Showing papers in "Research on Social Work Practice in 2004"

Development and Validation of the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale

Abstract: Objective: To describe the development and validation of the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS), a 17-item instrument designed to measure intrusion, avoidance, and arousal symptoms associated with indirect exposure to traumatic events via one’s professional relationships with traumatized clients. Method: A sample of 287 licensed social workers completed a mailed survey containing the STSS and other relevant survey items. Results: Evidence was found for reliability, convergent and discriminant validity, and factorial validity. Conclusions: The STSS fills a need for reliable and valid instruments specifically designed to measure the negative effects of social work practice with traumatized populations. The instrument may be used to undertake empirical investigation into the prevention and amelioration of secondary traumatic stress among social work practitioners.

Quality in Qualitative Evaluation: Issues and Possible Answers

Abstract: Qualitative evaluation studies can differ markedly from quantitative ones in both purpose and method and therefore must be understood and evaluated on their own terms. This article defines qualitative evaluation research and describes key parameters of quality to be considered when conducting and evaluating these studies in terms that take their epistemological assumptions and unique methods into account. Dimensions discussed include clarity in the research question, identifying the epistemological framework, using theory and prior knowledge effectively, addressing ethical issues, documenting all aspects of the study method, ensuring trustworthiness of the data, and communicating findings effectively.

Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment: A Synthesis of Controlled Evaluations

Abstract: Objective: A synthesis was conducted to assess outcome findings and methodological characteristics of controlled evaluations of adolescent substance abuse treatments. Method: Extensive computerized and manual bibliographic searches were employed to identify controlled evaluations of adolescent substance abuse treatment. Meta-analytic techniques were utilized to gauge effect sizes across studies to determine which interventions are most effective. An index of methodological quality was computed for each study using ratings of 13 study design factors. Interventions were classified by a combination of their design strength, achievement of desired effect, and other evidence factors. Results: Findings indicate that multidimensional family therapy and cognitive-behavioral group treatment received the highest level of evidentiary support. Seven other interventions showed evidence of effectiveness as well. Conclusions: Several interventions are effective for treating adolescent substance abuse. These treatments a...

The Effects of PTSD on Treatment Adherence, Drug Relapse, and Criminal Recidivism in a Sample of Incarcerated Men and Women:

Abstract: Objective/Method: Given the relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorders (SUD), and the prevalence of SUD among offenders, the inattention to trauma before...

Intervention Research in Social Work: Recent Advances and Continuing Challenges

Abstract: The purpose of this article is to review substantive and methodological advances in interventive research. Three substantive advances are discussed: (a) the growing use of a risk factor perspective...

Cognitive Pretesting and the Developmental Validity of Child Self-Report Instruments: Theory and Applications.

Abstract: Objective In the context of the importance of valid self-report measures to research and evidence-based practice in social work, an argument-based approach to validity is presented and the concept of developmental validity introduced. Cognitive development theories are applied to the self-report process of children and cognitive pretesting is reviewed as a methodology to advance the validity of self-report instruments for children. An application of cognitive pretesting is presented in the development of the Elementary School Success Profile.

Influencing Social Workers to Use Research Evidence in Practice: Lessons from Medicine and the Allied Health Professions:

Abstract: This study sought to identify lessons for social workers from the health care research on influencing practitioners to use evidence-based practices (EBP). Research reviews of strategies to influenc...

Evaluating a Transitional Living Program for Homeless, Former Foster Care Youth.

Abstract: The goals of this study were to (a) assess the outcomes of former foster care youth using transitional living programs and (b) compare outcomes achieved by former foster care youth who participated in an employment training program with similar youth who did not. The study sampled 23 former foster care youth using transitional living services in Northern California. Hourly wage, money saved, and employment status outcomes were examined at discharge, and housing outcomes were examined 6 months post discharge. Variables that demonstrated improvement post intervention include hourly wage, housing situation, employment, and money saved. At a 6-month follow-up, 90% of youth with known housing situations were in permanent, stable housing. Comparing youth with employment training and those without on hourly wage, youth with training had significantly higher hourly wages. Transitional living and employment training programs may be effective interventions for former foster care youth with few resources.

Is the Client-Worker Relationship Associated with Better Outcomes in Mandated Child Abuse Cases?:

Abstract: Objective: The purpose of this research was to (a) find if there were associations between child welfare outcomes and the client-worker relationship and (b) learn what are the predictors of a positive client-worker relationship. Method: 100 (55 Family Maintenance [FM] and 45 Family Preservation [FP]) clients were interviewed in English and Spanish. Pearson’s r, t tests, chi-squares, and a regression analysis were conducted. Results: A majority of the participants were Latino single mothers. Higher scores on the Relationship with Worker Instrument were correlated with better outcomes in discipline and emotional care of children (p < .01). FP clients were more satisfied with their workers than routine FM participants (p < .01). Ability to openly communicate (p < .001), frequency of visits (p < .05), and receipt of public assistance (p < .05) were found to be predictors of good client-worker relationships. Conclusions: This assessment indicates that client-worker relationships and open communication matter.

Conduct Problems and Peer Rejection in Childhood: A Randomized Trial of the Making Choices and Strong Families Programs

Abstract: This article discusses the effectiveness of a multicomponent intervention designed to disrupt developmental processes associated with conduct problems and peer rejection in childhood Compared with 41 children randomized to a wait list control condition, 45 children in an intervention condition received a social skills training program At the same time, their parents participated in an in-home family intervention Compared with control group children, intervention children demonstrated significant improvements on five of six outcome measures Differences between the experimental and control groups suggest the programs strengthen children’s prosocial behavior, promote their ability to regulate emotions, and increase social contact with peers Intervention also was associated with significant improvements in classroom comportment and decreases in relational aggression, a measure of coercion in peer relationships The findings are consistent with those of other programs effective in interrupting risk proces

Validity and Reliability of the Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale (2nd Edition): Youth Rating Scale

Abstract: Objective: This article reports findings of three studies addressing convergent validity and test-retest reliability of the Youth Rating Scale of the Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale-Second Edition (BERS-2). Method: Pearson product-moment correlations were used in all three studies, the first two addressing convergent validity and the third addressing test-retest reliability. Results: Analysis indicated that (a) the six BERS-2 subscales and overall strength index were generally highly positively correlated with the social skills composite score from the Social Skills Rating System-Student Form (Secondary Level, Grades 7 to 12), (b) the BERS-2 subscales and strength index were generally moderately negatively correlated with the Problem scales of Achenbach’s Youth Self-Report, and (c) test-retest reliability coefficients over a 1-week period were all above .80. Conclusions: Results provide evidence that the BERS-2 Youth Rating Scale has acceptable psychometric properties and may be considered for use b...

Sexual Abuse Survivors’ Perceptions of the Effectiveness of EMDR and Eclectic Therapy

Abstract: Objective: This article examines survivor perspectives of the effectiveness of two different treatments for trauma symptoms among adult female survivors of childhood sexual abuse—Eye movement Desen

A Multidimensional Evaluation of a Treatment Program for Female Batterers: A Pilot Study:

Abstract: The purpose of the study was to conduct a preliminary evaluation of a batterer intervention program by investigating changes in psychological variables related to abuse (i.e., truthfulness, violence, lethality, control, and stress coping abilities) between pretreatment and posttreatment assessments in a sample of women involuntarily placed in treatment. This study evaluated arrest records for a period of 12 months following treatment completion to determine the association between changes on these psychological variables and recidivism. The study employed a secondary analysis of 26 treatment completers involuntarily referred into treatment for domestic violence offenses. Analysis indicated that treatment completers were less passive/aggressive and less likely to use physical force on their partners at the conclusion of the treatment program. Implications of the findings for social workers providing treatment services to female domestic violence offenders are explored and discussed.

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Groupwork with At-Risk Junior High School Students: Enhancing the Bottom Line:

Abstract: Despite the preliminary studies that support solution-focused brief therapy, limited research has examined the model as a group intervention with students at risk for academic underachievement and ...

Feasibility of Providing Culturally Relevant, Brief Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Antenatal Depression in an Obstetrics Clinic: A Pilot Study

Abstract: Objective: To minimize barriers to care, ameliorate antenatal depression, and prevent postpartum depression, we conducted a pilot study to assess the feasibility of providing brief interpersonal ps

Conjoint Interventions for Adult Victims and Children of Domestic Violence: A Program Evaluation

Abstract: This study documented the evaluation of a 9-week group intervention program designed to address the needs of both abused mothers and their children who have witnessed violence. The intervention was designed to increase parenting skills, address the needs of both parents and children regarding increasing coping abilities and safety planning skills, and decrease the effects of postviolence stress. Parents and children were divided into groups based on clinical cutoff scores for analysis. Overall, the group intervention was effective in reducing blame and trauma symptoms. Parents generally perceived the intervention more helpful for their children than for themselves, but scores indicated that parents' feelings of isolation, stress levels, and health problems decreased significantly at posttest. Practice implications suggest this group intervention is most effective with children who enter the program with behavior scores above the clinical cutoff scores.

Confirmational Response Bias and the Quality of the Editorial Processes Among American Social Work Journals

Abstract: Objective: To experimentally test for confirmational response bias among social work journals and to assess the time-liness and quality of the referee review process. Method: A positive and a negative version of two stimulus articles were sent to two randomized groups of 31 social work journals; journals were stratified by prestige; the timeliness of journal responses were recorded; four judges rated the quality of referee reviews against a high-quality referee review from a prestigious clinical psychology journal. Results: The differences in acceptance rates between positive and negative versions of the stimulus articles were significant in one case and not significant in the other. Combining the results of this experiment with a previous experiment produced significant results overall; the quality of 73.5% of the referee reviews were inadequate. Conclusion: There are substantial problems of bias, timeliness, and quality in the editorial decisions and review processes of social work journals.

Participation in Victim-Offender Mediation and the Prevalence of Subsequent Delinquent Behavior: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract: Objective: This article reports the results of a meta-analytic study of the relationship between participation in victim-offender mediation (VOM) and the prevalence of subsequent delinquent behavior. Method: Analyses were conducted with the results of 15 studies, conducted at 19 different sites, with a sample of 9,307 juveniles. Results: The results suggested that methodological factors explained all the significant variation across sites and studies in the magnitude of the difference between non-VOM and VOM groups in their reoffense prevalence. The odds of VOM participants were only about .70 as great as the odds of nonparticipants reoffending. Conclusion: The results support the efforts of social workers to advocate for, develop, and participate in VOM programs.

Reliability and Validity of the Transracial Adoption Parenting Scale

Abstract: The present study provides information on the reliability and validity of the Transracial Adoption Parenting Scale (TAPS), a multidimensional 36-item Likert-type scale that measures cultural competence among transracial adoptive (TRA) parents. The TAPS was theoretically developed and refined through feedback from experts in TRA adoption. A cross-sectional survey design was used with a national nonprobability sample of 1,411 TRA parents. Each parent completed the 53-item TAPS and three other instruments with which to examine criterion and construct validity. After a preliminary factor analysis of the 53-item TAPS, the authors found that 36 items were retained in six factors. The 36-item TAPS had excellent reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.91), concurrent and discriminant validity were supported. Conclusion: Findings suggest that the TAPS holds promise of being a psychometrically sound instrument with which to measure cultural competence among TRA parents. Further investigation is warranted.

Reference List Accuracy in Social Work Journals

Abstract: This exploratory study investigated the rate of citation errors in the reference lists of five social work journals. High error rates have been found in journals in fields such as medicine and psychology but have not yet been investigated in social work journals. A stratified, computer-generated random sample was selected (N = 500, 100 per journal), and each reference was verified against the original work for accuracy in six fields: article title, author name(s), journal title, pagination, volume, and year. In examining the total sample of 500 references across the five journals, 206 references (41.2%) contained at least one error. Suggestions for reduction of error rates are discussed, as are suggestions for future study in this area.

Child and Mother Client Satisfaction Questionnaire Scores Regarding Mental Health Services: Race, Age, and Gender Correlates:

Abstract: This study used the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8) to examine the level of consumer satisfaction with children’s (ages 8 to 17 years) outpatient mental health services. Analyses were completed using both individual satisfaction items and a summed scale score. The CSQ scale had satisfactory internal consistency reliability for both mothers (alpha = .96) and children (alpha = .93). Parents’ratings of satisfaction with their child’s treatment were not uniformly consistent with those of the child who was in treatment. Mothers’and children’s ratings were significantly, but only moderately, related. We also found that a child’s satisfaction with outpatient services, relative to that of the parent, may depend on the child’s gender, race, and age. These findings suggest that children’s satisfaction with mental health treatment was complexly determined and should not be inferred from their mothers’degree of satisfaction.

The Fatherhood Scale.

Abstract: This article reports on the initial validation of the Fatherhood Scale (FS), a 64-item instrument designed to measure the type of relationship a male adult had with his father while growing up. The FS was validated using a convenience sample of 311 males. The assessment packet contained a demographic form, the Conflict Tactics Scale (2), Self-Esteem Scale, and the Fatherhood Scale. A series of factor analysis resulted in 13 factors accounting for 75% of the variance. Factors with high correlations that were theoretically related to other factors were combined resulting in nine subscales measuring positive and negative paternal engagement, fatherhood roles, and paternal emotional responsiveness. The subscales attained high levels of internal consistency reliability, with alpha levels ranging from 0.80 to 0.96. The scale has an overall reliability of 0.98, and showed preliminary evidence of differentiating between groups of men on self-esteem and intimate partner violence. The FS is a new assessment tool de...

Validating the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test with Persons Who Have a Serious Mental Illness

Abstract: Objective/Method: The use of brief, reliable, valid, and practical measures of substance use is critical for conducting individual assessments and program evaluation for integrated mental health–su...

Effects of Culturally Relevant Psychoeducation for Korean American Families of Persons with Chronic Mental Illness

Abstract: This study is to identify culturally relevant treatment methods and to assess the effects of family psychoeducational intervention for Korean Americans who had a family member with mental illness. 48 Korean Americans with children with mental illness were randomly assigned to either an experimental group program that provided culturally sensitive psychoeducation or a control group that offered individual supportive therapy. The two groups were compared on pre- and posttreatment measures of understanding of mental illness, of family empowerment, and of coping skills. Compared with the control group, the psychoeducational group members significantly decreased stigma, improved empowerment during family crises, and increased coping skills. The findings suggest that a culturally relevant psychoeducational intervention is a useful short-term treatment modality for Korean Americans with children with mental illness and can be used by social work practitioners who work with Korean Americans in the field of mental...

Evaluating the Effects of Child Abuse Training on the Attitudes, Knowledge, and Skills of Police Recruits.

Abstract: The objective of the current study was to assess the effects of mandatory child abuse training on the knowledge, skills, and attitudes toward abused children and abusive parents among a sample of police recruits. An experimental pretest-posttest design was used in which 81 participants were randomly assigned to experimental conditions and 101 to comparison conditions. Participants in the experimental group received the mandatory child abuse training while those in the comparison did not. Analysis of covariance results suggest that recruits participating in the experimental group acquired more knowledge, developed more skills, and felt more caring and sympathetic toward abusive parents than recruits in the comparison group. These results are discussed relative to the provision of joint child abuse training as part of a police-social work collaboration model.

A Multidimensional Assessment of a Batterer Treatment Program: an Alert to a Problem?:

Abstract: This study’s goals were to (a) evaluate a batterer intervention program by investigating changes in psychological variables related to abuse (i.e., truthfulness, violence, lethality, control, substance use, and coping abilities) between pretreatment and posttreatment assessments of men involuntarily placed in treatment and (b) investigate the differential effectiveness of this same program for African American and Caucasian batterers. Arrest records were also evaluated 12 months following treatment completion to determine the association between changes on these psychological variables and recidivism. The study employed a secondary analysis of 76 treatment completers randomly selected from a larger pool of 184 men. Analysis failed to provide empirical support for the contention that both African American and Caucasian batterers would demonstrate significant changes in the desired direction on psychological variables related to violence as a result of participation in a treatment program. Implications of t...

Psychosocial Treatment of Youth Suicide: A Systematic Review of the Research

Abstract: This article systematically reviews evidence for treatment of adolescent suicidality. In all, 10 empirical studies intended to reduce suicidal behaviors (e.g., suicide attempts) or suicidal ideation were reviewed. Each study's intervention was described and evaluated using two sets of independent criteria to assess the degree to which it was successful in reducing suicidality and the level of its empirical support (well established or probably efficacious). Most of the interventions were successful in reducing suicidality. However, no treatment met the criteria of well established and only two were probably efficacious. Most studies had important methodological limitations. Features of the promising interventions were summarized and methodological limitations highlighted. The number of interventions has increased in the past 10 years, but the research evidence remains weak. Recommendations are offered to strengthen the research, and the role of social workers in using these findings and advancing the rese...

Initial Development of a Measure of Emotional Dysregulation for Individuals With Cluster B Personality Disorders

Abstract: Individuals with DSM-IV Cluster B personality disorders are at particular risk of violence toward self or others. Emotional dysregulation is likely to be a factor in such incidents and is a central issue addressed in therapies with personality-disordered individuals. This article reports findings from a study that developed an original 18-item measure of emotional dysregulation and administered the scale to 100 participants diagnosed with Cluster B personality disorders or traits. A 13-item scale (the General Emotional Dysregulation Measure or GEDM) reflecting general emotional arousal and dysregulation of negative affect was derived using principal components analysis. The GEDM demonstrates good reliability and validity and correlates significantly with other established measures of affect. This measure is seen as potentially useful in clinical social work practice and in future investigations of the relationships among emotional dysregulation, personality disorders, substance abuse, and violence.

Postabortion Grief: Evaluating the Possible Efficacy of a Spiritual Group Intervention:

Abstract: Objective: Although not every woman is negatively affected by an abortion, researchers have identified a subgroup of women susceptible to grief and trauma. The primary providers for postabortion grief (PAG) groups are community faith-based agencies. Principle features of PAG are shame and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Method: This study measured the efficacy of a spiritually based grief group intervention for women grieving an abortion. Thirty-five women completed the Impact of Event Scale-Revised(IES-R) and the Internalized Shame Scale (ISS) pre- and postintervention along with posttest open-ended questions. Results: Postintervention measures indicated significant decrease in shame (p < .000) and PTSD symptoms (p < .002). More than 80% reported their religious beliefs and the spiritual intervention played a strong to very strong role in the group. Conclusion: Social workers need to screen for PAG with a postabortive woman and when appropriate refer her to agencies offering such groups.

The Validity and Reliability Testing of a Consumer-Based Cultural Competency Inventory:

Abstract: A statewide data collection effort was implemented to assess the validity and reliability of a 52-item consumer assessment instrument of the cultural competency mental health providers. Following a...