Randall E. Basham

Contributing factors of depressive symptoms among elderly Korean immigrants in Texas.

This study examined various life stresses associated with relocation that may contribute to depressive symptoms among Korean immigrant elders in Texas. A sample of 120 elders was assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale–Short Form and a 90-min face-to-face interview. Over 1/3 of respondents (37.5%) had symptoms of depression. Regression analyses (R2 = .331) indicate that self-rated health, stressful life events, English language proficiency, satisfaction of visiting ones birth place, and watching TV were correlates of depressive symptoms among them. The findings of this observational study may be used as a baseline for designing service program for this population.

A SURVEY COMPARISON OF CAREER MOTIVATIONS OF SOCIAL WORK AND BUSINESS STUDENTS

This survey provides valuable insight for social work educators into the goals and career intentions of working students who pursue masters degrees in social work, as compared to masters degrees in business. Social work graduate students were surveyed and compared to business graduate students in terms of their motivations for seeking advanced degrees and their expected career outcomes. Findings indicate that social work students were more motivated by a desire to gain knowledge or expertise in their service field, whereas business students differed in seeking greater career advancement and self-sufficiency. Social work implications for educational programs and practice are discussed.

Democratic attitudes and social capital in Latin America

This article examines the effect of democratic attitudes on social capital in four Latin American countries. It relies on a secondary analysis of data from a multi-national study conducted in 2005—2006. Findings indicate that democratic attitudes had a significant positive effect on social capital even in rural settings, and that social capital increased as democratic attitudes improved.

Visualizing Change: Spreadsheets and Graphical Representation Across Domains in Human Service Practice

ABSTRACT Spreadsheets are underutilized evaluative tools. Spreadsheets are applicable for data collection, statistical analysis, and graphical representation. This paper demonstrates the utilization of spreadsheet-generated data visualization procedures in the graphical representation of change across domains of human services. Also presented are models for graphical representation of change over time. The data visualization procedures discussed include standard deviation enhanced line graphs (SDELG), area graphs, and surface plots. Three domains of human service evaluation well-suited to use of spreadsheet graphical representational tools are practice evaluation, program evaluation, and the policy outcome evaluation.

Human Trafficking: An Exploratory Review of Awareness and Training Videos

ABSTRACT With the advent of a relatively newly recognized social phenomenon, human trafficking, there are dozens of agencies providing awareness and training materials on the subject. Many of these materials are available online through these agencies and are free to use. However, little is known about the effectiveness of these training and public-awareness materials, their pedagogical application, or if knowledge about human trafficking is increased because of these media. This study conducted a systematic review of publically available online human-trafficking training and public-awareness videos using Bloom’s (1956) pedagogical framework to assess the potential for knowledge transference. Findings from this study suggest that most of the videos did not appear to use Bloom’s Taxonomy of Learning to convey knowledge, and as such the potential for knowledge transference is statistically significant. Authors provide potential practice and research implications.

NGO strategy toward the reintegration of child soldiers in Liberia, Africa: An online survey of services, roles, and activities

This research investigates the roles of international and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Liberia 10 years after the 14-year civil war ended in 2003. Soldiers of the war included a large number of child soldiers who are currently combatants at differing levels and phases of reintegration into society. A survey was conducted to generate descriptive empirical information about the roles NGOs play in ex-combatants’ reintegration and the knowledge, skills, and training needed to assist ex-combatants. Communicative and emerging social technologies appear, according to survey results, to also contribute to NGO service delivery.