Naelys Diaz

A Pilot Study Examining the Effect of Mindfulness on Depression and Anxiety for Minority Children

From the Christine E. Lynn, College of Nursing, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL; School of Social Work,SO284, FloridaAtlanticUniversity,BocaRaton, FL. Corresponding Author: Patricia Liehr, PhD, RN, Professor, Christine E. Lynn, College of Nursing, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431. E-mail addresses: pliehr@fau.edu, ddiaz10@fau.edu

Mental Health Characteristics of Social Work Students: Implications for Social Work Education

ABSTRACT No studies have examined to date the mental health and substance use characteristics of social work students. Therefore, this study was undertaken to describe and identify these characteristics among a sample of social work students located in a Florida school of social work. Results indicated that approximately 34% of the participants reported high levels of depressive symptoms, 12% had a history of suicidal ideation, and 4% reported having thought about suicide recently. Six percent reported high levels of post-traumatic stress disorder symptomatology, and 3% were highly likely to have a dissociative disorder. High proportions of the students reported having multiple traumatic experiences. Students in this sample were less likely to report lifetime or current alcohol or marijuana use than national college student samples, but more likely to report lifetime or current use of illicit substances other than marijuana.

Learning to Write and Writing to Learn Social Work Concepts: Application of Writing Across the Curriculum Strategies and Techniques to a Course for Undergraduate Social Work Students

Although writing is of great importance to effective social work practice, many students entering social work education programs experience serious academic difficulties related to writing effectively and thinking critically. The purpose of this article is to present an introductory social work course that integrates Writing Across the Curriculum pedagogical strategies into the social work curriculum. A brief description of Writing Across the Curriculum is provided, and teaching techniques used in the course, including reading and writing assignments, classroom writing instruction, testing, peer review, writing consultation, and grading rubrics, are described in detail.

Attachment Style, Spirituality, and Depressive Symptoms Among Individuals in Substance Abuse Treatment

ABSTRACT. Adult attachment styles and spirituality have been shown to be protective factors against depressive symptoms among individuals in treatment for substance use disorders. However, no studies to date have examined how these two factors simultaneously are related to depressive symptomatology in this population. Thus, this study aimed to examine how adult attachment styles (secure vs. insecure attachment styles) and 2 distinct spirituality dimensions (existential purpose and meaning in life and religious well-being or the perceived relationship with God) are associated with depressive symptoms. Using a cross-sectional design, 77 individuals receiving substance abuse treatment were asked to complete a battery of self-report questionnaires. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that secure attachment style and higher levels of existential purpose and meaning in life were significantly related to lower levels of depressive symptoms whereby the existential purpose and meaning in life was a stronger predictor of depressive symptoms. These results suggest that practitioners may consider addressing attachment issues during treatment; however, emphasizing ways to increase individuals’ purpose and meaning in life may further enhance treatment outcomes. Future research should utilize a larger sample size, include more comprehensive measures of attachment styles, and explore ways to increase purpose and meaning in life in this population.

Dysthymia among Substance Abusers: An Exploratory Study of Individual and Mental Health Factors

The purpose of this study was to examine the individual characteristics and mental health factors of dysthymic and nondysthymic substance abusers. Out of a total of 1,209 medical records reviewed to select cases of dysthymic and nondysthymic substance abusers attending a community drug treatment program, 183 medical records were selected, 48% of which were dysthymic substance abusers. Bivariate analyses indicated that dysthymic substance abusers were more likely to be male, older individuals, reported high levels of alcohol dependence, lower quality of life, and higher number of previous substance abuse treatment. Results from hierarchical multiple logistic regression analyses indicated that age, gender, and quality of life were significant predictor for having dysthymia. Implications for the mental health field are discussed, underlining the importance of developing and providing competent treatment for substance abusers with co-occurring disorders.

Recognition and assessment of caregiving youth in hospice and home healthcare.

During the past decade, research in the United Kingdom and Australia has documented an increasing number of children 18 years old or younger involved in caregiving activities (Carers Australia, 2002; Dearden & Becker, 2004). In the United States, the first national research on caregiving youth, released in September 2005, reports that at least 1.3 million children and adolescents ages of 8 to 18 years participate in various types of caregiving activities (National Alliance for Caregiving [NAC] & The United Hospital Fund [UHF], 2005). A major factor contributing to the prevalence of caregiving youth is the increase in the number of people older than 85 years, many of whom need assistance in managing their health and lives (U.S. Administration on Aging [AOA], 2003). As a second factor, more children (5.6 million) live with a grandparent (U.S. Census, 2000) and are thus the available caregivers if the grandparent becomes ill. Similarly, there currently are more than 10 million single-parent families, an increase from 3 million in 1970 (U.S. Census, 2003). If the single parent becomes sick or disabled, the child assumes caregiving responsibilities. Finally, the racial and ethnic diversity of the population is changing, bringing cultural preferences that may encourage caring for family members at home rather than in facilities. Caregiving youth have a myriad of caregiving responsibilities. Of all caregiving youth, 72%

Comorbidity among dysthymia, substance use, and other mental health disorders: characteristics of flight attendants in residential substance abuse treatment in the United States

Background: Limited research has been conducted exploring the mental health problems experienced by flight attendants, even though they are asked to respond and cope with stressful situations that place them under a great deal of stress and emotional vulnerability. Aims: The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of dysthymia, and its comorbid relationship with other mental health and substance use disorders among flight attendants attending residential substance abuse treatment. Methods: Seventy medical charts of flight attendants admitted consecutively to a residential substance abuse treatment agency were reviewed. Data collected included information concerning multiple Axes I and II disorders; sociodemographic characteristics; number of previous mental health and substance abuse treatments; number of times of attempted suicide and the number of suicide attempts under the influence of alcohol or drugs; and perceived quality of life. Results: Findings indicated that over half the sample reporte...

Predictors of Depressive Symptoms among Inpatient Substance Abusers

The existing literature indicates high comorbidity rates between depressive disorders and substance abuse disorders. Despite these elevated rates, there is limited empirical work devoted to understanding predictors of depressive symptoms among substance abusers. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of spirituality, believing in God’s presence, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), parental bonding and demographic characteristics on depressive symptoms among inpatient substance abusers. Findings indicated that spirituality, believing in God’s presence, PTSD and income were significant predictors of depressive symptoms among substance abusers. Spirituality, PTSD, and income were inversely related to depressive symptoms, whereas believing in God’s presence was positively related to depressive symptoms.

Attitudes Toward Divorce and Their Relationship With Psychosocial Factors Among Social Work Students

This study aimed to explore attitudes toward divorce and their relationship with general satisfaction with life, spiritual beliefs, parental bonding, and depressive symptomatology among a sample of 210 social work students from two different universities in Florida. Results indicated that the majority of students had favorable attitudes toward divorce overall, perceiving divorce as a solution to unhappy marriage. Participants also reported strong feelings regarding marital obligation and the effect of divorce on children and society. Attitudes toward divorce were associated with spiritual beliefs and parental bonding.

Mental Health and Substance Use Characteristics of Flight Attendants Enrolled in an In-Patient Substance Abuse Treatment Program

The purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence rates of co-occurring mental health problems among 70 flight attendants in substance abuse treatment. Results indicated that flight attendants in treatment were more likely to experience alcohol dependency than drug dependency. A high proportion of participants reported clinical levels of anxiety, major depressive disorder, dysthymia, and dependent personality disorder. Quality of life indicators suggested that the flight attendants were slightly above average in life satisfaction for a treatment population. Implications for clinical practice with this population were also discussed.