Christopher J. Wretman

Technology in Social Work Education: A Systematic Review

ABSTRACT Given the growing prevalence of technology-based instruction, social work faculty need a clear understanding of the strengths and limitations of these methods. We systematically examined the evidence for technology-based instruction in social work education. Using comprehensive and rigorous methods, 38 articles were included in the review. Of these, 23 employed Web-based strategies, 12 employed interactive television-based strategies, and three combined both methods. Among the studies, there was a wide range of samples, content areas, measures, and data analyses. Results found that 84.2% of the studies reported that technology-based pedagogical methods produced academic outcomes equivalent or superior to traditional methods. Despite limitations, this body of evidence supports the continued use of technology in social work education as an alternative to classroom education. Future directions include the need for higher quality research and further investigations of specific issues relating to content, student subpopulations, and measures.

Better Engaging Social Science Graduate Students in Introductory Research Methods Courses: A Class Activity

Abstract This paper outlines a classroom activity to help students engage in research methods and lessen anxiety and apprehension commonly associated with research methods courses. The described class activity offers students a shared research experience to promote the skills necessary to understand, conduct and translate research into ethical social science practice. The activity was conducted in a graduate social work programme but is applicable across the social sciences. Content covered includes sampling, research design, ethical considerations, brief evaluation and helping students think critically about ways to improve research methods in order to facilitate competencies necessary for evidence-based practice (EBP). An introduction to the activity, class discussion points including integration throughout the course, and implications for curricula and practice are discussed.

Rural Neighborhoods and Child Aggression

Structural equation modeling with latent variables was used to evaluate the direct and mediated effects of a neighborhood risk factor (negative teen behaviors) on the parent-report aggressive behavior of 213 students in grades 3 through 5 attending a school in a low-income, rural community. Contagion and social control hypotheses were examined as well as hypotheses about whether the neighborhood served as a microsystem or exosystem for rural pre-adolescents. Analyses took into account the clustering of students and ordinal nature of the data. Findings suggest that rural neighborhoods may operate as both a microsystem and exosystem for children, with direct contagion effects on their aggressive behaviors as well as indirect social control effects through parenting practices. Direct effects on aggression were also found for parenting practices and child reports of friends’ negative behaviors. Pre-adolescence may be a transitional stage, when influences of the neighborhood on child behavior begin to compete with influences of caregivers. Findings can inform the timing and targets of violence prevention in rural communities.

Investigating the Complex Relationship Between Intimate Partner Violence Victimization and Perpetration Among System-Involved Women in Heterosexual Relationships: An Exploratory Analysis:

Research indicates women who perpetrate intimate partner violence (IPV) experience both more frequent and more severe IPV victimization. However, the IPV field needs additional research to understand the complex relationship between various forms of IPV victimization (e.g., psychological, physical, sexual) and IPV perpetration by women. In particular, the field needs a better understanding of the unique interplay of various forms of IPV victimization and perpetration among female system-involved survivors (i.e., female survivors involved with child protective services and/or the court system and mandated to services). Such understanding would aid extant efforts to ensure that mandated services address the experiences and meet the needs of these system-involved women. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted an exploratory, secondary data analysis using cross-sectional baseline data collected as part of a larger evaluation study of a psychoeducational therapeutic IPV and parenting program for system-involved IPV survivors mandated to services ( N = 73). Results from multiple regression analyses revealed that both psychological and physical IPV victimization were uniquely associated with the perpetration of psychological and physical abuse by system-involved female IPV survivors. Furthermore, our examination of the interaction between physical and psychological victimization and its impact on perpetration revealed that higher levels of both physical and psychological IPV victimization were associated with significantly higher levels of psychological perpetration ( p < .01) and increased likelihood of physical perpetration ( p < .05). Results are discussed in the context of service provision within systems, agencies, and programs targeting system-involved women mandated to services for IPV.

A Novel Intervention for System-Involved Female Intimate Partner Violence Survivors: Changes in Mental Health

Female intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors who are their children’s primary caregivers are often mandated to services by child protection services (CPS) and/or the courts. Unfortunately, scant evidence exists regarding mandated programs for CPS- and/or court-involved IPV survivors, particularly the mental health outcomes of such programs. Two human service agencies in the southeastern United States collaborated to develop and implement a novel 13-week intervention to address the needs of these mothers’ as related to safety, parenting, and mental health. The intervention uses a psychoeducation approach and participants are provided dinner, childcare, transportation, and on-site security. This community-based, quasi-experimental study gathered preliminary evidence regarding whether the intervention enhanced participants’ (N = 70) mental health (i.e., depression and posttraumatic stress symptoms). Growth curve analyses using hierarchical linear modeling examined whether participants experienced improvements in mental health at completion (3 months) and follow-up (6 months). Participants reported significant improvements on depression and posttraumatic stress symptoms at both postintervention time points. This exploratory study provides preliminary support for engaging court- and CPS-involved female IPV survivors in specialized, group-based interventions designed to address their mental health needs. Future research should investigate this and other similar programming using (a) larger samples, (b) comparison groups, and (c) randomized designs. It will also be important to replicate this program in other settings to establish evidence for the intervention’s underlying approach.

A Novel Intervention for System-Involved Intimate Partner Violence Survivors: Changes in Parenting

Purpose: A growing subpopulation of intimate partner violence (IPV) victims comprises mothers who have been mandated to services by either the court system or child protective services (CPS). Two human service agencies in the United States developed a 13-week novel intervention to address these women. All participants were assigned to the intervention, which featured group psychoeducation sessions, social events, and childcare. Method: This quasi-experimental study gathered preliminary evidence regarding whether the intervention promoted participants’ (N = 70) parenting practices. Specifically, growth curve analyses using hierarchical linear modeling examined outcomes at completion (3 months) and follow-up (6 months). Results: Participants reported statistically significant improvements on key parenting practices at both postintervention time points. Conclusions: This study provides preliminary support for engaging court- and CPS-involved female IPV survivors in specialized, group-based interventions such as that investigated herein. Future research should investigate similar programs using larger samples and more robust designs.

Book Review: Using Mplus for structural equation modeling: A researcher’s guideKellowayE. K. (2015). Using Mplus for structural equation modeling: A researcher’s guide (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. 248 pp.

may well be on the right side of history, citing a Gallup poll indicating that 38% of Americans identify as conservative, compared to 34% independent and 24% liberal (p. 191). While polling has been volatile, depending on time and place, these differences are sizable, indicating that Brooks has the wind to his back. Thus, his concluding strategy for asserting a conservative replacement to the liberal welfare state is not misplaced. Certainly, the devil will be in the details, but Brooks has made a signal contribution to the Right’s cause with regard to social welfare, and liberals would be advised to read this book.