Volunteerism Among Social Work Students During Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

Abstract

This study examined volunteer activities and predictors of volunteerism among graduate and undergraduate social work students (N = 416) from four universities in the Gulf Coast area following hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The convenience sample drawn from all social work students at these universities included 89% females, and 52% of the students were in a master's level program. Sixty-one percent of the respondents were African American and 31% were non-Hispanic white. The majority of students volunteered (97%) despite experiencing a range of hurricane-related stressors. Multivariate analyses yielded a regression model that best predicted heightened volunteerism, which included age, school site, previous volunteer experience, hurricane-related stressors, altruism, and increased commitment to social work values (R ² = .35). The strongest predictors of volunteerism were stressor, increased commitment to social work values, and altruism (betas = .30, .26, and .21 respectively). The findings are consistent with previous research on volunteering in times of disaster and with current thinking about posttraumatic growth .     

Introduction

Abstract

This special issue is dedicated to advancing the social work knowledge base on human needs, effective and relevant intervention strategies, and research in the context of natural disasters. In this introduction to the special issue on the “Impact of Natural Disasters: Implications for Human and Social Services,” the rationale for this project and an overview of each article is provided.     

Economic Survival Strategies and Food Insecurity

Abstract

This article reports on a study of 67 Hurricane Katrina survivors who were evacuated to one Texas community. The authors examine the economic survival strategies employed by Katrina evacuees to feed their families during the approximately one week time frame beginning the day before the storm and ending when they were ultimately evacuated from New Orleans. An analysis of their strategies and actions provides insight both into the nature of households and sharing networks under the pressure of this disaster and the shortages that ensue when federal and state systems cannot meet basic needs beyond the resources of the local community.     

The People Shall Rule by Fisher,R. (Ed)

ABSTRACT

Meals Made Easy was introduced as an interactive group cooking program at a food bank to help food bank clients learn to prepare economical and nutritious meals. Cognitive behavior strategies were used to alter their prevailing negative attitudes about participating in an on site cooking program, and to overcome self-defeating notions about their capabilities. Self-efficacy and mutual aid were promoted through the group program. Classes were open-ended to accommodate persons with a wide range of social, mental and physical disabilities. Over a two year period, 100 clients enrolled in the program, which comprised 10 series of 3 to 6 cooking classes. Analyses of self-evaluations and an independent focus group assessment showed that the participants not only benefited by learning to prepare nutritional meals, but also by improving their self-esteem and self-efficacy.     

Integrated group therapy for bipolar disorder and substance abuse by Weiss,R. D., & Connery,H. S.

This article begins with the discussion versus action dilemma in work with groups of adolescents and proposes an in-between solution, "interacting out." The author goes on to demonstrate how interacting out can help to accomplish major treatment goals like increased autonomy and impulse control through group development. Finally, the article provides some practical suggestions for developing and treating groups of adolescents with special emphasis on some affective and stylistic issues for workers with groups of adolescents.     

An Exploration of Mental Health Literacy Among African American Clergy

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore African American clergy's mental health literacy with older congregants 60 years of age and older. Using a grounded theory approach, we recruited a purposive sample of 9 African American clergy representing diverse ages, denominations, locales, and educational levels. Data was coded and classified according to Kevin's (1976) Kevin, R. C. 1976. Factors influencing the judgment and referral of mental health presenting problems by clergymen and psychologists, Unpublished doctoral dissertation: University of Texas, Austin.  [Google Scholar] typology of pastoral counseling and Jorm et al.'s (1997) Jorm, A. F., Korten, A. E., Jacomb, P. A., Christensen, H., Rodgers, B. and Pollitt, P. 1997. “Mental health literacy”: A survey of the public's ability to recognize mental disorders and their beliefs about the effectiveness of treatment. Medical Journal of Australia, 166: 182–186. [Crossref], [PubMed], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar] conceptual model of mental health literacy. Findings from data analysis revealed study respondents were adherents of Kevin's Religious–Community (R–C) model. Additionally, the following themes emerged: loss of cognitive functioning, psychosocial stressors, religiosity, and appreciation for professional assistance, cultural barriers, and key informants/familiarity with formal mental health providers which partially maps onto Jorm et al.'s conceptual model of mental health literacy.     

Addressing the Vision Challenges of Residents at a Retirement Community: Collaborative Research with a Community Partner

ABSTRACT

Staff members at a community retirement village were concerned about the demise of a support group for residents with vision loss, and requested help developing effective services for residents with vision challenges. This study explored past barriers to support group participation, as they were perceived by residents, family members, and employees. The community partner worked collaboratively with the researcher in all phases of the study. Questionnaires were designed to elicit demographic data, diagnosed vision problems, level of adjustment to vision loss, well-being, and motivation for attending institutional programs about vision challenges. Residents responded to standardized vision and depression scales; qualitative questions were posed to all 3 groups concerning motivations for resident participation in program activities. Results indicated that, although many residents had diagnosed vision conditions, they were, in general, coping well with vision loss and did not report depressive symptoms. Participants considered ongoing personal contact and follow-up, a group design that offered the choice of educational presentations and/or process discussions, and individualized assistance with practical challenges to be critical to an effective program. This case study, utilizing a collaborative research process, generated requests for expanded social work services and an increased valuing of the social work role.