Daniel Vélez Ortiz

Culture, Place of Origin, and Service Delivery for Latino Older Adult Immigrants: The Case of Puerto Rican Older Adults

ABSTRACT A conceptual model for the design and implementation of effective social services for Latino older adult immigrants in the United States is proposed in this article. Built on the stage-of-migration framework (Drachman, 1992), the model presented shows how the premigration service experience of Latino older adults can be used as a basis for service design and implementation in the country of immigration. The case of Puerto Rican older adult immigrants is used to illustrate how the model can be applied to understand present service utilization and develop future programs that are useful and culturally sensitive for Latino older adult immigrants.

Being the Diversity Hire: Negotiating Identity in an Academic Job Search.

A diverse faculty is a goal of all social work programs. However, recruiting and retaining diverse faculty is often a struggle. In this article, narratives of 3 recent doctoral graduates are analyzed to identify the role that diversity played in their academic job searches. Autoethnographic analysis revealed 2 broad themes: identity and institutional/structural issues. The narratives explore being the potential “diversity hire” and difficulties related to identity negotiation. Issues related to disciplinary and departmental politics as well as structural concerns are represented in the narratives. This study highlights the multiple challenges for minority faculty candidates and the work that still needs to be done to honor diversity and to integrate it into a faculty and institution.

Competently Mixing: Does a Clinical Practice Cultural Competence Framework Fit in Mixed Methods Research?

The authors describe a model that incorporates cultural competence principles from clinical practice into a mixed methods framework, thus providing a new perspective that reconciles some of the historically perceived differences in paradigmatic stances. The authors present direct connections from each principle to the application of a mixed methods study. An example of a study of a welfare policy is presented along with a critique concerning the appropriate application of principles of clinical cultural competence. The authors conclude that in applying these principles to mixed methods cultural awareness efforts need to be fostered and encouraged comprehensively in research as well as education.

Social Work Faculty and Undergraduate Research Mentorships

ABSTRACT Social work faculty scholars lead the field as generators of knowledge that integrates investigative studies with practical social welfare outcomes. As such, the faculty potentially offers undergraduate researchers a different way of envisioning research that extends beyond traditional undergraduate research models. To date, however, no research exists that examines a research mentorship from the perspective of the social work faculty. Here we draw upon a study with 18 faculty at a major midwestern university and evaluate their experiences as mentors in an undergraduate research program. Both quantitative and qualitative survey data were gathered. The most prominent themes in the data were (a) personal and professional enhancement, (b) time management challenges, (c) added value to faculty research, (d) increased sense of connection to the social work community, and (e) need for more preparation and structure. We conclude by suggesting a new rubric for social work researchers that can guide mentorship during the research process.

Mental Health Services Structure: The Case of Older Puerto Ricans in Senior Centers

ABSTRACTThis study examined 2 different structures (referral vs. integrated) of mental health service delivery and how they influence awareness of mental health by Puerto Rican older adults in community senior centers. Surveys on mental health awareness were conducted with Puerto Rican older adults (n = 167) utilizing senior centers and comparing results between a senior center in Puerto Rico (referral) and another in New York City (integrated), both serving a large Puerto Rican population. Findings indicate that the structure of mental health service is greater for mental health awareness among Puerto Ricans in the integrated location, where Puerto Rican older adults had greater exposure and access to mental health information and services. Two factors—age and mental health impairment—added strength to the regression model. Results indicate that service delivery organizations, regardless of location, need to become more aware of their inner structures and the factors that relate to better serving their c...ABSTRACT This study examined 2 different structures (referral vs. integrated) of mental health service delivery and how they influence awareness of mental health by Puerto Rican older adults in community senior centers. Surveys on mental health awareness were conducted with Puerto Rican older adults (n = 167) utilizing senior centers and comparing results between a senior center in Puerto Rico (referral) and another in New York City (integrated), both serving a large Puerto Rican population. Findings indicate that the structure of mental health service is greater for mental health awareness among Puerto Ricans in the integrated location, where Puerto Rican older adults had greater exposure and access to mental health information and services. Two factors—age and mental health impairment—added strength to the regression model. Results indicate that service delivery organizations, regardless of location, need to become more aware of their inner structures and the factors that relate to better serving their client population. Better integration of the delivery of mental health services for older Puerto Ricans could benefit from a focused intervention using mental health education to help participants identify mental health needs.

Structuring Mental Health Within Senior Services: A Case Study of an Outpatient Mental Health Clinic Serving Latinos

The article presents a case study of an outpatient mental health clinic serving Latino older adults. The study explored staff perceptions on the clinic development and the context within an immigrant multicultural community. The study used in-depth, semistructured interviews with support staff, clinical social workers, and administrators. Interviews were analyzed using a thematic content analysis. The mental health clinic formation was perceived by staff as an ecological process stemming from the needs of the Latino immigrant senior clients. A close knit and interdependent culture allowed the clinic to adjust to diversity and changing cultural contexts.

Framing Effects on End-of-Life Preferences Among Latino Elders.

This study compared how the presentation of end-of-life (EOL) choices influences responses by Latino and White older adults relative to resuscitation preferences. The authors apply prospect theory, which deals with decision making based on how choices are framed. Participants were presented with differently ordered questions framing a resuscitation scenario and asked to rate their preferences. Results show that Latino participants were significantly influenced by the framing order of treatment options with regard to resuscitation while Whites were not. Health professionals need to be aware that the ways they present EOL options are likely to affect the choices of Latino older adults. Further research is needed with Latino subgroups.