Social Work Research

Williams, James Herbert

doi: 10.1093/swr/svx001pmid: N/A

Gattis, Maurice N.; Larson, Andrea

doi: 10.1093/swr/svw030pmid: N/A

AbstractThe effects of microaggressions targeted at sexual minorities and racial minorities have been well documented. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youths and black youths are more likely to experience homelessness than their heterosexual, cisgender, and white peers, and yet little is known about how microaggressions may affect youths during instances of homelessness. This study examines whether perceived LGBT racial microaggressions and perceived racial microaggressions are associated with depressive symptoms and suicidality in a sample of black youths experiencing homelessness. This study uses a cross-sectional design with structured face-to-face interviews of a convenience sample of 89 black youths (ages 16 to 24 years) experiencing homelessness. Results show that whereas both types of perceived microaggressions are positively associated with depressive symptoms, neither form of microaggression is independently associated with suicidality. Depressive symptoms and suicidality are common experiences among black youths dealing with homelessness, and the perception of microaggressions targeted at sexual or racial minority statuses is associated with depressive symptomology. Results underscore the importance of social workers comprehensively addressing how subtle, pervasive forms of heterosexism, gender normativity, and racism affect mental health outcomes among homeless youths.

Ayón, Cecilia; Philbin, Sandy P.

doi: 10.1093/swr/svw028pmid: N/A

AbstractInformed by critical race theory and Latino critical perspective, this study examined Latino children's experiences with institutional and interpersonal forms of discrimination in the state of Arizona. Interviews conducted with 54 Latino immigrant parents revealed that Latino children encounter institutional and interpersonal forms of discrimination, including microaggressions. Interpersonal discrimination manifested through verbal abuse in the form of microinsults, microassaults, and physical attacks. Institutional discrimination occurred in schools as teachers minimized children's connection to the Spanish language or culture (microinvalidation), enforced informal “no Spanish in the classroom” policies, and practiced differential treatment toward Latino children. Consequently, parents reported that their children are hyperaware of discrimination, experience emotional distress and social isolation, and demonstrate indicators of internalized oppression. The article ends with a discussion of the implications for social work practice and recommendations for social work intervention.

Fedock, Gina L.

doi: 10.1093/swr/svw031pmid: N/A

AbstractWith the increasing number of women in prison, understanding incarcerated women's psychological health is a timely and necessary line of research to guide policy and practices within prisons. This understanding influences prison design, service coordination, and intervention development. Two main theories commonly shape the examination of women's psychological health during incarceration: deprivation theory and importation theory. Deprivation theory posits that aspects of the prison's environment, such as type of correctional facility, institutional crowding, and type of supervision, influence women's psychological health. In contrast, importation theory focuses on offender-level variables, such as demographics and adversity histories, in connection to incarcerated women's psychological health. This article reviews key research findings from these two theoretical perspectives. An integration of these theories may advance the field of knowledge about women's mental health in prison. Based on both existing research insights and gaps, this article outlines specific implications for theory development and social work research, practice, and policy directions.

Baldwin-White, Adrienne Juliet Michele; Kiehne, Elizabeth; Umaña-Taylor, Adriana; Marsiglia, Flavio F.

doi: 10.1093/swr/svw029pmid: 28533677

AbstractGuided by Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems framework and informed by the rejection-identification model, this study examined the relationship between acculturation, discrimination, and ethnic–racial identity (ERI) searching and affirmation among a sample of Latino youths (N = 830; mean age = 12.2 years). Results revealed that higher levels of acculturation were associated with lower levels of searching and affirmation. Furthermore, higher perceived discrimination was associated with higher affirmation, but unrelated to searching. Finally, perceived discrimination significantly attenuated the negative associations between acculturation and adolescents’ ERI searching and affirmation. The article concludes with a discussion of practice implications.

Mogro-Wilson, Cristina; Allen, Elizabeth; Cavallucci, Christine

doi: 10.1093/swr/svw023pmid: N/A

AbstractThis study assessed the effectiveness of Refuse, Remove, Reasons (RRR), a universal classroom-based substance abuse prevention program for urban and suburban high school students. A total of 1,352 adolescents were part of either a treatment (n = 678) or a comparison group (n = 674). The study evaluated the influence of implementing RRR in decreasing alcohol use, increasing perceived risk of drug use, decreasing social norms drug use, and increasing perceptions about negative consequences of drug use. Participants were assessed at baseline and treatment exit. One-way between-groups analyses of covariances were used to detect significant differences between treatment and comparison groups, using the pretest as a covariate. Findings indicated that RRR significantly reduced getting drunk from alcohol, decreased social norms and acceptance of alcohol and cigarettes, and increased perceptions about negative consequences of drug use for the treatment group compared with the comparison group. Results support school-based prevention models for reducing alcohol use and changing social norms for high school youths.