Thesis (D. Min.)--New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 1992. / Questionnaires are in English and Portuguese. Includes abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 232-237).

Thesis (D. Min.)--New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 1992. / Questionnaires are in English and Portuguese. Includes abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 232-237).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2007. / Abstract. Description based on Microfiche version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 213-218).

Thesis (doctoral)--Technische Universität, Dresden, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 191-199).

Thesis (D. Min.)--New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 1992. / Questionnaires are in English and Portuguese. Includes abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 232-237).

Thesis (D. Min.)--New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 2005. / Includes abstract and vita. Includes final project proposal. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 214-220, 46-50).

<p> Background: Youth relocation is a common phenomenon, with most children and adolescents moving 2.6 times by age 18. While multiple studies have been conducted on the consequences of youth relocation, most have focused on already vulnerable populations, potentially leading to overestimation of the psychosocial effects of relocation on youth. Adolescents often experience negative psychosocial outcomes following residential relocation. Current theories have focused on how adolescent psychosocial functioning is impaired due to disruptions in social networks. Though this has been a focus of research, few studies have investigated potential protective social relationships within the family, or how relocation may impact intimate relationships into adulthood. </p><p> Methods: Secondary data sources were utilized to allow for large samples, and consisted of both yearly data, and longitudinal data. For the first paper, data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) involving 178,022 youth aged 12-17 was used, covering the years of 2005 to 2015. Participants were grouped into three categories: non-movers, single moves, and two or more moves reported within the last 12 months. Ordinal logistic regression was used to estimate individual, family, and school-related factors, as well as behavioral correlates of relocation in the past 12 months. For papers two and three, the National Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) dataset was used. Those reporting relocating at least once prior to Wave I were designated as &ldquo;movers&rdquo;. Propensity score matching was conducted using a .25 caliper with 1:1 matching. Matched groups of movers and non-movers were assessed longitudinally in order to investigate how youth adapted into adulthood. </p><p> Results: For paper one, 22.9% of youth reported at least one household relocation within the past year. Movers were more likely to identify as racial minorities and report lower household income. Those reporting at least one household move were also significantly more likely to report a past-year depressive episode and increased interest in high-risk activities. They were also more likely to report decreased parental engagement and decreased academic engagement. Both substance use and delinquent or criminal behaviors were significantly increased with those reporting relocation, with each relocation predicting a 97.5% increased likelihood of a past year arrest or booking. Paper two showed that prior to matching, those reporting relocation prior to Wave I were significantly more likely to be non-White, receive household assistance, and were more likely to report engagement in substance use and delinquent activities at Wave I. Regression analysis showed that those youth with siblings were more likely to report improved adaptation at Wave II. Significant effects were found for those with siblings close in age, and for those with same-gendered siblings. Lastly, paper three suggested that youth who have experienced household relocation were significantly more likely to report younger ages of sexual debut, decreased contraceptive use, and an increased number of partners. Mobile youth were also more likely to report at least one marriage by Wave III. </p><p> Conclusions: Household relocation exposes adolescents to a bevy of psychosocial risks and predicts a steep increase in risky behaviors. While not typically identified as a high-risk group, additional attention needs to be paid to this population. They experience numerous risks, primarily in interpersonal relationships.</p><p>

Managers in social care are being relied upon to lead and implement substantial change within the sector. Yet the prevailing view is that the pressure being put on managers by managerialism and the increase in the business aspects of their role is in conflict with social care managers’ values, causing concern and challenging managers’ identity. Additionally, managers in social care are presented as being part of the same homogenous group as social work managers, a potential misrepresentation, which again has consequences for how managers identify with their role. This study aimed to explore and explain how social care managers are experiencing their manager identity and how they categorise themselves from a group perspective. This research was undertaken using a critical realist philosophical approach. The key theoretical framework used is social identity theory. The study findings have achieved the overall aim of the research, establishing that social care managers appear not to be experiencing any conflict in their identities, that managerialism is accepted by managers and seen to be necessary, and that managers’ values, formed in childhood, are a key aspect of how they undertake their managerial role. In addition, social care managers are not the same as social work managers, their social identity is a synthesis of the multiple groups they are members of with the dominant group being social care, because of this they cannot be viewed as being within the same homogenous group. Neither is the social care manager role distinctive from manager roles in other sectors, however how they undertake the role is. The significance of the study is the contribution to both the existing social care literature and the literature on social identity theory.

Enhancing and facilitating a strength-based intervention model presents a challenge for practitioners and those involved in program design and policy. This study examined a shift away from a deficit-based approach and toward strength-based assessment of family functioning within current early childhood practices. The initial effectiveness of the Family Functioning Style Scale in facilitating the re-framing of family functioning was assessed and patterns of reported family strengths were analyzed and compared. A random sample of 64 parents, equally representing four different early childhood program models, were asked to complete the scale, participate in informal discussion, complete a follow-up questionnaire, and answer follow-up questions individually three months later. The sample of parents reflected equal distribution among Head Start, Day Care, Early Intervention and Pre-School Special Education programs as well as represented equal distribution with respect to ages served (0-3, 3-5) and special education program and regular education models. The study also included a sample of 13 professionals, representing the four programs, who completed the scale based upon their knowledge of 13 of the families in the parent sample. While inter-class correlation coefficients indicated that there was no significant evidence to show that there was a difference in the rating of family strengths between parents and professionals, professionals expressed a need to gain further familiarity with the strengths of families they served. When asked if completing the scale helped them to identify family strengths, 77.6% of the respondents to this question indicated that they felt the scale had been effective. The area of strength most frequently reported by the total sample was in cohesion. The area of strength least frequently reported by this sample was in communication. Income was significantly correlated with the full scale score (FFSS) and the strength dimensions of competence and cohesion. Risk factors, such as low income and social isolation, were felt to impact the reporting of strengths within each sub-group. Several significant differences between the four sub-groups were reported with respect to the full scale mean scores as well as within several of the strength dimensions. This study supported further investigation of the use and effectiveness of scales as well as the option of interviews in order to assess family strengths and facilitate a strength-based model for intervention. In addition, the researcher emphasized the importance of staff training and policy formation in order to support program models in their effort to create environments which will maximize the recognition of family strengths and nurture the empowerment of families.

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