Research on Social Work Practice

Objective: The impact of a comprehensive HIV education, housing support, and 12-step recovery program in a day treatment program for homeless persons infected with HIV was studied. Method: Participants' knowledge of HIV and substance abuse risk factors was assessed for a group of new clients and for a group of clients enrolled for 3 months using an author-developed questionnaire. Continuation of high-risk sexual and substance use behaviors was assessed using the approach. Success in maintaining housing and 12-step recovery was assessed using a retrospective chart review on a separate group of past participants. Results: Statistically significant positive changes in participants' knowledge of HIV and substance use and a decrease in self-reported high-risk behaviors were found. The retrospective chart review also indicated positive changes in housing stability and substance abuse recovery. Conclusions: Preliminary results support the conclusion that the day treatment program had positive effects on the three variables of concern.

Objective: This research tested the Social Work Career Influence Questionnaire (SWCIQ) as a measurement tool for assessing career influence variables among master's of social work (MSW) students. Method: A nonprobability sample of 589 students from six MSW programs participated in the cross-sectional survey that included the SWCIQ. Four areas of career influence were identified using factor analytic techniques and item analysis: Personal and Family Experiences, Desire To Be a Therapist, Prestige of the Profession, and the Social Change Mission of the Profession. The four subscales each contain eight items with acceptable alpha levels (.76 to .81). Results: Aspirations for private practice were positively associated with higher scores on the Personal and Family Experiences, Desire To Be a Therapist and Prestige subscales. High scores on the Social Change dimension resulted regardless of the students' career aspirations. Conclusions: Career choice is a multidimensional construct matching personal and social change values regardless of MSW students' projected practice setting.

Despite the high incidence of domestic violence, information about the effectiveness of practice with battered women is scant. The purpose of this article is to critically review the research on practice effectiveness with abused women. Toward this end, the author examines the outcomes of practice research with battered women in terms of its conceptual adequacy, methodology, and findings. Implications for social work research and practice are drawn.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to describe the results of a process and outcome evaluation of a culturally specific, peer-led, dietary change program designed to reduce the risk of noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) among low-income African American women. Method: Using an experimental, control-group design, 239 African American women completed pretest and posttest interviews that included measures of nutrition-related knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, fat intake, and weight. Results: Significant reductions in fat intake were found among women in the treatment condition. Participants significantly increased low-fat dietary patterns and showed higher levels of nutrition-related knowledge. Examination of physical data indicates that no significant weight differences were found between the treatment and control groups. Conclusions: This model of health promotion, which individually tailors the intervention content through staging and used community organization strategies, has potential for reducing the risk of diet-related diseases among African American women.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate on-site, behavioral treatment of the disruptive classroom behaviors of a 16-year-old, male, high school student diagnosed as having autism. Method: A descriptive analysis of the problem behaviors was conducted. A number of behavioral treatments, including environmental modification, relaxation training, and self-monitoring, were introduced under the direction of a social worker. Results: Seriously disruptive behaviors were reduced to zero frequency, and the frequency of less severe disruptive behaviors was also reduced. Outcomes remained positive during 1 year of intervention. Conclusion: Descriptive assessment and on-site behavioral interventions are potentially effective interventions for social workers treating disruptive behaviors of clients with autism and related developmental disabilities.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the validity of the First Offender Risk Assessment Index (FORAI) in predicting delinquent behavior. The measure comprises seven predictor variables: family's history of criminal involvement, school functioning, substance abuse, peer group associations, parental supervision, age at first court referral, and seriousness of the referring offense. Method: Longitudinal data on rates of recidivism were collected for 181 first offenders who, along with their parents, were previously administered the FORAI. Results: The data analysis indicated that the FORAI correctly classified the recidivism of more than 70% of the study sample and that four of the seven predictor variables in the measure were found statistically significant. Conclusions: The results suggest that the FORAI, as a composite measure, could provide a meaningful approach to the early identification of at-risk youth and is a valid predictor of recidivism among a first-offender population. Implications for social work practice are also discussed.

Objective: A computer program for social work practice research was created and then tested. This program was designed specifically for computer tasks of data entry, data analysis, and graphic presentations of single-system-design research in social work practice. Method: An evaluation of this program was conducted with 136 students at one master's of social work (MSW) program in the spring of 1996. Results: More than 95% of the students surveyed found the program added a valuable component to research, and 81.9% reported the program helpful in evaluating practice. Conclusions: Computer software programs that are research design specific may encourage more social workers to do practice evaluation studies, but further development and testing of these types of specialized programs is called for.

Objective: This study compares the utility of two methods of knowledge utilization in social work intervention: vote count review and meta-analysis. Methods: Using the two methods, the authors reviewed 40 intervention studies with adult cancer patients that used treatment techniques common in social work. The common research question was, which treatments are the most effective with cancer patients, differentiated by disease phase and type of diagnosis? Results: By both methods of review, interventions were shown to be most common and effective at the treatment phase, and cognitive-behavioral methods showed the most consistently positive effects. Correlations between the vote count and meta-analysis results showed that the outcome score given in the vote count was very strongly correlated with the average effect size from the meta-analysis. Conclusions: Vote count is a relatively simple method of knowledge utilization, whereas meta-analysis requires careful explanation of the discretionary steps taken in analysis.