Financial dependence on an abusive partner is a threat to long-term safety for survivors of interpersonal violence. This study piloted a process to identify and address barriers to implementation of financial capability and asset building (FCAB) programming for survivors in one domestic and sexual violence agency. A tiered implementation approach included (a) a participatory diagnostic evaluation with

The functioning of the U.S. social safety net as a support for low-income families depends on various means-tested programs and a system of both public agencies and nonprofit organizations. Using in-depth interviews (n = 5) and a survey of nonprofit employees (n = 73), we seek to understand the role of nonprofits in promoting equitable access to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program

People with serious mental illness are disproportionately represented among prison/jail populations. Mental health courts (MHC) serve as an alternative to incarceration. In this study, we explore the extent to which MHC participants have members of their social network who were reported as having a history of arrests. Multilevel logistic regression demonstrated friends who used drugs, race, and network

This study analyzes adherence to a universal family prevention program used in schools, the Universal Family Competence Program 11-14. It reports on the family members’ retention rates, attendance and quality of participation in the sessions, as well as family satisfaction with the trainers and the program itself. The study, based on a quasi-experimental design with pretest and posttest measures and

Racism and its ramifications are salient societal-level factors that detrimentally affect African American youth and families. Few studies have investigated how African American youth experience discrimination within families and society and colorism’s impact on racial identity, despite extensive racial discrimination research. We assessed whether the perceptions of African American youth of their

Policies and practices of the 19th and 20th centuries have had a lasting impact into this century. This is most evident when examining racialized wealth inequality between Black and White families. This study of low-income employee owners examines the following questions: (1) Does employee ownership reduce the racial wealth gap? (2) How does employee ownership reduce the racial wealth gap, and (3)

While English proficiency is recognized as a main determinant of immigrants’ and refugees’ economic success, the role of community language resources is rarely examined. This mixed-methods study investigates how community language resources, defined as the percentage of adults fluent in English among those speaking the same language, affect asset ownership among immigrants and refugees. Using American

Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico on September 20, 2017. The devastation displaced many families and led to negative mental health outcomes. We use the intersection of Oyserman’s possible selves’ theory and Walsh’s family resilience theory, to aid in elucidating the process of positive familial coping within resilience among Latinx families. Nine different family units participated in an art-based intervention

In this essay, I discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the alternative peer-review processes and the rationale and evidence used by Dunleavy (2021). To move the discussion forward, I end this response with a call to devise a study that would test some of the empirical claims associated with the modified traditional peer-review process I originally proposed (Caputo, 2019) and the one advanced by Dunleavy

In a recent issue of Families in Society, Caputo argues for the “centrality” of peer review in the cultivation of social work knowledge. Specifically, he favors the double-blind model of peer review. In this paper, I argue that social work should adopt a more dynamic set of reviewing practices. First, I define some terminology and discuss the limitations of the current double-blind model. Then, I describe

The human–animal bond (HAB) is a powerful emotional attachment which often elevates pets to the status of a family member. Because companion animals typically live much shorter lives than humans, grief and loss is a problem that is frequently encountered. Disenfranchised grief over the loss of a companion animal is an area that is often overlooked by mental health professionals. Sife has developed

The developments and disruptions to society during the past 18 months have disoriented and often divided community members to such an extent that a seemingly permanent shift to our shared perception has occurred. Yes, the act of consuming and assessing new information is unique to everyone, yet for some topics there are conversations and actions that reveal common values and assumptions of what was

Social workers are typically empathic, but it can be challenging to offer compassionate care to those who harmed others and, by extension, to the people who love them. This article describes a trauma-informed support group intervention for family members of individuals required to register as sex offenders (RSOs). We begin with a brief overview of this unique population, review the empirical research

Inspired by a 2020 collective awakening to societal inequalities, we introduce a conceptual framework to address systemic issues around employment for one of society’s vulnerable populations—people with autism. We do so as advocates, researchers, practitioners, a family member for one author, and an autistic individual for one author. We first draw upon ecological systems theory to develop a portrait

The staff practices and organizational processes of child welfare agencies and courts influence families’ experiences and outcomes. Capacity building services have been delivered to improve organizational performance and practices, but studies of their impact are hampered by a lack of data on specific features of services. This study describes services delivered by the Child Welfare Capacity Building

This article provides guidance for child and family service organizations seeking to develop useful performance metrics for their programs. It describes four frames for this work, based on strategic planning, decision points, logic modeling, and implementation science. These four frameworks are applied to two cases, an afterschool program and a therapeutic foster care program. Additional considerations

Despite the meteoric rise of social media, little is known about how clinical social workers and other mental health professionals respond to this new form of communication. This study used classic (Glaserian) grounded theory methodology to explore the experiences and concerns of mental health professionals on social networking websites such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. The main concern that

In March 2020, as American PreK-12 schools shut down and moved into online learning in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, there was little information about how school social workers (SSWs) were responding to the crisis. This study used a national online survey to understand how SSWs (N = 1,275) adapted their school practice during the initial 2020 COVID-19 crisis. Findings from this study indicate

American Jews represent a culturally distinct community that is increasingly victimized by hate crimes and other antisemitic acts. To determine the degree to which social work practitioners are equipped to work with, and advocate for, members of the American Jewish community, this study analyzed 10 years of content appearing in nine discourse-shaping periodicals. Manual and electronic searches were

Since March 2020, families across the United States have faced challenges due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and its subsequent restrictions. Although some experts have voiced concern over the impact of COVID-19 on family well-being, few studies have been conducted thus far. This study utilized n = 250 responses from an online survey that was administered between May and June 2020 to

Tele-mental health, or the provision of remote counseling services, has been available for decades. This qualitative study uses the framework of affordances, derived from Gibson, to examine what social work practitioners working on direct to consumer tele-mental health (DTCTMH) platforms are discovering about the features, benefits, and constraints of virtual therapy. An interpretive phenomenological

This Field Notes brief reports on 20 potential best practices that relate to enhancing civic engagement outcomes for human service organizations as part of an initiative by the Alliance for Children and Families (Alliance) and the United Neighborhood Centers of America (UNCA). Four strategic clusters were evident in these best practices: board of directors expertise and focus, organizational infrastructure

More than 12 months into a worldwide pandemic, the potential for hope is increasing thanks to the wonders of human ingenuity and resilience, science, and cross sector partnerships focused on collective solutions. Most of us at some point return to the thought, “I can’t wait for things to get back to normal!” I want to counter that statement: Forward is the only way to go.

Nonprofit organizations are increasingly becoming more business-like in their approaches to leadership and management across the board. This has a number of effects, but perhaps one of the most important is that it has made business theories more applicable to the nonprofit sector. This is an opportunity to both expand on important business theory and provide insight into how nonprofits can improve

Emerging adults who are siblings to individuals with schizophrenia are an understudied though important population. This study examined perceptions of emerging adults to better understand developmental experiences and needs for supportive intervention. Using grounded theory, 23 emerging adults participated in open-ended, in-depth interviews. Results indicated themes related to emerging adults and their

This research project is intended to address the dearth of information regarding best practice in clinical engagement and intervention with nonoffending caregivers of children who have been sexually abused. Utilizing an online survey, licensed clinicians were invited to respond to open-ended questions regarding (a) common challenges they face when working with caregivers of children who have been sexually

The Lifespan Sibling Relationship Scale (LSRS) is the most comprehensive self-report questionnaire available to evaluate the quality of sibling relationships based on feelings, behaviors, and opinions across child and adult periods of development. To the best of our knowledge, the psychometric properties of the LSRS have not been assessed or reported in an English-speaking population since this assessment

The current study examined the applicability of the spillover effect and the compensatory hypothesis in a sample of 80 Israeli Arab mothers living in polygamous families. It was posited that the marital dissatisfaction reflected in mothers’ romantic jealousy and their desire for revenge against their husbands would be transformed into feelings of rejection toward their own eldest sons and would involve

The overall purpose of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to examine the effect of arts classes (ballroom dance and ukulele) on older adults’ well-being compared with a social conversation control group. This article describes a novel participant-empowered pedagogical approach to enhance control group retention and engagement. Sixty-four participants (M = 71 years) participated twice weekly

In this research note, I reflect on conducting a qualitative study on trauma and intimate partner violence (IPV), applying an intersectional lens to constructivist grounded theory methodology. I argue that despite offering an ability to critically examine socially constructed categories of identity, and providing a way to ensure the active inclusion of social justice goals into research, intersectionality

Microaggressions, or subtle forms of discrimination, are associated with poor mental and physical health as well as chronic stress and disease. The current study sought to add to the microaggressions literature by exploring the effects of socioeconomic status (SES)-based microaggressions on the mental health of urban low-income adolescents. Data were collected from 291 adolescents in New York City

Uprooted people needing to turn to supernatural forces find an institutionalized outlet for the therapeutic discharge of unresolved frustration or aggression

Therapists need to understand how and why traditional family stability and parental authority are affected in the transition to life in mainland urban centers

Additional thoughts are presented regarding the need for knowledge of, and sensitivity to, cultural factors in relation to Puerto Rican clients

Retarded adolescents and young adults are experiencing new levels of social life in adult activity centers and prevocational training programs

The manner in which a therapeutic relationship is ended has a major influence on the degree to which gains are maintained and further growth promoted

Underlying assumptions are that most elderly clients can, want, and need to make decisions for themselves in order to remain functioning in the community

The Grand Challenges for Social Work initiative, led by the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare (AASWSW), aims to organize the social work profession around 12 entrenched societal challenges. Addressing the root causes of the Grand Challenges will take a coordinated effort across all of social work practice, but given their scale, macro social work will be essential. We use Santiago

Alipour, F., Khoramdel, N., Arshi, M., Sabzi Khoshnami, M. (2021). Postmarital life challenges after foster care discharge: A qualitative study. Families in Society. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/1044389420968307

The purpose of this study was to compare the coping strategies between homeless women with dependent children and homeless women without dependent children. Of the 192 homeless women in this study, 64 were mothers whose dependent children lived with them, and 132 were women who did not have dependent children living with them. The women were recruited from homeless shelters in Georgia, in the Metro

Guidelines aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19 resulted in major changes in people’s lives. A cross-sectional online survey, completed by 1,405 adults in Canada and the United States in June 2020, found respondents from rural areas/small towns reported better coping and adjustment (i.e., less use of substances for support), less personal impact, less life disruption, and fewer challenges with transportation

The year 2020 is one that will be remembered for so many reasons, not least of which was the immense rate of change. Natural disasters, mass social uprisings, civic defiance and political impiety, vast economic damage, and, most of all, the coronavirus pandemic profoundly disrupted everyday life for millions of people in the United States and across the globe. There will be communal trauma from the

Natural disasters are frequent, widespread, and derail the lives of large percentages of the population. Social work professionals are among those suitable for intervening in natural disasters as they assist individuals, families, and communities. To understand the knowledge in the areas of disaster preparedness—the authors investigated the literature by reviewing 10 major social work journals—a conceptual

This study utilized the PRISMA protocol to conduct a systematic review of the literature published in the United States from 1989 to 2018 to identify factors that affect foster parent retention. Foster parent perception of their own limitations within the child welfare system, the child welfare system’s ability to function fluidly, and the foster parents’ relationship with the agency affects retention

Leaving incarceration and returning home (i.e., reentry) affects individuals and their families; 90% of individuals releasing from prison rely on family for critical reentry supports. Although positive family support during this period is empirically linked to an individual’s success, providing support can place a substantial emotional, social, and fiscal toll on family units. Without intervention

Many children have entered foster care centers due to different reasons, and they will experience new conditions after leaving these centers. This research explored the experiences of the postmarital life of women with a history of residence in foster care centers. It was conducted using a qualitative content analysis. The data were collected through semistructured interviews with 21 former foster

In the past decade, the use of intersectionality in social work scholarship has grown tremendously. Various applications of intersectionality theorizing have led to new approaches in social work research and, ultimately, have informed implications for practice. In this study, we used critical interpretive synthesis to explore how social work scholars articulate practice implications of an intersectional

The period after incarceration and the influence of neighborhood effects are gaining interest among scholars as a small body of evidence is illustrating the difficulties returning citizens have obtaining basic services and needs, employment, stable housing, and other social and behavioral health supports in the areas where they are being released. Transitional planning efforts to ensure that returning

Steen, J. T., Senreich, E., & Straussner, S. L. A., (2020). Adverse childhood experiences among licensed social workers. Families in Society. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/1044389420929618

Drawing on data from the National Latino and Asian American Study, this article examines the influence of family relational factors, independently and jointly with immigration generation status, on past-year mental health service utilization among Asian Americans (N = 1,599). Findings revealed the important role of family relation in influencing the likelihood and type of Asian Americans’ mental health

Unresolved pain rises. It is inevitable. We use the knowledge of past trauma and hurting to explore respite in the present and solutions for the future. Just three words lead us to ask about childhood experiences, explore the meanings of daily interactions, and guide us to seek a deeper understanding of an individual, a family, or a community. Just three words create a picture in our minds and hearts

Confident Body, Confident Child (CBCC) is a parenting program designed to enhance knowledge of ways to promote body appreciation and sustainable health habits in 2- to 6-year-old children. Followin...

Based on the Head Start Impact Study (HSIS) data, the current study examines Head Start’s long-term impacts on cognitive outcomes for children with disabilities: (a) Do children with disabilities w...

This study sought to explore the mediating effect of informal social support on the relationship between caregiver burden and quality of life among compound and noncompound caregivers. Parents (N =...

Environmental justice organizations aim to secure an equitable distribution of environmental resources through the participation and self-determination of affected people, particularly communities ...

Has public policy shaped the persistence of residential segregation by race over time? Social Structures of Accumulation (SSA) theory, which explains major shifts in policy paradigms as a response ...

Children in foster care due to parental substance use disorder are at high risk for delayed permanency. Understudied is the effect of foster care factors on these children’s exits from care. This s...

This conceptual article argues that evidence-based practice (EBP) is best understood as a component of the informed consent process preceding treatment. The legally mandated informed consent/consen...

During the past two decades, U.S. immigration policies have been tightened resulting in increased deportations of unauthorized persons residing in the United States. This qualitative phenomenologic...

This study examined whether dual-income couples’ gender role attitudes are associated with their paid leave use and second-birth intentions. Forty employed wives who returned to the workplace after...