Heather Larkin

Factors affecting willingness of social work students to accept jobs in aging

The aging of the United States population is creating an increased need for social workers and other helping professionals with training in gerontology. Recent estimates indicate that less than 3% of MSW students are enrolled in an aging concentration, as compared to 19.0% enrolled in children/youth concentrations. This study (N=126) examines factors that affect the willingness of social work students to accept jobs in aging. Results of a hierarchical logistic regression indicate that age and personal/professional experiences with older people (but not gender, race, or educational level) significantly predicted willingness to accept jobs in aging.

GUEST EDITORIAL: AN ANALYSIS OF SOCIAL WORK TEXTBOOKS FOR AGING CONTENT: HOW WELL DO SOCIAL WORK FOUNDATION TEXTS PREPARE STUDENTS FOR OUR AGING SOCIETY?

In an effort to strengthen the basic aging competency of social work students, the authors assessed the general quantity and quality of aging content in a sample of foundation social work textbooks. Of nearly 10,000 pages reviewed, only about 3% (309 pages) included aging content. A foundation cultural diversity text included the most aging content (6%), with only 5% aging-related content identified in HBSE texts, 2% across practice books reviewed, 4% within policy texts, 2% in research texts, and less than 1 page in the 1 field education text. A textbook analysis framework and a review of findings are provided.

Older Adults’ Spiritual Needs in Health Care Settings A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis

Recognizing that spiritual needs often emerge in health care settings, the Joint Commission requires spiritual assessments in numerous organizations frequented by older adults. Given that many gerontological practitioners have received little training in identifying spiritual needs, a qualitative meta-synthesis (N = 9 studies) was conducted to identify and describe older adults’ perceptions of their spiritual needs in health care settings. Five interrelated categories emerged: (a) spiritual practices; (b) relationship with God; (c) hope, meaning, and purpose; (d) interpersonal connection; and (e) professional staff interactions. The implications of the findings are discussed as they inform the spiritual assessment process.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), Service Use, and Service Helpfulness Among People Experiencing Homelessness

This study examines categories of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and service use backgrounds among a convenience sample of people experiencing homelessness (N = 224), using logistic regression analysis (n = 174) and descriptive and comparative analyses. Eighty-seven percent reported at least 1 of 10 ACEs prior to age 18. Over half (53.2%) reported 4 or more ACEs. Approximately half reported parental loss, emotional neglect, living with a substance abuser, and emotional abuse. ACEs were significantly correlated with one another. Among those who used prior services, ACEs predicted interpersonal prevention, clinical, and criminal justice services for emotional or substance abuse problems. Most indicated services were helpful. This study provides data for policy and program leaders to ensure at-risk families and communities have access to responsive services.

Prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Among Child Service Providers

Despite increasing evidence in the public health field about the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in the general population, little is known about the prevalence of ACEs among social service providers. Trauma backgrounds may influence both worker susceptibility to vicarious traumatization as well as clinical decision making. Similarly, individuals with trauma backgrounds are vulnerable to re-enactment of their history. With pressure on social service agencies to demonstrate successful client outcomes, it is critical that agencies explore factors that influence high-quality care. This exploratory study is the first investigation of ACE prevalence among workers in an agency that provides residential treatment, day treatment, and schooling for children with histories of trauma. Study results suggest a high prevalence of ACEs among these workers.

Meditation as a Coping Intervention for Treatment of Addiction

Addiction is a complex problem that can affect all realms of life and calls for a holistic response. Stress can contribute to addiction, and stress also results from the consequences of addiction. Mindfulness meditation has been successfully utilized to reduce stress among people with medical problems. Using a stress and coping framework, this article discusses meditation as a coping intervention for clients in treatment for substance abuse. Research on meditation as a substance abuse treatment intervention is reviewed and limitations are addressed. A mindfulness meditation group intervention model is set forth.

Older Adults’ Spiritual Needs in Health Care Settings

Recognizing that spiritual needs often emerge in health care settings, the Joint Commission requires spiritual assessments in numerous organizations frequented by older adults. Given that many gerontological practitioners have received little training in identifying spiritual needs, a qualitative meta-synthesis (N = 9 studies) was conducted to identify and describe older adults’ perceptions of their spiritual needs in health care settings. Five interrelated categories emerged: (a) spiritual practices; (b) relationship with God; (c) hope, meaning, and purpose; (d) interpersonal connection; and (e) professional staff interactions. The implications of the findings are discussed as they inform the spiritual assessment process.

Responding to the Grand Challenge to End Homelessness: The National Homelessness Social Work Initiative

The American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare adopted ending homelessness as one of its 12 Grand Challenges for Social Work. The National Center for Excellence in Homeless Services supports this Grand Challenge through its National Homelessness Social Work Initiative. This initiative is being carried out through a consortium of schools of social work nationally, emphasizing workforce development and policy advocacy. This major, multiyear initiative applies innovative strategies to service and policy design and social work education. This article describes the overall mission of the Homelessness Initiative and key activities used to strengthen social work curriculum, expand homelessness-related field placement opportunities for students, and impact services through the policy advocacy and dissemination of best practices.

Developing and Leading Telephone Groups

Telephone groups are an important for meeting the needs of clients who cannot get to face-to-face groups, or prefer the convenience of meeting by telephone. This article describes the knowledge and skills that social group workers need to develop, implement, and lead telephone groups. Particular attention is paid to the clinical adaptations that are needed when leading telephone as compared to face-to-face groups using examples from caregiver psychoeducational and support groups.

Restorative Integral Support (RIS) for Older Adults Experiencing Co-Occurring Disorders.

The Restorative Integral Support (RIS) model is a whole person response that assists people to overcome adversity. The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study conducted by Kaiser Permanente and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows the association between stressors in childhood and multiple later-life health and social problems. Older adults experiencing co-occurring disorders are an under-served and vulnerable population where gaps in both practice models and research to inform effective service provision exist. The current empirical case study presents Senior Hope as one social service agency employing RIS to intervene on the linkage between ACEs and co-occurring disorders to assist older adults. RIS usefully articulates the way in which Senior Hope is developing ACE-informed programs that mobilize resilience and recovery to help older adults achieve positive mental health outcomes. Implementation and research on the RIS model is recommended to enhance services for groups with ACE characteristics.