Dong Pil Yoon

Impact of Research Orientation on Attitudes Toward Research of Social Work Students

This study explored the relationship between orientation to research and attitudes toward research among social work students. Orientation included the students beliefs regarding the importance of research, the usefulness of research, and its validity. Attitude included the students research anxiety and interest. Surveys were administered to 283 undergraduate and graduate social work students in 2008 and 2009. The Ordinary Least Squares regression found that belief in the importance of research increased the research interest of students. Belief in the usefulness of research decreased research anxiety and increased research interest. Strategies for enhancing a positive orientation and attitude toward research are proposed.

General Well-Being of Korean Immigrant Elders: The Significance of Religiousness/Spirituality and Social Support

ABSTRACT This study examined how religiousness/spirituality (values/beliefs, private religious practice, religious/spiritual coping, and religious support) and social support are related to the general well-being (positive well-being, general health, vitality, self-control, anxiety, and depression) of 177 Korean immigrant elders (KIEs). Regression analysis revealed a significant association between religious/spiritual coping, religious support, and social support and the general well-being of KIEs. Social workers need to provide spiritually sensitive religious support and coping skills to KIEs to enhance their well-being. A future study needs to use a probability sampling method to confirm generalizable findings concerning the relationship between religiousness/spirituality and general well-being among KIEs.

Determinants of unemployment and economic hardship of welfare leavers who have reached their lifetime limits

ABSTRACT A cross-sectional survey design is used to explore the determinants of unemployment and economic hardship among former welfare recipients who have reached their 5-year lifetime limits in a sample of 276 former WV WORKS recipients in West Virginia. The findings of the study indicate that respondents with mental problems; physical disabilities; or without a high school diploma, child care, or transportation were more likely than others to be unemployed. In addition, either mental health problems or a lack of transportation were significantly associated with the economic hardships of the welfare leavers. Policy implications suggest that the lifetime-limit policy be exempted for those with mental problems or physical disabilities, or extended for those who have children under age 2 and comply with mandatory work requirements.

A comparison of sanctions in African American and White TANF leavers.

In this study the authors explore racial disparities in the uses of sanctions and the different impact of sanctions on the economic well-being of African American and White TANF leavers. The study analyzed 907 African American and 1,336 White welfare leavers from the 1999 and 2002 data of the NSAF. Chi-square results show that sanctions are more significantly imposed to African Americans than Whites. On the other hand, regression results show that the impact of sanctions on the employment and family income of African Americans and Whites are comparable. Implications suggest that states need to have an appropriate sanction process, training programs for caseworkers, or other policy changes to reduce the racial disparities.

The impact of work attachment strategies on employment and economic status of TANF leavers

ABSTRACT This study explores how state work attachment strategies and individual factors are related to employment and family income of welfare leavers. Using the 2002 National Survey of Americas Families, this study finds that strict sanctions for noncompliance with work requirements were less likely than weak sanctions to increase employment and family income of welfare leavers. A strict policy regarding the number of months allowed before work requirements were enforced was less likely to increase the family income of welfare leavers than a more lenient policy. In addition, those who were less educated, were single, and had disabilities were less likely to be employed or have a higher family income. The policy implications of these findings are discussed.