The overall objective of this study was to determine whether an intervention of social skills training would increase the self-concept of a 16 year old African-American, homeless youth. To obtain this objective, this single system design focused on the subject's level of negative and positive self-talk and independent thinking. The results indicated a decrease in the subject's negative self-talk, an increase in his positive self-talk and an increase in his independent thinking. The results imply that social skills training can have a very positive impact on the field of social work as an intervention with homeless children. The study attempts to encourage homeless shelters to implement this training as a pro-active measure.

A survey was conducted to compare the attitudes of Urban Black males to females in areas associated with aggressive behavior. A self administered Questionnaire was designed to collect data. In this study, aggressive behavior was generally depicted as fighting with classmates. The subjects were thirty-two male and thirty-two female students attending XYZ Middle School in a Ward of New Orleans during the academic year 1990-91. The study subjects were generally between twelve and thirteen years old, in the seventh grade, had two other siblings, and chose Black as their ethnic identification. The data revealed that only a significant difference was found between Urban Black males and females in relationship to attitudes toward assertive behavior. Males were found to have been more assertive than females in their participation in the classroom. Further, aggressive males indicated a more positive attitude toward their teachers than females. The significance of these findings are that aggressive Urban Black males were generally depicted as better students than aggressive Urban Black females. Also, since the youths indicated that fighting was their primary means of aggressive behavior, programs such as assertiveness training and anger management could help them better deal with and express their feelings.

A survey of 31 African Americans were conducted at a rural church in the southeastern United States to determine if certain attitudes were more prevalent in that area and if education or age influenced donation patterns. Data were collected using a modified 1990 survey of Georgian's attitudes toward donation and transplantation. T-test was performed to determine if differences in attitudes existed. No differences in attitudes toward organ donation existed with regard to the demographic variables. Religious implications were revealed to have a influence on donation patterns. The theoretical framework used in this study was the cognitive and social learning theory will cause variation in the dependent variable of this study. No statistical significance was found in this study.

The objective of this study was to determine if there was a difference between the perceptions of elderly African American men and women regarding social support systems. To obtain this objective the researcher conducted an exploratory descriptive research design. A self-administered 31 item questionnaire was given to fifteen elderly African American men and fifteen African American women in rural North Carolina. A non-probability convenience sample was used for this population. The null hypothesis of this study were rejected at the .05 level of significance. The results of this study revealed that the elderly had a strong perception of social support systems. They felt loved by and involved with family, friends and others. The study did not reveal any statistical significant difference between the two groups of elderly.

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of race, social class status (middle income) and political party affiliation on the attitudes of middle class White and African Americans toward welfare reform legislation. This study focused on the comparison of the two groups: (1) African Americans with an annual income between $35,000 - $99,999; and (2) White Americans with an annual income also between $35,000 - $99,999. Specifically, a comparison was done to identify what similarities and/or differences exist between the two groups in relation to the dependent variable (attitudes toward welfare reform legislation), and the independent variables (race, social class status: income and political party affiliation). The sample population was randomly selected from a total of ten sites using the systematic sample process. This explanatory study used the survey questionnaire research method to collect data on each independent variable in relation to the dependent variable. The questionnaire contained 46 statements and was divided into three sections: (1) Demographics, (2) Poverty and Welfare Knowledge, and (3) Welfare Reform Attitudes. Data collected were analyzed by employing the Chi-square statistical technique. The findings of this study suggest that race and social class status (middle income) were not key factors in determining the public’s attitudes toward the issue of welfare reform legislation, while political party affiliation was a issue. Conclusions drawn from the data indicated that White and African Americans have very direct and adamant attitudes about the work ethics of poor people. In fact they share similar concerns about making America a more productive society through encouraging work and self- sufficiency among welfare recipients. Their attitudes about supporting welfare reform legislation transcend racial lines. Particular attention was given to understanding the level of support for welfare reform legislation expressed by African Americans. Finally, the author concluded this study with a series of recommendations that may assist the field of social work in addressing the issue of poverty. Specific emphasis was placed on the presentation of a strategic model for social work practitioners to address poverty.

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