Leon County, Florida, was studied in an attempt to answer the general question: "What is the likelihood of successful implementation of a community-based support systems of care for the chronically mentally ill?" / Recommendations by the 1978 President's Commission on Mental Health and by th / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 41-03, Section: A, page: 1216. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1980.

The purpose of this study was the development and initial testing of a theoretical framework and the accompanying methodology for relating dimensions of a particular type of interorganizational network to characteristics of a joint program emanating from that network. The interorganizational network was conceptualized as a social action system and identified as an interorganizational collectivity (IC). The joint program considered was one in the primary prevention of mental illness. This study does not represent a test of specific research hypotheses but rather represents an attempt to develop such hypotheses through the use of empirical findings. / The theoretical framework utilized posits a relationship of mutual influence between various characteristics of the IC on the one hand and various dimensions of its primary preventive joint program on the other. The influence between the IC and its joint program is seen as tempered by the effects of two categories of contingency variables: (1) the environment in which the IC operates and (2) the program-relevant attitudes and perceptions of persons comprising the "decider subsystem" of the IC. / A single interorganizational collectivity and program were selected for intensive study. Research and analysis procedures emphasized qualitative techniques as opposed to quantitative ones. These qualitative procedures emphasize explicit, previously identified decision rules to structure variable operationalizations and analyses. / Numerous hypotheses are offered which address the relationships between organizational dominance (the dimension of the interorganizational collectivity selected for special emphasis) and other study variables. / The program studied is referred to as the Kids In Need Program (a pseudonym). This program represented an effort to prevent the incidence of serious mental health problems of youngsters already experiencing educational handicaps (learning disabilities and/or educationally-relevant emotional handicaps). Study participants viewed these children as at high-risk for mental illness. Program activities emphasized educational services for both children and their parents, advocacy, and emotional support. Significantly, program sponsors from the various participating organizations tended to emphasize different combinations of processes/outcomes/targets/goals in their descriptions of the program. / Six organizations were identified as members of the Kids In Need IC. This IC included both service-provision agencies and voluntary associations, and exhibited marked contrasts in the extent to which various member organizations participated in the primary preventive programs. The IC itself exhibited a coalitional context with a preponderance of informal interorganizational linkages and an informally constituted leadership subsystem. Members of this "decider subsystem" were drawn primarily from the dominant organization of the IC, an organization regarded by study informants as critical for the decision making for all aspects of the primary prevention program considered in this research. Interestingly, this dominant organization was able to exercise its power with only one reported instance of interorganizational coercion. / The results of this study suggests that the theoretical framework can enhance our understanding of the relationships between organizations operating joint programs and characteristics of the programs themselves. For example, the relationship between variable degrees of interorganizational coupling and the extent to which a joint program exhibits a central focus is identified as a question meriting further research. / Limitations in the methodology used in this study are identified and recommendations offered for their refinement. The importance of previously identified decision rules for use with qualitative methodologies is emphasized. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 41-10, Section: A, page: 4498. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1980.

An exploratory study of social workers, who are employed in the practice field of mental retardation in the United States of America, was conducted to obtain a "state of the art" assessment of this group of professionals. Along with the demographics of the social workers, data was collected regarding the reasons why they entered their present job in the field of mental retardation, and regarding the types of services these social workers were performing, e.g., casework, administration, etc. Finally data was also collected on the job satisfaction of the social workers by the use of a standardized instrument, and on the intention of these workers to remain in the mental retardation field as a career. After presenting descriptive summary statistics, inferential statistics were used to determine if the social workers' reasons for entry into their present job and/or their present services were related to the social workers' job satisfaction and future plans regarding remaining in the practice field of mental retardation as a career. / A review of relevant research literature provided for information about how people attempt to make career and occupational choices, and, more specifically, why people choose the profession of social work as their career. The writer found a paucity of research on why social workers enter mental retardation, however, there was research suggesting reasons why social workers do not enter this field of practice, e.g., low status, stigma, myths, etc. Literature concerning services was generally not up to date and tended to be very non-empirical. There was very little written material found concerning job satisfaction and career retention with respect to mental retardation. / The research design employed for the study was ex post facto, and, more specifically, the type of research was survey research. Two hundred social workers were chosen to be the sample that represented the population previously mentioned. One hundred were drawn from a list of 874 names provided by the American Association on Mental Deficiency, a national professional organization. Another one hundred were drawn from a massive list of names collected through a large letter writing campaign. In both cases, multistage sampling was utilized with care to maintain probability sampling techniques on a national level. The writer received 168 returned questionnaires (84%), and 165 were useable (82.5%). There was no second mailing. / The descriptive data indicated many interesting findings about the social workers in mental retardation. For example, over ninety percent were white; more belonged to the American Association on Mental Deficiency than the National Association of Social Workers; almost ninety percent were employed in the private sector; and almost ninety percent did not have a mental retardation course in their school of social work. / The inferential statistics were equally interesting. Career oriented social workers were higher in regard to job satisfaction than were occupation oriented social workers. Social workers, who predominately performed indirect services, were higher in regard to job satisfaction than were social workers, who predominately performed direct service. Career oriented social workers were more willing to remain in mental retardation as a career than were occupation oriented social workers. All the above relationships were statistically significant. Career oriented social workers were more willing to remain in mental retardation as a career, but it was not a statistically significant relationship. / Finally, implications of the findings for social work education were given. Schools of social work could improve the eventual services to mentally retarded individuals by developing more courses, specializations, and concentrations for their students. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 41-03, Section: A, page: 1214. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1980.

This was a comparative study of the presenting symptoms, as reported by parents or parent surrogates, of Black American, Cuban, and White American children and adolescents at a psychiatric clinic. The sample consisted of 496 children, 18 years of age or younger, who were seen for the first time at the clinic during a two and a half year period. / The reported symptoms were viewed as being intimately related to the sociocultural setting of the child. The study attempted to describe and determine some of the factors that influenced the child's behavior. / Data were gathered from clinic records of interviews conducted by professional social workers with parents or parent surrogates. Data were collected on the first 3 presenting symptoms for each child and on the social characteristics of the children and their families. The symptoms were classified using the symptom list of the Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry (1968) and the 22 most prevalent symptoms were chosen for study. / Major symptoms for Black American children in decreasing order were: underachievement, physical attacks, disobedience, stealing, and fighting. For Cuban children the modal symptom was underachievement, with fewer symptoms of disobedience, physical attacks, hyperkinesis and suicidal attempts. The major symptoms for White American children were underachievement, hyperkinesis, addictive behavior and stealing. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 42-06, Section: A, page: 2861. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1981.

This study evaluated the residential alcoholism treatment program located in the Tallahassee Memorial Regional Medical Center in Tallahassee, Florida. The study utilized a pretest, posttest design and intensively followed 10 alcoholics through the treatment program and for six months after treatment. Seventy percent of the alcoholics studied remained sober for a period of six months, but the result fell short of the 80% standard established by the program, so the program was not considered successful. Along with the program evaluation, and utilizing the same research design, other variables were studied. Depression, hopelessness, assertiveness, and defense mechanism preference were researched in an effort to determine what role, if any, they play in an alcoholic's efforts at remaining sober after treatment. Levels of depression were found to be significantly lower for treatment successes. It was impossible however to discern from this study whether or not elevated levels of depression were a product or a cause of the drinking behavior. Levels of hopelessness were significantly reduced by the treatment process. The study suggested though that very low levels of hopelessness are associated with an alcoholic's returning to the consumption of alcohol. Measurements done in the area of assertiveness yielded no statistically significant results. It was observed, however, that alcoholics appear to become less assertive after they start drinking, rather than before they start drinking. The study produced a significant difference in the area of defense mechanism preference as treatment successes had significantly lower levels of denial at discharge than did treatment failures. Also, the study implied that with certain types of preferred defense mechanisms, the maintenance rather than the alteration of that mechanism might be more beneficial to the alcoholic trying to / maintain sobriety. Implications for practical application of the results and suggestions for further research are made. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 42-05, Section: A, page: 2300. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1981.

This study examined the relationship of the degree of social support available to families with handicapped preschool children to the nature of maternal interactions with the child. Also examined was the relationship of role sharing between a husband and wife to the nature of maternal interactions with handicapped preschool children. / Forty-one rural North Carolina families were randomly selected from a list of active participants in a community-based infant stimulation program for preschool children. The 41 mothers were interviewed using the Psychosocial Kinship Inventory and the Parent Role Scale. Sessions with 34 of the 41 mothers and their children were videotaped during a 15-minute play session. / Findings indicated there were no statistical differences in selected demographic characteristics of mothers who engaged in more positive interactions with their handicapped child when compared to mothers who engaged in less positive interactions with their handicapped child during the 15-minute play session. No differences were found in the degree of social support available to mothers who engaged in less positive interactions with their handicapped child. Also, no differences were found in the role sharing between a husband and wife with mothers who engaged in more positive interactions with their handicapped child and mothers who engaged in less positive interactions. / The results of this study indicate that families with handicapped children have fewer social supports than do families with children not so handicapped. It can be speculated that if families have social support networks too small to provide adequate support, these networks are also too small to have impact on mother-child interactions. Findings indicated that the 41 mothers performed the majority of family roles. The mothers also expressed satisfaction with their family role division, and reported that they interact positively with their handicapped children. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 46-04, Section: A, page: 1089. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1985.

This study departs from previous methodological approaches to study the impact of community mental health services on state mental hospital admission rates. By studying specific types of community mental health services, instead of mental health centers considered as a functional unit, the real service specific impact of community mental health programs on state hospital admission rates was isolated in each of the 67 counties in Florida. Service provision data and rates of state hospital admissions in each county were obtained from the state's Mental Health Program Office for the period from July 1, 1978 to June 30, 1979. / The primary research hypothesis suggested that community-based mental health services that provide the custody and asylum functions of the state hospital, called functional alternatives, can reduce or replace the need for the state hospital. A more general hypothesis examined the impact of all types of community mental health services on state hospital admission rates. Other factors such as total county population, population density, per capita income, and the proximity of each county to the state hospital were also included in the study to explore alternative explanations for state hospital admission rates. / Results of the study provided limited support for the primary hypothesis under certain conditions. In those counties with functional alternative community mental health services (mainly large, urban counties), and a range of other community mental health services, state hospital admission rates were lower. / The findings suggest that counties may utilize the state hospitals to serve different functions (e.g., treatment, custody, etc.) depending on the types of mental health services present in the county as well as the county's population size, social, and economic condition. For example, large, urban counties with comprehensive community mental health services may use the state hospital for individuals who do not respond to community treatment programs. In small, rural counties however, the state hospital may be their only accessible mental health service agency. / Mental health policy implications are developed and areas for further research are identified. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 46-04, Section: A, page: 1089. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1985.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a short-term model of intervention on diagnosed schizophrenic patients and their caregivers. The author implemented an in-home ten session educational, behavioral and skills training program, which was adapted from existing models. The intervention's effects on the patient's clinical status and social functioning, caregiver attitudes, and family stress were evaluated using a multiple baseline across four cases, as well as pre-, post-, and follow-up data. / Results largely supported the existing literature in that reductions of family stress, which occurred in two cases, were associated with decreases in negative attitudes of the caregiver toward the patient. Also, for all patients, intervention was associated with a clinically significant improvement in symptomatology that was maintained at follow-up. No clear pattern of change was noted in patients' social adjustment. / This study demonstrated that it is feasible to integrate several of the existing models of family-based intervention, and implement it successfully without a large research staff and grant money. It replicates much of the data that suggests short-term interventions seem to be most appropriate with patients with good premorbid functioning. It also added support to research that correlates caregiver attitudes with family stress. Finally, this study expanded the empirical validation of the behavioral, educational and skills training approaches by achieving positive outcomes with patients not recently discharged from an inpatient facility. Among the major limitations noted were the study's unknown generalizability and the possibility of measurement error. In addition to describing and discussing the study in detail, its particular relevance to social work is reviewed, and future directions for research and clinical practice are suggested. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 48-10, Section: A, page: 2727. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1987.

A descriptive study of the structural characteristics of the employee assistance programs of the Florida State Departments of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (HSMV), Law Enforcement (FDLE), and Health and Rehabilitative Services (HRS) was carried out to ascertain which structural characteristics facilitate or hinder implementation of employee assistance programs. / The variables chosen to represent these characteristics were: Resources, complexity, formalization, centralization, autonomy, and training. These variables were gleaned from the literature on the models of change. Zaltman, Duncan, and Holbek (1973) was the particular model of change selected. In the implementation, Zaltman, Duncan, and Holbek found that high formalization, high centralization, and low complexity were needed to facilitate implementation of change. Structured interviews utilizing scales gleaned from The Handbook of Organizational Measurements (Price, 1972) were conducted with EAP representatives from HSMV, FDLE, and HRS. Also interviewed were the Commissioner of FDLE, Secretary of HSMV, and former Secretary of HRS. The current Secretary of HRS was unavailable. One Tallahassee service provider for all three agencies was interviewed for additional data. Policy statements, job descriptions, and organizational charts were secured through EAP representatives or the service provider. / It was found that the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles EAP is at the implementation state of change characterized by high formalization, high centralization, low complexity. It was also found that high autonomy and high level of training of EAP personnel facilitated implementation of the EAP. / HRS and FDLE are still in the initial phases of change even though HRS has had an EAP for 14 years and FDLE has had an EAP for 5 years. The factors hindering the implementation were mainly environmental. The HRS Secretary changed three times in four years. Also funding has been cut. In addition there is no move at HRS or FDLE toward higher formalization, centralization, or low complexity within the EAP. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 50-05, Section: A, page: 1440. / Major Professor: C. Aaron McNeece. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1989.

The effects of a short-term semi-structured group on individual adjustment to divorce were examined. The 10-week group treatment program was adapted from Fisher's Divorce and Personal Growth Seminars. Single case design and group comparison methodologies as well as qualitative data were employed in the analysis. Twelve subjects who participated in two groups were studied. Psychosocial wellbeing was measured by repeated administrations of Hudson's Generalized Contentment Scale, the Index of Self Esteem, and the Index of Peer Relations, in a baseline, treatment and posttreatment phases. Pre- and posttest measures of divorce adjustment were obtained by administering the Fisher Divorce adjustment Scale. ANOVA showed that both groups had significantly improved in divorce adjustment and in psychosocial wellbeing scores between the pretest and posttest measures. All subjects improved on divorce adjustment, and 8 of 11 subjects improved on psychosocial wellbeing. However, broad variations in the rate of improvement were observed among individuals. Single case analysis was done by visual inspection of plotted scores. Qualitative data from the subjects' history and from notes taken by the researcher during the study, were used to interpret the differences observed among the individual subjects. / The presence of factors such as multiple stressors, life events, social support, who initiated the separation, and the passage of time, were judged to have an effect in the divorce adjustment process of individual cases. The use of the group as a therapeutic modality for the crisis of divorce and implications for social work practice and research are discussed. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 49-09, Section: A, page: 2813. / Major Professor: Dianne Harrison Montgomery. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1988.