Advanced Generalist: Social Work Research Journal, v.2.1
Permanent URI for this collection
Browse
Recent Submissions
Item Teaching inclusion and discourse: A classroom demonstration from Nepal(Wichita State University, School of Social Work, 2016-02-19) Morrow, Helen; Lowe, Laura A.While a cornerstone of any democracy, efficacious civic discourse and the ability to come to reasonable compromise seem to occur rarely today. This paper suggests that higher education may be a place to teach such skills, describes a two-fold approach of lecture and class exercise, and reports on student results from a case example. Lecture on concepts based on Habermas' lifeworld and ideal speech situation, with an emphasis on the relationship of these two terms to that of deliberative justice, was provided to graduate students in Nepal before engaging them in a class exercise deliberating about a social issue relevant to the local context. Both quantitative and qualitative results indicated that students understanding of the material significantly improved through the method of presentation. This pedagogy may be one way to increase civic discourse and engagement in society.Item Film Review: "Portraits of Professional Caregivers"(Wichita State University, School of Social Work, 2016-02-19) Meehan, Jennifer C.The documentary film "Portraits of Professional Caregivers" is comprised of many meaningful narratives of child welfare workers, firefighters, law enforcement officers, social workers, psychologists, hospice staff, nurses, and doctors. Their stories reveal how helping professionals, while assisting clients or patients, may witness traumatic events, or be exposed to aversive details of a traumatic event, and as a result, they may be profoundly affected. Empathy is a characteristic that allows a caregiver to be attuned to their clients and their situations, and this compassion and understanding may increase a professional's risk of developing secondary traumatic stress, burnout, or compassion fatigue. In addition to the documentary's heartfelt narratives, new and inspiring ideas about self-care, coping, safety plans, and supportive organizational structures are outlined, that are designed to promote and sustain the health and well-being of caregivers.Item Strategy development to support LGB individuality in the workplace(Wichita State University, School of Social Work, 2016-02-19) Soderlund, Alyssa J.Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals are challenged daily regarding the lack of emotional support from employers in acknowledging cultural differences. The LGB population is at high risk for heterosexist discrimination despite new employment laws that protect individuals from termination based on sexual orientation. Previously completed research indicated that LGB employees who felt supported emotionally in the workplace showed a higher rate of future employee recruitment, increased productivity, quick adjustment periods for new employees, decreased stress, and were committed to their agency. The purpose of this research study was to develop strategies to help the LGB population feel supported in the workplace. The strategies were identified from anonymous surveys completed by employees in the developmental disability support field. The study participants are members of the Advancing Strong Leadership program for North Carolina Developmental Disability (DD) Professionals. Participants shared their personal perceptions of how supportive their agency is for the LGB population. The results showed that 86.36% of the survey participants felt a change could be made to their agency to help increase support and acceptance for LGB employees. There were 16.6% of the employees that identified as LGB from public and non-profit agencies. The results suggest strategies for improving agency climate for LGB workers.Item The effect of a personalized playlist on older adults with dementia(Wichita State University, School of Social Work, 2016-02-19) Wagner, Elizabeth; Lee, HeeSoon; Mason, DerekDementia is a disease that corrodes one's cognitive abilities such as their memory, affecting around 5 million people in the United States. While there is currently no treatment available to cure dementia, music therapy was found effective to help reduce its symptoms. Based on the Music and Memory program, this study is aimed to examine the impact of listening to a personalized music playlist on observable behavior, memory, and mood of older adults with dementia. The Music and Memory program was applied to 6 older adults with dementia at a Retirement Center in Northwest Ohio. The findings indicated that listening to a personalized playlist had a positive outcome on improving moods and decreasing disruptive behavior of participants, with more increased eye contact, smiling, face relaxation, and responsiveness. This study suggests that personalized music is an effective intervention tool; therefore, social workers should take on the roles of educators, evaluators, brokers, and advocators in applying Music and Memory program to clients with dementia.Item A call for Social Work students in mine action(Wichita State University, School of Social Work, 2016-02-19) Haymovitz, Ethan; Paine-Thaler, CameronFor too many, physical and psychological trauma are the unfortunate consequences of living in post-conflict regions where landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) continue to litter roads, farmland, and other critical infrastructure. Master's level social work students can be engaged on micro, mezzo, and macro levels to assist such victims of conflict by engaging in mine action sector activities like psychosocial rehabilitation, mine risk education (MRE), and advocacy efforts to mitigate the effects and eliminate the use of ERW. We propose a field education plan in which social work students can engage in this vital work through international fieldwork placements. Such activities benefit international students, local communities and organizations, and the cause they serve. With fresh ideas and great enthusiasm, students have the potential to not only influence the course of the global crisis of landmines and ERW, but to reap the professional and personal rewards of participating in the international mine action sector.