Social Work Research

Smith, Carolyn

doi: 10.1093/swr/20.3.131pmid: N/A

Research on the effects of maltreatment on child development suggests a number of pathways through which maltreatment could heighten the risk of teenage pregnancy. This study investigates the conceptual and empirical links between early experiences of maltreatment and later teenage pregnancy in a representative sample of 249 teenage women. Longitudinal data indicate that there are significantly higher pregnancy rates among the teenagers in the sample with a maltreatment history. The effect is not confined to those with a sexual abuse history and seems more pronounced for those with a range of maltreatment experiences. The relationship between maltreatment and pregnancy remains when controlling for possible confounding factors such as race and family structure, and it appears to be mediated by poor school experiences and by involvement in other risk behaviors. Implications of the findings are discussed.

Lyons, Peter; Doueck, Howard J.; Wodarski, John S.

doi: 10.1093/swr/20.3.143pmid: N/A

The development and use of systematic risk assessment models by child protective services agencies can be seen in part as a response to the dramatic increase in maltreatment referrals during the past two decades. However, despite the increasing popularity of such models, relatively few are empirically based. The authors reviewed the empirical literature on 10 risk assessment models and conclude that although each model contains generally sound psychometric properties, there is still a need for further model development and for process and outcome evaluation of model implementation.

doi: 10.1093/swr/20.3.155pmid: N/A

In the article “The scientific practitioner revisited: Some obstacles and prerequisites for fuller implementation in practice” by Aaron Rosen (June 1996, Vol. 20, No. 2, pp. 105–111), a paragraph was misplaced. The first paragraph in the right hand column, beginning “The similarities in problem situations,” should have appeared on page 108 immediately before the heading “Improvement in the Professional Curriculum.”

Davis, Larry E.; Cheng, Li Chin; Strube, Michael J.

doi: 10.1093/swr/20.3.157pmid: N/A

Group workers are increasingly required to construct multiracial groups. But race remains a critical and often problematic factor in the quality of individual interactions. Moreover, evidence indicates that the racial proportions of black-white groupings often affect the quality of those interactions. Still unclear, however, is which racial configurations of black people and white people are most or least satisfactory. The study described in this article had two goals: (1) to assess how varying the racial compositions of four-person groups would affect the members' perceptions of group atmosphere, satisfaction, success, and enjoyment and (2) to inspect gender differences in these homogeneous groups of men and women. The three groups contained one black and three white participants, two black and two white participants, or three black and one white participants. Each of the groups was either all male or all female. Findings indicate that varying the racial composition of these small groups affected significantly the reported experiences of group members; both racial and gender differences were observed. Implications for group workers are discussed.

Williams, James Herbert; Ayers, Charles D.; Abbott, Robert D.; Hawkins, J. David; Catalano, Richard F.

doi: 10.1093/swr/20.3.168pmid: N/A

Problem behavior theory predicts that adolescent problem behaviors, including illicit drug use, delinquency, juvenile justice involvement, poor school performance, problem drinking, and sexual involvement, are manifestations of a single behavioral syndrome. Some studies have found the theory valid across genders, and this study tested its validity across racial groups. Multiple group confirmatory factor analysis using self-reports of substance use, delinquency, and juvenile justice system involvement tested problem behavior theory for African American and European American adolescents. Results indicate that multiple pathways are necessary to account for the problem behaviors, and they support previous research indicating system response bias in the processing of youths. Intervention and policy implications of these findings are discussed.

Drake, Brett; Yadama, Gautam N.

doi: 10.1093/swr/20.3.179pmid: N/A

Substantial theoretical and empirical work has been done about burnout in child welfare services. The majority of work is based on the three-part conceptualization of burnout embodied in the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). The three elements of the MBI—emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and personal accomplishment (PA)—are commonly viewed as a syndrome, with EE and DP having a strong positive association and PA having a weaker, negative correlation with EE and DP. This study uses a structural equation model to examine these three constructs in relation to job exit among child protective services workers over a 15-month period. The model was supported, with EE relating to job exit and DP and PA relating to EE and DP. Findings reinforce some views about the central importance of EE but also show the relevance of all three MBI elements to job exit. Implications for child welfare practice and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Fike, David F.

doi: 10.1093/swr/20.3.189pmid: N/A