Relatively few studies have examined the strengths of the African American family, while several have highlighted social issues that have affected the African American family such as divorce, single-parent households, and absentee fathers. This focus on deficit and dysfunction contributes to a research-based gap in understanding the African American marital dyad. Given that religion influences the lives of many African American couples, it is important to understand the impact that religious coping can have on marital stability in the African American community. The purpose of this study is to explore the underlying processes of religious coping for those African American couples that identify as highly religious and happily married. Specifically, this study seeks to answer the two following questions: 1) How do highly religious, happily married African American couples use religion as a coping resource for common stressors that impact the marriage?, and 2) How are the three approaches to religious coping, identified as self-directed, deferred, and collaborative, used to contribute to the marital stability of highly religious, happily married African American couples? In-depth, qualitative interviews were conducted with 35 African American couples, married for at least 7-years and highly involved with an Abrahamic (Christian, Jewish, Mormon, and Muslim) faith. Grounded theory methods and a Numeric Content Analysis were used to analyze the narrative data. Three a priori themes related to the variations of religious coping were presented: 1) Often, We Can Manage Our Stress, 2) Ive Laid My Burdens Down, and 3) Dear God, Help Us to Help Us. Emergent subthemes related to each of these a priori topics were also presented. Implications, related to theory, policy, and practice, that consider the intersections of religion and marriage for African American families are also discussed.

This research examines gender differences in response to counseling for issues related to infertility. A couple seeking counseling for infertility-related issues was given a letter of introduction, a demographic survey along with a pretest at the onset of their first appointment and a post-test after two sessions with their counselor. Both the pre and post-tests were the same, the WALMYR Indices of Marital Satisfaction, Self-Esteem and Clinical Stress. The support group for infertile couples was led by a local infertility counselor who used an eclectic/experiential therapeutic approach. Therapists using this methodology function as an educator and a facilitator in addressing problems and issues with an orientation that combines behavioral, interpersonal, effectual and cognitive perspectives. The objective is to assist couples struggling with infertility in processing their feelings via mutual support from others experiencing similar difficulties. The comparison between the husband and wife’s scores on marital satisfaction, self-esteem, and level of stress revealed the wife’s scores on levels of stress and marital satisfaction did have a marked improvement after the counseling intervention, though her self-esteem score dropped markedly after the counseling. Her husband had little to no improvement in the three areas, with stress as the area with some improvement.

<p> In fulfillment of the requirements for a Master&rsquo;s of Social Work degree, a project was developed to increase the services being offered for those experiencing homelessness, substance use, severe mental illness, and co-occurring disorders. The harm reduction model was utilized as a means to assists those in reducing harms associated with substance use. This grant proposal identified homeless individuals in the Service Planning Area (SPA) 6 of South Los Angeles, more specifically the Courtyard of the Midnight Mission as the target group for the harm reduction services. Prevalence rates of harms associated with substance users were noted, as well as the increasing growth of the homeless population in California, specifically the influx of unsheltered individuals in SPA 6. Through participation in weekly group and individual therapy sessions, the group members are expected to benefit from motivation and brief interventions to deter from harms associated with substance use. This strengths-based program embraces the harm reduction principles as a means to educate, motivate, and empower group members to begin the practice of reducing harms associated with substance use. The actual submission or funding of this grant was not a requirement for the successful completion of the project. </p>

<p> The purpose of this project was to investigate the efficacy of a social enterprise intervention&rsquo;s ability to ameliorate anti-social behaviors amongst at-risk teenagers ages 15-19. An extensive literature review was performed to investigate effective intervention strategies for teenagers exhibiting risky behaviors. The findings from this review suggested that the integration of positive youth development, and social emotional learning into a social enterprise would be an effective model of intervention with at-risk youth. Upon a review of the literature it was found that there is a lack of research regarding the efficacy of social enterprise interventions, particularly with youth, and this study should serve as motivation for further investigation. The findings of this study have several implications for practice that include considerations for diversifying and improving the methods used to prevent and intervene with at-risk youth. Submission for funding was not required to successfully complete this project.</p>

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<p> With the aging older adult population increasing, there is a need to educate and enhance caregivers network for support and to provide resources so caregivers will not feel burned out transitioning into the new life style. Caregiving can be a stressful job on top of one&rsquo;s own responsibilities, which can lead to caregivers getting sick, as well as struggling at their own job. Therefore, the purpose of this project was to design educational workshops and to enhance awareness to caregivers for support aimed at increasing knowledge and utilization of existing services within Torrance, California to avoid burnout amongst caregivers and increase their coping skills. This project was developed on behalf of GetTogether Adult Day Healthcare Center. The actual submission and/or funding of this grant were not required for the successful completion of this thesis project.</p>

Integrated primary and behavioral health care (PBHC) programs in community mental health (CMH) settings is a topic of burgeoning interest in the current literature. These settings aim to counter the health discrepancies and inordinate mortality of persons with serious mental illness (SMI) and comorbid medical conditions. Within the SMI population, the most prevalent diagnosis is Major Depression (MDD). MDD has been well studied in the literature and has been associated with increased rates of physical health conditions. Research has correlated higher levels of social support to lower levels of psychological distress and increased physical health. This cross-sectional, descriptive study examines interrelationships among physical health, health-risk factors, psychosocial characteristics, and social support in individuals with the mood disorder MDD who are receiving integrated care in community mental health settings. A de-identified data set was utilized to examine results of 407 individuals with MDD receiving integrated PBHC in CMH settings. An integrated PBHC data set is a relevant addition to the research on MDD and social support because neither of these areas has been adequately addressed in the previous literature. The results have implications for not only the impact of social support and treatment of MDD but for the increased implementation of these programs.