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• 1. [Article] An investigation of the combined effect of agency support and professional social workers' training on the type of family therapy practiced by agency-based social workers

  All persons are born into some form of family unit. The traditional family is a unit of people who live together over periods of time and have ties of marriage and kinship. Even if that unit is separated, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: An investigation of the combined effect of agency support and professional social workers' training on the type of family therapy practiced by agency-based social workers Author: McCartor, Betsy Marsh, Labby, Margaret Year: 1977 All persons are born into some form of family unit. The traditional family is a unit of people who live together over periods of time and have ties of marriage and kinship. Even if that unit is separated, as in death or adoption, qualities of one’s personhood are closely connected with forebears and parents. Whether for good or bad, the family profoundly affects the individual. The family is an important unit. Many stresses impinge upon it. The church and extended family are less influential on the family today. The school is less influential. Where does the family turn for support? Social agencies have become the source for low cost aid for the family. The following study explores the extent to which social agencies provide this support for families in this community. Title: An investigation of the combined effect of agency support and professional social workers' training on the type of family therapy practiced by agency-based social workers Author: McCartor, Betsy Marsh, Labby, Margaret Year: 1977 All persons are born into some form of family unit. The traditional family is a unit of people who live together over periods of time and have ties of marriage and kinship. Even if that unit is separated, as in death or adoption, qualities of one’s personhood are closely connected with forebears and parents. Whether for good or bad, the family profoundly affects the individual. The family is an important unit. Many stresses impinge upon it. The church and extended family are less influential on the family today. The school is less influential. Where does the family turn for support? Social agencies have become the source for low cost aid for the family. The following study explores the extent to which social agencies provide this support for families in this community. Close

• 2. [Article] A study of the crisis nature of the preparenthood period and implications for preventative social work practice

  This study addresses the preparenthood period of family life, that period from conception to six weeks after the infant is born. This period was of great interest because in nine years of social work practice ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: A study of the crisis nature of the preparenthood period and implications for preventative social work practice Author: Colton, Julie Jean Year: 1980 This study addresses the preparenthood period of family life, that period from conception to six weeks after the infant is born. This period was of great interest because in nine years of social work practice I have recognized that families resist change after their particular family system process, even destructive process, is established. I also believe that the order, or disorder, of society depends upon the order of the institution of the family. Other institutions of society depend upon the family for their existence. Title: A study of the crisis nature of the preparenthood period and implications for preventative social work practice Author: Colton, Julie Jean Year: 1980 This study addresses the preparenthood period of family life, that period from conception to six weeks after the infant is born. This period was of great interest because in nine years of social work practice I have recognized that families resist change after their particular family system process, even destructive process, is established. I also believe that the order, or disorder, of society depends upon the order of the institution of the family. Other institutions of society depend upon the family for their existence. Close

• 3. [Article] Exploring the Effects of Multi-Level Protective and Risk Factors on Child and Parenting Outcomes in Families Participating in Healthy Start/Healthy Families Oregon (HS/HFO)

  While many studies focus on the links between multiple risk factors and negative outcomes such as child maltreatment, less is known about the influence of protective factors in the face of risks. The theoretical ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Exploring the Effects of Multi-Level Protective and Risk Factors on Child and Parenting Outcomes in Families Participating in Healthy Start/Healthy Families Oregon (HS/HFO) Author: Nygren, Peggy Year: 2013 While many studies focus on the links between multiple risk factors and negative outcomes such as child maltreatment, less is known about the influence of protective factors in the face of risks. The theoretical base of this study was a social ecological model of interactive influences including individual parent, family, and neighborhood level factors to predict outcomes. Protective Factor Index (PFI) and Risk Factor Index (RFI) predictors were developed to explore potential multi-level protective factor buffering effects on key child development and parenting outcomes. Participants were first time mothers enrolled in a randomized controlled study of the Healthy Start/ Healthy Families Oregon (HS/HFO) home visitation program (treatment group) who completed a follow-up phone survey at the child’s 12 month birthday (n = 405). Families were offered HS/HFO services prenatally after meeting risk screening eligibility criteria on the New Baby Questionnaire (NBQ). Program mothers having received at least one home visit (n = 248) were included in the final analyses. Families had an average of 3.1 (SD = 1.2) NBQ risk factors at enrollment and 83% reported having trouble paying for basic needs. Families received an average of 16 home visits in the first 6 months of the program. Thirty-one percent of mothers were aged 19 or younger, 60% were White and Non-Hispanic, 31% were Hispanic, and 9% were another race/ethnicity. Hierarchical regression models with main effects (RFI, PFI, race) and an interaction term (RFI X PFI) were developed to predict eight outcomes. Interaction effects models were not significant. Five RFI main effects were significant: higher RFI scores were associated with greater likelihood of child welfare involvement, greater parenting stress, less favorable scores on child health and well-being, lower parent responsiveness and ii acceptance, and less supportive learning environments. One PFI main effect was significant: higher PFI scores predicted lower parenting stress. A trend level result showed higher PFI scores were associated with less child welfare involvement. Race was significant in two models: White/Non-Hispanic families were more likely to have a home visitor report child welfare involvement and had more frequent parent-child activities compared to other race/ethnicity families. Unpacking the results with separate single risk factor (12 items) and protective factor (10 items) regression models followed. Results showed parent’s prior family history of maltreatment and younger maternal age predicted child welfare involvement (home visitor report), while protection was seen for those with access to housing support. Social support and family functioning protectors were linked to lower parenting stress, while maternal depression showed the opposite finding. Better scores on a child health and well-being measure were seen with higher neighborhood cohesion and greater participation in HS/HFO; in contrast, neighborhood violence and frequent mobility were linked to worse scores. Developmentally supportive home environments were seen for families participating in additional parent support programs, in which the mother had greater knowledge of infant milestones and behavior, and if the family had access to housing supports. Unemployment proved to be associated with less enriched home environments. In summary, there was no support for the cumulative PFI in buffering risk for negative outcomes in this model. The RFI was also a more robust predictor of outcomes compared to the PFI in the main effects models. Overall, study findings provide some evidence for the utility of specific protective factors, as well as cumulative and specific single risk factors, for screening families for effectively targeting services and guiding the conceptual development of program and evaluation formats. Title: Exploring the Effects of Multi-Level Protective and Risk Factors on Child and Parenting Outcomes in Families Participating in Healthy Start/Healthy Families Oregon (HS/HFO) Author: Nygren, Peggy Year: 2013 While many studies focus on the links between multiple risk factors and negative outcomes such as child maltreatment, less is known about the influence of protective factors in the face of risks. The theoretical base of this study was a social ecological model of interactive influences including individual parent, family, and neighborhood level factors to predict outcomes. Protective Factor Index (PFI) and Risk Factor Index (RFI) predictors were developed to explore potential multi-level protective factor buffering effects on key child development and parenting outcomes. Participants were first time mothers enrolled in a randomized controlled study of the Healthy Start/ Healthy Families Oregon (HS/HFO) home visitation program (treatment group) who completed a follow-up phone survey at the child’s 12 month birthday (n = 405). Families were offered HS/HFO services prenatally after meeting risk screening eligibility criteria on the New Baby Questionnaire (NBQ). Program mothers having received at least one home visit (n = 248) were included in the final analyses. Families had an average of 3.1 (SD = 1.2) NBQ risk factors at enrollment and 83% reported having trouble paying for basic needs. Families received an average of 16 home visits in the first 6 months of the program. Thirty-one percent of mothers were aged 19 or younger, 60% were White and Non-Hispanic, 31% were Hispanic, and 9% were another race/ethnicity. Hierarchical regression models with main effects (RFI, PFI, race) and an interaction term (RFI X PFI) were developed to predict eight outcomes. Interaction effects models were not significant. Five RFI main effects were significant: higher RFI scores were associated with greater likelihood of child welfare involvement, greater parenting stress, less favorable scores on child health and well-being, lower parent responsiveness and ii acceptance, and less supportive learning environments. One PFI main effect was significant: higher PFI scores predicted lower parenting stress. A trend level result showed higher PFI scores were associated with less child welfare involvement. Race was significant in two models: White/Non-Hispanic families were more likely to have a home visitor report child welfare involvement and had more frequent parent-child activities compared to other race/ethnicity families. Unpacking the results with separate single risk factor (12 items) and protective factor (10 items) regression models followed. Results showed parent’s prior family history of maltreatment and younger maternal age predicted child welfare involvement (home visitor report), while protection was seen for those with access to housing support. Social support and family functioning protectors were linked to lower parenting stress, while maternal depression showed the opposite finding. Better scores on a child health and well-being measure were seen with higher neighborhood cohesion and greater participation in HS/HFO; in contrast, neighborhood violence and frequent mobility were linked to worse scores. Developmentally supportive home environments were seen for families participating in additional parent support programs, in which the mother had greater knowledge of infant milestones and behavior, and if the family had access to housing supports. Unemployment proved to be associated with less enriched home environments. In summary, there was no support for the cumulative PFI in buffering risk for negative outcomes in this model. The RFI was also a more robust predictor of outcomes compared to the PFI in the main effects models. Overall, study findings provide some evidence for the utility of specific protective factors, as well as cumulative and specific single risk factors, for screening families for effectively targeting services and guiding the conceptual development of program and evaluation formats. Close

• 4. [Article] The Relationship Between Social Isolation and Child Abuse: A Critical Literature Review

  This review began with an interest in treatment of child abuse and in how a study of social isolation might lend direction to treatment of abusing families. The literature leads one to believe that social ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The Relationship Between Social Isolation and Child Abuse: A Critical Literature Review Author: Pederson, Ann A. Year: 1978 This review began with an interest in treatment of child abuse and in how a study of social isolation might lend direction to treatment of abusing families. The literature leads one to believe that social isolation is somehow involved, but that the process is far from clear. The intent of this review is to synthesize the findings available on the relationship between social isolation and child abuse, to encourage further thought on how the concept of social isolation can be refined and operationalized, and to discuss the implications of that relationship for treatment and prevention of physical abuse. The information gained might assist those responsible for community programs to understand the role of social resources in the prevention of child abuse. Title: The Relationship Between Social Isolation and Child Abuse: A Critical Literature Review Author: Pederson, Ann A. Year: 1978 This review began with an interest in treatment of child abuse and in how a study of social isolation might lend direction to treatment of abusing families. The literature leads one to believe that social isolation is somehow involved, but that the process is far from clear. The intent of this review is to synthesize the findings available on the relationship between social isolation and child abuse, to encourage further thought on how the concept of social isolation can be refined and operationalized, and to discuss the implications of that relationship for treatment and prevention of physical abuse. The information gained might assist those responsible for community programs to understand the role of social resources in the prevention of child abuse. Close

• 5. [Article] A study of the incidence of divorce, religious conflict, and need and potential utilization of marital/family services among Seventh-Day Adventist couples in the North Pacific Union Conference

  The following study is designed to look at one religious group and assess some of the social service needs as seen by the study participants. Since social services cover such a broad spectrum, it was decided ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: A study of the incidence of divorce, religious conflict, and need and potential utilization of marital/family services among Seventh-Day Adventist couples in the North Pacific Union Conference Author: Ringering, Fern M. Year: 1978 The following study is designed to look at one religious group and assess some of the social service needs as seen by the study participants. Since social services cover such a broad spectrum, it was decided to limit the study to marital counseling needs and related issues as seen by individual church members. Title: A study of the incidence of divorce, religious conflict, and need and potential utilization of marital/family services among Seventh-Day Adventist couples in the North Pacific Union Conference Author: Ringering, Fern M. Year: 1978 The following study is designed to look at one religious group and assess some of the social service needs as seen by the study participants. Since social services cover such a broad spectrum, it was decided to limit the study to marital counseling needs and related issues as seen by individual church members. Close

• 6. [Article] Parents as Navigators: How Caregivers of Children with Mental Health Difficulties find Supports in the Workplace

  Presentation given at the 19th Annual Research Conference: A System of Care for Children's Mental Health: Expanding the Research Base, Tampa, FL, February 2006.

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Parents as Navigators: How Caregivers of Children with Mental Health Difficulties find Supports in the Workplace Author: Brennan, Eileen M., Penn, Marlene, Huffstutter, Katherine J., Bradley, Jennifer R., Rosenzweig, Julie M. Year: 2006 Presentation given at the 19th Annual Research Conference: A System of Care for Children's Mental Health: Expanding the Research Base, Tampa, FL, February 2006. Title: Parents as Navigators: How Caregivers of Children with Mental Health Difficulties find Supports in the Workplace Author: Brennan, Eileen M., Penn, Marlene, Huffstutter, Katherine J., Bradley, Jennifer R., Rosenzweig, Julie M. Year: 2006 Presentation given at the 19th Annual Research Conference: A System of Care for Children's Mental Health: Expanding the Research Base, Tampa, FL, February 2006. Close

• 7. [Article] The Impact of Coordination by a Child Abuse Committee on Community Services to Battered Children

  The Child Abuse Committee at the University of Oregon Medical School has assumed a coordinating role as an attempt to provide more effective service to abused children and their families. This research ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The Impact of Coordination by a Child Abuse Committee on Community Services to Battered Children Author: Anders, Grace Jackson, Burton, Rebekah M. Year: 1972 The Child Abuse Committee at the University of Oregon Medical School has assumed a coordinating role as an attempt to provide more effective service to abused children and their families. This research report is a follow up to a 1970 study by Matusak which evaluated the effectiveness of the Committee. The Matusak study seemed to indicate that, because of Committee action resulting in appropriate intervention and services, definite improvement in the situation of the children in the study was seen. This study follows the children from the 1970 study one year later and makes further comparisons of child abuse cases seen at the hospital in 1971. The results of this study fail to support the Matusak findings. A decreased percentage of children in the 1970 study group have maintained their level of improvement one year later and an even lower percentage of the 1971 study group are improved. More children have been left in their own homes than in 1970 but there is little to indicate that the family functions any more adequately than at the time of abuse. The findings seem to reflect a need for reevaluation of management and treatment practices in child abuse cases. It appears that responsibility and authority for coordination should be placed with a single agency and that more specialized services be provided by experienced staff. Title: The Impact of Coordination by a Child Abuse Committee on Community Services to Battered Children Author: Anders, Grace Jackson, Burton, Rebekah M. Year: 1972 The Child Abuse Committee at the University of Oregon Medical School has assumed a coordinating role as an attempt to provide more effective service to abused children and their families. This research report is a follow up to a 1970 study by Matusak which evaluated the effectiveness of the Committee. The Matusak study seemed to indicate that, because of Committee action resulting in appropriate intervention and services, definite improvement in the situation of the children in the study was seen. This study follows the children from the 1970 study one year later and makes further comparisons of child abuse cases seen at the hospital in 1971. The results of this study fail to support the Matusak findings. A decreased percentage of children in the 1970 study group have maintained their level of improvement one year later and an even lower percentage of the 1971 study group are improved. More children have been left in their own homes than in 1970 but there is little to indicate that the family functions any more adequately than at the time of abuse. The findings seem to reflect a need for reevaluation of management and treatment practices in child abuse cases. It appears that responsibility and authority for coordination should be placed with a single agency and that more specialized services be provided by experienced staff. Close

• 8. [Article] Exploring Support Network Structure, Content, and Stability as Youth Transition from Foster Care

  Many older youth in foster care lack adequate resources and ongoing support in their social networks as they transition into young adulthood, while other youth in these circumstances experience stable ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Exploring Support Network Structure, Content, and Stability as Youth Transition from Foster Care Author: Blakeslee, Jennifer E. Year: 2012 Many older youth in foster care lack adequate resources and ongoing support in their social networks as they transition into young adulthood, while other youth in these circumstances experience stable social networks providing comprehensive support. Systematically measuring the supportive personal and service-oriented relationships in youth networks expands the scope of inquiry in this area by identifying patterns of social network structure, member composition, and relational qualities that are associated with more or less support provision through formal and informal relationships. These can also be measured over time to observe changes in network form and content and assess network stability. This exploratory study (1) describes the support networks for a small sample of youth with foster care experience who are enrolled in post-secondary education and training programs, (2) assesses changes in these networks over time, and (3) demonstrates the reliability and validity of this methodology for broader use with populations of transition-age foster youth. Findings show that family (biological and foster) and friends are the most prevalent informal supports, relationship ties to parent figures are strongest and provide the most stable and multi-dimensional support, and ties with formal service providers are not as strong, but provide more informational support. The stability of a network ties over time is associated with the breadth of support provided, and network-based social support is associated with post-secondary enrollment at follow-up. Support network profiles are described and interpreted in terms of bonding and bridging social capital. Discussion includes implications for future support network research and guidelines for pre-transition assessment of youth networks in practice. Title: Exploring Support Network Structure, Content, and Stability as Youth Transition from Foster Care Author: Blakeslee, Jennifer E. Year: 2012 Many older youth in foster care lack adequate resources and ongoing support in their social networks as they transition into young adulthood, while other youth in these circumstances experience stable social networks providing comprehensive support. Systematically measuring the supportive personal and service-oriented relationships in youth networks expands the scope of inquiry in this area by identifying patterns of social network structure, member composition, and relational qualities that are associated with more or less support provision through formal and informal relationships. These can also be measured over time to observe changes in network form and content and assess network stability. This exploratory study (1) describes the support networks for a small sample of youth with foster care experience who are enrolled in post-secondary education and training programs, (2) assesses changes in these networks over time, and (3) demonstrates the reliability and validity of this methodology for broader use with populations of transition-age foster youth. Findings show that family (biological and foster) and friends are the most prevalent informal supports, relationship ties to parent figures are strongest and provide the most stable and multi-dimensional support, and ties with formal service providers are not as strong, but provide more informational support. The stability of a network ties over time is associated with the breadth of support provided, and network-based social support is associated with post-secondary enrollment at follow-up. Support network profiles are described and interpreted in terms of bonding and bridging social capital. Discussion includes implications for future support network research and guidelines for pre-transition assessment of youth networks in practice. Close

• 9. [Article] A Study of Partner Attitudes Related to Male Involvement in Contraception at Planned Parenthood, Portland, Oregon

  In spite of the relative ease of accessibility to reliable contraception, unplanned pregnancy continues to be a major social problem for both society and for those individuals personally involved. The ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: A Study of Partner Attitudes Related to Male Involvement in Contraception at Planned Parenthood, Portland, Oregon Author: Burnet, Patricia Long, Jack, Rhonda Lee, Leeson, Kathleen Margaret Year: 1978 In spite of the relative ease of accessibility to reliable contraception, unplanned pregnancy continues to be a major social problem for both society and for those individuals personally involved. The growing furor over adolescent unplanned pregnancy has not only led to arguments over abortions on legal, financial, and moral levels but has resulted in studies pertaining to non-use of birth control among all ages. Contraceptives are not being used as widely and effectively as they could be. The primary goal of this research is to explore the male's role (or lack of it) in family planning. A further goal is to increase awareness among practitioners in the field and among the general public, regarding the importance of male involvement. Title: A Study of Partner Attitudes Related to Male Involvement in Contraception at Planned Parenthood, Portland, Oregon Author: Burnet, Patricia Long, Jack, Rhonda Lee, Leeson, Kathleen Margaret Year: 1978 In spite of the relative ease of accessibility to reliable contraception, unplanned pregnancy continues to be a major social problem for both society and for those individuals personally involved. The growing furor over adolescent unplanned pregnancy has not only led to arguments over abortions on legal, financial, and moral levels but has resulted in studies pertaining to non-use of birth control among all ages. Contraceptives are not being used as widely and effectively as they could be. The primary goal of this research is to explore the male's role (or lack of it) in family planning. A further goal is to increase awareness among practitioners in the field and among the general public, regarding the importance of male involvement. Close

• 10. [Article] Parental perceptions of behavioral changes in children following divorce

  This research was undertaken primarily to describe the parental perceptions of the effects of divorce upon the children age eighteen or younger of the first married couples filing for divorce in Clackamas ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Parental perceptions of behavioral changes in children following divorce Author: Bork, Kenneth W. Year: 1978 This research was undertaken primarily to describe the parental perceptions of the effects of divorce upon the children age eighteen or younger of the first married couples filing for divorce in Clackamas County, Oregon during 1975. Title: Parental perceptions of behavioral changes in children following divorce Author: Bork, Kenneth W. Year: 1978 This research was undertaken primarily to describe the parental perceptions of the effects of divorce upon the children age eighteen or younger of the first married couples filing for divorce in Clackamas County, Oregon during 1975. Close