is focused on the process of transition- from student to professional, professional to student and even the common familial, financial (Cusworth, 2001) and social (Leatherman, 2000) stressors faced in the process. However, there is a lack of literature on the experience of doctoral students in dual degree programs (Chauvin et al., 2000; Michael & Balraj, 2003). The bulk of existing dual degree literature focuses on interdisciplinary programs, with emphasis on administrative challenges such as ownership (Michael & Balraj, 2003), degree recognition cross-nationally (Rauhvargers, Bergan & Davis, 2003), budgetary control and publication credit (Mangan, 2001) and less on challenges faced by the students participating in these programs. The challenges related to intra-disciplinary dual degrees, such as the MSW/PhD dual degree are unique and have not been fully explored in the literature (Michael & Balraj, 2003). Role conflict theory can demonstrate how an intra-disciplinary dual degree such as the MSW/ PhD generates unique challenges. In this article, stages created by these unique challenges and implications for social work doctoral education will be discussed.Item From the Lectern: Reforming the Dissertation Process(University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, 2005) Karger, HowardDr. Howard Karger discusses the Dissertation Process.Item PERSPECTIVES ON SOCIAL WORK VOLUME 3 (Spring 2005)(University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, 2005) Russell, Amy; Norman, Gary L.; Próspero, Moisés; Willis, Nicole; Needham, Brett; Kindle, Peter A.This is the full-text volume of Perspectives on Social Work, vol. 3 (Spring 2005).Item Doctoral Research Assistants Panel: Discussion and Recommendations(University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, 2005) Russell, Amy; Vohra-Gupta, ShetalThis is a discussion about the experiences of doctoral students at the University of Houston's Graduate School of Social Work.Item Counterpoint(University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, 2005) Russell, AmyAmy Russell's counterpoint to Howard Karger's "Reforming the Dissertation Process".Item Book Review: Brené Brown, B. (2004). Women & shame: Reaching out, speaking truths & building connection. Austin, TX: 3C Press.(University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, 2005) Russell, AmyDr. Brené Brown presents Women & Shame, a painful and universal topic for women and anyone who loves women, in a very enlightening, edifying, and intriguing style. She gracefully makes a gender-specific concern a matter of growth and empowerment. I have not been as excited about a book in some time, evidenced through my purchasing multiple copies for Christmas gifts for female family members. Dr. Brown presents the tenets of shame so honestly that the reader not only cries tears of release and discovery, but also laughs out loud; Dr. Brown’s insights and interpretations originating from the interviews are bittersweet and poignant. This book is critical for women, a must-read, testament to our university and Social Work program. Dr. Brown speaks to those of us who are PhD students by revealing that research can be many things and does not have to be dry and difficult. Women & Shame covers vital issues relevant to the shame continuum in three areas: research methods, content, and impact.Item Last Words in the Texas Death Chamber: Implications for Theory, Practice & Research(University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, 2005) Willis, NicoleA qualitative study was conducted to investigate thematic components of the last words given by death row inmates in Texas between 1982 and 2004 at the time of execution. Last words were available from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice website and the book Texas Death Row: Executions in the Modern Era (Sunriver Cartel, 2000). Ninety-four inmates were excluded from the study, while 72% (n=242) of death row inmates’ last words met inclusion criteria. Transcripts of last words in the death chamber were recorded thematically with NVIVO software and then analyzed.Item Sexual Violence among Mexican-American Gang Affiliated Females(University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, 2005) Próspero, MoisésMexican American female adolescents are at a disadvantaged structural societal position in several areas: socioeconomic, ethnicity, gender, and age. Therefore, some researchers have posited that some Mexican American female adolescents join gangs to resolve societal structural problems, even at the cost of increased risk for substance use, sex, crime, and violent activities (Miller, 2001). The present study explored sexual violence among high-risk Mexican American adolescent females using Johnson (1995) typology of intimate partner violence. Life history interviews were conducted on 150 Mexican American gang affiliated females, ages 14-18 years, to elicit information regarding participants’ exposure to and experience with crime, drugs, violence, and sexual behavior.Item The Cost Effectiveness of Prevention Programs(University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, 2005) Próspero, MoisésPrevention programs appear to be the first cut when financial resources become scarce. This philosophy is contrary to the ever-growing literature that reveals the effectiveness of prevention programs and their costeffectiveness as compared to treatment programs. Although prevention programs usually do not produce immediate outcomes, they can produce long-term results that easily outperform the temporary findings in treatment interventions. This paper will provide a literature review of evaluations of the effectiveness of prevention programs and review cost-benefit analyses conducted on prevention programs from a variety of fields.Item Comparing Feminist and Choice Theories: Treatment and Social Reform at Odds?(University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, 2005) Norman, Gary L.The debate between social work treatment and social reform is centered on what is perceived to be two separate processes to affect change, one on an individual level and one on a system level. Social work treatment is intended to provide an atmosphere for individuals, couples, and families to explore options for self-change and selfgrowth, oftentimes adapting to their environments in order to lead a more fulfilling life, as defined by the client. Social reform, in general terms, is examining the possibilities of social reform and social change to better suit the needs of the individuals, couples, and families. This may involve, for example, community work, political advocacy work, or legislative work. However, this may also be addressed in contextualizing psychotherapy and raising awareness of social and political structures affecting clients. This perspective maintains that social reform can be addressed and affected through individual therapy, with the requirement of a politicized and contextualized practice (Finn & Jacobson, 2003). The basic conflict encountered is that social treatment is used to assist the client in adapting and altering themselves to their environment (Finn& Jacobson, 2003). Social reform, in contrast, is intended to affect change on a macro, larger level to alter or deconstruct its structure to better meet the needs of individuals, couples, families, or communities (Homan, 1998). Two theories which seem to typify the contrast between treatment and social reform are Feminist Theory and Choice Theory. At initial analysis, these two theories, and their accompanying practice therapies, appear to come from divergent sources; they appear to view human problems from dramatically different orientations. However, although their core origins may be different, the two theories can work together to promote both change in the individual as well as change in society.Item Counterpoint(University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, 2005) Mapp, SusiPeter A. Kindle's counterpoint to Howard Karger's "Reforming the Dissertation Process".Item The Affect of School Status on the Health Behaviors of Young Fathers(University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, 2005) Nevarez, LucindaLucinda Nevarez discusses teen fatherhood and its risks.Item Counterpoint(University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, 2005) Kindle, Peter A.Peter A. Kindle's counterpoint to Howard Karger's "Reforming the Dissertation Process".Item Perspectives on Social Work Volume 3 (Fall 2005)(University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, 2005) Russell, Amy; Kindle, Peter A.; Próspero, Moisés; Nevarez, Lucinda; Willis, Nicole; Lo, Elsie; Vohra-Gupta, Shetal; Church, Lisiane; Trachte, Brian; Karger, Howard; Mapp, SusiThis is the full-text volume of Perspectives on Social Work, vol. 3 (Fall 2005).Item The Effect of Family Psychoeducational Therapy and Social Skills Training(University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, 2005) Church, LisianeThe purpose of this investigation was to examine the effect of Family Psychoeducational Therapy and Social Skills Training on burden, coping skills and social support of caregivers of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and/or schizoaffective disorder at the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) in the Greater Houston Area, Texas. Family Psychoeducational Therapy is described as an educational program for families and patients that also provides families with a variety of ways to handle difficult behaviors at home. The Social Skills Training is a comprehensive service for persons with schizophrenia that target their social skills deficits. The theoretical framework for the treatment program is based on Social Learning Theory (Bandura, 1977) and the Index of Expressed Emotion (Leff & Vaughn, 1985) that is relevant to the study of caregivers of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and/or schizoaffective disorder. The research design is pretest-posttest one group, cross-sectional and exploratory. The data was collected through self-administered inventories using a purposive sampling of 66 caregivers at NAMI in the Greater Houston Area, Texas. The caregivers completed the following instruments: the Measurement of Objective and Subjective Burden to assess burden, the Family Coping Questionnaire to assess caregiver’s coping skills, and the Social Network Questionnaire to assess social support.Item Stress Management of Working Single Mothers: A Single-System Approach(University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, 2005) Lo, ElsieWomen involved in family and work roles are becoming a norm in United States. However, having juggled a variety of roles among working mothers, particularly single mothers, in workplace and family has lead to different impact on micro, mezzo and macro levels. Past research studies made evident that single working mothers encounter adverse health effects in terms of physical and mental health, family disruption, economics and social consequences. As such, effective stress management strategies specifically for working single mothers should be identified to help them maintain a balance in performing their multi-roles.Item EDITORIAL FROM PERSPECTIVES ON SOCIAL WORK VOLUME 3 (FALL 2005)(University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, 2005) Kindle, Peter A.Editorial for volume 3 of Perspectives on Social Work, by journal editors Amy Russell (LMSW) & Peter Kindle (MA, MDiv)Item Childhood Abuse, Substance Abuse, Social Support, Psychological Functioning: Study of Low-Income Women in Recovery(University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, 2006) Lalayants, Marina; Epstein, Irwin; Savage, AndreaThe detrimental effects of childhood physical, sexual, or emotional abuse on psychological functioning in adulthood have been reported in numerous studies. Negative outcomes include dissociation, depression, and difficulties in interpersonal relationships. (Gauthier, Stollak, Messe, & Aronoff, 1996; Sanders & Becker-Lausen, 1995). Stein, Leslie, and Nyamathi (2002), in a study of women homeless in shelters, found that childhood abuse directly predicted later depression and low self-esteem. Not surprisingly, post-traumatic stress Copyright University of Houston, 2006 6 disorder (PTSD) has been described as a highly co-morbid disorder, and is likely to co-occur with depression and anxiety disorders, alcohol abuse, smoking, and drug abuse (Perkonigg & Wittchen, 1999).