This thesis studies the growth of the John Howard Society of Quebec from its inception as a voluntary Anglican prisoners' aid association in 1892 to its present position in the community as a professional casework agency and member of Welfare Federation of Montreal.

The stigmatization of people with mental illness is present in all facets of modern society. Many studies have shown that even mental workers trained to work with this vulnerable population held stigmatizing attitudes about mental illness and people with mental illness. This study: (1) examined if the functioning of graduates from mental health agencies was impacted by the attitudes of workers. (2) Compared the attitudes of the mental health professionals of four local agency settings to the US general population. (3) Examined the relationship between worker attitudes and stated agency policies. (4) Examined the relationship between the levels of stigma and the personal characteristics of the mental health professionals. Two standardized instruments were used: for graduates the Independent Living Skills Survey (ILSS), for workers two vignettes from the MacArthur Mental Health Module. A total of 41 workers were recruited from four mental health residential services. These workers were found to have significantly less stigmatizing attitudes about mental illness than the general public. For some items females reported less stigmatizing views than males, and university graduates had less stigmatizing views than non graduates. This suggests that hiring workers with university degrees should be considered, and providing training for workers about issues related to mental illness should be encouraged / The stigmatization of people with mental illness is present in all facets of modern society. Many studies have shown that even mental workers trained to work with this vulnerable population held stigmatizing attitudes about mental illness and people with mental illness. This study: (1) examined if the functioning of graduates from mental health agencies was impacted by the attitudes of workers. (2) Compared the attitudes of the mental health professionals of four local agency settings to the US general population. (3) Examined the relationship between worker attitudes and stated agency policies. (4) Examined the relationship between the levels of stigma and the personal characteristics of the mental health professionals. Two standardized instruments were used: for graduates the Independent Living Skills Survey (ILSS), for workers two vignettes from the MacArthur Mental Health Module. A total of 41 workers were recruited from four mental health residential services. These workers were found to have significantly less stigmatizing attitudes about mental illness than the general public. For some items females reported less stigmatizing views than males, and university graduates had less stigmatizing views than non graduates. This suggests that hiring workers with university degrees should be considered, and providing training for workers about issues related to mental illness should be encouraged

This thesis is a preliminary plan for an active research project which sets as its goal the better understanding of ways to improve human adaptation to cultural change in the Mackenzie delta. A theoretical framework is developed which focuses on processes of adaptation, especially those which operate on a community level. This framework is applied to information compiled through library research and field observation; first, to detailed descriptions or the changing Eskimo and Indian cultures, then to the settlements of Aklavik and Inuvik. The results which are derived therefrom are applied in the building or an experimental project designed to test Community Development procedures as a means of improving adaptation. Survey plans have been developed to measure the relative improvement in the experimental and the control projects.

Increasing numbers of older persons, service provision within the home and shrinking resources have resulted in the need to evaluate service provision. This study examined agency process and client-perceived health in a single point of entry case managed program in a community health centre. The participatory evaluative model involved a dossier review, interviews with workers, and a description of client functioning using the SF-12(TM). Examination of files (N = 100) revealed that objectives were not being obtained: client involvement was low, services were late, and files were poorly completed. Only 14 (9%) of clients were referred for the SF-12(TM); further investigation revealed systemic difficulties such as lost clients (N = 4). Worker interviews (N = 12) explained that heavy caseloads result in reactive services, poor completion of case management functions, and service implications for clients. Strengths included the multi-disciplinary approach and single point of entry. Recommendations include a cost benefit analysis, an outcome measure, a caseload standard and a quality assurance model that assures accountability and monitoring.

Substantial numbers of adolescents suffer from the detrimental effects of internalized shame, however no assessment scale existed specifically for use with youth. Consequently, this study utilized multidimensional scaling, focus groups and questionnaires to develop the Adolescent Internalized Shame Scale. Analyzes revealed some clinicians do not adequately differentiate shame and guilt, adolescents unquestionably comprehend the feelings and ramifications of shame and there are significant gender differences in how youth experience shame. Statements generated by youth during focus groups and on the questionnaires raise considerable concerns regarding the painful experience of shame, and the resultant feelings of self-harm and suicide. In addition, the youth generated statements confirmed the desire of some youth to respond to shame with anger or rage, thus highlighting the gravity of the situation and necessity for effective intervention by clinicians.

Social workers are increasingly being called upon to work with clients who wish to have a child but are unable to do so without medical intervention. This study, a cross-sectional survey design, examines the attitudes of couples towards donor insemination (DI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), contractual pregnancy, adoption and living child free. A random sample of 200 names was drawn from the membership of the Infertility Awareness Association of Canada, Toronto Chapter. Surveys were completed by 74 participants (37 couples). Participants were generally well educated, affluent and ranged in age from 26 to 63 years. Women were one third more likely to report feeling pressure to have children than were men. The source of this pressure was most often reported to be external/interpersonal relationships (e.g., friends, family, partner). Women were significantly more likely to strongly agree that they would use DI or IVF if they were infertile; whereas, men were more likely to only agree when considering DI, and to be unsure or neutral when considering IVF. The possibility of living child free was an alternative that very few participants had seriously considered, as many were still pursuing one or more reproductive alternative. Although significant differences were found within couples for DI, IVF and living child free in the vignettes, unexpectedly an overall theme of agreement between women and men was found as well. In addition, participants revealed a desire for support in their consideration of, and decision making regarding, the reproductive alternatives they may pursue. Clearly, the findings point to the need participants have to receive counselling, and/or follow-up to help them cope with their infertility and the possibility that they may not be able to have children.

This thesis explored the relationship between youth delinquency, family intervention treatment and recidivism through a meta-analysis of existing literature. Fifty individual effect size estimates were derived from thirty-five experimental research studies examining the impact of involving families in the treatment of young offenders. Initially, family intervention treatment was found to significantly reduce the recidivism of young offenders compared to non-familial responses to youth crime. Methodology, however, was found to be a crucial determinant of the reported effects of treatment; studies using less rigorous methods tended to produce significantly higher rates of success than studies using more rigorous methods. In terms of treatment characteristics, programs treating younger offenders and programs with voluntary participation displayed significantly lower levels of reported recidivism. The results suggested the need to develop more rigorous methods and reporting practices and to target younger offenders with voluntary family-based interventions.

Juvenile prostitution is a social issue of major concern and controversy in our society. Research documenting high rates of violence, substance abuse, HIV risk-behaviour, and other such risks and problems have reinforced arguments to protect and prohibit youth from prostitution activity. However, presenting youths' experiences in prostitution as unidimensionally negative and deficiency-based potentially creates other important problems for youth, perhaps explaining criticisms of social services for being generally ineffective and, at times, aggravating youths' situations. Left out in these debates are often the voices of those who matter most, the youth. The present study has sought to hear and articulate youths' voices, suggesting that prostitution is a diverse and complex reality and that effective intervention begins with hearing voices and respecting choices. In-depth and semi-structured interviews were conducted for this study with ten street youth with experiences in prostitution as a minor and three key informants in youth protection.

The aim of my research was examine the impact of race, class and gender in Ottawa's educational system. I sought to find out if these factors played a role in the streaming of Black youths in basic or vocational programs and, if so, to what degree. While looking at the issue, I examined the narratives of both middle-class and working-class students and parents. / The study found that a student's socio-economic background largely determine her/his educational stream, be it basic, general or advanced. For example, all the participants in the vocational stream were working-class students while the participants that were streamed into the university bound program were from middle-class families. Teachers within the system also treated the parents differently. Middle-class parents had a greater degree of reciprocity between themselves and teachers compared to working-class parents.

The growth of grandparent caregivers has significantly increased in recent years, and therefore, more research is needed in this area. This particular qualitative study explored the feelings and experiences of permanent grandparent caregivers between the ages of 58 and 71. Data was collected using a semi structured interview format from four separate couple grandparents and one single grandmother. Although the study was limited due to the small sample size, the findings showed that despite some rewards, grandparent caregivers experienced a number of emotional issues. In analyzing the written transcripts, several themes emerged, included: feelings of loss; anger and frustration, disappointment and guilt; fears and concerns; isolation and lack of supports and, positive aspects. There were also several variations on these themes. The need for grandparent caregivers to be able to access services, and especially support groups for themselves, was evident.