Donna E. Hurdle

Body image, acculturation, and substance abuse among boys and girls in the Southwest.

This study explored body image as measured by perceptions of weight and appearance and its impact on adolescent drug use among predominately Mexican American middle school students in the southwest. Outcomes analyzed included lifetime and recent alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use and antidrug norms. Disliking ones looks was more of a risk factor for boys, whereas negative weight perceptions were more of a risk factor for girls. Relative to more acculturated (English-dominant) Latinos (N = 903), non-Latino Whites (N = 121), and other non-Latino youth (N = 107), less acculturated (Spanish-dominant) Latino youth (N = 212) reported the poorest body image. However, more acculturated Latino youth with poor body image had the greatest risk of substance use. More acculturated Latino boys who disliked their looks reported relatively greater amounts of recent alcohol use, and those who rated their bodies as too thin reported higher lifetime cigarette use, a greater amount and frequency of recent cigarette use, and weaker antidrug norms. More acculturated Latina girls who thought they were too fat reported a greater amount and frequency of recent cigarette use. These findings suggest that low levels of acculturation may protect some Latino youth with poor body image from coping via substance use. In addition, they suggest that poor body image among some Latinos may result less from adoption of American thinness ideals but rather from attitudes and behaviors that devalue the characteristics of Latino appearance.

Family Influences on Alcohol and Drug Use by American Indian Youth: Implications for Prevention

ABSTRACT Extensive research has focused on risk factors for and social influences on alcohol and drug use by adolescents. While peers tend to be most the influential, parents and families are also important, with specific parental behaviors and particular family dynamics identified in the literature as having a protective or risk effect on youth. However, this line of research has not examined the differences in family influence on youth of various ethnic and cultural backgrounds. This qualitative research study of American Indian adolescents identified both positive and negative influences on youth substance use by various family members within kinship groups. The widespread influence of specific kinship members on high-risk behaviors of American Indian youth has not been previously identified. These findings have significant implications for alcohol and drug prevention and intervention activities with American Indian youth.

Using Structured Controversy to Teach Diversity Content and Cultural Competence

Abstract Structured controversy is one type of cooperative learning strategy. It involves students in researching positions on topics and then debating each other. A unique aspect of this strategy is that students then reverse sides and argue the other position. This paper discusses the use of the structured controversy process to teach diversity content in the classroom. It addresses the advantages and barriers to using structured controversy, and identifies ways in which structured controversy can be used in the social work curriculum to teach cultural competence. The article also reports on an evaluation of the structured controversy process that was used in BSW and MSW classrooms. The findings from this evaluation suggest that structured controversy is an extremely useful technique for teaching diversity and cultural competence. The vast majority of students reported increased knowledge about and sensitivity to the concerns of people from diverse backgrounds.

“Less Is Best”–A Group-Based Treatment Program for Persons with Personality Disorders

ABSTRACT Personality disorders are among the most difficult of mental disorders for which to provide effective interventions. Using a group work model that emphasizes skill-building, problem-solving and community integration can enable clients with personality disorders to function more adaptively in the community. A group work program that is provided by a staff team also reduces problematic interpersonal dynamics in the provider-client relationship. This article describes a model program that integrates therapy, educational and socialization groups and is consistent with established social group work models and practices. This group work approach also fits well to a managed care environment, as it is cost-effective and maximizes the number of clients served with limited staff.

Treatment of borderline personality disorder

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is considered by mental health professionals to be one of the most difficult psychiatric disorders to treat. The particular constellation of symptoms and associated behaviors that are known as BPD include affective dysfunction, poor impulse control, and frequent suicidal and aggressive behavior. Persons with this disorder typically have impaired interpersonal relationships; these dynamics extend into the therapeutic relationship as well. As a result, these clients frequently become angry, leave treatment settings and decompensate before re-entering treatment in either in-patient or outpatient settings. A group-based treatment program implemented by a team of mental health professionals interrupts this dynamic; when clients are angry with one provider, there is another provider with whom they are still connected to process their feelings. Working with peers in groups also provides role models of other ways to manage emotions and behaviors. Both treatment methods significantly reduce self-harm in clients with BPD.