This study examined the relationship between attachment and adolescent sex abusers through a literature review. Due to the dearth of literature on this subject, separate literature reviews were conducted on attachment theory and on predisposing factors to adolescent sex abusing. The results indicated that a causal relationship between attachment and the development of adolescent sex abusers is unlikely; however, insecure attachment styles were found to be one of many factors related to adolescent sex abusing. Theories related to emotional stress, the developmental stage of adolescence, intergenerational transmission and sibling incest were generated within the theoretical context of attachment. A typology was constructed that suggests how different attachment styles may be associated with various types of adolescent sex abusers. Implications for primary prevention, treatment interventions and research were discussed.

As extreme poverty and homelessness continue to increase and become more visible in urban centres throughout Canada, it is increasingly more important to develop and critique interventions within the field. This grounded theory study provides and overview of one type of intervention---street outreach programs. It is informed by interviews with front line street outreach workers in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal. It includes an outline of the academic literature on homelessness and street outreach programs and stresses the importance of viewing this social phenomenon through a structural lens. It describes in detail the main aspects of street outreach work, as well as evaluates the greater the political significance of this type of work. Conclusions demonstrate the importance of establishing trusting relationships with clients and working from a structural approach that satisfy peoples immediate needs while addressing the root causes of extreme poverty and oppression.

There is growing evidence of the important role that family members play in the support and recovery of individuals diagnosed with a serious mental illness. The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) Provider Education Program (PEP) trains providers of mental health services to work collaboratively with families in the treatment of individuals with a mental illness. This study examines the effect of the NAMI-PEP on Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) provider representations of and services provided to families at Frontenac Community Mental Health Services. Qualitative and quantitative methods of research are combined to explore ACT provider beliefs about, feelings toward and services provided to families before and after participating the NAMI-PEP. Findings suggest that the NAMI-PEP is effective in initiating changes in provider representations of family at a cognitive level. Changes in provider views are detected indicating movement toward a strengths-based orientation and an improved understanding of the components of collaborative practice with families. Analysis of changes to ACT practice patterns illuminates the challenges of implementing cultural change at an organizational level and identifies a fertile area for further research.

This quantitative study was conducted using a population of Child Protection Social Workers (CPSWs) and other staff at a relatively small Child Welfare agency in Eastern Ontario (Northumberland County). The participants (n = 29) completed four questionnaires aimed at gathering data regarding demographics, Ongoing Stressors, Critical Incidents, and Horowitz's Impact of Events Scale (IES). The goal of the research was to add to the scant empirical data regarding stress and post-traumatic stress in CPSWs and Child Welfare organizations as a whole. The results indicated that 9 out of 11 front-line CPSWs were considered to be experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder based on their IES scores at the time of the testing. The study includes descriptive and correlational data for the participants.

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions and practices of children, their parents, and their teachers with regards to bullying at the grade school level. Eight children were interviewed; three that were identified by their teachers as victims, two identified as bullies and three identified as regular peers. Three parents, each taken from the victim, bully, peer groups were also interviewed, as was four teachers taken from the fifth and sixth grade, within the English and French language stream program. The subjects were interviewed using a semi-structured qualitative interview format. / Victim children were generally perceived negatively by the bullies, their peers and by some teachers. The school used in this study did not adopt a formal bullying program and teachers received no bullying training. Parents of victims and bullies were seen to have had similar childhood experiences. Victims felt they did not receive enough support by their teachers. / The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions and practices of children, their parents, and their teachers with regards to bullying at the grade school level. Eight children were interviewed; three that were identified by their teachers as victims, two identified as bullies and three identified as regular peers. Three parents, each taken from the victim, bully, peer groups were also interviewed, as was four teachers taken from the fifth and sixth grade, within the English and French language stream program. The subjects were interviewed using a semi-structured qualitative interview format. Victim children were generally perceived negatively by the bullies, their peers and by some teachers. The school used in this study did not adopt a formal bullying program and teachers received no bullying training. Parents of victims and bullies were seen to have had similar childhood experiences. Victims felt they did not receive enough support by their teachers.

Over the past few years, attachment theory has taken on increased significance in academic and professional discourse, particularly in the field of child welfare. While this appears to be a relatively new area of interest in social work, the history of attachment theory dates back over five decades. This thesis aims to identify some of the reasons behind the resurgence of attachment theory, in particular, in child welfare practice. This renewed interest in attachment theory is tied to the current social climate and context for social work practice. This context, it is argued, contributes to the tendency for attachment theory to become a tool of social control. The thesis concludes by exploring how attachment theory might be used instead as a means to empower families in relationship-based social work.

Child protection work largely relies on mothers in fulfilling its aim to protect children and support families. Mothers are expected to shield children from abuse and neglect regardless of circumstance. Fathers evade such expectations, and are rather treated as unimportant or as aggressors. In either case, they are distanced from the child protection process. These divergent expectations of mothers and fathers often go unnoticed in child protection practice, as social workers are consumed with the urgent need of assessing risk to children. Workers' reliance on mothers becomes a habit that is not easily countered because there is neither the time nor the tools to engage in such a battle. The present study seeks to illuminate gender constructions and their reproduction in front-line child protection work through the voices of social workers. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight former and current front-line workers for this study.

This study examined the use of language in the development and implementation of mental health policy. It focused on the current discourse of mental health reform in Ontario as it related to individuals with a mental illness and who are in conflict with the law. Using a qualitative design, informed by critical inquiry and a postmodern perspective, the researcher explored administrative perceptions of the accomplishments and challenges faced at different levels of the mental health and criminal justices systems in Ontario. The participants' understandings of the provincial mental health reform policy, Making it Happen, and the extent they felt that their organizations and related policies were able to create positive change in the lives of service users were also examined. While the language of mental health policy encompasses an empowerment, community integration approach to providing services, findings indicated that a biomedical-model, public safety discourse appear to inform both policy and practice. A number of questions and apparent inconsistencies in the manner in which the mental health and criminal justice systems deal with the needs of this population were also identified. This thesis concludes with recommendations for future research.

It is important for the medical community, specifically mental health professionals, to understand the complexities that influence the diagnosis of Antisocial Personality Disorder. Social influences and experiences have a direct influence on how an individual understands his/her role within the various social systems that they will navigate throughout their lifetime. / I have undertaken a phenomological study that looks at the social experiences of three men who have been labeled with Antisocial Personality Disorder. Accounts of their experiences are contrasted and compared to draw out similarities and consistent themes that have shaped these mens' lives as they are today. / From a client-centred model of care, it is important for mental health professionals to understand these experiences and interpretations as it impacts that quality of mental health services that are providing. It also influences the manner in which mental health professionals view models of recovery when working with this specific population. / Il est important pour la communauté médicale, plus précisément des professionnels de santé mentale, à comprendre les complexités qui influent sur le diagnostic de trouble de Antisocial Personality Disorder. Influences sociales et des expériences ont une influence directe sur la façon dont une personne comprend son rôle au sein des différents systèmes sociaux qu'ils vont naviguer dans toute leur durée de vie. / J'ai entrepris une étude de phenomological qui se penche sur les expériences sociales des trois hommes qui ont été intitulées avec trouble de Antisocial Personality Disorder Les comptes de leurs expériences sont contrastées et par rapport à attirer les similitudes et cohérentes des thèmes qui ont façonné vie ces mens ' qu'ils sont aujourd'hui. / D'un modèle axé sur le client de soins, il est important pour professionnels de santé mentale de comprendre ces expériences et des interprétations qu'il a un impact que la qualité des services de santé mentale qui fournissent des. Elle influence également la manière dans laquelle les professionnels de santé mentale afficher les modèles de recouvrement lorsque vous travaillez avec cette population spécifique.

Disaster response is a vital field in social work practice. Social workers commonly treat posttraumatic stress, assist in planning, logistics, and the protection of vulnerable populations. In 'complex disasters', where official sources of assistance have limited reach, social workers are called upon to adopt an increased coordination and networking role within the community. The case of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 is frequently studied because its protracted recovery illuminated the importance of community networks. However, although the social work literature analyzes efforts towards community development by local residents, there is a gap in the study of the efforts undertaken by social workers themselves. This study investigates the action of social workers in improving social networks during Hurricane Katrina. A case study of the hurricane was conducted using archives from the year 2005 to 2010. Reports of social worker activity in the aftermath of the disaster were analyzed using social capital theory for evidence of attempts to build social networks via bonding (homophilous), bridging (heterophilous) and linking (institutional) exchanges. Social workers were found to have facilitated bonding social capital between themselves and their clients, their own families, and within the social work profession. Bridging social capital was at times increased between geographic, cultural and racial communities, but social workers were not immune to prejudices which could impede this process. Linking social capital was very difficult to provide, as access to institutional sources of assistance could be sporadic and inconsistent. Nevertheless, there was evidence that linking capital was built between vulnerable populations and helping agencies, clinics, the military, as well as faith-based and other community organizations. The presence of the practitioner-client relationship presented distinct opportunities and obstacles and differentiated the social capital exchanges in / L'intervention en cas de catastrophe est un domaine essentiel du travail social. Les travailleurs sociaux traitent souvent le stress post-traumatique, aident à la planification, à la logistique et à la protection des populations vulnérables. Dans des cas de « désastre complexe », où les sources officielles d'aide n'ont qu'une porteé limiteé, les travailleurs sociaux sont toutefois appelés à jouer davantage un rôle de coordination et de création de réseaux au sein de la communauté. Le cas de l'ouragan Katrina en 2005 est très étudié puisque le rétablissement retardé suite à la catastrophe permet de souligner l'importance des réseaux communautaires. Il existe de la documentation sur le travail social qui analyse les efforts de développement communautaire des résidents locaux, mais très peu sur les efforts des travailleurs sociaux. Cette étude examine les actions entreprises par les travailleurs sociaux pour améliorer les réseaux sociaux après l'ouragan Katrina. Une étude de cas sur l'ouragan a été réalisée à l'aide de documents d'archives datant de 2005 à 2010. Des rapports sur l'activité des travailleurs sociaux après la catastrophe ont été analysés selon la théorie du capital social afin de trouver des cas de création de liens sociaux d'attachement (homophilous), d'accointement (hétérophilous) ou instrumental (institutionnels). On constate que les travailleurs sociaux ont facilité la création de capital social d'attachement avec leurs clients, avec leurs propres familles et au sein de la profession du travail social. Il y a également eu, à certains moments, une hausse de capital social d'accointances entre les différentes communautés géographiques, raciales et culturelles mais les travailleurs sociaux ne sont pas eux-mêmes à l'abri de préjugés, ce qui a entravé le processus. Le capital social instrumental était difficile à créer puisque l'accè