M. Elizabeth Vonk

Cultural Socialization Practices in Domestic and International Transracial Adoption

This study explored cultural socialization practices, their relationship to demographic-, child-, and adoption-related factors, and parents’ perceptions of closeness and satisfaction with adoption among international and domestic transracially adopted children. Data from the National Survey of Adoptive Parents indicated that parents rely on socialization practices that require little to no integration with people of the childrens race/ethnicity. Participation in post-adoption support groups, education, and online resources were related to cultural socialization practices. Two of nine practices were related to international transracial adoptive parents perceptions of closeness with their child and satisfaction with adoption. Implications for practice and research are discussed.

Reliability and Validity of the Transracial Adoption Parenting Scale

The present study provides information on the reliability and validity of the Transracial Adoption Parenting Scale (TAPS), a multidimensional 36-item Likert-type scale that measures cultural competence among transracial adoptive (TRA) parents. The TAPS was theoretically developed and refined through feedback from experts in TRA adoption. A cross-sectional survey design was used with a national nonprobability sample of 1,411 TRA parents. Each parent completed the 53-item TAPS and three other instruments with which to examine criterion and construct validity. After a preliminary factor analysis of the 53-item TAPS, the authors found that 36 items were retained in six factors. The 36-item TAPS had excellent reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.91), concurrent and discriminant validity were supported. Conclusion: Findings suggest that the TAPS holds promise of being a psychometrically sound instrument with which to measure cultural competence among TRA parents. Further investigation is warranted.

Private prayer among Alzheimer's caregivers: mediating burden and resiliency.

ABSTRACT This study examined whether the coping method of private prayer served as a protective factor of resiliency among a sample (N = 304) of Alzheimers caregivers. Participants in caregiver support groups completed questionnaires that assessed a number of constructs, including caregiving burden; prayer frequency; use of private prayer as a means of coping; and perceived resiliency. The sample averaged a moderate level of burden and a great extent of prayer usage. Caregiving burden had positively affected the extent of prayer usage and negatively influenced perceived resiliency. Findings from hierarchical regression analysis showed that caregiving burden and private prayer significantly influenced variation in perceived resiliency scores. Results from a regression equation series and path analysis provided support for prayer as a mediator between burden and perceived resiliency. Implications for social work practice and education are discussed.

The Prevalence of Childhood Traumatic Grief—A Comparison of Violent/Sudden and Expected Loss:

The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of childhood traumatic grief (CTG) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in parentally bereaved children and compare scores between those who had lost a parent to a sudden/violent death and those who had lost a parent to an expected death. Asample of 158 parentally bereaved children ages 7–16 completed the Extended Grief Inventory (EGI); 127 of those also completed the UCLA PTSD Index. A large number of children were experiencing CTG symptoms at moderate and severe levels. There was no significant difference in EGI or UCLA PTSD Index scores between the two types of losses. Findings are discussed in relation to trauma theory, research on parentally bereaved children and implications for practice.

An Exploratory Study of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms among Bereaved Children

Purpose: This study reports on the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among a sample (n = 46) of bereaved children. PTSD symptoms in children who have experienced loss due to an expected death through illness have not been previously studied. Method: An exploratory cross-sectional design was used to compare Impact of Event Scale (IES) scores between two groups of bereaved children. One group experienced the sudden, unexpected death of a family member; the second group experienced the expected death of a family member following protracted illness. Findings: Overall, almost two-thirds of the children were found to be experiencing moderate to severe levels of PTSD related symptoms of intrusion and avoidance as measured by the IES. Additionally, there was no significant difference in the IES scores of the two groups of children. Implications: Findings are discussed in relation to current practice with and research on bereaved children.

Efficacy of a Camp-Based Intervention for Childhood Traumatic Grief

Objective: This study examined the efficacy of a short-term, camp-based, trauma-focused grief intervention in reducing traumatic grief and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in parentally bereaved children. Method: For this nonequivalent comparison group study, 100 children were split into two groups, with one group serving as the immediate treatment group and the second group serving as the delayed treatment group. Results: The results were analyzed using chi-square, independent samples t tests, multiple and logistic regression and showed this short-term intervention to be followed by reduced traumatic grief and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. Conclusions: The results are discussed in relation to current research on and practice with bereaved children as well as implications for future research.

Development and Initial Validation of the Intimate Violence Responsibility Scale (IVRS)

The present study demonstrates the development and initial examination of psychometric properties of the Intimate Violence Responsibility Scale (IVRS) in a community-based sample (N = 527). The underlying factor structure of the IVRS was tested by the exploratory factor analysis (Principal Axis Factoring), which identifies the four factors: partner blame, distal blame, minimization, and violence recognition. The internal consistency of the four subscales of the 20-item IVRS had an acceptable-to-good coefficient alpha ranging from .75 to .83. Evidence for the convergent and discriminant validity was established through correlational analyses. The initial findings of this study support that the IVRS is a reliable and valid self-reporting instrument that measures attitudes related to responsibility for violent behavior toward the intimate partner. Implications for practice and future research are specified.

A Model of Factors Related to Cultural and Racial Socialization Practices Among International Transracial Adoptive Parents

To date, there is no clear conceptual model or framework in the literature of factors that affect parents’ decisions in socializing their transracially adopted children. Such a model is needed to assist social workers and other professionals working with international transracial adoptive families by providing information about factors that can improve parents’ cultural and racial socialization practices. Based on an extensive review of the literature, this article proposes a conceptual model of factors that influence transracial adoptive parents’ cultural and racial socialization practices. A review and definition of these factors are included. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.

Exposure therapy in the treatment of vaginal penetration phobia: A single-case evaluation

A 25-year-old woman with a specific phobia related to vaginal penetration fears was effectively treated with graduated exposure therapy involving self-conducted and partner-assisted homework exercises. Treatment produced a complete resolution of the problem within 12 sessions. This behavior therapy regimen followed the client having received several periods of psychodynamic therapy which did not yield symptomatic improvement.

Development and Initial Validation of the Transracial Adoption Parenting Scale—Revised

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to provide an initial validation of a revision of the Transracial Adoption Parenting Scale—Revised (TAPS-R) with international transracial adoptive parents. Method: This study employed a cross-sectional, online survey design to recruit transracial adoptive parents from a parent support group, Families for Chinese Children. Results: Exploratory factor analysis reveals that the 47-item TAPS-R is a valid scale, which includes four factors: racial awareness, multicultural planning, integration, and coping skills. The analysis results of Cronbach’s α coefficient revealed that the scale as a whole and subscales have good or excellent reliability. Using correlational analyses, construct validity was established. Discussion: The TAPS-R proved to have sound reliability and validity to measure racial awareness and cultural and racial socialization practices and thus can be useful in transracial adoption parenting.