Thomas E. Smith

Applying Delphi methodology in family therapy research

The Delphi technique, which is increasingly seen in family therapy publications, encourages the articulation of refinement in family therapy practice and theory. Combining both quantitative and qualitative methodology, this technique involves consideration of information that might otherwise have been overlooked. Due to lack of clarity on this approach, a dilemma exists in applying this research procedure in family therapy. To remedy this deterrent, this paper reviewed 11 studies and outlined use of the technique in regard to design, procedure, and sampling.

Evaluation of Social Work Journal Quality: Citation versus Reputation Approaches

Although journals are the primary vehicle though which social work professionals explore innovative interventions, research strategies, and policy ideas, journal quality has received little attention in the literature. This project extends a 1990 study and presents multiple measures for assessing journal quality. The primary data source is a national survey of 556 faculty from accredited schools of social work; additional data were compiled from the Social Science Citation Index (SSCI). Findings indicate that journal rankings have changed since 1990 and are considerably different from the SSCI ratings. Multiple evaluation systems are recommended for assessing social work journal quality.

Evaluating Traumatic Incident Reduction Therapy With Female Inmates: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Objective: An experimental outcome study with trauma-related symptoms was conducted to examine the effectiveness of traumatic incident reduction (TIR). It is a brief, memory-based, therapeutic intervention and was used to treat symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and low expectancy of success (i.e., low self-efficacy). Method: A randomized pretest-posttest control group design with 123 female inmates in a federal prison was used to evaluate the efficacy of the interventive procedure. The Post-Traumatic Symptom Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Clinical Anxiety Scale, and the Generalized Expectancy of Success Scale were administered at pretest, posttest, and 3-month follow-up time intervals. Results: A repeated-measures MANOVA showed significant differences between the treatment and comparison control conditions on all measures at posttest and follow-up time intervals except for the PTSD Intrusion subscale at the posttest interval. Conclusion: The marked improvement of the treatment condition by comparison to those in the control condition supports the contention that TIR is an effective intervention with female inmates. The significant results on all measures at the follow-up time interval provide persuasive evidence of the stability of the interventive effects. The significance of this therapy model for use by practitioners with social work populations is highlighted.

Reducing Adolescent Substance Abuse and Delinquency: Pilot Research of a Family-Oriented Psychoeducation Curriculum

ABSTRACT Ninety-three parents and 102 adolescents were referred by juvenile court and treated for substance abuse and a co-morbid diagnosis of either oppositional defiant or conduct disorder using a parent education program over a six-week period. The goals of this study were to assess whether or not active parent involvement and the concurrent treatment of severe behavior problems would reduce teen substance as measured by the adolescent SASSI scale. In addition, if the SASSI scale indicated a significant reduction in substance abuse would these changes be maintained after a 12-month follow-up period as measured by re-arrest rates through juvenile court records? The results indicated that a parents participation in their teens treatment of substance abuse and other severe behavioral problems did have a major positive impact. Even though the adolescents attitudes and defensiveness towards drugs or alcohol did not significantly change their substance abuse did. This was demonstrated by both the statistically significant changes on the adolescents SASSI scores and the fact that 85% did not relapse over the course of an entire year after treatment was completed.

Group interpersonal skills training in a natural setting: an experimental study.

Abstract This study assessed effectiveness of group interpersonal skills training conducted in a natural setting with nonanalogue clients. Subjects (Ss) in a behavioral-training condition received 4 hr of instruction consisting of modeling, behavioral rehearsal, coaching, feedback and reinforcement. Training focused on positive and negative social responses and on initiating interactions, as well as reacting to interactions initiated by others. Subjects in a discussion-control condition engaged in focused discussion of interpersonal concerns but received no experiential practice. Within a pre-test-post-test control group design, subjective and objective measures were used to assess training effects. When compared to Ss involved in group discussion. Ss participating in group behavioral training revealed greater pre- to post-test changes on selfreported probability of engaging in selected interpersonal responses and on objective measures of eye contact, speech duration, positive affective responses, use of no-statements, compliance, refusals and requests for new behavior. Support for generalization of training is presented and methodological issues are discussed.

Perceptions of Professional Social Work Journals: Findings from a National Survey.

A national survey of 556 faculty at accredited schools of social work examined 4 dimensions of the publishing process: publishing productivity, perceptions of overall quality of social work journals, satisfaction with social work journals, and perspectives on the manuscript review process. Findings indicate the publishing process in social work is perceived as a system of complex relationships between individual and institutional arrangements. Qualitative analysis provided the basis for a discussion of strategies for improving the relevance, methodological rigor, and overall quality of professional social work journals.

The Use of Adjunct Faculty: An Exploratory Study of Eight Social Work Programs

This pilot study of the practice of employing social work practitioners as adjunct faculty analyzes the results of questionnaires returned from 6 deans/directors, 43 adjunct faculty, and 175 students at 8 U.S. institutions offering BSW and/or MSW programs. The responses covered the teaching effectiveness of adjunct faculty (in 1992–93), their reasons for teaching, the support received from and expectations of the programs, and various pros and cons surrounding their employment. Among the findings: students regard adjunct faculty as somewhat less effective teachers than full-time faculty, but appreciate their expertise on contemporary or specialized practices; administrators appreciate the financial benefits and flexibility associated with adjunct instruction; and the adjuncts themselves appreciate affiliation with academic programs.

Dyadic adjustment, family coping, body image, quality of life and psychological morbidity in patients with psoriasis and their partners.

BackgroundPsoriasis is an incurable and chronic disease that includes unpredictable periods of remission and relapse requiring long-term therapy.PurposeThis paper focuses on the relationship among family coping, psychological morbidity, body image, dyadic adjustment and quality of life in psoriatic patients and their partners.MethodOne hundred and one patients with psoriasis and 78 partners comprised the sample. They were regular users of the Dermatology Service of a Central Northern hospital in Portugal and a private dermatology clinic. Patients with psoriasis were assessed on anxiety, depression, body image, quality of life, dyadic adjustment and family coping. Partners were assessed on the same measures except body image and quality of life.ResultsA positive relationship among dyadic adjustment, psychological morbidity and family coping in patients and their partners was found. Also, patients with lower levels of quality of life had partners with higher levels of depressive and anxious symptoms. Better dyadic adjustment predicted family coping in the psoriatic patient. High levels of dyadic adjustment in patients and low partners’ trait anxiety predicted better dyadic adjustment in partners.ConclusionThe results highlight the importance of incorporating family variables in psychological interventions in psoriasis’ care, particularly family coping and dyadic adjustment as well as the need for psychological intervention to focus both on patients and partners.

The Effects of an Abstinence-Based Sex Education Program on Middle School Students’ Knowledge and Beliefs

A statewide evaluation of the Education Now and Babies Later (ENABL) program was conducted to assess its ability to increase adolescents’ knowledge and beliefs about pregnancy prevention. ENABL is aimed at preventing teenage pregnancy through abstinence. Using a quasiexperimental research methodology, middle school students (N = 1,450) comprised a treatment group (n = 974) and a comparison group (n = 476). Subjects completed a pretest and post-test reflecting knowledge and beliefs about teenage pregnancy. ANCOVA revealed significant differences (F = 8.98, p < .001) on posttest scores between the two groups. The treatment group showed marked improvement from pretest to posttest scores, whereas the comparison group did not. These findings support the claim that the Postponing Sexual Involvement (PSI) curriculum is effective in affecting students’ knowledge and beliefs about teenage pregnancy and illuminate the need for social work intervention at a variety of levels to address this multifaceted problem.

Measurement in abstinence education. Critique and recommendations.

The purpose of this article is to identify, assess, and offer solutions to common measurement errors found in sexual abstinence education evaluation. A critical review of the methodology of adolescent sexuality research was performed. “Gold standards” of their measurement strategy were derived and applied against 14 selected studies. Many of the articles reviewed had substantial limitations in their measurement strategies. However, several articles demonstrated excellence and serve as models for future efforts. Sexual abstinence education evaluation is plagued by the inherent weaknesses of self-report and health outcome measures. However, with careful adherence to the gold standards proposed, it is possible to limit the threat from these weaknesses, maximizing the benefit of self-report surveys and county-level health indicators.