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Social Work Theses and Dissertations

Theses/dissertations from 2018 2018.

Transition of Persons with Developmental Disabilities from Parental to Sibling Co-Residential Care: Effects on Sibling Caregiver Well-Being and Family Functioning , Richard Steven Glaesser

An Exploratory Study of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Communication among Haitian Mother–Daughter Dyads in West Central Florida , Stacy Eileen Kratz

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

An Exploration of the Relationship between Child Welfare Workers’ Ambivalent Sexism and Beliefs about Father Involvement , Katrina Lee Brewsaugh

Physical, Verbal, Relational and Cyber-Bullying and Victimization: Examining the Social and Emotional Adjustment of Participants , Melanie Mcvean

Understanding the Experience of Early-Onset Bipolar Disorder: A Phenomenological Study of Emerging Adults , Kristin M. Smyth

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

A Mixed Methods Inquiry of Caregivers of Veterans with Sustained Serious "Invisible" Injuries in Iraq and/or Afghanistan , Bina Ranjit Patel

Exploring the Relationship of Healthy Lifestyle Characteristics with Food Behaviors of Low-Income, Food Insecure Women in the United States (US) , Kimberly Ann Wollard

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

Development of the Professional School Social Work Survey: A Valid and Reliable Tool for Assessment and Planning , Catherine E. Randall

Clinical and Criminal Justice Outcomes in the Jail Diversion and Trauma Recovery (JDTR) Program , Daniel Harold Ringhoff

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

Evidence-Based Practice Attitudes, Knowledge and Perceptions of Barriers Among Juvenile Justice Professionals , Esther Chao Mckee

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

The Efficacy of Aggression Replacement Training with Female Juvenile Offenders in a Residential Commitment Program , Jody Anne Erickson

Rural Communities: How Do Individuals Perceive Change When Industry Enters the Area? , Katherine Danielle Ferrari

The Baby Blues: Mothers' Experiences After Adoption , Brigette Barno Schupay

Use of Services by Female Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence: In Their Own Words , Michele M. Scordato

Efforts to Engage Parents and Case Outcomes in the Child Welfare System , Patty Sharrock

Continuing Attachment Bonds to the Deceased: A Study of Bereaved Youth and Their Caregivers , Erica Hill Sirrine

Spiritual Life Review With Older Adults: Finding Meaning in Late Life Development , Alicia Margaret Stinson

Theses/Dissertations from 2011 2011

Children Who Die of Abuse: An Examination of the Effects of Perpetrator Characteristics on Fatal Versus Non-Fatal Child Abuse , Donald L. Dixon

The Mediating Role of Social Support and Fulfillment of Spiritual Needs in End of Life Care , Kimberley A. Gryglewicz

Theses/Dissertations from 2010 2010

Examination of the Effect of Child Abuse Case Characteristics on the Time a Caseworker Devotes to a Case , Christopher J. Card

Evaluating Social Work Students’ Attitudes Toward Physical Disability , Rachael A. Haskell

Theses/Dissertations from 2009 2009

Prevalence of Client Violence against Social Work Students and Its Effects on Fear of Future Violence, Occupational Commitment, and Career Withdrawal Intentions , Pamela Myatt Criss

An evaluation of the influence of case-method instruction on the reflective thinking of MSW students , Marleen Milner

Theses/Dissertations from 2008 2008

Developing a School Social Work Model for Predicting Academic Risk: School Factors and Academic Achievement , Robert Lucio

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Thesis and Capstone Requirements for Social Work Programs

Frequently part of accredited social work programs, capstone and thesis programs must meet guidelines to earn accreditation. General requirements for capstone or thesis courses are set by an accrediting council, but specific coursework requirements are set by program leads. A social work capstone is typically completed as an internship. Thesis programs, on the other hand, are in-depth professional and clinical field experiences documented in a final essay. Students should be aware of capstone or thesis requirements when choosing a program and whether their program requires one or both as options for graduation.

General requirements for capstone or thesis courses are set by an accrediting council, but specific coursework requirements are set by program leads.

Students typically complete the capstone or thesis in their final semesters. Both the capstone and thesis review learning objectives and apply the student’s learning to practical scenarios and research. Capstone or thesis projects offer students the opportunity to explore work and research opportunities in social work while receiving college credit and constructive feedback on their work. The capstone or thesis can be completed in a local social services agency, hospital, or nonprofit, wherein students observe client and social worker interactions and apply their research. This guide discusses the differences between a capstone and thesis and some of the ways social work students can choose, complete, and present a project.

Featured Programs in Social Work

What’s the difference between a capstone and a thesis in social work programs.

Sometimes used interchangeably, capstone and thesis projects actually differ in important ways. Capstone projects are usually part of undergraduate program, whereas a thesis is typically required for master’s programs.

Both undergraduate and graduate programs require a practicum for the capstone or thesis project. Many undergraduate program capstones emphasize the practicum component and require a report or presentation of students’ experiences, focusing on the student’s learning about entry-level social work experience. Master’s program thesis projects underscore professional experience and research and may require a research paper. The thesis also develops clinical skills and research explored in the classroom.

What Is a Capstone Like in Social Work Programs?

Social work capstone format.

Many social work programs require two capstone courses and a seminar, a one- or two-credit course that introduces students to the practicum experience and runs concurrent to a capstone course. In the seminar, students describe their goals for the project and may participate in group workshops and discussions. The first practicum takes place in the second or third semester and is usually completed in 200 hours, and students conclude with the 400-hour second practicum in their final semester. Students may complete an individual project as a part of the practicum. A final presentation to the student’s cohort or a report to the faculty adviser may be required to complete the capstone.

Choosing Your Social Work Capstone Topic

Carefully consideration of your capstone topic can enhance your education and career opportunities. A capstone topic should be a relevant, current issue in the social work field that also correlates to your specific interests. Students work closely with a faculty adviser to select their topic. The capstone adviser is a professional in the field who helps students make professional connections, as students develop their practicum placement through networking. This combination of professional guidance, exposure to the field, and exploration of current issues benefits professional development.

Completing Your Social Work Capstone

A customizable experience at its core, students design the goals for their social work capstone, develop learning objectives, and determine the topic they will address. Student and faculty work together to choose an appropriate setting for the capstone research, which may be a hospital, care facility, or a mental health clinic. You may be given permission to complete the capstone at your current place of employment, but all capstone work must be accomplished outside of your normal work duties.

A customizable experience at its core, students design the goals for their social work capstone, develop learning objectives, and determine the topic they will address.

Once you have chosen your topic, designed your capstone, and selected a setting, you will submit a proposal to your faculty adviser. When the adviser approves your topic, design, and setting, the practicum begins in earnest. Social work students keep close records of their practicum experience. Depending on the format, you may file case notes or reports. Students also maintain a log of hours worked that is signed by the site supervisor and the faculty adviser.

Presenting Your Social Work Capstone

Students often present on their capstone at the conclusion of the experience. The presentation typically takes place during the seminar course; students present their work to faculty and their cohorts. Some programs may invite the public to attend, so your family and friends can view your hard work. Hallmarks of capstone presentations include PowerPoints, handouts, and oral reporting and explanation of data collected. The seminar class tends to work together in small groups to develop the final presentations. Not every program requires a presentation, however; a final paper reviewed by an adviser can replace the capstone presentation requirement.

How Is a Social Work Capstone Graded?

Social work capstones are graded on a pass/fail basis. Students receive a rubric of objectives and expectations, which includes the number of hours required for a successful capstone. The goals and objectives designed by the student, as well as feedback from the site supervisor also determine the final grade earned. If a student fails the capstone, schools have a grade appeals process. Most programs allow students to retake a capstone course once to earn a passing grade.

What Is a Thesis Like in Social Work Programs?

Social work thesis format.

Master’s in social work programs require advanced field experiences as a thesis. MSW students complete a minimum of 900 hours of field experience, earned through two to four practicum courses, one course per semester. Programs generally offer a seminar course that is completed prior to or concurrently with the final practicum course. Completed individually in a communal setting, practicum students are free to collaborate with other professionals in the field. MSW students may also conduct new research projects or case studies. A paper is often required at the conclusion of the practicum, which may be presented to faculty and students.

Choosing Your Social Work Thesis Topic

MSW students receive hands-on training while developing their social work theses. The social work thesis topics students choose may focus on private practice, clinical work, or organizational development, and often reflect a student’s ultimate career goals. In a thesis program, students must utilize networking skills, professional experience, and receive faculty advisement. Students may rely on previously developed professional connections and networking to develop their field experiences. Graduate programs employ faculty with extensive professional experience. Research and select a program with faculty advisers that benefit your professional development goals.

Completing Your Master of Social Work Thesis

Field experiences introduce students to clinical and professional practice, develops their skills, and practices interventions. MSW students design their two field experiences to achieve two overarching goals: generalist experience and professional development.

MSW students design their two field experiences to achieve two overarching goals: generalist experience and professional development.

A generalist experience runs between 200-300 hours, with any remaining hours completed in a specialized field. Students conduct observations and case reviews during the generalist experience, then design the specialized practicum to develop their professional skills and respond to a thesis topic. The design of your field experience is highly customizable, but should include concrete objectives with opportunities for hands-on experience. Students submit their plan to the the faculty adviser, who then approves their planned social work thesis topic and field experiences. MSW students record their work through completing observation reports, case notes, and approved logs of hours.

Presenting Your Social Work Thesis

MSW students who complete practicum experiences typically do not defend their thesis in front of a panel. You may be required to give a presentation to the faculty and other students in your program, which can include a PowerPoint, other visual aids, and handouts. Graduates may have the opportunity to present their work to the public through the university or a conference.

Programs that focus on research and policy may require the a thesis presentation, but this is uncommon for a master’s program. A panel of qualified faculty and professionals hear the thesis. Following their presentation, thesis candidates must answer questions and explain the applicability of their work to the field. Students should determine if the program they are applying to requires a thesis presentation or field experience report.

How Is a Social Work Thesis Graded?

Social work thesis projects are typically graded as pass/fail. The number of practicum hours are set according to accreditation and licensure requirements; students must complete all hours to pass the course. Requirements are given to students before they begin coursework, with additional grade requirements outlined in the thesis design syllabus. Feedback from field supervisors is also considered. Students who fail their field experience may appeal through the school’s appeal process or repeat the course.

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Home > School, College, or Department > SSW > Dissertations and Theses

School of Social Work Dissertations and Theses

Theses/dissertations from 2024 2024.

Understanding the Other: Mentor Ethnocultural Empathy and Relationship Quality and Duration in Youth Mentoring , Miriam Miranda-Diaz

The Mirror Project: Reflections on the Experiences of African-American Female Adolescents Experiencing Foster Care , Bahia Anise-Cross DeGruy Overton

Theses/Dissertations from 2023 2023

Does Structural Racism Influence How Black/African Americans Define Memory Loss and Cognitive Impairment? An Africana Phenomenological Study , Andre Pruitt

Prosecutors or Helpers: An Institutional Ethnography of Child Protective Services Casework , Anna Maria Rockhill

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

A Critical Discourse Analysis of How Youth in Care Describe Social Support , Jared Israel Best

Examining Demographic and Environmental Factors in Predicting the Perceived Impact of Cancer on Childhood and Adolescent Cancer Survivors , Nazan Cetin

Health Literacy and People Diagnosed with Mental Illness , Beckie Child

High School Persisters and Alternative Schools , Hyuny Clark-Shim

Examining the Role of Social Support and Neighborhood Deprivation in the Relationship Between Multiple ACEs and Health Risk Behaviors , Marin L. Henderson-Posther

A Typology of Foster Home Quality Elements in Relation to Foster Youth Mental Health , Paul Sorenson

"I'm Very Enlightened:" Assisting Black Males Involved in the Criminal Justice System to Deal With and Heal From Racism , Darnell Jackie Strong

The Mechanisms Connecting State Marijuana Policies to Parent, Peer, and Youth Drug Perception Leading to Youth Marijuana Use , Eunbyeor Sophie Yang

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

E(Raced): Race and Use of Self Amongst BIPOC Social Workers , Anita Reinette Gooding

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

A Colorless Nature: Exploring the Mental Health (Help-Seeking) Experiences of Pre-Adolescent Black American Children , Christopher Ashley Burkett

The Economically Disadvantaged Speak: Exploring the Intersection of Poverty, Race, Child Neglect and Racial Disproportionality in the Child Welfare System , Angela Gail Cause

Examining the Narratives of Military Sexual Trauma Survivors , Maria Carolina González-Prats

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Our Vision of Health for Future Generations: an Exploration of Proximal and Intermediary Motivations with Women of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma , Danica Love Brown

Interrogating the Construction and Representations of Criminalized Women in the Academic Social Work Literature: a Critical Discourse Analysis , Sandra Marie Leotti

Learning From Culturally Specific Programs and Their Impact on Latino Parent Engagement , Analucia Lopezrevoredo

Physical and Emotional Sibling Violence and Child Welfare: a Critical Realist Exploratory Study , Katherine Elizabeth Winters

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

Is Therapy Going to the Dogs? Evaluating Animal Assisted Therapy for Early Identified At-Risk Children , Leah Faith Brookner

Investigating Time During Residential Program Until Transition for Adjudicated Youth: a Mixed Methods Study Using Event History Analysis with Follow-Up Interviews , Emily Carol Lott

Role of Spouse/Partner in Fertility Preservation Decision Making by Young Women with Cancer , Aakrati Mathur

Exploring the Association of Victimization and Alcohol and Marijuana Use among American Indian Youth Living On or Near Reservations: a Mixed Methods Study , Lindsay Nicole Merritt

The Intersections of Good Intentions, Criminality, and Anti-Carceral Feminist Logic: a Qualitative Study that Explores Sex Trades Content in Social Work Education , Meg Rose Panichelli

Latinas and Sexual Health: Correlates of Sexual Satisfaction , Christine Marie Velez

A Foucaultian Discourse Analysis of Person-Centered Practice Using a Genealogical Framework of Intellectual Disability , Nick Winges-Yanez

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

Foundational Knowledge and Other Predictors of Commitment to Trauma-Informed Care , Stephanie Anne Sundborg

An Analysis of Oregon Youth Authority Populations: Who Receives Treatment and What Factors Influence Allocation of Treatment Resources? , Rebecca Arredondo Yazzie

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

The Importance of Online Peer Relationships During the Transition to Motherhood: Do They Decrease Stress, Alleviate Depression and Increase Parenting Competence? , Bobbie Sue Arias

Bridging the Worlds of Home and School: a Study of the Relational Worlds of First-Generation Students in a School of Social Work , Miranda Cunningham

An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis of Long-Term Mentoring Relationships from the Youth Perspective , Kevin Richard Jones

The Development and Validation of the Social Recovery Measure , Casadi "Khaki" Marino

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

A Queer Liberation Movement? A Qualitative Content Analysis of Queer Liberation Organizations, Investigating Whether They are Building a Separate Social Movement , Joseph Nicholas DeFilippis

Got Hair that Flows in the Wind: The Complexity of Hair and Identity among African American Female Adolescents in Foster Care , Lakindra Michelle Mitchell Dove

Assessing the Impact of Restrictiveness and Placement Type on Transition-Related Outcomes for Youth With and Without Disabilities Aging Out of Foster Care , Jessica Danielle Schmidt

Fathers Caring for Children with Special Health Care Needs: Experiences of Work-Life Fit , Claudia Sellmaier

Investigating the Impact of Sibling Foster Care on Placement Stability , Jeffrey David Waid

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

Understanding Sexual Assault Survivors' Willingness to Participate in the Judicial System , Mildred Ann Davis

The Relationship between Mindfulness and Burnout among Master of Social Work Students , Jolanta Maria Piatkowska

Out of the Way and Out of Place: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of the Experiences of Social Interactions of Bisexually Attracted Young People , A. Del Quest

Strengths in Action: Implementing a Learning Organization Model in a Human Service Setting , Barbara Ann Whitbeck

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

"Who Would Have Thought, With a Diagnosis Like This, I Would be Happy?": Portraits of Perceived Strengths and Resources in Early-Stage Dementia , Jutta Elisabeth Ataie

Lost in the Margins? Intersections Between Disability and Other Non-Dominant Statuses with Regard to Peer Victimization and Psychosocial Distress Among Oregon Teens , Marjorie Grace McGee

Teachers' Negative Comments Toward Youth in Foster Care with Disabilities: How Do They Relate to Youths' Problem Behaviors, School Attitudes, and School Performance? , Sunghwan Noh

Exploring the Effects of Multi-Level Protective and Risk Factors on Child and Parenting Outcomes in Families Participating in Healthy Start/Healthy Families Oregon (HS/HFO) , Peggy Nygren

Public Opinion and the Oregon Death with Dignity Act , Peggy Jo Ann Sandeen

The Role of Psycho-Sociocultural Factors in Suicide Risk Among Mong/Hmong Youth , TangJudy Vang

Theses/Dissertations from 2012 2012

Increasing Social Work Students' Political Interest and Efficacy: The Experience and Impact of a Social Welfare Policy Course from the Students' Perspective , Christie Dianne Bernklau Halvor

Exploring Support Network Structure, Content, and Stability as Youth Transition from Foster Care , Jennifer E. Blakeslee

Understanding the Experience of Air Force Single Parents: A Phenomenological Study , Samantha Everhart Blanchard

Implementer Perspectives: The Implementation of a School-Based Mentoring Program , Amanda Angela Fixsen

Risk Factors for Homelessness Among Community Mental Health Patients with Severe Mental Illness , Rupert Talmage van Wormer

Theses/Dissertations from 2011 2011

Gender, Culture, and Prison Classification: Testing the Reliability and Validity of a Prison Classification System , Aimée Ryan Bellmore

An Investigation of the Relationships between Violence Exposure, Internalizing and Externalizing Problems, and Adolescent Alcohol Use , Gregory Lloyd Forehand

Identifying Modifiable Factors associated with Depression across the Lifespan in Stroke Survivor-Spouse Dyads , Michael Joseph McCarthy

Investigating the Predictors of Postsecondary Education Success and Post-College Life Circumstances of Foster Care Alumni , Amy Michele Salazar

Runaway and Homeless Youth: Changing the Discourse by Legitimizing Youth Voice , Donald Dale Schweitzer

Theses/Dissertations from 2010 2010

Visions and Voices: An Arts-Based Qualitative Study Using Photovoice to Understand the Needs and Aspirations of Diverse Women Working in the Sex Industry , Moshoula Capous Desyllas

Somatization and Engagement in Mental Health Treatment , Teresa Chianello

Parental Differential Treatment (PDT) of Siblings: Examining the Impact and Malleability of Differential Warmth and Hostility on Children's Adjustment , Brianne H. Kothari

Understanding the Development of Self-determination in Youth with Disabilities in Foster Care , Jennifer L. Powers

Child Welfare Workforce Turnover: Frontline Workers' Experiences with Organizational Culture and Climate, and Implications for Organizational Practice , Melanie Dawn Sage

Theses/Dissertations from 2009 2009

Developing One's Self: Adoption and Identity Formation Through the Eyes of Transracially Adopted Native American Adults , Jody Becker-Green

Primary Care, Males, Masculinity, and Suicide : a Grounded Theory Study , John Thomas Casey

Dependent Care and Work-Life Outcomes : Comparing Exceptional Care and Typical Care Responsibilities , Lisa Maureen Stewart

Factors Associated with Inclusion of Spirituality in Secular Social Work Education , Leslie Grace Wuest

Theses/Dissertations from 2008 2008

Up a Creek : the Perilous Journey of Recently Uninsured Low-Income Adults in Oregon , Heidi Allen

Attributes of Effective Head Start Mental Health Consultants : a Mixed Method Study of Rural and Urban Programs , Mary Dallas Allen

Staying Within the Margins: The Educational Stories of First-Generation, Low-Income College Students , Diane Lyn Cole

Children with Incarcerated Parents : a Longitudinal Study of the Effect of Parental Incarceration on Adolescent Externalizing Behaviors , Jean Mollenkamp Kjellstrand

The Child Care Self-Sufficiency Scale: Measuring Child Care Funding and Policy Generosity across States , Karen Tvedt

Theses/Dissertations from 2007 2007

Family-Friendly Workplace Culture, Flexibility, and Workplace Support for Dependent Care : the Perspectives of Human Resource Professionals , Katherine June Huffstutter

Family Participation : Exploring the Role it Plays in Outcomes for Youth with Serious Emotional Disorders , Jodi Lee Kerbs

"Creative Interpretation and Fluidity in a Rights Framework": the Intersection of Domestic Violence and Human Rights in the United States , Karen Lynn Morgaine

Food Security and Hunger among Low income US Households: Relations to Federal Food Assistance Program Participation , Rebecca Elizabeth Sanders

Engaging Our Workforce: How Job Demands and Resources Contribute to Social Worker Burnout, Engagement and Intent to Leave , Sara Laura Schwartz

Theses/Dissertations from 2006 2006

Is It Just Me? Felt HIV -Related Stigma among Adults with HIV , Rebecca Gila Block

Social Workers Addressing Student-Perpetrated Interpersonal Violence in the School Context : Awareness and Use of Evidence-Supported Programs , Natalie Diane Cawood

Sons Providing Care at End-of-Life : Common Threads and nuances , Patricia Ebert

Theses/Dissertations from 2004 2004

Applying the Transtheoretical Model to Cigarette Smoking by Pregnant and Parenting Adolescent Females , Barbara Mary Sussex

Theses/Dissertations from 2002 2002

Identifying and Building on Strengths of Children With Serious Emotional Disturbances , Michael Orval Taylor

Theses/Dissertations from 2001 2001

A Dissertation on African American Male Youth Violence: "Trying to Kill the Part of You that Isn’t Loved" , Joy DeGruy Leary

Theses/Dissertations from 1999 1999

Voices of our past: the rank and file movement in social work, 1931-1950 , Richard William Hunter

The Assessment of Children with Attachment Disorder: The Randolph Attachment Disorder Questionnaire, the Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale, and the Biopsychosocial Attachment Types Framework , Alice Myrth Ogilvie

Theses/Dissertations from 1997 1997

Grandmothers Laughing: Intergenerational Transmission of Cultural Beliefs About Pregnancy and Childbirth Among Native American Women , Claudia Robin Long

Theses/Dissertations from 1983 1983

The needs of older people as seen by themselves and support providers , Sarah Movius Schurr

Theses/Dissertations from 1981 1981

Non-work-related services at the workplace : an exploratory study , William Roland Adix, Elizabeth March Christie, James J. Christrup, Carol M. Kaulukukui, Jennifer Idris Lenway, Cynthia A. Nelson, Linda S. Rielly, Steven Sorlien, Kathleen A. Sweeney-Easter, Lynn Campbell Tate, Patricia Jones Warman, and Donn C. Warton

Assessment of Needs of Adolescent Mothers in Washington County , John L. Arnold, Jean C. Austin, Gary L. Brink, Jane Hall, Patricia C. Hanson, Valerie A. Ivey, April A. Moran, John P. Pank, Mark J. Skolnick, James A. Tarr, and Roberta B. Vaughn

Burnout: Multi-Dimensional Study of Alienation Among Social Service Workers in the Willamette Valley , Sally Carignan, John Deihl, Judy Harris, Jay Jones, Bonnie Rothman, Sabrina Ullmann, Beth Weinberg-Gordon, Phyllis Weter, Patricia Whitty, and Loretta Wilson

Alternative Agencies: An Exploratory Study , Linda Crane, Carolyn M. Curnane, Mike Echols, Mary Ann Hanson, Susan Kouns, Richard Ono, Mark Pierman, Susan K. Rademacher, Sara Weisberg, and Bea Zizlavsky

An Alumni survey of the School of Social Work, Portland State University , Stephen R. Fishack, Robert A. Forlenza, Susan D. Fredd, Gigi Gandy, William P. Goldsmith, Thomas L. Grier, and Sheila K. Lehto

A Description and Evaluation of the Self-Help Information Service , Cathy Tuma and John Wadsworth

The Portland, Oregon ASAP : an evaluation of treatment effectiveness , Joan M. Wildebush Berry, Stefani K. Cuda, Judi L. Edwards, Mary E. Ericson, Emilie Ford Frisbee, Steve Ernest Hand, Mary Anne Hannibal, Laurel M. Myers, Sharon Lee Perry, Loree Richards, Barbara Burns Schmidtke, Stephen Walker Voris, and Barbara M. Westby

Theses/Dissertations from 1980 1980

Multiple impact therapy : evaluation and design for future study , Jacqueline H. Abikoff, Dennis C. Anderson, Patricia C. Bowman, Carolyn Crawford Caylor, Nancy W. Freeland, Jan A. Godfrey, Marlene Graham, Kelly Ann Mason Hall, Mary J. Hatzenbeler, Susan C. Hedlund, Carol Lewis Kast, Gayle Matson Lansky, Janet M. Lewis, Kathleen Patricia Muldoon, Victoria A. G. Stoudt, and Anita Waage

Salem Teen Mother Program : a follow-up study , Frances L. Barton, Florence C. Berman, Sharon M. Bertoli-Nordlof, Marilyn L. Cooper, Claire K. Murray, Rosanne Peratrovich, Arlene M. Showell, and Julio C. Velazquez

Evaluative Styles of Clinicians in Private Practice , Daniel R. Brophy, Elliot M. Geller, Stephan L. Grove, Nancy E. Hedrick, A. Jill Nelson, and Babette A. Vanelli

Adaptation to dominant society : a self study of a woman of mixed race, black/Indian , Helen Marie Camel

A study of the crisis nature of the preparenthood period and implications for preventative social work practice , Julie Jean Colton

A Generalist approach to social work practice : model and synthesis , Chuck H. Johnson, Paul S. Knight, Michael W. Krumper, and John H. Rademaker

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UKnowledge > College of Social Work > Theses & Dissertations

Theses and Dissertations--Social Work

Theses/dissertations from 2024 2024.

Exploring the Therapeutic Relationship in Mental Health Therapy with Queer and Disabled Adults , Rachel Womack

Theses/Dissertations from 2023 2023

FOSTER CAREGIVING: HOW INTERACTIONS WITH THE CHILD WELFARE AGENCY IMPACT FOSTER PARENT SATISFACTION, RECRUITMENT, AND RETENTION , Ethan Engelhardt

Factors Associated with Successful Military-to-Civilian Transition Among Special Forces Veterans , Edward Richter

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

THE INFLUENCE OF DISTANCE LEARNING ON UNDERGRADUATE SOCIAL WORK COMPETENCY: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY AT A PRIVATE UNIVERSITY , Christine K. Fulmer

Conceptualizing Attorney Motivation: A Study of the Representatives for Parents and Children in the Child Welfare System , Shannon Moody

AN INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECTS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL FACTORS ON LABOR MARKET INTEGRATION IN A GENDER STRATIFIED SAMPLE OF REFUGEES IN GERMANY , Theresia M. Pachner

RURAL SUICIDE: A THREE MANUSCRIPT DISSERTATION UTILIZING THE NATIONAL VIOLENT DEATH REPORTING SYSTEM , James Watts

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

THE ROLE OF ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES (ACEs) IN THE MILITARY AND PREDICTING CURRENT DISTRESS , Douglas A. Foote

Hospital Nurses' Moral Distress and Coping during COVID-19: A Pilot Study , Abigail Latimer

ENHANCING EVIDENCE-BASED TOBACCO TREATMENT SERVICES FOR CLIENTS WITH MENTAL ILLNESSES , Janet Otachi

DOES BULLYING VICTIMIZATION IN MIDDLE CHILDHOOD INFLUENCE ADOLESCENT RISK BEHAVIORS: DIFFERENCES ACROSS RACIAL/ETHNIC GROUPS? , Shawndaya Sabrina Thrasher

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

National Guard Members with Suicide Ideation: The Impact of Stigma, Mental Health, and Trauma History on Treatment-Seeking Outcomes , Amy Brown

KINSHIP CARE PROVIDERS: EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP OF CHILD TEMPERMENT, COMBINED FACTORS OF PROVIDER’S RELATIONSHIP TO PRIMARY PARENT AND REASON FOR PLACEMENT, AND INTENSITY OF PARENTING TASKS TO PARENTING STRESS , Shelagh Larkin

EMBODYING INEQUALITY: THREE PAPERS ON THE ROLE OF GENDER AND DISCRIMINATION IN THE LIVES OF WOMEN , Stefana I. Moldovan

Olmstead Mandated Statewide Implementation of Assertive Community Treatment: Precipitating Factors and Participant Experiences , Elizabeth Nelson-Cooke

FIX SOCIETY, PLEASE: THREE PAPERS ON THE MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT, SOCIAL SUPPORT RESOURCES, AND SUICIDOLOGY OF TRANSGENDER AND GENDER DIVERSE ADULTS , Annie Snow

INVESTIGATING WHETHER ECOLOGICAL MODELS OF COMMUNITY-ORIENTED VARIABLES IMPROVE PREDICTION OF CHILDHOOD RESILIENCE OVER A SET OF PERSONAL CHARACTERISTIC VARIABLES SUCH AS IMPULSE CONTROL, EMOTIONAL REGULATION, RELATIONAL MOTIVATION, AND SELF-RELIANCE , Vinod Kumar Srivastava

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Veterans' Treatment Courts in Kentucky: Examining How Personal Characteristics and During-Program Occurrences Influence Program Completion and Criminal Recidivism , Monica Lynn Himes

SUICIDE ATTITUDES AND TERROR MANAGEMENT THEORY , Athena Kheibari

DOES CHILDHOOD PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE STRENGTHEN OR WEAKEN MSW SOCIAL WORKERS AND ALLIED PROFESSIONALS’ COMPASSION FATIGUE AND COMPASSION SATISFACTION? , Andy S. C. Reynolds

SOCIAL WORKERS’ AND TEACHERS’ FEELINGS OF SELF-EFFICACY IN DEALING WITH SCHOOL BULLYING , Sharon Lynn Simmons

THE DRUGS/VIOLENCE NEXUS: THEORY TESTING AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH FACTORS AMONG JUSTICE-INVOLVED APPALACHIAN WOMEN , Grant Victor

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

A MIXED METHODS ANALYSIS OF GENDER DIFFERENCES IN SYMPTOM PROGRESSION AND TRAUMA NARRATIVES DURING TRAUMA-FOCUSED COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY , Sarah A. Ascienzo

CONCEPTUALIZING THE PREVENTION OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING: SURVIVORS PERSPECTIVES , Jessica James Donohue-Dioh

LIVABLE FOR ALL AGES: EVALUATING PERCEPTIONS OF COMMUNITY IN AN INTERGENERATIONAL CONTEXT , David L. Ferrell

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Thesis process and proposal overview.

The UW School of Social Work's MSW Program includes an OPTIONAL thesis option, which works well for a small number of students, particularly those who are interested in continuing on into a doctoral program or in academia.  The thesis credits (9) may count toward the student's elective credits.  A student graduating with a thesis has this noted on their transcript along with the title of the thesis.  EDP students interested in doing a thesis should contact Lin Murdock at [email protected] before starting other steps.

A thesis (SOC W 700) must involve empirical research focusing on issues of human service practice, social service organization, or social policy.  A literature review is acceptable only if it is a systemic or meta-analytic review with a methods section. 

FINDING A THESIS PROJECT

Many students may find potential research ideas and faculty to work with by checking current research occurring at the UW School of Social Work:

• School of Social Work Research website: https://socialwork.uw.edu/research
• Current SSW Research Search: https://socialwork.uw.edu/research-projects

REQUIRED FORMS

All required thesis forms and documentation are available on the MSW Program Reference Area website at:

https://socialwork.uw.edu/students/msw/msw-program-reference-area

These include:

• Thesis Process and Proposal Overview (this document)
• Statement of Intent form
• Thesis Proposal and Committee Constitution Coversheet
• Use of Human and Animal Subjects for UW Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations form
• Student and Thesis Committee Member Roles and Expectations

All documents get turned in to Lin Murdock, Director of Student Services for inclusion in the student file.

Most students who are interested in completing a thesis have begun preliminary conversations regarding a research topic and have lined up at least a Thesis Committee Chair before the end of their generalist curriculum (for day students, by winter/spring of their 1 st year, for EDP students, by fall/winter of their 2 nd year.) 

What?                                                             When?

Submit Preliminary Statement of Intent          Before end of generalist curriculum

Complete IRB proposal                                   Before end of generalist curriculum

Committee Selection                                       Before the start of first registered quarter of Soc W 700

Literature Review                                           Often before, but complete by end of 1 st quarter

Research Proposal and 1 st Committee Mtg     First 3 weeks of first registered quarter of Soc W 700

Methodology draft to Committee                    End of first registered quarter

Data-collection/coding                                     First and second registered quarters

Data analysis and writing                                Third registered quarter of Soc W 700

Get warrant from Lin                                      Week 7 of last quarter of registration of Soc W 700

Near-to-final draft to committee                      Week 7 of last quarter of registration of Soc W 700

Submit signed approval form  to grad school  5pm on last day of instruction

Submit signed warrant to Lin                          5pm on last day of instruction

Submit final thesis                                           5pm on last day of instruction

REQUIRED COMPONENTS

• Must involve complete process of empirical research
• Must involve a minimum of 9 credits typically over 3 quarters
• Committee must include at least 2 members, one of which must have Graduate Faculty Status with the Graduate School.
• Must include:
• Problem formation (This includes review of the literature, concept exploration and development, and the specification of questions and hypotheses.)
• Development of a design (This includes selection of and rationale for type of design, sampling procedures, data-gathering methods, instruments, and measures.  Instruments may be existing ones or developed for the study.)
• Data collection/coding and data analysis or re-analysis. (This includes gathering, collating, and coding data.)
• Interpretation and implications for practice.

STATEMENT OF INTENT  

A statement of intent is completed at least 3 months before the planned start of a thesis, usually in the spring of the student’s first year in the MSW Program.  It is designed as an opportunity to make sure that both the student and the faculty advisor are clear about expectations and timeline – and to make sure that the project is a reasonable one.  It also provides time to get an IRB Review done, if necessary.  Form available on the MSW Program Reference Area website: https://socialwork.uw.edu/students/msw/msw-program-reference-area

HUMAN SUBJECTS REVIEW

Students should discuss early any need for an IRB review with their proposed chair, since getting human subjects approval can take an extended period of time.  Best place to start is the UW Human Subjects Division website to determine if your project requires IRB review. 

All proposals must have attached the following form, available on the MSW Program Reference Area website:

“Use of Human and Animal Subjects for UW Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations.”

A proposal for research should contain clear descriptions of the plans for accomplishment of the particular combination of research tasks, which will be implemented, plus human subjects review.  Where the research is concerned only with implementation of previously designed research, the proposal should include a statement summarizing the problem formulation and design tasks.  Where the research is a secondary analysis of previously collected data, the proposal should contain a summary of the original problem formulation, design, and data-collection procedures as a framework for considering a newly proposed hypothesis which will be examined via the available data. 

Sample generic thesis proposals available at the following sites but yours must include all required components on the Thesis Proposal and Committee Constitution Form on the MSW Program Reference Area:

• https://www.tadafinallyfinished.com/thesis-proposal.html
• https://www4.uwm.edu/letsci/communication/graduate/maproposals.cfm

DATA ANALYSIS CONSULTATION AND SUPPORT

The UW School of Social work provides financial support to the Center for Social Science Computation and Research (CSSCR).  This on-campus resource center provides workshops on the use of different software programs used for data analysis.  They also provide 1:1 data consulting for students. 

http://csscr.washington.edu/

COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP, MEETINGS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The committee chair MUST be a member of the Graduate School Faculty and be approved to chair thesis committees for the School of Social Work.  Students must verify that their proposed chair has such an appointment at: https://grad.uw.edu/for-faculty-and-staff/faculty-locator/

The committee must have a minimum of 2 members and the second member may be a teaching or research faculty member at the UW (in or out of the department), a practicum instructor or agency supervisor, but if a student would like a 3 rd member, that 3 rd member must again be approved by the Graduate School (but may be in a department other than social work.)  This ensures that at least half of the committee are UW Graduate Faculty on any committee.

Students should review themselves and provide a copy to all committee members of the “Thesis Student and Committee Roles” document, which can be found on the MSW Program Reference Area website at: https://socialwork.uw.edu/students/msw/msw-program-reference-area

REGISTRATION FOR THESIS CREDITS

Students will submit their Statement of Intent (see above) to [email protected] , and, once all permissions have been granted, will be given a faculty ID code which will be used to register for their first quarter of Soc W 700.  Students will need to submit their full thesis proposal to receive the code to register for their subsequent quarters of thesis. 

THESIS DEFENSE

The UW School of Social Work does not require a thesis defense nor will a masters “warrant” be necessary.  Students may choose to defend their thesis if they would like to do so.

UW GRADUATE SCHOOL THESIS PROCEDURE

Students considering a thesis should watch the video concerning the UW Graduate School processes, which includes the process for submitting the thesis electronically, at:

https://grad.uw.edu/for-students-and-post-docs/thesisdissertation/

SUBMISSION OF THE THESIS

The thesis must be submitted by 5pm on the last day of instruction in the quarter of completion through the UW ETD site.  Along with the thesis, the student must submit a “ Master’s Supervisory Committee Approval Form ” with signatures from all committee members. More information and that form may be found at:

https://grad.uw.edu/for-students-and-post-docs/thesisdissertation/final-submission-of-your-thesisdissertation/​

*Note: students who have registered a preferred name with the UW may use it on their thesis title page and in the ETD administrator site.  Students may add a preferred name at identity.uw.edu.

WHAT HAPPENS IF SOMETHING DOESN'T WORK OUT?

Students who have started a thesis but find that they are unable to complete the full scope of the project will have any completed Soc W 700 credits converted to Soc W 600: Independent Research in Social Work on their transcript and will be able to continue to use those completed credits toward their MSW elective requirement. 

These standards were updated September 2017.

Home > College of Social and Behavioral Sciences > Social Work > Social Work Theses

Social Work Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Theses/projects/dissertations from 2019 2019.

SOCIAL WORK STUDENT EDUCATION ON TEEN PREGNACY , Diogenes Anthony Roman III

THE PRACTICE OF SELF-CARE STRATEGIES AMONG MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS , Gracie Romero

VOLUNTEER SERVICE AS A COPING STRATEGY FOR SOCIAL WORKERS AGAINST PROFESSIONAL BURNOUT , Jessy Jean Salloum and Francesca Maria Augusta Twohy-Haines

FAMILY STRUCTURE CORRESPONDING WITH DELINQUENT BEHAVIORS , Miranda Santiago and Shirley Tamayo-Contreras

Policy Practice of Master of Social Work Students: An Analysis of a Policy Practice Intervention , Wright Sarah

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SELF-CARE AND BURNOUT AMONG SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS , Andrew Semedo

FOSTER YOUTHS’ PERCEPTIONS OF THE SOCIAL WORKER’S ROLE IN THEIR PURSUIT OF HIGHER EDUCATION , Elisa Elvira Sequeira Delgado and Anedia Suarez Arroyo

WHAT ARE THE FACTORS OF COLORISM AMONGST AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN; AND HOW DOES THIS AFFECT THE LIVES OF AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN? , Iris Sumo

The Benefits of Animal-Assisted Interventions: Perceptions of Social Workers Working with Veterans , Anne Thompson

SOCIAL MEDIA'S INFLUENCE ON YOUNG ADULTS FROM THE PERSPECTIVES OF MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIANS , Natalie Aliana Valdepeña and Ulises Ivan Lozano

Social Work Student's Perception of Canine Therapy for Children of Trauma , gia Valdez

FOSTER PARENT SATISFACTION WITH THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM AND THEIR INTENTIONS TO DECERTIFICATION , Karla Valdez

THE ROLE OF SPIRITUALITY IN MEDICAL SOCIAL WORK , Adriana Vera and Elena Marie Rendon

INCARCERATED MOTHERS ACHIEVING REUNIFICATION: PROVIDING SUPPORT TO CHILD WELFARE SOCIAL WORKERS , Francesca Villarreal

PARENT PARTNERS' PERCEPTIONS OF REUNIFICATION CELEBRATION AND THE IMPACT ON REUNIFIED PARENTS , Marley Leila Walker and Tre'Nise JeMel Anderson

ACTIVE SHOOTER PREPAREDNESS TRAINING , Clarissa Welch and Nancy Villalta

Accessing Children's Mental Health Services In A Rural Northern California County , Deborah Wingate

Mental Health Services for Single Homeless Mothers with Children , Andrea Zermeno and Maria Alejandra Perez

SOCIAL WORKERS' PERSPECTIVES ON DISRUPTIVE MOOD DYSREGULATION DISORDER , Jenna Lee Zscheile

Theses/Projects/Dissertations from 2018 2018

PERCEPTIONS OF SELF-DISCLOSURE IMPACTING THE SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP AND RECOGNIZING COUNTERTRANSFERENCE , Melissa Alvarez Torres and Jessica Elizabeth Wilinski

Does Resilience Occur from Predisposed Characteristics, or from Experiences, Moments, and/or People The Individual Encounters Throughout his/her Childhood , Marlene Anceno

Compassion Fatigue, Burnout and Self-care Strategies Amongst Los Angeles County Child Welfare Workers , Chigolum Anene

Permanency Planning for Youth in Foster Care , Elisa Arteaga

WORK WITH ELDERS EXPERIENCING COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT: EXPLORING THE INTEREST OF SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS , Cindy Avelar and Gabriela Maria Cantu-Reyna

LOW-INCOME OLDER ADULTS PREPAREDNESS FOR LONG-TERM CARE: IN-HOME SUPPORTIVE SERVICES , Zina Basom

The Effectiveness of Disciplinary Interventions in School-Based Counseling , Dakota Blue Bates

BARRIERS TO RECRUITING NATIVE AMERICAN FOSTER HOMES IN URBAN AREAS , Shirley Mae Begay and Jennifer Lynn Wilczynski

SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS’ ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH COURTS , Nicholas Bettosini and Conrad Paul Akins-Johnson

TEAM DECISION-MAKING AND CHILD/FAMILY TEAM MEETINGS: A SOCIAL WORKERS PERSPECTIVE , Marian Buzga

CHALLENGES FOR MALE THERAPISTS WORKING WITH COMMERCIALLY AND SEXUALLY EXPLOITED FEMALE ADOLESCENTS , John Caballero

SAN BERNARDINO AND RIVERSIDE COUNTY FOSTER FAMILY AGENCY SOCIAL WORKERS' AWARENESS OF DOMESTIC MINOR SEX TRAFFICKING , Cristin Elizabeth Campbell

RECOVERY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR YOUNG ADULTS: A NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR A COLLEGIATE RECOVERY PROGRAM AT A MIDSIZED PUBLIC UNIVERSITY LOCATED IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA , Micah Carlson

SPANISH-SPEAKING CLIENT-WORKER EXPERIENCES AT A CALIFORNIA CHILD WELFARE AGENCY , Koressa Castillo

FILIPINO SERVICE CARE PROVIDERS' EXPERIENCE OF COMPASSION FATIGUE WHILE WORKING IN RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES , Leizel Cerezo-Pann

Knowledge of School Resource Officer's Roles and Their Perceptions on School Social Worker's Roles , Cynthia Crystal Cervantes and Vanessa Vazquez

RIVERSIDE COUNTY HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS’ PERSPECTIVE ON PRIMARY FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO HOMELESSNESS , Megan Irene Chaney

THE SYSTEMIC ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH VIOLENT CRIME IN PREDOMINANTLY AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITIES , Abraham Coles

Social Work Students' Views and Attitudes Towards Working with Previously Incarcerated Individuals , Tiffany Comptois and Brianda Villa

THE CHALLENGES FACING SINGLE HISPANIC PARENTS AND THEIR NEEDS TO IMPROVE FAMILY SERVICES , Gabriela Contreras

EFFECTS OF CHILD NEGLECT ON PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS IN COLLEGE STUDENTS , Veronica Daniel

BRIDGING THE GAP: EXPLORING SOCIAL WORK STUDENT PREPAREDNESS FOR WORKING WITH CHILDREN WHO HAVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES , Shauna Lei De Jesus and Mariela Licon

ATTITUDES AND EXPERIENCES OF UNDOCUMENTED LATINO IMMIGRANTS WHEN SEEKING MEDICAL SERVICES , Susana Michelle De Leon

CHILD WELFARE WORKERS’ PERSPECTIVES ON PLACEMENT INSTABILITY AND THE IMPACTS ON FOSTER YOUTH , Steven Joseph Delgado and Amanda Marie Fuerte

EFFECTS OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER ON MOTHERS , Angelica Del Villar

PLANNING FOR A FUTURE: A DEVELOPMENTAL BLUEPRINT TOWARDS SUCCESS AMONG CURRENT AND FORMER FOSTER YOUTH , John Devine

The Self-Percieved Grief Competency of Masters Level Therapists , Emily Rae DeVries

ACTIVE SHOOTER PREPAREDNESS TRAINING , Berenice Dougherty and Nyemal Thuok Chuol

The Effects of Auditory Verbal Hallucinations on Social-Behavioral-Functioning and Mental Status: Perceptions among Mental Health Social Workers , Zachary Robert Eckert

COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL THERAPY (CBT) FOR POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD) ON VETERANS AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO SUICIDAL THOUGHTS , Peggy Erwin

MUSLIM AMERICAN’S UNDERSTANDING OF WOMEN’S RIGHTS IN ACCORDANCE TO THE ISLAMIC TRADITIONS , Riba Khaleda Eshanzada

AFRICAN AMERICAN PERCEPTIONS AND EXPERIENCES ON PREVENTIVE FAMILY THERAPY AND HELP-SEEKING BEHAVIORS IN THE INLAND EMPIRE , Nathnael Estifanos and Brandon Daniel Farmer

HOSPICE SOCIAL WORKERS’ ATTITUDE ON PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE AND PRACTICE UNDER CALIFORNIA’S END OF LIFE OPTION ACT , Veronica Lorraine Fausto Melchor

RESIDENTIAL COUNSELORS AND DUAL-STATUS YOUTH CHALLENGES AND RESILIENCY , Kenny Gallegos and Leslie Stephanie Romero-Gallegos

AMONG MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS, WHAT HAS A HIGHER IMPACT ON LEVELS OF STRESS: SPIRITUALITY, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, OR SELF-COMPASSION , Tania Garcia Avalos and Jose Murillo

THE PLACE OF SPIRITUALITY IN SOCIAL WORK: PRACTITIONERS’ PERSONAL VIEWS AND BELIEFS , Alexis Garcia-Irons

AN EXAMINATION OF THE IMPACT TRAUMATIC EVENTS HAS ON PSYCHOSOCIAL IMPAIRMENT IN EATING DISORDER PATIENTS , Jennifer Parker Hackett

SERVICE PROVIDERS PERSPECTIVE ON THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF SEXUALLY EXPLOITED WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN THE INLAND EMPIRE , Ruth Harrison

SOCIAL SERVICE WORKERS KNOWLEDGE ON THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING , Raquel Monique Holguin and Athena Noel Barber

WHAT IMPACT DOES RELIGIOUS BELIEFS HAVE AMONG AFRICAN AMERICANS ATTITUDES TOWARDS GETTING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES? , Vanessa House

FORMER FOSTER YOUTH PERSPECTIVES ON STRENGTHS AND NEEDED SERVICES OF THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM , Cynthia Huizar and Judy Andrea Lawrence

WHAT DOES AN EFFECTIVE REENTRY PROGRAM LOOK LIKE AT A UNIVERSITY CAMPUS? , Paul Jones

Social Work Services: How can Social Workers Improve the Healthcare Experience for People who are Homeless? , McKinsey Kemp

PERCEPTIONS OF SERVICE RELATED TRAUMA IN FEMALE SERVICE MEMBERS, RESERVISTS, AND VETERANS , Sara Cathryn Klepps

Mental Health Treatment for the Elderly Community in a Central California Region , John Lewis Klevins Mr.

CHALLENGES MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKERS FACE THAT LEAD TO BURNOUT , Emilee Limon

PERCEPTIONS ABOUT DISPROPORTIONALITY AND DISPARITY AMONG BLACK FAMILIES WITHIN THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM , Kania Alexince Long

SPIRITUALITY AND WORK RELATED STRESS IN SOCIAL WORKERS , Daisy Lusung

RESILIENCE AND RESISTANCE: HOW THE INLAND EMPIRE TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY THRIVES , Raul Angel Maldonado

DIFFERENT THERAPISTS, DIFFERENT OUTCOMES? DO REFERRALS TO DIFFERENT PROVIDERS IMPACT REUNIFICATION OF CHILD WELFARE CLIENTS? , Heather Marie Martinell

IDENTIFYING THE ROLE OF FAITH AND SPIRITUALITY IN THE RECOVERY AND WELLNESS OF ALCOHOL ABUSERS , Andrea Elisabet Masdeu

SOCIAL WORK PERCEPTIONS OF PEDOPHILES: OPENING THE DIALOGUE , Dana Rose Montes

IMPLICATIONS OF VICARIOUS TRAUMA IN MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKERS , Erika Mora

MENTAL HEALTH INTERVENTION: DOES AN EXPEDITED PROCESS INCREASE ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR CHILDREN? , Desiree Lin Morris

A SOCIAL WORKERS’ PERSPECTIVE ON THE EFFECTS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ON ADOLESCENTS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 12 AND 17 , Arianna Lilybel Olvera

AN INSIGHT INTO THE PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS AND EXPERIENCES OF INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE PLACED IN A GROUP HOME , Nicole Olvera

IMPACT OF COMPASSION FATIGUE AND EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE ON THE QUALITY OF CARE IN SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES , John Simon Pangilinan

Providing Counseling Services to Spanish Speaking Clients , Maritza Pelayo

Social Work Students' Perception of Intimate Partner Violence Victims Who Stay With Their Abuser , Andrea Perez

Mexican Women's Perception of Mental Health Service Use , Claudia Perez and Samara Yael Cardona

EXPLORING THE EFFECTS OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES ON CLIENT PROGRESS IN CASE PLANNING AS ASSESSED BY SOCIAL WORKERS IN CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES , Mary Carmen Perez and Desiree Violet Prendergast

The Impact of Low Retention of Nonprofit Organizations , Yolanda Phillips and Jessica M. Hernandez

FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH CHILD WELFARE SOCIAL WORKER RETENTION , Ernesto Pineda

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TRAININGS ON HELPING PROFESSIONALS , Paula Virginia Preciado Romero

THE NEEDS AND CHALLENGES EXPERIENCED BY LATINO PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES , Lizbeth Quintero

MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS' PERCEIVED PREPAREDNESS TO ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS OF CAREGIVERS WORKING TOWARD REUNIFICATION , Stephanie Ramirez and Vanessa Romero

BURNOUT AMONG BILINGUAL SOCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS , Marlene Reyes

Misdiagnosis of Trauma in Children and Youth: Implications for Mental Health Professionals , Dana Rodriguez

INFORMAL ART THERAPY GROUP AMONG MINORITY SENIORS IN INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITIES , Jennifer Rodriguez

DISCUSSING SEXUAL HEALTH TOPICS WITH SEVERELY MENTALLY ILL CLIENTS: AN EXPLORATION OF SOCIAL WORK PRACTITIONERS’ PREPAREDNESS , Priscilla Rodriguez

MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK STUDENT COMPETENCY IN SPANISH SKILLS AND THE SUPPORT THEY RECEIVE , Giselle Sanchez and Shizatiz Gioconda Guerrero

SPIRITUALITY OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELORS , Matthew Sasso

CROSS - PROFESSIONAL COMPARISON OF SOCIAL WORK BURNOUT , Heather Lynn Schaal

CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS’ PERCEPTIONS AND ATTITUDES TOWARD MENTAL HEALTH WITHIN THE PRISON SYSTEM , Alexandra Rose Serafini

MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT PERSPECTIVE OF HISPANIC POPULATION: A COMMUNITY-BASED PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH APPROACH , Jesus Alfredo Serrato Vidal

RESILIENCE AND POST-TRAUMATIC GROWTH IN PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS , Elizabeth Anne Sidener

THE IMPACT OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES ON ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS , Patricia Lea Sutherland

SERVICE PROVIDERS' PERCEPTIONS OF BARRIERS TO SERVICES FOR WOMEN WITH POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION IN SAN BERNARDINO AND RIVERSIDE COUNTIES , Hana Gen Swenson-Coon and Bertha Ayala Reeves

SOCIAL WORKERS’ KNOWLEDGE ON AGING, AND ATTITUDES TOWARD OLDER ADULTS , Kristina Marie Thornton

SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH CARE PROGRAM EVALUATION , Adriana Torres

GENDER DIFFERENCES IN CAREGIVER BURDEN AMONG ALZHEIMER'S PATIENTS , Janet Shin Yi Torres

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Home > FAHSS > SOCIALWORK > SOCIALWORK_ETD

Social Work Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Theses/dissertations from 2023 2023.

Predictive Validity of CU Traits on Conduct Disorder-Related Antisocial Behaviors in Canadian Adolescents: Advancing Understandings Relevant to the DSM-5 Specifier With Limited Prosocial Emotions , Derek Campbell

Exploring Paradoxical Advantages of Latin Americans in Canada: Secondary Analytic Expositions of Contextualized Resiliencies and Vulnerabilities , Keren M. Escobar

An Exploration of Encounters Between People with Lived Experience of Mental Illness and Police Officers , Sarah Faubert

The Role of the Social Worker in Long-Term Care in Ontario: An Exploratory Qualitative Study Examining Perspectives of Social Workers About Their Roles. , Candace Hind

Exploration of the Relationship between Social Support and Healthcare Utilization Among Adult Immigrants to Canada , Naomi Ruth Levitz Shobola

Mental Illness Through the Eyes of Iraqi Ontarians: Unheard Voices for Conventional Mental Health Supports , Mohamad Musa

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

Preserving My Arab Self While Finding My Home in Canada: First Generation Recent Arab Immigrant Emerging Adults’ Perspectives on Acculturation Experiences and Canadian Society’s Role in Fostering Equitable Participation , Riham Al-Saadi

Examining Tension in the Provision of Palliative Care: Social Workers’ Experiences , Michael R. Bennett

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

Predictive Effects of (Neo)Colonialism and Other Forms of Structural Violence on Involuntary Contacts with the Criminal Justice System in Canada: A Statistical Analysis with an Autoethnographic Perspective , Amy M. Alberton

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Factors Affecting Health Care Access among Transgender People in the United States , Luisa Kcomt

Peer influences on antisocial and prosocial behaviours in group home foster care: evidence of greater protections in better resourced homes and higher income neighborhoods , Gershon Osei

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

Examining the Socioeconomic Patterns of Service Utilization among Canadian Women at Risk for Developing Eating Disorders: A Prevalence Study , Jenni Hotte

Critical Thinking in Social Work Education: A Delphi Study of Faculty Understanding , Patricia Louise Samson

The Praxis of Privilege: How Social Workers Experience their Privilege , Akin Taiwo

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

Parent Perceptions and Experiences in Child Custody Decision-Making , Beth Archer-Kuhn

Theses/Dissertations from 2009 2009

Recovery from mental illness – The experiential perspective , Jean Laforge

Experiences of Mennonite immigrant women accessing and receiving services in the mental health care system in Essex County , Diane Quadros

Theses/Dissertations from 2008 2008

A qualitative examination of best practices in the provision of specialized mental health services to individuals with a dual-diagnosis in London and Middlesex County , Tara-Ann C. Glasgow

An evaluation of the Family Well-Being program at the Windsor-Essex Children's Aid Society , Jennifer L. Walker

Theses/Dissertations from 2007 2007

Social correlates of depression and suicide among youth: A meta-analytic review. , Adelina Greco

Voices from the field: Exploring how social workers articulate their practice. , Colleen A. Mitchell

Coping strategies of single mothers of children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). , Michelle Dawn Sullivan

Theses/Dissertations from 2006 2006

Perceptions of health and environmental contamination on the Aamjiwnaang First Nation reserve (Ontario). , Kizzy Bedeau

Acquired brain injury: Journeys from pre-injury to return to work. , Catherine Boyce

How consumers understand private security: The case of an Ontario neighbourhood security program. , Jeffrey G. Brown

Ontario Domestic Violence Protection Act: An analysis of discourse. , April Girard

Governing female sexuality: Prostitution, problematic associations and the subcommittee on solicitation laws. , Olga Marques

Apparent lesbian performances, heteroflexibility and sexual identity: Fluid sexuality among young women in public places. , Allisa Scott

Race/ethnicity as a predictor of time spent in out-of-home care: Meta-analytic support for ethnic sensitive practice. , Laura Wygiera-Mitchell

Theses/Dissertations from 2005 2005

Campaigns of corporate social responsibility: The case of Canadian oil producer EnCana (Ecuador). , David. Demant

Ethno-racial groups and income attainment in Canada: Investigating the mosaic. , Tamara Rayvon Ferron

Examining the national longitudinal survey of children and youth: A profile of Canadian adolescent sexuality. , Rita Gillis

The governance of agriculture: Global programs of development and agricultural biotechnology. , Kelly Greenfield

Guilty by association: The impact of mainstream media portrayal of African Canadian male criminal participation on the African Canadian community. , Phyllis A. Kumi

Ethno-racial groups and occupational attainment: Influence of human capital and social capital. , Koyel Ranu

Governing at-a-distance: Outsourcing, network prudentialism and quality assurance standards. , Dale Spencer

Theses/Dissertations from 2004 2004

Mapping the lines: An exploration of mobility and urban spaces amongst bicycle couriers. , Philip J. Boyle

Multiple voices in HIV and AIDS: A comparison of the discourses of Christian religion and public health (Kenya). , Chris Brouillard-Coyle

Postmodern penality? GPS electronic monitoring and the new penology. , Ryan S. Cotter

Into the interior: An exploration of development policies and the representation of Amerindians in Guyana. , Suzanne Friemann

The Pacifica Foundation, the "New York Times" and the propagation of a mature commercial ideology: Objectivity vs. subjectivity and the future of a journalism for the public (Lewis Hill) , Stephen Landry

Orphanhood, informal orphan caregiving and the impact of community-based organizations in the context of HIV/AIDS, in Nyanza, Kenya. , Tamara M. M. Landry

Governing cultural heritage: UNESCO's World Heritage Convention. , Kevin K. Manuel

Identifying factors of stigma influencing the reintegration of ex-inmates as law-abiding citizens. , Richard Phillips

Theses/Dissertations from 2003 2003

UNHCR and the politics of refugee repatriation. , Melaku T. Awoke

The serial murder of sex workers: The social construction of serial killers by sex worker advocacy groups , Heidi Rebecca Charlotte Baker

Camouflaged liaisons: The social organization of Turkish male sexual minorities. , Tarik. Bereket

Walking the contested terrain: An exploration of the lifer identity post-release and its role in reintegration. , Catherine Lynn. Brooke

Sex offenders and the criminal justice system: An exploration of public opinion. , Michelle Anne Coghlan

Policing the corporate image: A case study of in-house security governance and the management of risk in a mass private property in Canada. , Steven David. Hutchinson

Theoretical perspective on mutliple risk behaviour: The influence of social capital on substance use and sexual-risk taking among young men and women. , Sheri-Lynn. Medaglia

The construction of ecstasy as a social problem in Toronto newspapers (Ontario). , Sean Cristin. Miller

Self-control vs. social control as an explanation for delinquency. , Marcel Joseph Parent

Constructing victims: The gendering of domestic violence in the print media. , Kameron Morgana Eve. Perchaluk (nee Robinson)

Theses/Dissertations from 2002 2002

Technologies of governance: The convergence of risk and discipline in an open custody facility for young offenders. , Dale A. Ballucci

Human capital, social capital, and income attainment in Canada. , Daniele. Cerri

Affirming the voices of teen mothers: Exploring the influences of the reconstruction of the welfare state on teen mothers in Ontario. , Treena L. Clift

Learning to conform: Globalization, governance and UNESCO's basic education. , Christiana Maria. Gauger

Alcoholism, Native and non-Native treatment technologies and the discourse of difference. , Kelly Lynn. Henley

Social status and computer use: Sophisticated computer use as a cultural capital? , Daniel James. Holland

Street crime, Casino Windsor, and the theory of routine activities (Ontario). , Lauretta. Loong

Women in transition: Discourses of menopause. , Sue. McPherson

Governing the politics of consent: Gender, expert knowledge, and Bill C-49. , Marcia Leanne. Oliver

Social capital and socio-economic status as determinants of physical, mental, and self-rated overall health in Canada. , Lisa Katherine. Smylie

Theses/Dissertations from 2001 2001

Sex work as work. , Sasha R. Drummond

An exploration of animal abuse in the context of family violence. , Amy Jean Fitzgerald

High expectations for high-risk offenders: A pre-post evaluation of the Federal Offender Rehabilitation Program "Counter-Point". , Bonnie Lee. McKinnon

Sentencing circles for Aboriginal offenders in Canada: Furthering the idea of Aboriginal justice within a Western justice framework. , Melanie Leigh Spiteri

Learning to pour: An exploration into the socialization of the male night shift bartender. , Adam Gordon Park. Stubbs

Theses/Dissertations from 2000 2000

Femininity, sexuality and sport: A case study of female inter-university varsity athletes. , Carolyn L. Dutot

The population of India as a colonial category: The British Censuses of 1872--1911. , Michael Don. Haan

Domestic violence and the state: Abused women's perspectives on the "new" integrated services approach. , Sharron Lynne. Jarvis

Women's smoking and drinking behaviours: The importance of structural inequality, social roles and traumatic experience. , Laura. Landstrom

Theses/Dissertations from 1999 1999

Foreign or domestic?...I'll take foreign! , David. Badalamenti

Intolerance, ignorance, and insensitivity: An examination of anti-gay attitudes and behaviours within a university population. , Ken. Dowler

Exploring the links between sexual coercion and condom negotiation. , Shannon Leigh. Ferguson

Controlling youth crime: A qualitative analysis of informal and formal social controls. , Jill Elizabeth. Johns

The social construction of the economy: Ideology, hegemony, and control , Carolyn M. Lewandowski

Moral reform and the rise of the burlesque industry in London, Ontario. , Kelly MacDonald

The liberal ideal and aboriginality: Concepts of citizenship and self-determination. , Russell. Nahdee

Single white attractive female searching for Mr. Right: Characteristics in mate selection. , Mona. Sleiman

Perceptions of arranged marriages by young Pakistani Muslim women living in a western society. , Arshia Urooj. Zaidi

Theses/Dissertations from 1998 1998

A phenomenological perspective of client aggression and violence on community living support workers. , Brian Richard. Cogliati

The effect(s) of the visual media upon female body image. , Jessica Mary Elsie. Cummings

Defining successful integration: An examination into the life of Grenadian transmigrants in Toronto (Ontario). , Paula Patricia. Green

Youth violence: A study of moral panics in terms of schismogenic loops. , Gary Jonathan. Hsu

Gender and the flower industry in Ecuador. , Nicole Anne. Noel

The medicalization of the 'battered woman' in Ontario, 1974--1996. , Katherin. Podgorny

Exploring links between the social reform, nationalist, and women's movements in India. , Jasvinder Kaur. Sanghera

Honor without women: Honor and the legitimization of murder in the criminal courts of Lebanon. , Randa Bassem. Serhan

Racist intelligentsia: Pathway to the far right's epistemology. , Frank. Tridico

Theses/Dissertations from 1997 1997

Tracing the emergence of corporal phase discipline and punishment in a modern society: The Argentine case (1969-1979). , Michael Victor. Agostinis

Delinquents' perceptions of family upbringing: An interpretive interactionist investigation of family patterns common in the youth of criminally charged adults. , Timothy John. Armaly

The disappearance of FLQ terrorism and the cycle of social protest in Quebec, 1963-1976. , Paul William. Lynd

Dying to be thin: The social construction of the female beauty ideal and eating disorders. , Susan Elizabeth. Martell

An exploration of northeastern Thai women's perception of personal risk of contracting HIV and their intentions, strategies, and barriers to self-protection (Immune deficiency). , Karen. Metcalfe

Strippers reveal the naked truth: A case study of women employed in the stripping occupation in London clubs (Ontario). , Karen Joan. Orton

Down but not out: A study of a men's shelter from a symbolic interactionist perspective. , Scott Daniel. Rogers

Exploring sexual exploitation of children from a criminal events perspective. , Shelley. Young

Academic misconduct at the University of Windsor: An examination of prevalence, policy, and practice (Ontario). , Jennifer Lynn. Zubick

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206 Interesting Social Work Research Topics You Should Consider

Many students struggle to find suitable social work research topics. This field has many subjects that learners can explore in their dissertations. The simplest social work definition describes it as a set of functions that enable you to improve other people’s lives. A social worker helps children and adults cope with daily issues, personal issues, family issues, and relationship troubles.

Considering the scope of this field, selecting an ideal social work research topic can be challenging. Learners have many pressing issues that they can cover in their papers. Nevertheless, choosing an interesting topic is essential in writing a winning dissertation.

Social Work Research Paper Outline

Once you’ve chosen a topic for your social work dissertation or research paper, the next step is to outline it. Your outline should highlight the components of your work, incorporating the argument. Also, identify your stance on an issue, tying up the other parts of the paper because it will enable you to create a thesis statement. Here are the key sections to highlight in your outline.

Introduction: The intro should present your study’s background while providing relevant details of the problem. Use a strong opening phrase to grab your readers’ attention and engage them so they can read the rest of the paper. The introduction should present your study’s context, formulate its primary goal, and end with an effective thesis statement. Main body: This section should feature the main arguments. It highly depends on your research type and the methods you use. It may include a literature review analyzing other scholars’ findings and identifying gaps in previous studies. Also, this section explains the methods you use in your research, results, and discussions. Conclusion: The conclusion should summarize the findings and wrap up the dissertation. You can restate your thesis statement to remind readers about your position on the issue and your goal. The best approach is to reward the thesis statement persuasively while encouraging readers to think about the problem. Also, you can recommend further research explaining why the topic is worth exploring.

After drafting an outline, you can proceed to research and write your social work paper. Edit and proofread the work or seek professional assistance to ensure its quality.

General Social Work Research Topics Ideas

Maybe you want to write a thesis on general topics in this study field. In that case, here are ideas you can explore in your paper.

• How substance abuse influence parenting
• Teenager adoption- Happiness and hardships that come with it
• How to address the inclination to commit suicide
• Should society question the stigma surrounding mental sickness?
• Foster homes and group therapy- Is it effective?
• How does the lack of child support affect childcare
• Investigating autistic children and social displacement
• How does clinical depression affect adolescent children
• How does continuous mobility influence orphan toddlers
• Analyzing the stigma surrounding depression
• How to manage intrinsic PTSD for medical veterans
• Exploring the stigma surrounding disability
• How homelessness influences a person’s psychology
• How does displacement influence aggressiveness among street children
• How the works of several agencies affect child protection
• Exploring perceptions and attitudes of oppression between the community and health professionals
• Addressing cultural perspectives- Transiting to social work
• The social worker’s role in deciding to end life
• Lifelong learning model- Exploring evidence-based practices
• The reflection law- a learning model or self-indulgence in social work

These are general ideas worth exploring in your social work dissertation. Nevertheless, please select any of these titles when confident you will be comfortable working on them.

Common Social Worker Research Topics

Maybe you’re searching for something your readers can quickly identify with when reading your paper. If so, this section lists some of the best ideas to investigate in your social work thesis.

• How to create dyslexia patients’ awareness
• Analyzing similarities and differences between ADHD and dyslexia
• How alcoholism affects personal, family, and social lifestyle
• How a family can exacerbate depression
• Why academic and social integration matter for kids suffering from down syndrome
• Investigating the social exclusion of kids with down syndrome
• The effectiveness of anti-depressants- A clinical study
• How alcoholism affects a person’s psyche
• The positive impact of sponsors on recovering addicts’ lives
• Investigating family support and its effects on alcohol recovery
• Why group therapy matters for foster home children
• How clinical depression affects teenage girls
• How the lack of support affects child care in America
• How ADHD affects foster home children
• How mental illness misdiagnosis affects people
• How to address suicidal tendencies in military units
• Why social interrogation matters when dealing with stigma surrounding mental illness
• How parents’ bipolar affects their children’s lives and parenting
• Is childhood displacement the cause of antisocial lifestyle among foster children?
• The joys and struggles of teenagers’ adoption
• Investigating the undisclosed rape violence cases among military women- How it affects their service and lives
• How substance abuse affects parenting
• Child-parent separation- Investigating the stigma it brings
• Positive impacts of divorce on children’s lifestyle and health
• Addressing substance abuse issues among teenagers
• How death affects a family’s well-being
• Family support study- Is it a viable option for alcohol recovery?

Most people will identify with these topics because they touch on issues with which they are familiar. However, investigate the matter you select carefully to develop a winning dissertation.

Exciting Social Work Research Questions

Maybe you want to answer a question in your thesis paper. If so, consider any of these questions as a topic for your essay.

• How can you support an adult living with a disability?
• What are the social and psychological impacts of student loans?
• What are the psychological, physical, and emotional effects of incarceration of pregnant mothers?
• What challenges do minority children face in foster homes?
• Transformative change- Can police brutality enhance it?
• How can society deal with the rising obesity in America?
• How can we support bipolar patients?
• What are the effects of incarcerated individuals’ entry into the community?
• What is the percentage of incarcerated adults among minority groups?
• Does substance misuse increase alcoholism cases?
• How does community violence affect LGBT lives?
• What is the difference between Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2?
• Can trauma inform children’s education in foster homes?
• Can protesting police brutality promote transformative change?
• Does divorce affect all children’s psyches negatively?
• Does foster homes’ trauma cause kids’ disappearance from the facility?
• Can implementing learning curriculums with a positive impact on dyslexic students enhance academics?
• Does trauma-informed learning reflect parenting?
• Do food and house security affect foster children throughout their lives?
• Has the criminal justice system failed social lifestyle in America?
• What are the primary workplace trauma signs?
• How can society address workplace violence?
• How do scarcity and poverty affect young children’s psychology?
• How can you identify depression in a teenager?
• Has the American healthcare system failed minority groups?
• What are the risks of kids-parent separation?
• What are the impacts of living with dyslexia?
• Is depression a mental disorder?
• What are the effects of racial disparity?

Any of these questions can be an excellent title for your dissertation. Nevertheless, consult various information sources to write a high-quality paper.

Human Services Research Paper Topics

Human services is a part of the social work field dealing with issues related to human services, factors affecting them, and how to address the challenges. Here are ideas to consider in this category.

• How to address panic, anxiety, and depression in young children
• The psychological impact of human trafficking on victims
• Psychological effects of child trafficking
• Similarities between adult incarceration and juvenile delinquency
• How unemployment affects people
• Factors that increase depression cases among the youth
• Police system- Defunded, reformed, or abolished?
• How the carceral system in America affects minority and low-income homes
• Social integration of dyslexic and down syndrome patients
• Effective ways to enhance welfare conditions
• Food banks and their adverse psychological effects
• The benefits of food banks on American lives
• The impact of home violence on children
• The result of high school bullying
• Why welfare workers need support groups and therapy
• How to enhance love in foster homes
• Resilience practice among social workers
• Juvenile delinquency impacts in America
• The shortcomings of America’s carceral system
• How to address the homophobia issue in the U.S
• How homophobia affects LGBT+ adults
• What causes family violence?
• How to address spousal violence
• How family cruelty affects lives
• Undiagnosed bipolar cases and their effects
• Impacts of misdiagnosed mental illnesses
• How to enhance LGBTQ+ kids’ support systems
• The result of home insecurity on the homeless
• How to bridge the gap between community members and formerly incarcerated individuals
• Incarceration- Abolished or reformed?

These human services topics are worth investigating in a research paper. However, take the time to research your chosen title to write an exciting piece.

Controversial Topics In Social Work

Some social work essay topics are controversial. Some people find these titles controversial because they provoke public interest. Here are some of them.

• Flood and hurricane survivors and their hidden trauma
• How hurricanes affect low-income neighborhoods
• Trafficking- How it affects a society’s social well-being
• Unreported abuse cases in homes and how they promote violence
• Social, health, and psychological implications of the abortion ban for rape victims
• Why the community should enhance awareness of AIDS stigmatization
• Therapy continuous cycle- Why a therapist requires therapy
• The unnoticed and hidden trauma among therapists and counselors
• How court-sanctioned confinement promotes mental illness instead of facilitating correlation
• How to address violence- Is it a social problem in the correctional system?
• Sexual health education- Is it vital for incarcerated women?
• How social media affects a person’s mental health and well-being
• The effectiveness of different types of therapy for treating mental health disorders.
• The prevalence of Eating Disorders in developed countries.
• The role of family dynamics in the development and treatment of Eating Disorders.
• How do different cultures view mental health and mental illness?
• Is there a link between creativity and mental illness?
• Does psychiatric medication use lead to higher recovery rates from mental illness?
• What are the most effective interventions for helping people with substance abuse problems?
• How to deal with grief and loss?
• How can we better support people with chronic physical health conditions?
• Drug abuse- Is it increasing in low-income neighborhoods?
• The negative impacts of incarceration on the imprisoned people’s psychological well-being
• Reasons to investigate confinement and its dangers
• Ways to help addicts facing high drug vulnerability
• How cognitive-behavioral therapy enhances the relationship between social workers and their situations or environments
• The health benefits of hypnosis on individuals
• Why treatment is essential for less represented groups
• Distinguishing undiagnosed depression and clinical depression
• A qualitative investigation of dyslexia among adolescents
• How empathy can enhance the social work sector
• Why qualitative examination of foster homes for peace and child safety matters

These are controversial topics to consider in this academic field. Prepare to take a stance and defend it if you pick any of these social work project ideas.

Social Work Topics For Presentation

Maybe you want to include a presentation in your paper. That’s because social work is a practical field requiring some displays. Consider the following titles for your essay if you want to include a presentation.

• What are Stockholm syndrome and its effects?
• How to understand syndrome victims better
• How incest affects homes
• Investigating sexually violated kids
• Why free healthcare matters in foster homes and low-income neighborhoods
• How adult incarceration and juvenile delinquency affect society
• Juvenile delinquency and trauma
• LGBTQ+ children trauma and adolescent transitioning
• Foster kids and neglect-syndrome
• Why diversity matters in the social work sector
• Social workers- Understanding their trauma
• Foster parenting- What are the positive impacts?
• Do foster homes create a safe space?
• Foster parents and their roles in preventing violence
• Social workers and their role in preventing drug abuse
• The effects of domestic violence
• Psychological violence and its damages
• How spirituality affects techniques in social works
• Social works and their historical development
• Social work and its importance in schools
• Why teenagers’ therapy matters
• Exploring the challenges facing social workers in the forensics sector
• Investigating the struggles facing the minority groups
• Studying abuse and violence in middle-class homes
• Why finance matters in social works sustenance
• The impact of compassion fatigue
• Modern social workers and their challenges
• Drug abuse and its effects on children
• Why inclusivity matters in social works
• Same-sex relationships- Why they matter to a social worker
• Why high schools need drug sensitization
• Investigating depression stereotypes

Pick any of these ideas and use them to draft a paper that includes a presentation. Nevertheless, research your topic extensively to prepare a winning dissertation.

Interesting Social Work Topics

Some issues in social work draw more attention than others because they are unique. Here are such topics.

• The impacts of pregnancy on teenage mothers
• The increasing pressure and effects of social media on teenagers’ lives
• How welfare systems relate to low-income neighborhoods
• Why are rehabilitation centers are essential in America than carceral systems
• How cultural beliefs and gender roles affect marriages
• Low labor and its role in workplace abuse
• How the increasing housing cost affects young millennials
• The part of abortion bans on psychological issues
• How birth control roles affect society negatively
• How are teenagers, the general community, and school related?
• Analyzing first-time menstrual experiences and their impact on teenage girls within foster homes
• Wellness therapy and its sustainability
• Investigating poverty prevalence in the American Deep South- How it prevents the growth
• The implications of relationships on social workers’ interactions
• The negative impact of conversion therapy on the LGBTQ+ community
• How an inclusive and functional healthcare system enhances social growth
• Shelter homes women- Investigating their life experiences
• The prevalent racial disparity in food bank systems in America
• Understanding social relegations and stigma of welfare mothers
• Client-therapist relationship- Investigating psychiatric therapists and their work

These topics address relevant issues that society often neglects. Pick any idea in this category and explore it further through research and analysis.

Social Work Thesis Topics

Educators will ask you to write different papers when pursuing social work studies. A sociology thesis is among the documents you might write when pursuing a master’s or Ph.D. studies. Here are topics to consider for these papers.

• Investigating expecting mothers’ postpartum depression
• How interdependency differs from codependency among youth adults
• Emotional unavailability in homes- Does it enhance codependency?
• Codependency- Is it a displacement feature?
• Foster kids and future attachment methods
• Social work and disability disparity
• Disability challenges facing the healthcare system
• Compassion integration in social works
• ADHD- What are the most common myths about it?
• How emotionally immature parents affect their adult children psychologically
• Drug addiction and treatment plans
• Addressing challenges facing visually impaired students
• Investigating foster homes and child abuse
• The emotional impact of a transition into a nursing home
• Exploring immigrant families and parenthood
• The intricacies of child labor

These are exciting topics to consider for your social work thesis. Nevertheless, prepare adequate time and resources to investigate any of these titles to develop a paper that will earn you the best grade.

Get Professional Thesis Assistance

Perhaps, you have chosen a title but don’t have the skills or time to write a top-notch paper. Maybe you’ve never scored high grades on your report, and your professor or parent constantly reprimands you. In that case, you need help with your academic writing.

We offer fast, cheap, and some of the best dissertation services for college, university, and high school students. Our ENL and U.S writers are always ready to handle your project. Contact us now to get the best academic paper help online.

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Theses and Dissertations (Social Work)

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• Perceptions of the significant others living with an adult family member experiencing reoccurring relapse from substance use : a social work perspective  Moloto, Mercy Tlou ( 2023-05-24 ) The use of substances is a big challenge globally. Despite prevention, treatment, and aftercare programmes to eradicate this phenomenon, individuals often relapse within months after completing their treatment. The recurring ...
• The foster care awareness programme as an intervention strategy for grandmother-headed families: a case study Diepsloot  Musetsho, Mulalo Abigail ( 2023-06 ) The foster care awareness programme (FCAP) plays a critical role in strengthening the foster caregivers’ understanding of how to support vulnerable children. The activities of the programme support grandparents to be ...
• The social functioning of young adults after termination of their foster care placements and foster child grants  Ngoveni, Nyiko Given ( 2018-09 ) The absence of clear policy and practice guidelines aimed at supporting young adults after termination of foster care placements and foster child grants has implications to their psychosocial wellbeing and adjustment to ...
• The experiences, challenges and coping strategies of foster parents raising teenage foster children  Mphephu, Azwidohwi Jacqueline ( 2023-09 ) Globally, there is an estimated high population of teenage children who grow up in foster care. In South Africa, these children are legally placed in foster care by the commissioner of the children`s court inquiry in ...
• The challenges faced by statutory social workers in rendering foster care services to undocumented children  Mapheto, Mabolotse Thabang ( 2023-09 ) Africa, there are several undocumented children who are found to in need of care and protection. Therefore, South Africa designed the Children’s Act no 38 of 2005 which seeks to ensure that the basic and the financial ...
• Parents' experiences of reunification service during placement of their children in child and youth care centres: practice guidelines for social workers  Sethole, Lorraine Mmapelo ( 2023-01 ) Due to the increasing number of children in need of care and protection in South Africa, the majority of these children are removed from the care of their parents and placed at child and youth care centres (CYCCs) for ...
• The experiences, challenges and coping strategies of women living in community residential units : Glebelands CRU case study  Mthembu, Khanyisile Busisiwe ( 2023-01-20 ) Background: Community residential units (CRUs) were introduced in 2006 in South Africa to increase women’s access to adequate low-cost housing rentals. The aim of this investigation was to explore the experiences, challenges ...
• The experiences of and responses to compassion fatigue amongst social workers employed in government hospitals  Motshana, Sebedi Clement ( 2023-01-27 ) Social workers working in government hospitals are tasked to render social work support services to patients and their families within a multidisciplinary team approach, however, there is a lack of research evidence ...
• The reflections of young people who are raised within ‘gonyalelwa lapa’ cultural practice among Bapedi in Limpopo Province : guidelines for social work intervention  Kabekwa, Mmoledi ( 2022-12-01 ) ‘Gonyalelwa lapa’ cultural practice is one of the various forms of marital associations and expressions in the day-to-day cultural practices, rituals and traditions of African Black people. This cultural practice occurs ...
• Men’s perceptions on factors contributing to the emergence of intimate partner femicide (IPF) in Limpopo Province, South Africa  Selepe, Tsheletsi Phineas Lawrence ( 2022-12-12 ) Generally, men are associated with characteristics of masculinity such as showing leadership, being tough, hiding emotions, being virile, and likely being perpetrator of violence. In contrast, women are associated with ...
• Experiences, challenges, and coping strategies of Zimbabwean mothers caring for their minor children without family support whilst residing in South Africa  Kekana, Jela Prudans ( 2022-02-28 ) Background to the study: Family support and Zimbabwean migration is commonly alluded to by various researchers globally and in South Africa. The reason for migration is mainly financial opportunities. One of the common ...
• A social work study on factors contributing to a high rate of depression amongst university students from the age of 19 - 23 years  Matthew, S. A. ( 2022-12 ) Over the past few decades, the increase in depression amongst university students has become a global concern. In attempting to understand the increase in the prevalence of depression amongst university students, it is ...
• Strategies to prevent HIV infections among women in the Ditsobotla Municipality of the North West Province, South Africa  Phakedi, Lebotse Stephen ( 2023-03-31 ) The status of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) among women in South Africa is worrisome. Imbalances in power relations between men and women subject women to perpetual vulnerability to HIV infection whilst effective ...
• The experiences of social workers working in multi-disciplinary teams in state hospitals in the Waterberg District, Limpopo Province  Legodi, Tsemeng Jack ( 2022-11 ) Following South Africa’s independence in 1994, the number of hospital social work posts in state hospitals were substantially increased. Subsequently, unprecedented contextual changes have affected hospital services, ...
• The influence of South African Police Service (SAPS) employees’ primary relationship experiences on their productivity in the workplace: informing employee assistance programme  Setabola, Kgaugelo Caroline ( 2022-10 ) The study provides an analysis of studies conducted by different researchers with regard to the relationship between the influence of a primary relationship and work productivity. It has been discovered that intimate ...
• Resiliency amongst rural social workers in managing their experiences of work-related challenges  Botha, Lindiwe Portia ( 2022-11-15 ) Background of the study - The notion of resilience was first recognised in the field of psychopathology in the 1970s. The concept can be used to explain the individual responses to challenges and traumatic events which led ...
• The experiences and challenges faced by youth leaving care during the COVID-19 pandemic  Zingwe, Fadzaishe Bridget ( 2022-11-15 ) Placement of children and youth at care centres has been a practice spanning over the years worldwide, to provide safe places resembling a home environment to the children and youth. This research study investigated the ...
• Supportive supervision: a model for social work supervisors  Bhuda, Gladys Bathabile ( 2019-03 ) Social work practice is extremely demanding on the practitioner. Social workers, especially in the public domain, handle high caseloads whilst simultaneously conducting group and community work amidst the demands ...
• School social workers' and educators' experiences on school-based violence: suggestions for stakeholder support  Maota, Y. M. ( 2022-05 ) School-based violence (SBV) is a phenomenon that burdens many countries globally. A substantial proportion of schools and governments are still struggling to find a solution to it. There are a limited number of reports on ...
• The challenges experienced by youths leaving kinship foster care in South Africa  Zimudzi, Catherine ( 2022-05 ) Young people who leave foster care in South Africa typically encounter greater difficulties transitioning into young adulthood when compared to their peers who grow up with their biological parents. The aim of the study ...

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• Publication Technology as the Third Spouse - The Impact of Smartphones on Newlywed Couples ( 2021-05-15 ) Mandel, Sarah Show more Background Recent research has explored the impact of technology and smartphone use on relationships. This is the first study to address smartphone use in the newlywed stage of marriage. The newlywed time period is the foundational phase of a marital relationship. Technological changes have become part of our culture and smartphone technology has become central to individuals’ lives. The accessibility and size of the smartphone, along with the features it provides, is different from all other devices, thus creating a more intimate and dependent relationship with it. Methods The aim of this study was to expand upon the existing research related to smartphone technology by addressing the gap in the literature on smartphone use during the newlywed time period. This qualitative study explored the experiences of smartphone use in newlywed couples when in each other's presence and how smartphones were part of a newlywed couple’s interaction. Twenty newlywed couples, married between one and four years were interviewed separately, totaling a sample of 40 participants. Data were collected from June 2020 through July 2020 until saturation was met. Results The five themes that were illuminated in this study were, Vehicle, Mindset, Phone Rules, Interface, and Circular Use. The themes were developed based on the appreciation of the common experience of all the participants within their newlywed marriage in relation to their smartphone use (n=40). The results indicated that the smartphone is a neutral reflection of its user and is a vehicle that can be used to either magnify or minimize the value of the couple’s interaction when together. The user’s needs and mindset drive the use of the smartphone. Depending on the spouse’s mindset, the smartphone was used to either enhance bonding or to create a momentary outlet within the relationship. The unexpected finding that a person’s mindset effected their smartphone use informed the reason why individuals used their smartphone object in the moment when with their spouse. Discussion These findings support that when the newlywed couple either employed rules or made quality time a priority by putting the brakes on their smartphone consumption, smartphone use did not have a negative effect on their feelings of attachment to each other. This study suggests the importance of understanding a spouse’s mindset as a motivating factor for smartphone use during shared interactions in order for the couple to better acknowledge each other’s needs and support their developing marital bond. This research has provided information that stresses the importance of helping couples exchange their seeking of connection to their devices in exchange for live and conscious connection to their partner. Show more
• Publication The Impact of the Therapeutic Alliance, Therapist Empathy and Perceived Coercion on Engagement in Outpatient Therapy for Individuals with Serious Mental Health Conditions ( 2020-05-18 ) Mallonee, Jason R Show more Purpose: Individuals with serious mental health conditions disengage from treatment at a higher rate than other populations. Factors associated with treatment engagement for this population in other contexts, or in outpatient therapy for other populations, include the therapeutic alliance, therapist empathy, and perceived coercion. This study tested the hypothesis that a stronger therapeutic alliance, a greater degree of therapist empathy, and a lower degree of coercion will be associated with a higher degree of engagement in outpatient therapy for individuals with SMHC when controlling for other factors found to be associated with engagement. Methods: 131 participants completed an anonymous web-based survey measuring the study’s constructs with established scales. The relationship between variables was tested using hierarchical multiple regression analysis. Results: After separating the therapeutic alliance and therapist empathy in the multivariate analysis due to multicollinearity, both the therapeutic alliance and therapist empathy were found to be significant predictors of change in client engagement. Perceived coercion was not found to be a significant predictor of change in client engagement. It was also found that participant treatment utilization at the time of survey completion was significantly less intensive than their historical treatment utilization, and that participants reflect a range of symptoms and levels of impairment. Conclusions and Implications: The therapeutic alliance and the quality of therapist-client interactions are the most important factors in maintaining engagement in outpatient therapy for individuals with SMHC. Individuals with SMHC are managing their conditions with less intensive and less restrictive treatments, despite a varying range of symptom severity and functional impairment. Additional research is needed to better understand engagement in therapy for individuals with SMHC and to develop more sensitive measures for evaluating these constructs. Show more
• Publication THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SYSTEMIC, TRAUMA-INFORMED GROUP MODEL TO REDUCE SECONDARY TRAUMATIC STRESS AMONG VIOLENCE INTERVENTION WORKERS ( 2019-05-20 ) Vega, Laura Show more ABSTRACT THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SYSTEMIC, TRAUMA-INFORMED GROUP MODEL TO REDUCE SECONDARY TRAUMATIC STRESS AMONG VIOLENCE INTERVENTION WORKERS Laura Vega, MSW, LCSW Lani Nelson-Zlupko, Ph.D., LCSW Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) among violence intervention workers is pervasive and increases the risk of negative psychosocial and health outcomes. Compelling evidence demonstrates the virulent impact of STS on individual workers, clients, and organizations (Bride, 2007; Figley, 1995; Pearlman & Saakvitne, 1995). STS is an occupational hazard and organizations have an ethical obligation to implement strategies to address it, ultimately protecting workers and clients. However, research is limited on effective interventions to address this issue, with existing interventions focusing narrowly on self-care strategies. Due to the significant and consistent trauma exposure inherent in violence intervention work, it is essential for STS interventions to be proactive, ongoing, and agency-based. This dissertation identifies key risk and protective factors, reviews existing interventions, and describes gaps in those interventions. The development of a group model, Stress-Less Initiative, is presented, an evidence-informed, theoretically grounded intervention that is proactive, ongoing, and embedded within the organization to prevent secondary trauma. The Stress-Less Initiative is a team-based model that provides a safe context to reflect on the impact of trauma work while increasing collegial support, coping strategies, team cohesion and resilience. Recommendations for agency use of this intervention are provided and implications for practice, research and policy are presented. Show more
• Publication PARENTAL "SENSE OF AGENCY": A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF PARENTS EXPERIENCES ASSISTING THEIR CHILDREN IN OUTPATIENT COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT. ( 2022-08-05 ) Erickson, Eric G Show more Parental “Sense of Agency”: A Qualitative Study of Parents Experiences Assisting their Children in Outpatient Community Mental Health Treatment. ABSTRACT In the United States, there are approximately 17 million children under the age of 17 that have commonly diagnosed mental health disorders which include ADHD, behavior problems, anxiety, and depression (Bitsko et al., 2019). In efforts to provide access to mental health treatment, there are approximately 11,682 mental health facilities as of 2018, 62% of which are comprised of community mental health centers and outpatient mental health clinics that provide mental health services for children and families (SAMSHA, 2018). The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study is to explore the experiences of parents and/or primary caregivers “sense of agency” in reference to working with mental health professionals in outpatient community mental health settings. For the purposes of this study, “sense of agency” is defined as actions that are experienced as voluntary and in which we may not feel as simply happening to us rather, we experience agency when we are in control of our actions (Synofzik et al., 2008; Moore, 2016). The assumption in the study is that parents “sense of agency” is a critical aspect of parents being able to effectively engage and implement evidenced based interventions utilized for their children in outpatient community mental health settings. Furthermore, parents increased or improved “sense of agency” would have a lasting impact on their ability to assist their children with mental health conditions even after their children are no longer receiving mental health treatment. The theoretical framework that was utilized in the study to explore parents “sense of agency” was Bowen’s Family Systems Theory. The study was comprised of N=10 participants who had one or more children participating in one outpatient clinic in Central Harlem. Parents engaged in a one-hour semi-structured interview which explored their experiences assisting their children in mental health treatment and their interactions with their child, mental health practitioners and other supports. After the study was completed, four major themes emerged. The four themes included: parents locus of control, parental activation, parental attributions, and issues related to the utilization of psychotropic medication by some of the children in the study. These themes impacted parents “sense of agency” in how they were able to engage in their child’s treatment, what they believed were potential causes of their child’s mental health condition, their orientation of control (whether external or internal) in reference to their child’s progress in treatment, as well as, navigating their children’s resistance to psychotropic medication. Social work practice implications would incorporate interventions that can increase parents “sense of agency”, specifically due to its relational nature which may lead to a transmission of agency to future generations considering the ongoing systemic challenges that families may face in their own communities. The implications for future studies may focus not only on parents “sense of agency” during their child’s mental health treatment but parents “sense of agency” before the start of their child’s treatment process in relation to their capacity to implement interventions that are formulated alongside the mental health practitioner. Furthermore, studies may seek to follow up with parents after their child’s completion of treatment in efforts to understand parents’ experiences or changes in their “sense of agency” as it relates to their children’s mental health. These studies would further allow to improve the understanding between parents “sense of agency” and long-term outcomes in mental health treatment for their children. Show more
• Publication A Comparative Effectiveness Study of the Trauma Recovery Empowerment Model (TREM) and an Attachment-Informed Variation of TREM ( 2017-05-15 ) Masin-Moyer, Melanie Show more Abstract A Comparative Effectiveness Study of the Trauma Recovery Empowerment Model (TREM) and an Attachment-Informed Variation of TREM (ATREM) Melanie Masin-Moyer, University of Pennsylvania Dr. Phyllis Solomon, Dissertation Chair, University of Pennsylvania Dr. Malitta Engstrom, Dissertation Committee Member, University of Pennsylvania Objective: An evidenced-based women’s trauma group was modified to create a new protocol, Attachment-Informed Trauma Recovery Empowerment Model (ATREM), which included attachment-based concepts and strategies to determine if well-being could be enhanced beyond the Trauma Recovery Empowerment Model (TREM). A quasi-experimental design was used to test the hypothesis that ATREM would be associated with greater improvement in attachment security, perceived social support, emotion regulation, substance use, depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms than TREM. Methods: Sixty-nine women completed the group interventions (n = 37 ATREM; n = 32 TREM), along with pre- and-post-test questionnaires. The questionnaires included sociodemographic questions and the following standardized scales: Relationship Scale Questionnaire, Social Group Attachment Scale, Social Support Scale, Difficulties in Emotional Regulation, Brief Symptom Inventory 18, PTSD Symptom Scale, and modified versions of the Lifetime Stressor Checklist Revised and the Addiction Severity Index. The continuous variables were analyzed using paired t-tests for within-group comparisons and independent t-tests for between-group comparisons, and the categorical variables were analyzed using Chi-Square or Fisher’s Exact Test. Results: Both ATREM and TREM were associated with statistically significant within-group improvement in individual and group attachment styles, perceived social support, emotion regulation capacities, depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Only ATREM was associated with statistically significant improvement in individual attachment avoidance. The gains associated with ATREM did not exceed those associated with TREM as hypothesized. Conclusion: This pilot study extends prior findings on TREM by demonstrating that novel infusions of attachment-focused strategies into this evidence-based practice can facilitate comparable growth across a variety of measures of well-being. ATREM was also able to promote significant reductions in individual attachment avoidance, a style of interacting often considered challenging to modify. ATREM’s integrated design with cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic elements holds potential to enhance responsiveness and effectiveness of TREM in meeting the diverse needs of women who have experienced trauma. Further, this study demonstrates the effectiveness of brief trauma-focused group therapy and provides insight into the emerging concept of group attachment style. Show more
• Publication It’s the Journey: The Developmental and Attachment Implications of Animal Assisted Play Therapy(TM) for Children in Emergency Housing ( 2018-05-14 ) Wenocur, Katharine P Show more BACKGROUND: Child homelessness is correlated with a wide range of health and psychosocial challenges including poor school performance, juvenile justice involvement, and heightened risk of exposure to early-life violence and trauma. Despite this, participation in therapy tends to be low. Animal Assisted Play TherapyTM (AAPT), a comprehensive model that systematically integrates trained therapy animals into play therapy, serves as a compelling modality for engaging this population into treatment. The tenets of AAPT are aligned with several clinical goal areas that homeless children might address in therapy, including the strengthening of attachment relationships with primary caregivers. METHODS: The study integrated analysis of projective drawings and accompanying narratives with the treatment records of 11 children (ages 6-11) who received canine assisted therapy while residing in an urban, mid-Atlantic family homeless shelter. All children worked with a clinician trained in AAPT and participated in at least three therapy sessions with a qualified therapy dog present. Each child created a drawing in response to the prompt: “Draw a picture of a child and a dog”, and told a story based on the contents of their drawing. Parent/caregivers of each child participated in a qualitative interview that elicited feedback and reflections on the therapy process. Grounded constructivist theory and interpretive description were used to conduct both individual and cross-participant analysis. Analysis was further informed by children’s case history files and parent interviews about children’s developmental history. RESULTS: The projective drawings communicated aspects of homeless children’s relationships with the therapy dog and, in turn, with their primary caregivers. Developmentally, children drew at lower levels than would be expected for their age. Each child personalized their drawing, either by identifying the protagonist as their gender, or including a physical characteristic (e.g. clothing, hairstyle) unique to the child; this suggests that the children tapped into their personal experience. Several themes emerged from analysis of the drawings and narratives including representations of lived and wished-for attachment experiences. Children depicted relationships between the characters in their drawings and narratives that were characterized by emotional closeness as well as frequent separations and reunions. Children also highlighted the importance of learning tasks related to training and caring for the dogs. These themes were reflected in the children's treatment records and the parent/caregiver interviews. Parent/caregivers described their child's experience in therapy positively, and identified the therapy dog as a component of the treatment's success. IMPLICATIONS: Projective drawings enabled homeless children to communicate their attachment experiences in a manner sensitive to their developmental needs. Themes that emerged from this study inform further research on specific benefits of animal assisted therapy. Specifically, the themes of lived and wished-for attachment experiences suggest that further research on this modality might focus on the ways that the modality allows children to build new relationships and strengthen existing ones. The drawings created during this study are a valuable tool in understanding the experiences of homeless children, and lay the groundwork for further study of the use of projective drawings for exploring children's experiences in therapy. Show more
• Publication TRAUMA-INFORMED CASE MANAGEMENT PRACTICE FOR YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS: CONNECTION, HEALING AND TRANSFORMATION ( 2018-05-14 ) McAlpin, Frank Show more Young people experiencing homelessness in the United States are some of the most resilient individuals in our society. They, like all young people, are filled with extraordinary potential. However, the multiple and chronic trauma that these young people experience, caused by systemic injustices such as poverty, violence and oppression, both before and while experiencing homelessness, deeply violate their dignity and human rights. For youth experiencing homelessness, their very survival physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually and economically is threatened daily. Experiences such as: abuse, neglect, poverty, housing instability, loss, family and community violence, victimization, exploitation, hunger, illness, criminalization, social isolation, rejection and marginalization profoundly influence a young person’s sense of safety and ultimately their health and wellbeing. The purpose of this project is to create a response to youth homelessness that restores and enhances dignity and provides opportunities for connection, healing and transformation. This will be accomplished by the creation of a Trauma-Informed Case Management Toolkit for case managers working with youth experiencing homelessness. In short, this response addresses the individual needs of young people experiencing homelessness while also encouraging social change. The trauma-informed case management toolkit, a holistic guide in delivering case management services, connects theory to practice for case managers, infusing principles of trauma-informed care, attachment theory, youth development and social justice into case management practice with youth experiencing homelessness. The intention is that the trauma-informed case management toolkit can be used as part of the larger response in addressing youth homelessness from an individual, community, societal, and policy perspective. Show more
• Publication Client-Clinician Texting: An Expansion of the Clinical Holding Environment ( 2015-05-19 ) Innocente, Gina M Show more While there has been a surge in the texting literature related to the innovative uses of mobile technology in clinical social work practice, there is a dearth of knowledge related to the use of texting between clients and clinicians. Regardless of a clinician’s individual preference for using texting, cultural paradigm shifts in communication and interpersonal expectations will require incorporation of texting technology to meet client demands. This two-part dissertation provides a critical review of the literature that chronicles the rapid diffusion of texting into American culture and identifies its current use in psychotherapy. It demonstrates a significant gap related to its impact on the therapeutic relationship, as well as the absence of theoretical evolution to guide practice. An accompanying article expands relational theory as a way to conceptualize texting and texting behaviors in order to make responsible and purposeful decisions when integrating this technology. Composite case vignettes will demonstrate how “theoretical knowing” can be translated into “clinical doing” to address this current gap between theory and practice. Show more
• Publication EXPLAINING THE LONG-DISTANCE PARENT CAREGIVING BURDEN OF THE UNITED STATES FOREIGN SERVICE AND MILITARY ( 2022-08-05 ) Holmes, Christine D Show more Purpose: To respond to global trends in aging, healthcare, technology and mobile labor markets, this cross-sectional, correlational study examined the burden of long-distance parent caregivers, or adults coordinating parent care remotely, by using a convenience sample of U.S. active-duty military personnel and Foreign Service Officers. Methods: 79 respondents completed an anonymous online survey containing standardized scales. The relationship between variables was tested using multiple regression analysis and One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Results: Preparedness for caregiving was negatively correlated with subjective and objective caregiving burden in multiple regression analysis. One-way ANOVA revealed a statistically significant difference in subjective burden based on caregiving intensity. There was also a significant difference in objective burden based on the reason the recipient needed care, but post-hoc analysis found no inter-group differences that passed the Bonferroni adjusted cutoff for significance. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that the gender of the caregiver, availability of a sibling support network and instrumental support were not significantly correlated with burden. Conclusions and Implications: Preparedness for caregiving had the strongest relationship to distance caregiving burden in this study. Findings may inform intervention strategies to limit the strains of caregiving and support other distance caregiver subgroups, such as other U.S. Government employees and other Americans living overseas. Future longitudinal research is needed to understand causality and the relationship between variables in the long-distance caregiving trajectory over time. Show more
• Publication THIRD CULTURE KIDS (TCKs) GO TO COLLEGE: A RETROSPECTIVE NARRATIVE INQUIRY OF INTERNATIONAL UPBRINGING AND COLLEGIATE ENGAGEMENT ( 2018-05-14 ) Espada-Campos, Shakira Show more BACKGROUND: Third Culture Kids (TCKs) are those who have been raised in a culture outside of the culture of their parents, usually in a host country that differs from the country of their birth, because of their parents’ work or religious endeavors. Some of the groups that identify themselves as TCKs include children of military service members stationed overseas, children of members of the Foreign Service, and the children of missionaries. These children are growing up in a culture and society that is different from their parents’ passport country and may vastly differ in language spoken, religious beliefs, and cultural norms. Pollock and Van Reken (2001) explain TCKs as being between cultures, stating that the third culture is developed by the child to explain an identity that is different from that of the host country or the parents’ home country. This retrospective narrative inquiry explored the undergraduate college experiences of Adult Third Culture Kids (ATCKs) to understand the risk and protective factors associated with repatriation and collegiate engagement. METHODS: This study employed a qualitative approach combining heuristic analysis and procedures of grounded theory during data collection, analysis, and interpretation of findings. Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted face-to-face with individuals who self-identified as ATCKs and had completed a four year undergraduate program earning a degree. RESULTS: Concepts related to understanding the self, and meaningful connections and relationships emerged from the data revealing how repatriation can be simultaneously volatile and emotionally grounding. Themes uncovered during data analysis included perceptions of self-identity, investment, the concept of home, uneven development, and factors contributing to college choice. DISCUSSION: Research findings suggest the need for culturally informed administrative practices to mitigate psychosocial challenges associated with academic engagement. Interventions related to student identification procedures, supportive resources, and campus life programs should be incorporated to support multicultural students starting at the time of application and continuing through to graduation. Show more
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How Internet Solutions Brought ER Problems

April 24, 2024

Hanna Ahmed is a Plan II senior at The University of Texas at Austin and has interned for Dell Medical School’s communications office since 2022. For her honors thesis, she researched the effects of misinformation on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through interviews with health care professionals, she learned about the severe burnout that came from misinformation online. 

In a Q&A with the communications office, Ahmed discusses her thesis and how her work at Dell Med impacted her research.

Hannah Ahmed, far right, presents her research poster during UT’s Plan II research presentation and panel day.

What shaped your thesis topic and influenced you to research it?

Social media started to look very different after the COVID-19 pandemic hit. As the real world shut down, and we were sent to social distance in our homes, instead of book reviews, cute cats and vacation photos, I saw more posts about what types of masks I should be wearing. Health officials shared guidelines on social media alongside other outlets. Initially, the world seemed inclined to follow, but as the pandemic progressed, more guidelines were updated, politicians minimized the virus’ severity, and people grew frustrated. “Solutions” with little to no evidence became attractive. How did health miscommunication lead to people taking horse dewormers?

This is what drove my Plan II thesis. As a senior in the Plan II Honors Program at UT, I get the opportunity to take on a research project of my choosing. I wanted to use what I learned about social media reach and content quality as an intern at Dell Med and apply it to the analysis of health misinformation  on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic. I interviewed health care providers who worked in the emergency department or intensive care unit  during the pandemic to see how misinformation online impacted their work burnout.

Looking back on your work, what stood out?

The providers I interviewed expressed how difficult it was to treat patients in the face of all the overwhelming information online. Patients would come in with their own remedies found online, and providers had to help them understand that what they found did not have enough evidence to be considered beneficial.

The increased distrust between patients and their providers made it difficult to give patients the care they needed. Interviewees expressed how disheartening it was to see patients deny solutions that had proven to be beneficial. This, in addition to the increased hours and lack of resources from the pandemic surge, made health care an even more difficult field to be in at the time.

How did your time as a Dell Med intern support your work?

Working as a social media intern at Dell Med while conducting this research taught me about the importance of sharing accurate and comprehensive information. Social media is a great way to spread public health guidance quickly, but from the pandemic, we saw how dangerous it was when information was shared without evidence. It negatively impacted the patient-physician relationship as users trusted online sources more than their own physicians. Moving forward, we should work toward ways we can target what information is being shared so that we are providing accurate resources rather than inaccurate and potentially dangerous ones .