Bibliography: p. 156-163. / The purpose of this study was to investigate day-to-day experiences in children's homes, through an examination mainly of their daily routines and leisure time activities. In order to achieve this goal, these experiences were assumed to be contained in the concept of a therapeutic milieu. Each respondents commitment to the creation of a therapeutic milieu was thus assessed by means of a range of questions which formed a Milieu Therapy Scale, and the consequences of such commitment for factors such as the size of the Home, incidences of bedwetting, frequency of visiting by friends and parents, the tasks performed by respondents, the use of corporal punishment, and the number of absconders, was then investigated.

Profound disparities exist among families who experience adverse infant health outcomes (i.e. preterm birth and low birth weight), yet much is still unclear regarding the factors that predict disparate outcomes. In order to address this gap, the current study takes a more nuanced approach compared to existing research by applying three key theoretical models (Critical Race Theory, Intersectionality, and Ecosocial Theory) to create an overarching analysis of how social determinants of health interact in a dynamic way to predict which families are at the greatest risk of experiencing poor outcomes. In order to examine the role that social determinants play in predicting risk, this study implements a secondary analysis of data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS). Results of the study indicate three distinct risk types among women in the sample: low-, moderate- and high-risk women. Within the three risk groups, racial disparities are particularly notable, with 76% of the sample’s African American mothers falling into the “high-risk” category. Although racial disparities have long been noted, the findings from this study’s intersectional analysis help to better understand how determinants of health intersect to create an overarching risk profile, which can be used to help promote social services that may reduce the current gap in infant health outcomes. / A Dissertation submitted to the College of Social Work in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / 2019 / August 19, 2019. / disparities, latent class analysis, low birth weight, perinatal health, PRAMS, preterm birth / Includes bibliographical references. / Karen A. Randolph, Professor Directing Dissertation; Heather A. Flynn, University Representative; Shamra M. Boel-Studt, Committee Member; Dina J. Wilke, Committee Member.

This thesis is one in a series of studies concerned with the interrelationship of General Systems Theory and social work knowledge. The purpose of this particular study was to develop a questionnaire to test the generic quality of the actions performed among the three traditional specialties of social work – casework, group work and community organization. The universe from which the sample of concepts was obtained were the acts performed by people in behalf of others. Specifically, the 421 concepts in the sample were obtained from literature in the fields of social work, sociology, psychology, and counseling and guidance. These concepts were rated on the basis of their clarity of meaning, their frequency of use and their importance to the specialties. The 44 judges were first year graduate students and professional social workers. In the study both a 100 and a 5 point rating scale were used for responding to the concepts. It was found that a 5 point scale was too gross and that the 100 point scale was tiring over many responses. A working assumption was that a generic core of social work knowledge exists. The main null hypothesis was: There are no significant differences in the dimensions tested among the three traditional specialties in regard to the actions that each performs in practice. Testing between the first year graduate students and the professional social worker required a secondary null hypothesis: There are no significant differences between the social work graduate student and the professional social worker in terms of how they view social work action concepts. Using a .05 level of confidence both null hypotheses were accepted. The statistical measurements showed a wide variance in response by individuals but agreement among the traditional specialties and between the first year graduate student and the professional social worker. Due to the small number of judges these findings tend to be viewed as first approximations.

The purpose of this research practicum is twofold. First, to present a synthesis of current generalist literature and to formulate a practice model which is both comprehensive and representative of current generalist practice in direct services. To our knowledge there is no single reference or source which in and of itself accomplishes this purpose. Therefore, such a model would make an important contribution to the field. Second, to develop a questionnaire which could be used to conduct a descriptive survey of generalist social work practice in Oregon. It would determine the extent to which practitioners in Oregon are practicing as generalists. We are interested in discovering 1) the relationship between generalist practice and the personal characteristics of practitioners, as well as 2) the relationship between generalist practice and the type of agency in which the practitioner works. It appears to us that certain agencies encourage ineffective, inappropriate, and uni-dimensional practice, while others tend to encourage more effective and holistic practices.

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