Elizabeth J. Greeno

A Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Professional Opinion Scale.

The Professional Opinion Scale (POS) was developed to measure social work values orientation. Objective: A confirmatory factor analysis was performed on the POS. Method: This cross-sectional study used a mailed survey design with a national random (simple) sample of members of the National Association of Social Workers. Results: The study validated a 28-item POS retaining the four subscales described by Abbott, and the model fit was acceptable. Conclusions: Findings suggest that the POS may be useful in assessing social work values across the social work profession.

Teaching Motivational Interviewing to Child Welfare Social Work Students Using Live Supervision and Standardized Clients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: Motivational interviewing (MI) has demonstrated effectiveness with varied populations; however, methods of training students in MI vary. The present study tests the efficacy of a brief experiential training approach used to teach MI to child welfare social work students. We hypothesized that students exposed to the experimental training would demonstrate more MI adherent behaviors, experience less decay in skills at follow-up, and report higher levels of self-efficacy and positive attitude toward using MI. Method: Using a randomized controlled trial design, 54 students were assigned to either live supervision (LS) training with standardized clients (SC) or teaching-as-usual (TAU) online self-study. Students were assessed at 4 time points through self-reports and SC interviews. Audiotapes of interviews were coded using the Motivational Interviewing Treatment Integrity coding system to determine MI skills, adherent behaviors, and proficiency level. Results: No significant demographic differences were found between groups. The LS group demonstrated overall positive change across time and consistent improvement trends on MI skills. Although no statistical difference existed between groups on baseline proficiency levels, at the 5-month follow-up, a higher percentage of the LS group had maintained or improved compared with the TAU group, suggesting overall, less decay over time. No differences were found between groups or over time on self-efficacy or empathy, whereas self-reported attitudes towards MI improved in both groups over time. Conclusions: Results indicate LS is effective in teaching early stages of MI skills and is a promising training approach for social work students. Implications for social work education and future research recommendations are discussed.

The role of empathy in training social work students in motivational interviewing

Abstract Motivational interviewing (MI), an evidence-based approach with empathy as a key principle, effectively addresses client concerns found in the child welfare population. Training social workers in MI, and to be empathic, would increase the likelihood of better service delivery. Live supervision (LS) is a form of training that provides real-time feedback by clinical supervisors. This randomized comparison trial compared the effectiveness of LS or Teaching as Usual (TAU) on empathy in 54 MSW and BSW social work students. TAU involved students receiving online modules and assigned readings. Data were collected at baseline, after the interventions, and at five months follow-up. Differences in perceived empathy and empathic behaviors were measured by the Motivational Interviewing Treatment Integrity (MITI) and Toronto Empathy Questionnaire (TEQ). The study also assessed whether demographic variables or perceived empathy (TEQ) predicted empathic behaviors (MITI). Results indicate that, while both groups improved on empathy as measured by the MITI and TEQ, the LS group demonstrated more improvement. Demographic variables had no impact on empathy. The TEQ and MITI also did not demonstrate predictability suggesting the complexity of measuring empathy. The implications for social work education and future training are discussed.

Trajectory of Externalizing Child Behaviors in a KEEP Replication.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine the correlates of child behavior change over time in a replication of the KEEP intervention. Method: The study sample was drawn from the treatment group of the Maryland replication of KEEP (n=65). Change over time was analyzed using multilevel linear mixed modeling. Results: Parents’ use of positive reinforcement relative to discipline was associated with the rate of child behavior change among program participants; parents with the lowest initial levels of reinforcement reported the greatest decrease in child problem behaviors. Other participant characteristics were not associated with child behavior change during the study period. Conclusions: The results indicate the efficacy of an evidence-based foster parent training program for reducing child problem behaviors and underscore the utility of teaching parents to use more positive responses relative to discipline as a robust path to improved child outcomes.

Predicting empathy in helping professionals: comparison of social work and nursing students

Abstract There is a growing trend in social work to produce social work students who demonstrate empathy. Empathy levels in social work students are not well-researched, especially in comparison with students in other helping professions. This cross-sectional study explored the relationship between empathy, self-esteem, and work engagement in 472 undergraduate and graduate students in the helping professions. Comparisons between BSW, MSW, and nursing students found overall high levels of affective empathy. Graduate MSW and nursing students scored higher than BSW students on most empathy constructs, self-esteem, work engagement, and had more work and volunteer experiences. A hierarchical multiple regression model was used to assess predictors of comprehensive empathy. Significant predictors of comprehensive empathy, as measured by the Empathy Assessment Index, included volunteer experience, work engagement, and affective empathy. Demographic variables such as age, gender, ethnicity, and years of work were non-significant predictors. Different constructs of empathy emerged, and implications of how empathy is relevant to social work practice are discussed with recommendations for social work education.

Findings from an evaluation of Family Finding: Experiences of Family Finders and older youth:

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to assess the experiences of child welfare workers trained in Family Finding and to assess the experiences of the youth who participated in Family Finding. Findings from this study suggest the efficacy of Family Finding in establishing relational permanence for youth. Findings from qualitative analyses indicate that Family Finders modified the actual steps of the model. Both youth-recommended and Family Finders-recommended Family Finding services begin when children and youth enter child welfare. However, quantitative findings suggest there is not any significant difference in Family Finding outcomes for younger and older youth.

“They tippy toe around the race issue”: The impact of a Title IV‐E program on culturally informed practice for child welfare students

The Ruth H. Young Center for Families and Children, The Institute for Innovation & Implementation, University of Maryland School of Social Work, Baltimore, Maryland, USA University of Maryland School of Social Work, Baltimore, Maryland, USA Child Trends, Bethesda, Maryland, USA Correspondence Elizabeth J. Greeno, The Ruth H. Young Center for Families and Children, The Institute for Innovation & Implementation, University of Maryland School of Social Work, 525 West Redwood Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA. Email: egreeno@ssw.umaryland.edu

Meeting the Civil Legal Needs of Low-Income Marylanders: An Evaluation of a Judicare Pilot

To address the unmet legal needs for low-income litigants in the United States, some states are turning to Judicare programs. This article discusses Maryland’s pilot Judicare program where services to low-income litigants are provided by private attorneys who are paid on a reduced fee-for-service basis. Using a distributive justice framework, this mixed methods study assessed the effectiveness of Judicare through a process and outcome evaluation. Findings suggest that Judicare is effective in providing civil legal services to low-income litigants. The pilot program was successful in engaging attorneys from the private sector. Detailed findings for client and attorney experiences are presented.