A Cross-National Comparison of Perceptions of Aging and Older Adults
Author:
Nora O'Brien-Suric
Year of Dissertation:
2011
This study provides an overview of perceptions of aging and older people from five different countries. It focuses on demographic variables that have been shown to have an influence on how people perceive aging and older people. It explores the perceptions of aging and older adults in a cross-national context. The study conducts a quantitative analysis of a database consisting of survey responses from five countries conducted by Harris Interactive, Inc. for the International Longevity Center - USA in 2000. The five countries compared are: the Dominican Republic, France, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. There are four categories of attitudes: Perceptions of Aging and Older People; Perceptions of Life Satisfaction for Self; Perceptions of Quality of Life for Self; and Perception of Quality of Life for People Sixty-five and Older. Data from each of the five countries are analyzed separately and are then compared and analyzed.
Experiences with Infant Mortality as Reported by Middle Class Black American Women: In Their Own Words
Author:
Lisa Paisley-Cleveland
Year of Dissertation:
2010
Advisor:
Miriam Abramovitz
The issue of Black Infant Mortality (BIM) appears to mirror the findings of disparities in poor health care and poor medical outcomes for minorities in the United States. The BIM rate of (13.3) is almost twice for all women (6.7) and more than twice the rate for white women (5.6). The BIM disparity holds even when variables such as income, education, and marital status are similar. This study explored the lived experience of infant loss through in-depth interviews with eight black-American middle-class women. It aimed to understand the contributing factors present among middle class black women, which could help in understanding the adverse birth outcomes for the target group studied.
The relationship between social support and health-related quality of life among Korean American nursing home residents
Year of Dissertation:
2012
Advisor:
Bernadette Hadden
This descriptive and exploratory mixed-method study examined the relationship between social support and health-related quality of life among Korean American nursing home residents. It examined the social support networks of the Korean American nursing home residents, the nature of their interpersonal transactions, and the association between social support and quality of life indicators. A cross-sectional survey involving face-to-face interviews (using the social support questionnaire) and data extraction from an existing dataset (Minimum Data Set-MDS) on a sample of 73 cognitively intact Korean American nursing home residents were utilized to examine and understand the relationship between social support and health-related quality of life indicators.
THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF RACIAL AND ETHNIC IDENTITY AMONG WOMEN OF COLOR FROM MIXED ANCESTRY: PSYCHOLOGICAL FREEDOMS AND SOCIOLOGICAL CONSTRAINTS
Year of Dissertation:
2009
In the context of the 21st century, when an increasing number of people cannot be classified by an archaic system based on race, an awareness of the complexities of ethnic and racial identity is more important than ever. This study assists in the development of a critical understanding of the complexity of racial and ethnic identity by exploring the construction of racial and ethnic identity among women of color from mixed ancestry. These women are the offspring of parents from multiple racial and ethnic backgrounds. As a result, their identities--both internally and externally constructed--belie traditional racial and ethnic categories. This population faces unique struggles, as identified in the empirical literature and supported by the data analysis. Women of color from mixed heritages: have been assigned monolithic labels based primarily on their physical appearance; may feel pressured to adopt a single and predetermined ethnic or racial label; and are often researched as one ethnic or racial group. Furthermore, scholars agree that institutional racism has been a constricting force in the construction of identity and identification for ethnic groups of color in the United States. This study is important because women of color are not always comfortable with the ascribed identity, particularly when it is based on faulty characterizations and when their ethnicity is overlooked. Additionally, this study brings insight to the psychological and social impact of socially constructed identifications.
The Experience of Clinician-Litigators at Impartial Hearings: An Exploratory Phenomenological Study with Social Policy Implications
Year of Dissertation:
2012
This exploratory study investigated the experiences of social workers, psychologists, and educators serving as clinician-litgators representing the the local education agency at impartial hearings. The role of the clinician-litigator provides a window into the conflict between the principles of ethical advocacy that informs the work of the helping professions and the principles of traditional adversary advocacy that guides the work of the legal profession, because it requires bridging these two advocacy traditions. The fifteen clilnician-litigators interviwed for this study acquired and applied legal skills in theier work as district representatives at impartial hearings but also retained their traditional professional orientations toward understanding and serving the needs of students. A phenomenological, grounded-theory approach to studying the experiences of the clinican-litigators facilitated reflection on their experiences and observations of the hearing process, which illuminated the ethical contradictions they encountered.
Filipino Women Domestics on an International Economic Mission: A Multi Method, Data-Mining Study
Year of Dissertation:
2011
Abstract
Exploring Pathways to Independence A Data Mining Study To Research Predictors of Long-Term Stay Among Homeless Men In The New York City Family Shelter System
Year of Dissertation:
2010
This research used a clinical data mining study to examine long-term stays of 811 homeless men in the New York City family shelter system. The overall goal of the project was to examine what predictors influenced long-term stay defined as more than 291 days in shelter. Survival analysis was used to measure how long it took for men to discharge from shelter. Cox regresion analysis was used to assess whether predictor variables influenced length of stay of men in the sample. Data was collected from administrative records. There were several key findings. Discharge patterns among the men slowed after 400 days in shelter. Exit disposition, age and family size were among the best predictors of long-term stay. Old men took longer time to discharge from shelter as compared to young men in the sample. Homeless men in large families also took longer to discharge from shelter as compared to men in small families. Efforts should be made to accomodate the service needs of large families. These families, identified at intake, need more support than others in finding housing, completing applications for housing, and minimizing barriers to relocation from shelter.
Looking back: Young adult women reflect on perceptions of their mothers' experiences with domestic violence
Year of Dissertation:
2013
Abstract
PREPARATION FOR PRACTICE: A SURVEY OF SOCIAL WORKERS' PERCEPTIONS OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THEIR GRADUATE CURRICULUM FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION/MEDIATION PRACTICE
Year of Dissertation:
2009
This study investigated the perceptions of social work mediators about the effectiveness of their graduate curriculum for conflict resolution/mediation practice. The study is based on a sample of 78 social work mediators from various regions in the United States. The respondents completed a questionnaire on curricula items, education, training and professional practice. The median age of participants was 46.0. The research questions related to gaps in the curriculum and knowledge, skills, and abilities required for practicing conflict resolution/mediation; additional training/education required to achieve competency; and whether the tasks of conflict resolution/mediation are viewed as generalist social work tasks or specialist conflict resolution tasks. Findings revealed that upon completion of their graduate social work education, the majority of the participants (89.7%, n=69) did not feel they were prepared to practice conflict resolution/mediation without additional training. Participants completed basic mediation training in a variety of settings and continued training in advanced specialty areas. Advanced training specializations reflect similar areas of social work practice: divorce, child custody, family, children and youth, education/school, workplace and forensics. The competency scale addressed the knowledge/skills/abilities issue of generalist vs. specialist. An unexpected finding was that 32 of 38 listed competencies, at some level, were thought to be generic skills for all social workers for a total of 86%. Correlation data revealed no relationships between a number of the socio-demographic variables and the preparation for conflict resolution/mediation practice. However, some relationships were found with specific
Prevalence, Predictors and Negative Outcomes Associated With Discordant Sexual Identity, Sexual Attraction and Sexual Behavior
Year of Dissertation:
2010
PREVALENCE, PREDICTORS AND NEGATIVE OUTCOMES ASSOCIATED WITH DISCORDANT SEXUAL IDENTITY, SEXUAL ATTRACTION AND SEXUAL BEHAVIOR