Thomas A. Cornille

Secondary Traumatic Stress Among Child Protective Service Workers Prevalence, Severity and Predictive Factors

This study assesses the prevalence and severity of secondary traumatic stress (STS) symptoms among a sample of southern child protective service (CPS) workers. Using a survey research design, up to 37% of the respondents were found to be experiencing clinical levels of emotional distress associated with STS. In addition, levels of work exposure and work related personal trauma were found to be strongly associated with the presence of those symptoms. Preventive and interventive strategies to address these findings are suggested.

DADS Family Project: An Experiential Group Approach to Support Fathers in Their Relationships with Their Children

ABSTRACT The use of group interventions with parents to prevent child maltreatment and to support positive parenting has been demonstrated to be effective. This article describes an experiential group approach to working with fathers in diverse settings. The format provides both content about parenting and a context for fathers to develop their own “voice” as parent through a combination of leader directed parenting education and opportunities for participant fathers to build positive supportive relationships with one another. In this article, the curriculum for this group approach is described, with specific examples of resources that are used in each stage of the group. In addition, findings from an evaluation conducted with fathers in a correctional setting who took part in the program are discussed.

Childcare Center Directors' Perceptions of Their Work Environments: A Comparison of For-Profit and Non-Profit Programs.

Perceptions of childcare center directors in for‐profit and non‐profit childcare centers were examined. Previous research indicates that childcare employees are poorly compensated, not properly trained, and dissatisfied with their work environment. This study explores further into the training, work environment, and job satisfactions of childcare center directors. Questionnaires were distributed throughout a southeast state in the United States to three hundred and ten childcare center directors from for‐profit and non‐profit centers. Levels of job satisfaction, work environments (including employment benefits and challenges), and the educational and training experiences of for‐profit and non‐profit childcare center directors were examined. There were no significant differences between for‐profit and non‐profit center directors in their perceptions of job satisfaction and in their reports of benefits and challenges. However, there was a significant difference in education level of directors with directors of non‐profit centers having higher educational attainment than directors of for‐profit centers.

An examination of childcare teachers in for‐profit and non‐profit childcare centers

Perceptions of childcare teachers in for‐profit and non‐profit centers were examined. Previous research indicates that childcare teachers earn consistently low wages, have little employee benefits and are dissatisfied with their work environments. This study further explores the employment issues and work environments that childcare teachers encounter. Questionnaires were distributed throughout a southeast state in the United States to 558 childcare teachers from for‐profit and non‐profit centers. Although there were significant differences with regard to age, hourly income and number of hours worked, overall it appears as though for‐profit and non‐profit childcare teachers represent a rather homogeneous population with regard to the working environments and employee issues.

Gender, Power, and Relationship Ethics In Family Therapy Education

Awareness and sensitivity about gender issues have central positions in family therapy education. Traditionally gender relationships have been treated as either a reflection of cultural values and norms or as a dynamic of the way that men and women deal with the other sex. This paper presents the findings of a qualitative study that examines the meaning and enactment of gender issues in the supervisory process in family therapy. Based on that study, the authors developed a strategy for raising issues of gender equity in clinical training and describe the effects of that strategy on one practicum.

Relationships between identity formation and computer use among black and white emerging adult females

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between computer use, identity formation, and self-esteem among Black and White emerging adult females. One hundred 56 female college students participated in this study by completing a survey that included the Internet/Computer Use Questionnaire, the Ego Identity Process Questionnaire, and the Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale. Racial differences were found between Black and White females with regard to perceived problematic use of the Internet and use of the computer for communication and use of the Internet for schoolwork. In addition, differences between Black and White females were found between identity formation and problematic use of the Internet and between self-esteem and type of use of the Internet. These findings were discussed in relation to future research and interventions.

The Family Distress Model: A conceptual and clinical application of Reiss' strong bonds finding

The Family Distress Model is grounded in the family problem-solving and social support literature, as well as family systems medicine. It identifies the developmental process that families experience in response to distress, integrating clinical and research findings about family responses to isolation and social support. The clinical utility of the model is described and a case example is provided.

Traumatic Stress, Family Separations, and Attachment Among Latin American Immigrants

This study investigates traumatic stress, family separations, and attachment among Latin American immigrants. Those separated from family and those who are minors have a higher incidence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than their counterparts. Exposure to violence is the most bothersome event reported. Family separation has a significant effect on attachment anxiety. Marital status has a significant effect on attachment avoidance. Clinical implications are discussed.

Young Chronic Offenders A Case Study of Contextual and Intervention Characteristics

Developmental, contextual, and intervention characteristics of young chronic offenders from multisources of information were examined. Young chronic offenders were defined as youth ages 11 and younger who committed 10 offenses and had been arrested in a 12-month period or youth ages 12 to 15 who had committed 15 offenses and had been arrested for these offenses in an 18-month period. A case study protocol was designed to examine three themes of youth and family characteristics and eight themes of youth and family perceptions of the juvenile justice system. The sample included 63 male and female young chronic juvenile offenders randomly selected from all young chronic offenders (N = 1,389) in a southeastern state. Findings indicated that young chronic offenders may exhibit unique personal and contextual characteristics that require greater attention by the juvenile justice system in terms of immediate interventions and follow-up services.

A Partnership Model for Family Service Agencies and Universities to Improve Service Utilization

ABSTRACT Partnerships between family service agencies and universities have the potential for capitalizing on the resources and expertise of both types of institutions. This paper describes a model for developing collaborative partnerships between family service agencies and outreach research university programs. The original collaboration that is used as an example for this model sought to improve the engagement rates of reluctant families being referred to a family service agency for counseling services. Benefits and potential pitfalls to be addressed in such partnerships are presented.