Matching Items (5)
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- All Subjects: Social Work
- Creators: Ferguson-Colvin, Kristin
Description
On a given night in 2018, over half a million people were experiencing homelessness in the United States, and of those, about 36,000 were youth under the age of 25. Music is an indispensable part of young people’s identities and cultures, and understanding the ways in which homeless youth define their own musical preferences and use of music can help music therapists intervene effectively in youth homelessness as part of an interdisciplinary care team. The purpose of this project was twofold: 1) to conduct a descriptive research project pertaining to homeless young adults’ use of music and 2) to develop recommendations for music therapists based on research findings from the descriptive project and extant literature. Thirty-one homeless young adults (ages 18-26) were recruited for interviews from two resource centers serving homeless youth in a large metropolitan city in a southwestern state. Template analysis was used to systematically analyze and code participants’ verbatim transcripts from the interviews into a codebook. Quotes from the interviews were used to illustrate themes. Findings included that homeless youth used music, especially metal and rap, for coping and mood regulation, and that youth are also engaged in creative music making, especially singing and songwriting for self-expression. For some youth, certain music can be identity-forming (for better or worse) and certain other music can be triggering. Results are integrated with a review of literature and recommendations for practicing clinicians are presented. Music therapy with this population would likely yield best outcomes by using short-term interventions and culturally competent application of clients’ preferred music.
ContributorsSample, Katherine Elizabeth (Author) / Belgrave, Melita (Thesis advisor) / Glidden-Tracey, Cynthia (Committee member) / Ferguson-Colvin, Kristin (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2019
Description
The Arizona state child welfare system has recently experienced an increase in the number of children and youth living in out-of-home care. A lack of licensed foster homes has resulted in many of these children residing in congregate care. This study sought to determine what role, if any, personal and policy bias against five demographic groups (i.e., ethnicity, sexual orientation, marital status for individuals and couples, and educational level) plays in this insufficiency of foster homes. In this pilot study a group of foster and adoption licensing agency executives and directors (n=5) were surveyed and qualitatively interviewed with the aim of discerning if bias is present at the personal and agency policy levels and to seek input for a future study with direct-service staff. Results indicate a discrepancy between personal and policy bias within agencies. Additionally, evidence suggests a policy bias which results in unmarried couples and single parents being perceived as inferior placement options. Implications for future research are discussed.
ContributorsPearson, Patience Hope (Author) / Ferguson-Colvin, Kristin (Thesis advisor) / Mendoza, Natasha (Committee member) / Krysik, Judy (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2017
Description
The implementation of substance abuse treatment policy is ambiguous in the Russian Federation. Though policies are in place, financial responsibility and best practice procedures are largely overlooked by the Russian government. The purpose of this thesis is to conduct a policy analysis of the Russian Federation Federal Law, On Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, adopted December 10, 1997. Amendments and additions to this law are integrated. Utilizing Gilbert and Terrell’s (2005) elements of an analytic social policy, including allocation, provision, delivery, and finance, the extent of substance abuse treatment provision is analyzed in the Russian context. Result indicate limited Russian government provision of detoxification for drug and alcohol users, with a nearly absent continuum required for true rehabilitation. The Russian government must provide harm reduction measurements to protect the population from HIV/AIDS. Involving the Russian Orthodox Church in advocacy for the implementation of harm reduction measures is recommended.
ContributorsRegan, Holly Duffy (Author) / Androff, David (Thesis advisor) / Ferguson-Colvin, Kristin (Committee member) / Klimek, Barbara (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2017
Description
This study examined poverty, material hardship, financial capability, and quality of life among residents of a subsidized housing complex for seniors and adults with disabilities in Phoenix, Arizona. Respondents (N-25) completed a 42-item questionnaire in March of 2017. Data analysis revealed reports of incomes as low as 200% of the poverty level, difficulty paying for food, medications, recreation, and transportation. The study found a positive correlation between the presence of a disability and obtaining sufficient food. In addition, the results indicated lowered financial literacy, reduced ability to keep up with monthly expenses, and a positive correlation between lower income and inability to come up with $2000 in the event of an unexpected expense. Respondents reported minimal use of non-mainstream financial services; most had checking accounts, while fewer reported savings accounts. Scores on financial literacy questions were low and respondents indicated interest in a financial literacy course. The study also revealed low perceived quality of life among the majority of respondents and a positive relationship with material hardship and lower quality of life scores. Implications include the need for further research within the population.
ContributorsReily, Tama Dawn (Author) / Shafer, Michael (Thesis advisor) / Ferguson-Colvin, Kristin (Committee member) / Kruck, Amina Donna (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2017
Description
Three high-school and college-level band directors were interviewed about how their ensemble students (both individually and collectively) are affected during times of tragedy and how they responded to the situation. Tragedies discussed included student deaths, school-wide incidents, national emergencies, and other instances of shared grief. Questions that guided the research were: (1) In what musical or non-musical ways do band directors aid their students in the grieving process? (2) How do band directors handle their own personal emotions, both in front of their students and privately? and (3) What resources and previous experiences have prepared band directors to handle a grief situation, and what additional methods may have prepared them more effectively? Interviews were qualitatively analyzed for common themes and compared with literature related to responding to student grief. Four main themes emerged from the study: (1) contextual factors affect stakeholders' responses, (2) band directors make many decisions when handling student grief, (3) band directors recall responses of the wider community, and (4) band directors experience personal impact. Implications for the field included suggestions for band directors to consider non-musical student needs in their orientations to teaching, for the band director community to communicate about student grief situations, and for social workers and administrators to ensure that classroom teachers receive training and information on how to help students with grief. Recommendations for further research included replicating the study with other demographic areas, examining the students' experiences themselves, conducting a survey-based study about the topic, and exploring the role mentors have in shaping band directors' philosophies on this topic.
ContributorsPeters, Alaina Rose (Author) / Schmidt, Margaret (Thesis director) / Hoffer, Julie (Committee member) / School of Music (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05