Michael E. Sherr

The Afrocentric Paradigm: A Pragmatic Discourse About Social Work Practice with African Americans

ABSTRACT This article discusses the Afrocentric paradigm as a viable theoretical framework to guide the future of social work practice. A historical overview of the paradigm is followed by a description of the basic assumptions for human behavior, self-identity, and community. The last section demonstrates the Afrocentric principle of harmony by embracing the problem-solving model as the conduit for positing wider acceptance and practical application of the Afrocentric Paradigm.

Oh How I Try to Use Evidence in my Social Work Practice: Efforts, Successes, Frustrations, and Questions

Convinced by the literature that they could do better for their clients, in this article the authors describe their efforts to transform a categorically-funded program model at one agency from relying on authority and good intentions to evidence-based practice (EBP). Using a case study approach the authors describe a six-year research effort in which they experienced a modicum of success, including completion of a few projects, followed by paralyzing frustrations that warrant sharing with other social work professionals. Reflecting on their experiences, they posit a few questions about EBP for practitioners and leaders in the profession to contemplate. The authors then offer five pathways for moving the profession closer to making EBP a reality in social work.

The Role of Relationships in Connecting Social Work Research and Evidence-Based Practice

Critics of evidence-based practice (EBP) often challenge the efficacy of applying social work research in practice. Such skepticism underscores the historic chasm that still exists between social work researchers and practitioners. If taught and implemented consistently, the EBP model can mend the connection between researchers and practitioners by merging their roles. Merging their roles, however, requires a renewed emphasis on relationships in the research process. This article explores the role of relationships in social work research. Using a researcher/practitioner continuum, we assess the types of interactions faculty have with stakeholders. We then offer strategies for cultivating relationships with stakeholders that lead to community-derived and implemented research that is critical to advancing the widespread use of EBP in social work.

The Characteristics of Effective Cancer Education Media Interventions among African Americans: A Systematic Review.

Cancer incidence and mortality is a significant area of health disparity between African Americans and Caucasians. In the current article the authors used a systematic review design to examine the characteristics of different cancer media education intervention (CMEI) to increase access to cancer screenings for African Americans within a 30 year period (1980–2010). Ten computerized databases were searched using inclusion–exclusion criteria. Consequently, 179 potential studies were identified, and later reduced to 41 eligible studies through the inclusion–exclusion criteria. The eligible studies had a combined sample size of N = 12,764 respondents. The findings revealed that multi-media intervention strategies were the most common media intervention that led to increased cancer screenings among African Americans. The authors conclude with a call for social workers to be more involved in developing and following up with culturally appropriate media strategies that can increase the likelihood of early detection and successful treatment, thus reducing this important area of health disparity.

A Randomized Effectiveness Trial of a Sex Education Program for Minority Youth in Miami, Florida

Through this study the authors assessed the outcomes of a randomized effectiveness trial of Project U-Turn, a comprehensive sex education program for at-risk youth in Miami, Florida. Data collection occurred at pretest, three month, and six month follow-ups with a sample of teenagers randomly selected and assigned to treatment (n = 549) and control (n = 424) groups. Results from logistical and generalized multilevel modeling indicated the program did not contribute to teen responses at three or six month follow-ups. Other variables, however, had some influence on predicting teen responses to questions about their current and future sexual activity. Gender, use of alcohol, and participation in religious services predicted responses from teens at pretest and at three and six month follow-ups. Discussion of the findings, as well as implications for evidence-based social work with teens conclude the article.

The Influence of Religious Participation on Sexual Activity in a Randomized Effectiveness Trial for Minority Youth

ABSTRACT This study examined the influence of religious participation on the outcomes of a comprehensive sex education program for minority youth in Miami, FL. Data collection occurred at pretest and at 3-month and 6-month follow-up. A sample of teenagers was randomly selected from high schools, with a large majority of minority youth, and was assigned into treatment (n = 549) and control (n = 424) groups. Results indicated religious participation had some influence on predicting teen sexual activity at pretest but did not contribute to teen responses at 3- or 6-month follow-up. Gender and use of alcohol also significantly predicted responses from teens at pretest and at 3-month and 6-month follow-up. Future research is needed comparing the influence of religious participation on sexual activity with youth in sex education programs from high schools in multiple regions of the country. Discussion of the findings, as well as implications for social service policy and practice, conclude the article.

Bayesian Analysis and Design for Joint Modeling of Two Binary Responses with Misclassification.

Survey data are often subject to various types of errors such as misclassification. In this article, we consider a model where interest is simultaneously in two correlated response variables and one is potentially subject to misclassification. A motivating example of a recent study of the impact of a sexual education course for adolescents is considered. A simulation-based sample size determination scheme is applied to illustrate the impact of misclassification on power and bias for the parameters of interest.

Using Young Adult Literature to Enhance Empathy Skills: Preliminary Findings in BSW Education

This article explores the use of young adult literature as a pedagogical tool for enhancing empathy skills for competent practice in BSW education. Students from two sections of an introductory social work course participated in the study. The instructor used the same textbook in both sections. One section incorporated a 4-week curriculum module that included a young adult novel. Results indicated that students who registered for the section that incorporated literature (n=37) reported higher levels of empathy at posttest t(55)=5.47, p=.002, as compared with students (n=20) from the other section. The findings provide preliminary support for use of literature in BSW education. The findings also warrant the need for additional studies that examine the potential effectiveness of literature for teaching other types of practice behaviors in the BSW curriculum.

Making Human Behavior Theory Real Through the Unreal: Fiction in the HBSE Classroom

This article examines the use of fictional literature as a method for helping students apply human behavior theory in competent practice. When students and educators read a poem, short essay, or novel, it allows them the opportunity to join together as an audience as they tease out teachable lessons from the story. The authors posit that when used in human behavior and the social environment courses, fictional literature allows educators and students to experience abstract content as more concrete. Following a brief literature review, we examine one novel through the lens of three different human behavior theories.

Introduction to the Special Issue on Implementation Research

Welcome to this special issue of the Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work on implementation research. As a cautionary note, if you expect a collection of articles that clearly define and explain how to engage in meaningful implementation with your scholarship, you should put this issue down now. If on the other hand you, like us, realize that implementation is fraught with issues and complexities that demand flexibility, then you will certainly want to read each article. We have organized the manuscripts into three groups. The first group includes articles that involve program implementation, data collection on the implementation, and subsequent changes that were made based on the data collection. The second group includes articles that focus on various issues and considerations that are essential when engaging in implementation research. The final group includes articles that address social work education’s role in implementation research. Too often in the social work profession, we seem prone to jump on the bandwagon of the latest fad in an attempt to legitimize the work that we do and to stake our claim as a profession. We adopt concepts, such as evidence-based, translational, and implementation, to our scholarship but too often strive to make our scholarship fit the mold rather than adapting the mold to best fit the meaningful scholarship that we strive for, which exists to advance the profession and ultimately to improve practice outcomes with individuals, groups, and communities that we seek to help. The evidence-based process is certainly one of those concepts that we have adopted with mixed results. Yet we believe the evidence-based process has true potential as a paradigm shift for our profession. Further, we believe implementation research can be a strong pillar that supports the evidence-based process by producing research-informed practice and practice-informed research that will truly translate into meaningful improvements in the way we do social work. The collection of articles in this special issue reflects the current state of implementation research in social work. Some showcase it as the strong pillar it could be, others point towards steps the profession needs to make if implementation research is to reach its potential, while the remaining articles address how to teach it to future social workers. Our hope is that you will find this issue as meaningful a discourse into the complexity of implementation research as we do.