Joanne Sobeck

Predicting Early Adolescent Substance Use: Do Risk Factors Differ Depending on Age of Onset?

This study was designed to identify different risk models associated with non-use, first use, and prior substance use among a group of early adolescents. A total of 582 students completed a self-report questionnaire at the beginning and end of sixth grade. Nine predictor variables were used in discriminant function analysis to classify adolescents into three groups. Five variables distinguished non-users (never used by the end of sixth grade) and new users (first used during sixth grade) from prior users (first used before sixth grade). Prior users were found to have weaker decision making skills, more susceptibility to peer pressure, more negative perceptions of school, less confidence in their skills, and an increased likelihood of being male. A second function indicated that new users were similar to prior users in that they had less positive peer relations, were more likely to come from single parent families, and had less knowledge about alcohol and drugs than did non-users. The similarities and differences between new and prior users have implications for future research and prevention programming.

How Cost-Effective Is Capacity Building in Grassroots Organizations?

ABSTRACT Although capacity building has re-emerged as an important strategy in strengthening the infrastructure of social agencies and nonprofits, evaluations of these efforts are rare. The scope of capacity building is broad and includes education and training, technical assistance, coaching, peer networking and operational support. However, it is not known how well grassroots groups respond to these strategies and if they are cost-effective. This study examines the return on investment for capacity building. Using a sample of 125 grassroots organizations that participated in capacity building events over a five-year period, the multiple regression analysis results indicate that investments in these small nonprofits do make a difference. Participating organizations were more likely to engage in planning, use evaluation strategies, have grant writing knowledge and awareness of opportunities. Cost estimates reveal the level of investment needed for each outcome. The limitations of the study are acknowledged and suggestions for capacity building and further research are proposed.

Predictors of early substance use among African American and Caucasian youth from urban and suburban communities

The deleterious effects of early substance use have been well documented. Past research has produced mixed results regarding the extent to which the profile of risk differs for urban African American and suburban Caucasian youth. Sixth graders from urban (n = 420; 92% African American) and suburban (n = 391; 89% Caucasian) schools in metropolitan Detroit completed surveys at the beginning and end of the school year. More similarities than differences were found in hierarchical multiple regression analyses predicting substance use among these two groups of students. For both groups, peer pressure susceptibility and school commitment were significantly related to substance use. For girls only, participation in after-school activities was negatively associated with substance use. The importance of prevention programs in the transition to middle school is discussed.

Conducting Research with American Indians

Abstract Historically, many researchers whose sole purpose was to conduct research to further their own professional development have exploited Native Americans. Outside of participating as subjects, American Indians were rarely involved in the development of the research and the instrumentation or informed about the results. More recently, research has been conducted with Native Americans who have played a lead role in the research process emphasizing issues that have made important contributions to the American Indian community being studied. The authors utilize case studies and their own applied research experiences to illustrate how researchers, tribal members and organizations have worked together in the applied research process. In working with Native Americans, research takes on special importance emphasizing different values. Practical suggestions range from American Indian communities stimulating their own research agendas to involving community members in the interpretation of data to drive a more complete and accurate analysis and as a useful method for educating the community.

Predictors of Growth in Small and Mid-Sized Nonprofit Organizations in the Detroit Metropolitan Area

This study investigated predictors of self-reported growth in a purposive sample of 398 small to mid-sized nonprofit organizations, including small grassroots organizations, which were providing their services in a metropolitan area facing dire economic conditions. The analytic design used both a multinomial logit and structural equation approach to investigate the associations between program development, readiness to change, management capacity, and fund development and organizational growth. The results indicated that program development, readiness to change, and fund development were positively and directly related to growth, while management capacity was indirectly associated with growth via the pathways of program development and readiness to change.

The Interrelationship Between Program Development Capacity and Readiness for Change Among Small to Mid-Sized Nonprofits

ABSTRACT Based on survey data from 396 small to mid-sized nonprofit organizations operating within Southeast lower Michigan, this article examines the relationship between program development capacity and readiness for change and the predictors of these two components of capacity building among small to mid-sized nonprofits. It uses a simultaneous equation approach as the basis for examining the relationship between program development capacity and readiness for change. The findings indicate that program development capacity and readiness for change are mutually enforcing processes and that the levels of program development capacity and readiness for change are predicted by two distinct sets of predictors.

Enhancing Aging Services through Evidence-Based Health Promotion: A Training for Service Providers

During the next several decades, increasing numbers of older Americans will suffer chronic illnesses and many will face challenges due to growing racial and economic health disparities. Agencies serving older adults need to respond by creating and promoting evidence-based health promotion (EBHP) practices to address the growing diversity among older adults in urban areas. One such agency, the Detroit Area Agency on Aging recently partnered with the Wayne State University School of Social Work to conduct an EBHP educational program for service providers. The educational program used information from the National Council on Aging Center for Healthy Aging, the reach, effectiveness/efficacy, adoption, implementation, and maintenance (RE-AIM) model, and the National Wellness Institute. Survey respondents found that the interaction with other participants was beneficial and helped them to conceptualize EBHP as a new way of thinking about service delivery. Participants learned practical lessons about implementing a training program on evidence-based practice and additional steps are offered to increase the uptake of EBHP practices by older adult service providers.

Prevalence of Infection-Competent Serogroup 6 Legionella pneumophila within Premise Plumbing in Southeast Michigan

ABSTRACT Coinciding with major changes to its municipal water system, Flint, MI, endured Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks in 2014 and 2015. By sampling premise plumbing in Flint in the fall of 2016, we found that 12% of homes harbored legionellae, a frequency similar to that in residences in neighboring areas. To evaluate the genetic diversity of Legionella pneumophila in Southeast Michigan, we determined the sequence type (ST) and serogroup (SG) of the 18 residential isolates from Flint and Detroit, MI, and the 33 clinical isolates submitted by hospitals in three area counties in 2013 to 2016. Common to one environmental and four clinical samples were strains of L. pneumophila SG1 and ST1, the most prevalent ST worldwide. Among the Flint premise plumbing isolates, 14 of 16 strains were of ST367 and ST461, two closely related SG6 strain types isolated previously from patients and corresponding environmental samples. Each of the representative SG1 clinical strains and SG6 environmental isolates from Southeast Michigan infected and survived within macrophage cultures at least as well as a virulent laboratory strain, as judged by microscopy and by enumerating CFU. Likewise, 72 h after infection, the yield of viable-cell counts increased >100-fold for each of the representative SG1 clinical isolates, Flint premise plumbing SG6 ST367 and -461 isolates, and two Detroit residential isolates. We verified by immunostaining that SG1-specific antibody does not cross-react with the SG6 L. pneumophila environmental strains. Because the widely used urinary antigen diagnostic test does not readily detect non-SG1 L. pneumophila, Legionnaires’ disease caused by SG6 L. pneumophila is likely underreported worldwide. IMPORTANCE L. pneumophila is the leading cause of disease outbreaks associated with drinking water in the United States. Compared to what is known of the established risks of colonization within hospitals and hotels, relatively little is known about residential exposure to L. pneumophila. One year after two outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease in Genesee County, MI, that coincided with damage to the Flint municipal water system, our multidisciplinary team launched an environmental surveillance and laboratory research campaign aimed at informing risk management strategies to provide safe public water supplies. The most prevalent L. pneumophila strains isolated from residential plumbing were closely related strains of SG6. In laboratory tests of virulence, the SG6 environmental isolates resembled SG1 clinical strains, yet they are not readily detected by the common diagnostic urinary antigen test, which is specific for SG1. Therefore, our study complements the existing epidemiological literature indicating that Legionnaires’ disease due to non-SG1 strains is underreported around the globe. L. pneumophila is the leading cause of disease outbreaks associated with drinking water in the United States. Compared to what is known of the established risks of colonization within hospitals and hotels, relatively little is known about residential exposure to L. pneumophila. One year after two outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease in Genesee County, MI, that coincided with damage to the Flint municipal water system, our multidisciplinary team launched an environmental surveillance and laboratory research campaign aimed at informing risk management strategies to provide safe public water supplies. The most prevalent L. pneumophila strains isolated from residential plumbing were closely related strains of SG6. In laboratory tests of virulence, the SG6 environmental isolates resembled SG1 clinical strains, yet they are not readily detected by the common diagnostic urinary antigen test, which is specific for SG1. Therefore, our study complements the existing epidemiological literature indicating that Legionnaires’ disease due to non-SG1 strains is underreported around the globe.