This dissertation combines seemingly different studies, which work together to describe the physical characteristics of rip current development and associated social implications at several locations. These fast-moving, concentrated flows of water travel offshore and can be found on any beach with sufficient wave action. Any event of increased wave steepness will erode a large quantity of sediment from the beach. The material deposited offshore eventually makes its way back; during this process, ocean water becomes trapped behind a shore-attached bar resulting in a ridge-and-runnel. These formations are seen at East Hampton, where rip-like currents form as concentrated water drains from the runnel through a breach in the ridge. Camera images from 2010-2016 captured ridge-and-runnel formations and the ensuing currents. These newly described rips behave similarly to bar-gaps; however, they are not directly related to wave action. Coastal scientists consider rip currents to be the number one hazard at most beaches. In Palm Beach County, two traditional rip types were studied: bar-gap and structurally-controlled. Lifeguard incident reports from 2011-2016 were used to correlate wind speeds and wave heights to rip related rescues at three beaches. This research was undertaken in an effort to determine under what conditions most beachgoers become caught in this hazard. Rip currents were seen to be the most dangerous to bathers on days with moderate wind and wave activity. The same beach states that lead to the strongest rips also tend to keep beachgoers from entering the ocean. A social survey at Miami Beach, from 2011 to 2012, quantified beachgoer’s rip knowledge and their recognition of hazards. A significant portion of the respondents showed insufficient knowledge, which indicated they are at-risk of being caught or drowning in a rip current. Frequent exposure to the beach, maturation, and residency were identified as the main contributors to one’s literacy whereas education was the only variable that influenced a beachgoer’s visual recognition of hazard. The information gathered by these surveys can aid in creating better rip current awareness campaigns targeted to demographics that were determined as the most at-risk. An understanding of the physical and social science of rip currents can mitigate the impact of these beach hazards.

The current study identified subgroups of individuals regarding nonresident fathers’ childcare provision by taking the growth mixture modeling approach (GMM) and Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS; wave 1 to wave 5). The three-profile model was the most fitted model, where Profile 1 (n = 548, 68.7%) showed the lowest childcare across waves, and Profile 3 (n = 106, 13.3%) was the most involved group, and the Profile 2 (n = 144, 18.0%) showed moderate levels of care provision (see Figure 1). Follow-up analysis revealed that the profiles significantly differed on child gender and the fathers’ education level; participants were more likely to be in the Profile 3 when the child was boy and fathers had higher education achievement.

This is a retrospective, population-based cohort study (extracted with VA Informatics and Computing Infrastructure; VINCI) of adult patients (age > 18) in the United States Veterans Affairs Health Care System (VA) who have received care in at least one of seven Central Appalachian VA healthcare systems between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2017. The study is designed to assess the potential significant correlation between pertinent demographic variables (i.e., age, race, ethnicity, sex, service connection, rurality, era of service, and combat vet status) and diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and/or Substance Use Disorder (SUD). Using statistical methods, these demographic variables will be held constant to examine the variance explained by military branch of service (i.e., Navy, Marines, Air Force, Army, National Guard) on diagnoses of PTSD and/or SUD. Veterans will be included in the data pull if they have been seen in at least one of the seven Central Appalachian VA healthcare systems and been diagnosed with PTSD and/or SUD through an inpatient or outpatient mental health clinic (verified by clinic stop code). The primary analysis will assess correlation (Pearson's r) between demographic variables and PTSD and/or SUD diagnoses; and using a general linear model (one-way ANOVA) to examine the impact of branch of military service on diagnoses of PTSD and/or SUD after controlling for other pertinent demographic variables.

The Current Population Survey (CPS) has been a major source of disability data for public policy and research. The aim of this study was two-fold. First, the study examined the six disability measures added to the CPS in 2008 to determine if they are both a reliable and stable method of describing disability over a period of two survey administrations in a 12-month period. Second, this study then assessed the impact of disability upon labor force participation. This research used a subset of the respondents to the longitudinal CPS Annual Social and Economic Supplement; it included (N=11,721) respondents who indicated a positive answer to the disability questions in both survey months that the disability variables were measured. Descriptive analysis of expected demographic variable distributions supported the construct reliability of the measures. Correlation analysis utilizing Kappa coefficients demonstrated that all six measures of types of disability in the CPS are stable across time, and Fisher Z transformations show that, among the six, measures of physical and mobility difficulties were the most stable. Measures of visual difficulties, while stable, are significantly less stable than the other disability measures. Logistic regression analysis indicated that all six disability measures have a significant predictive effect on the likelihood of employment of persons with disabilities, and a fully-controlled model including contextual variables supported the conclusion that four of the six types of disability (physical disability and difficulties with remembering, mobility and vision) have independent statistically significant effects on employment.

This study examined the knowledge and perceptions of the Latino population in Southern California towards Children Protective Services (CPS). Modern representation of social workers from the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), or Child Protective Services (CPS) often do not complement, support, or value the profession. This is a quantitative study with a sample of 103 Hispanic/Latino individuals ranging from the ages of 18 to over 60. An online Qualtrics survey was disseminated through social media and in person. It included a total of 26 questions measuring knowledge and perceptions. The purpose of this study was to better understand the Latino population as it relates to CPS, and create positive changes in the Latino communities CPS serves, with the hope to bring awareness and better service delivery.

Migration is a phenomenon wherein individuals relocate from one country to another, albeit temporarily or permanently, for numerous reasons. The State of Qatar is a highly diverse nation with a large population of foreign residents. According to Priya D’Souza, as of 2017, 60 percent of the resident population in Qatar are from South Asia. Growing up in this environment, third culture kids develop a unique, hybrid culture through experiencing multiple cultures. This research investigates a dichotomy of belonging from the perspective of South Asians in Qatar. A series of hybridized spinning tops were produced in collaboration with a South Asian artisan. These hybridized artifacts are infused with sensory materials in order to elicit an emotive response, engage memory, and celebrate the merging of diverse cultures.

La misurazione del crimine in Europa è difficile a causa delle diverse definizioni giuridiche dei reati e dalle differenti metodologie utilizzate per la raccolta di dati nei paesi Europei. L’Unione Europea produce indicatori strutturali in grado di misurare e confrontare le caratteristiche dei paesi: gli indicatori sociali possono aiutare a monitorare e analizzare le condizioni di vita e la qualità della vita e a contestualizzare il crimine descrivendo l’Europa d oggi. Sulla base di tre macro teorie criminologiche (modernizzazione, civilizzazione e opportunità) alcuni indicatori sociali sono selezionati e incrociati con i livelli di crimine così da poter identificare dei fattori di rischio per le diverse tipologie di reati e per valutare la validità di queste teorie in Europa. Infine l’uso di tecniche statistiche avanzate (cluster analysis) permetterà di identificare degli insiemi omogenei di paesi, per poter analizzare e confrontare l’andamento temporale tra i fattori di rischio identificati e il crimine in Europa. / Measuring crime in Europe is problematic because many different legal concept definitions and statistic collecting practices have been embraced in each country. In recent years, numerous efforts have been made to further this overarching goal and today, there are sources that present more comparable information on crime in Europe. At the same time, the European Union has produced broadly agreed upon structural indicators, called ‘social indicators’, to systematically report, monitor, and analyze living conditions and quality of life. These indicators help to contextualize crime by describing and relating to today’s European realities. On the basis of three macro theoretical paradigm indicators (the civilization theory, modernization theory, and opportunity theory), a set of social indicators will be selected and cross-examined with crime rates recorded in Europe. This endeavour will first test the relationship between the social indicators and different types of crimes in order to assess the validity of the theoretical frameworks across Europe as a whole. Second, it will identify a set of risk factors for the selected types of crimes. After that, using advanced statistical techniques (cluster analyses) to identify homogeneous sets of countries across Europe, the comparison will take into account the evolution of crime levels in two selected, averaged periods between 1990 and 2007. Crime trends will be compared and cross-checked with social indicator tendencies to explain crime variations over time.

This study explored changes in affect regulation and coping strategies with family functioning and attachment behaviors among a sample of incarcerated male adolescents (N = 115) and their maternal caregivers (N = 71). The sample participated in the Multiple Family Group Intervention (MFGI; Keiley, 2007) which is an 8-session program conducted in a juvenile correctional institution with adolescents adjudicated of a sexual offense, and their families. In 90-minute sessions, group facilitators use a six-step therapeutic method for altering interactional patterns from an affect regulation and attachment perspective. Using enactments and discussion, the intervention targets affect regulation and communication skills. Results indicate that changes in affect regulation and coping skills from pre- to post-intervention were related to changes in family functioning and attachment behaviors. Findings add to growing empirical support for the utility of systemic interventions within juvenile justice systems to strengthen affect regulation, coping skills, family functioning, and attachment behaviors.

This study determines the religious differences associated with the perceptions, intentions, and usage of online dating amongst emerging adults. Symbolic interaction theory informs how the symbols associated with online dating impact perceptions, intentions, and usage among a sample of 447 emerging adults, between 18-30 years of age. More religious individuals were found to typically use online dating less, have more negative perceptions, and hold more concerns about online dating, showing that religious beliefs and norms may still associate online dating as a sexual culture rather than a method for finding dating or long-term partners. The association of religiosity and resultant relationships was found to be mediated by frequency and concerns about online dating, but not perceptions. As technology continues to grow and online dating expands to become more acceptable, more online dating sites related to specific intentions will likely arise. Implications for practitioners and future research are provided.

This research study is an evaluation of a graduate social work training program funded by NIMH of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare entitled "Teaching-Trainingship Grant in School Social Work." This grant provides training opportunities in a field placement at John Adams High School in Portland, Oregon, for Portland State University School of Social Work Masters degree candidates. Originally approved in June 1969, the grant became operational for the school year 1970-71. In addition to faculty salaries, supplies, professional consu1tation, fees, etc. the grant provides trainee stipends for selected students participating in the program. Both first and second year students in the graduate program are eligible for field placement at John Adams High School where they spend two days per week as school social work trainees. The unit is currently instucted by an MSW social worker who is a faculty member of the School of Social Work at Portland State University. The instructor provides a variety of training experiences for students including direct services to clients and families, supervision, consultation, program development, teaching and research. The primary focus of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the training program. at Adams High School. Secondarily, this study will attempt to answer three basic questions: Can a graduate school social work field instruction program in public school social work on the elementary and secondary levels be evaluated? Can an ongoing instrument be developed allowing for evaluation of program and individual instruction? Can the study provide analytical data for the program director's evaluation of the effectiveness of his training? This study was undertaken by the authors because of an interest in program evaluation as an integral function of professional social work practice. We feel agencies, particularly those financed through public funds are increasingly being pressured to not only quantify, but to qualify program effectiveness. Funding bodies now require evaluative research documenting direction and effectiveness of social programs. Findings of this study should be of value not only to the funding source and the program director, but also to other students who in the future may wish to conduct similar studies in evaluation of graduate social work field instruction. The following chapter discusses the background and development of John Adams High School and the educational climate that made possible the inclusion of this training program as a part of the learning experiences offered. Chapter III deals with the objectives of the training program. Chapter IV examines evaluative research. Chapter V develops the methodology of the research. The charts and statistics used are examined in Chapter VI. The data are presented and analyzed in Chapter VII. Summary, conclusions and recommendations are then set forth in the final chapter.