Elizabeth M. Tracy

The Social Network Map: Assessing Social Support in Clinical Practice

The authors describe the development and pilot use of a procedure for assessing social support. The social network map takes into account both the structure and function of the clients personal social network. The authors discuss the clinical utility of the map as well as guidelines for using social support assessment information in case planning.

Prospective Patterns and Correlates of Quality of Life among Women in Substance Abuse Treatment

BACKGROUND Quality of life (QOL) is increasingly recognized as central to the broad construct of recovery in substance abuse services. QOL measures can supplement more objective symptom measures, identify specific service needs and document changes in functioning that are associated with substance use patterns. To date however, QOL remains an under investigated area in the addictions field, especially in the United States. METHODS This study examines patterns and predictors of QOL at 1 and 6 months post treatment intake among 240 women enrolled in substance abuse treatment in Cleveland, Ohio. The World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) measure was used to assess physical, psychological, social and environmental domains. Hierarchical multiple regressions were conducted to identify correlates of QOL at 6 months post treatment intake. RESULTS All QOL domains across the follow up time points improved significantly. However, QOL scores across domains remained below those of healthy population norms. Trauma symptoms significantly predicted Physical and Psychological QOL. Among treatment process variables, alcohol use was the sole significant factor associated with QOL and only for Environmental QOL. Recovery support and friends support for abstinence were consistently associated with QOL across all four domains. IMPLICATIONS This study suggests the usefulness of the WHOQOL measure as an indicator of functioning in substance abusing populations. Findings underline the importance of helping women deal with trauma symptoms and develop support for recovery. Further research is needed on the longitudinal relationship between QOL and substance use patterns.

Family Preservation Workers: Sources of Job Satisfaction and Job Stress

This article reports the results of a pilot survey to examine staff burnout and sources of job satisfaction and job stress among intensive family preservation workers. Participants in this study were found to be moderately to highly emotionally exhausted as measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory. The intense time-limited nature of the work was perceived as a stressor. Opportunities for improving skills and professional growth were viewed as major sources of satisfaction. Implications are drawn for social work in-service training and worker supervision.

Personal Social Networks of Women with Co-Occurring Substance Use and Mental Disorders

ABSTRACT There has been relatively little examination of the social network resources of women with substance use disorder, and even fewer explorations of women with co-occurring mental disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder. This study explores the nature of co-occurring mental disorders, social network characteristics and perceived social support in 136 women with substance use disorders. Respondents reported small personal networks that contained both supportive and non-supportive people. Relatives did provide social support, but those who used alcohol/drugs were viewed as tending to interact negatively. Women with dual disorders perceived less concrete, emotional, and sobriety support from some network relationships than the women with substance use disorders only. Implications for research and practice are presented.

The evidence base for social support interventions in child and family practice: Emerging issues for research and practice

This paper examines the evidence base for interventions which seek to enhance social support resources for families with children at risk of adverse developmental outcomes. Substantive and methodological issues related to the implementation of social support interventions are discussed and a research agenda for the development, testing and evaluation of such interventions is presented.

Social work practice with families and children

About the AuthorsPrefaceAcknowledgmentsPart 1: Knowledge Base 1. Understanding Vulnerable Families and Their Children2. Risks and Vulnerabilities3. Supporting Families and Their Children4. Ethical Issues in Workign with Vulnerable FamiliesPart 2: Practice Base 5. Engagement, Assessment, Case Planning, and Goal Setting6. Family-Centered Intervention7. Social Network Intervention8. School-Based InterventionPart 3: Looking to the Future 9. Evaluation of Practice and Service Delivery10. Future Challenges and OpportunitiesAppendix 1. Tools and Instruments to Support PracticeAppendix 2. National Child Welfare Resource CentersAppendix 3. Other Resource Centers and Information SourcesAppendix 4. Electronic Resources on Family and Childrens ServicesAppendix 5. Electronic Resources on Childrens Special Needs and ExceptionalitiesAppendix 6. Electronic Resources on Schools and Childrens EducationAppendix 7. Electronic Resources on Health of Children and AdultsAppendix 8. Electronic Resources on System Reform and Advocacy for Children and FamiliesAppendix 9. Electronic Resources on Mentoring and Support GroupsAppendix 10. Informational and Training Materials on Alcohol and Substance AbuseReferencesIndex

Support Networks of Primary Caregivers Receiving Family Preservation Services: An Exploratory Study

The authors describe network characteristics and support resources from a clinical sample of 40 families. Data were obtained by family workers during the first two weeks of intervention. Case vignettes illustrate the multiple uses to which this information was put. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.

Examining the relationship between spousal involvement in Gam-Anon and relapse behaviors in pathological gamblers.

The present investigation focused on Gamblers Anonymous (GA) members in Ohio to ascertain whether or not spousal participation in Gam-Anon, the companion support group, decreased the gamblers relapse into gambling behavior. A cross-sectional survey of 43 GA members was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire. While no significant difference was found in the relapse of those gamblers with or without a spouse in Gam-Anon, the degree to which the gambler had engaged in other addictive-like behaviors in the past did appear to be related to relapse. Those gamblers who had not relapsed reported significantly more engagement in past addictive-like behaviors (excessive overeating, drinking, and using drugs) than those who had relapsed. Additionally, their spouses had also engaged in addictive-like behaviors in the past. Discussion suggests possible explanations for the findings. Implications are drawn for both outcome measures and research with self-help groups.

Personal Network Recovery Enablers and Relapse Risks for Women With Substance Dependence

We examined the experiences of women in treatment for substance dependence and their treatment providers about personal networks and recovery. We conducted six focus groups at three women’s intensive substance abuse treatment programs. Four coders used thematic analysis to guide the data coding and an iterative process to identify major themes. Coders identified social network characteristics that enabled and impeded recovery and a reciprocal relationship between internal states, relationship management, and recovery. Although women described adding individuals to their networks, they also described managing existing relationships through distancing from or isolating some members to diminish their negative impact on recovery. Treatment providers identified similar themes but focused more on contextual barriers than the women. The focus of interventions with this population should be on both internal barriers to personal network change such as mistrust and fear, and helping women develop skills for managing enduring network relationships.

Impact of Dual Disorders, Trauma, and Social Support on Quality of Life Among Women in Treatment for Substance Dependence

Objective: Women with dual disorders report lower levels of social support than women with substance dependence alone, and lower levels of social support have been associated with lower quality of life among individuals with substance use disorders. However, little is known about the impact of trauma symptoms and violence exposure on quality of life for women with dual disorders. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of dual disorders, trauma, and social support related to recovery on various domains of quality of life among women in substance abuse treatment. Methods: This study utilized multiple standardized measures and hierarchical ordinary least squares regression to examine quality of life, trauma, and social support in women with dual disorders. Four domains of quality of life were measured (physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains). Participants (N = 369) were recruited from three inner-city women-only addiction treatment programs. Institutional review board approval was obtained prior to sample recruitment. Results: Presence of dual disorders was significantly associated with lower quality of life in the physical and psychological domains. However, this difference was no longer significant when trauma symptoms were added to the model. Trauma symptoms and support for recovery significantly predicted quality of life across all four domains and friends’ support for abstinence across three domains. Conclusions: Findings suggest that the presence of dual disorders in women may indicate a history of trauma. They also support the importance of both friends’ support for abstinence and recovery support as predictors of quality of life in women with dual disorders. Interventions that focus on social support and quality of life in treatment with women with substance use disorders may potentially enhance treatment outcomes.