An exploratory study of the impact of an adolescent's eating disorder on Chinese parents' well‐being,marital life and perceived family functioning in Shenzhen,China: implications for social work practice

In this paper, the author reports the results of an exploratory study conducted in Shenzhen, China on how an eating disorder in an adolescent or adult child in the family would affect the parents' well‐being, quality of marital life and the perceived family functioning. Out of 33 patients suffering from eating disorders and referred for family treatment, 18 mothers and 15 fathers participated in this study. The data were gathered using a standardized questionnaire comprising three measures, namely the Symptom Check‐List‐90‐R, the Dyadic Adjustment Scale and the Family Assessment Device. The results of the study have shown that the parents' well‐being was negatively affected, especially for the mothers, whose self‐reported depression and anxiety levels were higher than the fathers'. The parents also perceived family functioning to be less satisfactory since the onset of the disorder, with least satisfaction reported on Affective Involvement, Affective Responsiveness, Roles and Behaviour Control. However, the onset had no negative effect on the parents' marital life. Implications of the study for social work practice are discussed.     

Body Image and Eating Disturbance in African-American Men Who Have Sex with Men: Preliminary Observations

Research related to eating and body image disturbance in males has focused almost exclusively on Caucasian men. This preliminary study examined the prevalence of disturbed eating and body image symptomatology in a highly understudied and difficult to assess population—African-American men (n = 18) who have sex with men. Nineteen percent of the sample scored above clinical cut offs for possible eating disorders with 25% of the sample endorsing occasional or more frequent vomiting after meals. Use of appearance-changing supplements and substances were frequently reported. Although most body image measures were similar to norms, self-ideal discrepancy for muscularity was almost three times greater than male weightlifters. The implications of problematic body image and eating behaviors and the link between body image and high-risk sexual behaviors are discussed.     

Validating a Behavioral Health Instrument for Adults: Exploratory Factor Analysis

ABSTRACT

Increasingly, social workers and behavioral health practitioners use assessment instruments to support service planning and to monitor progress. Following statewide implementation of the Adult Needs and Strengths Assessment (ANSA) to identify behavioral health symptoms, related functional challenges, risks, and strengths, this validation study explored the underlying structure of the instrument. An exploratory factor analysis used routinely collected information for Midwestern adults with diagnosed behavioral health disorders who participated in community-based services (N = 46,013). Five factors with adequate to good internal consistency (α = 0.733?0.880) emerged: personal recovery, trauma and stress related problems, substance use risks, self-sufficiency, and cultural-linguistic considerations. Validation of the ANSA supports use of the instrument to engage individuals and families, to plan services, to monitor progress, and to conduct research. Implications for social work education, supervision, and practice include the importance of understanding culture, holistic assessment, and services supporting personal recovery for individuals living with mental illness or substance use disorders. Confirmation of findings requires additional research.     

Perceptions of emerging adults who accessed residential treatment and entered a parental role

Youth who accessed residential mental health treatment (RT) continue to experience challenges related to their emotional and behavioral disorders, and continue to struggle in several life domains. Some of these youth also become parents. The purpose for this report was to explore the perceptions of emerging adults who accessed RT as a child or youth, and who became parents, about their life domains. These participants (n = 12) reported continued challenges in several domains of living, and some reported that impending parenthood helped motivate them to improve their behaviors. Many reported continued reliance on previous social workers. Implications for practice are discussed.     

Bridging the gaps: Intergenerational findings from the substance use disorder and recovery field

The substance use disorder and recovery field has undergone rapid transformation over the last 40 years. It currently has a workforce that includes three generations—Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials. The current study sought to identify generational differences among those involved in the substance-use disorder and recovery profession using an embedded design and grounded theory approach. Findings suggest that generational differences do exist across the three generations in regard to ideologies, value of formal and informal knowledge, training, and education. Results from the current study provide a further understanding of how we may bridge perceived contentious ideologies and knowledge gaps between generations to better develop current and future professionals within the field.     

Preparing social workers for practice with LGBT populations affected by substance use: perceptions from students,alumni, and service providers

Trends in the field of service among those with alcohol and other drug addictions highlight the urgent need for schools of social work to effectively train students to serve clients with substance use disorders, and have cultural humility to effectively serve disproportionately affected LGBT consumers. Online surveys and interviews examined perceptions of graduate social work students and alumni in a certified alcohol and drug counselor program, along with several service providers within an urban setting in the US. Results indicated that students and alumni did not feel adequately prepared through coursework to practice with LGBT populations affected by substance use, while feeling more clinically competent to practice with LGB individuals, than with transgender consumers. Similar findings related to unique differences associated with perceptions of faculty support, along with field preparedness to practice with LGB individuals when compared to transgender individuals. Service providers noted an overall commitment and to serve LGBT consumers as well as positive perceptions of students and alumni to do the same. Implications examine the role of faculty in addressing challenges related to preparation of social work students to practice with LGBT consumers affected by substance use disorders, along with suggestions for curricular changes, and ongoing field trainings.     

Fear of childbirth and depressive symptoms among postnatal women: A cross-sectional survey from Chhattisgarh,India

Background

Prevalence rates of Fear of Birth and postnatal depressive symptoms have not been explored in Chhattisgarh, India.

Social Context in Mental Health Service Use Among Young Adults

Examining the sources of health communication that young adults with mental health challenges receive regarding service use is critical to curbing the societal concern of unmet mental health needs of this population. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 59 young adults, all of whom were diagnosed with a mood disorder and used public mental health services and additional public systems of care during childhood. Thematic analysis was utilized. Of the 59 participants, 45 nominated at least one supportive adult, with a total of 97 relationships analyzed. Results indicate that the majority of messages came from informal supports (e.g., family) who spoke positively about mental health services. Fewer messages came from formal supports (e.g., professionals). Messages included statements surrounding beliefs toward services, social norms (approval and disapproval), self-efficacy, and image considerations around using services. These findings can suggest ways that mental health service engagement interventions can leverage communication from informal supports. Future research can explore what messages young adults find most influential in persuading them to use mental health care consistently and the relationship between messages and health behavior.     

Examining the impact of social media on mood and body dissatisfaction using ecological momentary assessment

Abstract

Objective: To assess the effects of social media consumption on body dissatisfaction and negative affect using ecological momentary assessment, a method of assessment over time in the participants’ naturalistic environment. Participants: Woman college students (N?=?30) from a large public university participated in the study in Fall 2015. Methods: Participants were contacted via their smartphones five times per day for five days and asked to complete a battery of measures which assessed social media use, body dissatisfaction, and negative affect. Results: Results demonstrated that the number of social media sites visited was a significant predictor of body dissatisfaction while time spent using social media was not. The number of sites visited and time spent on social media were both significant predictors of general negative affect, sadness, and guilt. Conclusions: Results demonstrate the negative impact that social media use can have on body dissatisfaction and negative affect.     

Application of E-Therapy Programs to the Social Work Practice

The many applications of the use of e-therapy in social work practice are reviewed. Salient issues regarding technological interventions, including ethical dilemmas, are elucidated. Applications discussed include the use of this evidence-based technology in treatment of substance abuse, anxiety disorders, depression, and other mental health diagnoses. Most significantly, e-therapy provides means of reaching 85% of clients who need services yet do not receive them.