Cynthia A. Lietz

Establishing Trustworthiness in Qualitative Research in Social Work Implications from a Study Regarding Spirituality

As the use of qualitative inquiry increases within the field of social work, researchers must consider the issue of establishing rigor in qualitative research. This article presents research procedures used in a study of autoethnographies that were written regarding the experience of being Jewish. In this project, the researchers utilized reflexivity, audit trail, triangulation by observer, peer debriefing, member check and prolonged engagement in order to manage the threats to trustworthiness as discussed by Padgett (1998). Implications of the project suggest that research procedures utilized by qualitative researchers to establish rigor are an important way to increase our confidence that the voice of the participants is heard, therefore fitting the mission of the social work profession.

The international sexual trafficking of women and children: A review of the literature

The contemporary international slave trade has received little attention in the social work literature. In keeping with the professions commitment to social justice and human rights, this article reviews perhaps the most prominent and fastest-growing component of the trade—the trafficking of young women and children for prostitution and other forms of sexual exploitation. The role of criminal networks in the globalization of sexual trafficking is discussed, along with the recruitment strategies used by the networks. Suggestions are offered for advocating on behalf of women and children, and information is provided to assist social workers in the provision of services to victims of trafficking.

The Research Poem in International Social Work: Innovations in Qualitative Methodology

In this article, the authors explore the use of the research poem, a powerful method of qualitative research, in an international social work context. Using ethnographic poems as data, the authors demonstrate a method for creating research poems. They discuss potential strengths and limitations of this approach and explore implications for social research and international social work practice.

Uncovering Stories of Family Resilience: A Mixed Methods Study of Resilient Families, Part 2

This study applied the construct of resilience to family systems by looking at ways families are able to maintain high functioning despite facing difficult experiences. A mixed methods study tested relationships between the variables of risk, family strengths, and family functioning. Quantitative findings suggested that the variable of family strengths predicted higher levels of family functioning than the level of family risk. A subsample of 6 families participated in in-depth family interviews. Narrative analysis uncovered the presence of 10 family strengths as well as a process through which these strengths were important in the experience of family resilience. This article presents a model of the process. The quantitative and qualitative research supports the usefulness of identifying and building upon family strengths.

Stories of Successful Reunification: A Narrative Study of Family Resilience in Child Welfare

Family resilience literature discusses the strengths helpful to families when overcoming adversity. This study looks at the resilience of 15 families whose children were removed due to child maltreatment, but who achieved reunification and maintained improved functioning over time. Qualitative methods guided by the narrative tradition were used to elicit stories of successful reunification. Findings uncovered 10 strengths evaluated by these families as highly influential in their ability to achieve reunification, remain intact, and maintain healthy functioning. Although extensive literature exists regarding barriers to reunification, this research provides understanding regarding successful outcomes from the perspectives of parents. The study also lends support to the applicability of the construct of resilience for families involved in child welfare services.

The Empathy Assessment Index (EAI): A Confirmatory Factor Analysis of a Multidimensional Model of Empathy

Both historically and currently, social work and related fields have expressed considerable interest in the construct of empathy. However, the ability to define and ultimately measure empathy is limited. This project validates a revised version of the Empathy Assessment Index (EAI), which is a measure rooted in a social cognitive neuroscience conceptualization of empathy. To evaluate the instrument’s psychometric properties, we administered the 50-item EAI with a five-component model of empathy to a sample of 773 undergraduate students and community members. We evaluate the EAI psychometrics conducting internal consistency, testretest, and confirmatory factor analyses. Findings indicate that a 17-item five-factor model of the EAI offers the best fit [CFI = .98; RMSEA = .04 (90% CI (.03; .05); WRMR = .80]. The data do not support using empathic attitudes as a proxy for actions; however, the findings suggest the EAI functions better when measuring a fourfactor model, offering an important implication for future research.

Critical Thinking in Child Welfare Supervision

Decision making in child welfare is complex. As administrators seek to prepare their workforce for this challenging task, agencies commonly look to trainings as the primary way to develop new workers. This article asserts supervision as an essential part of enhancing the knowledge of workers. In addition, reflective supervision that prompts critical thinking can also develop the analytical skills needed to respond to the complex situations commonly seen in child welfare. To assess the degree to which reflective supervision is being used, a mixed methods online survey was administered to 348 caseworkers, supervisors, and administrators at a large public child welfare agency to measure activities indicative of critical thinking in supervision. Results suggest that despite some level of critical thinking, supervision in child welfare could be advanced through an increase in supervisory interaction that fosters critical thinking ultimately supporting decision making.

Strengths-Based Supervision: A Child Welfare Supervision Training Project

The process of supervision plays an important role in the implementation of practice models. Supervisors are responsible for training their supervisees regarding new practice techniques. Supervisors also monitor and evaluate the implementation of such practice. In addition, parallel process suggests that what happens in supervision can affect the way supervisees interact with clients. Acknowledging the role of supervision in the implementation of practice models, this paper describes a collaborative effort between Arizonas Division of Children, Youth and Families and ASU to develop continuing education to train child welfare supervisors in a model of strengths-based supervision. Specifically, the article discusses the development of this model of supervision, describes the training curriculum, and closes with findings from the training evaluations.

A Parent's Tears: Primary Results from the Traumatic Experiences and Resiliency Study:

This study examined health/mental health status, family functioning, and resiliency among a sample of bereaved parents (N = 503). Participants were recruited from an online support community to complete an online survey instrument (response rate = 51.75%). The questionnaire contained an array of self-report instruments, such as the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist-25 (HSCL-25), the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), and the Family Assessment Device (FAD), as well as open-ended questions. Many respondents scored over the clinical cut-off for the HSCL-25 (51.3%, n = 258) and IES-R (42.3%, n = 213). IES-R scores were negatively correlated with years-since loss (r = −0.24, p < .05). In narrative responses, participants described a wide range of deeply impactful mental and physical health problems. The results indicate significant clinical distress in this sample of bereaved parents, with many reporting enduring psychological, familial, and health consequences following the death of a child.

Empathic Action and Family Resilience: A Narrative Examination of the Benefits of Helping Others

ABSTRACT Empathy is identified as a protective factor that has been helpful for children considered at high risk for poor mental health and social functioning due to experiencing stressful circumstances such as family violence, substance abuse of a parent, or poverty. Yet, little is known about its relevance to a familys ability to overcome adversity. This study examined the narratives of 20 resilient families who maintained family functioning despite experiencing a multitude of risk factors including poverty, death of a child, significant health problems, or substance abuse problems. Narrative analysis was used to identify the ways families situated empathic actions within their stories of resilience. Findings suggest families developed increased compassion for others as a result of their own experiences with loss, trauma, or stress and discussed how helping others increased their ability to cope with the challenges they faced. Future research and practice implications are outlined and support the usefulness of strengths-based concepts and interventions.