1
|
Klodnick VV, Johnson RP, Sapiro B, Fagan MA, Cohen DA. How Young Adults with Serious Mental Health Diagnoses Navigate Poverty Post-emancipation: The Complex Roles of Community Mental Health Services & Informal Social Support. Community Ment Health J 2024; 60:635-648. [PMID: 37789173 DOI: 10.1007/s10597-023-01188-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Serious mental health diagnoses are prevalent among youth who "age out" of foster care by reaching the maximum age for child welfare service eligibility. Post-emancipation, little is known about how youth engage in community mental health services, or leverage informal social networks, to navigate independence. Twenty emancipating youth completed three interviews over 16 months. All emancipated into poverty; most lived alone and initially connected to adult community mental health teams. Four service use and informal support profiles emerged from analysis: (1) Navigators (n = 2) actively used mental health services and provided limited informal support; Treaders (n = 9) passively used mental health services and heavily exchanged informal support; Survivors (n = 5) used mental health services when in crisis and heavily provided informal support; and Strugglers (n = 4) avoided mental health services and took resources from informal connections. Findings have implications for both child and adult mental health and social service providers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa V Klodnick
- Steve Hicks School of Social Work, Texas Institute for Excellence in Mental Health, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, USA.
- Thresholds Youth & Young Adult Services, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Rebecca P Johnson
- Steve Hicks School of Social Work, Texas Institute for Excellence in Mental Health, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, USA
- Thresholds Youth & Young Adult Services, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Beth Sapiro
- Department of Social Work and Child Advocacy, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ, USA
| | - Marc A Fagan
- Thresholds Youth & Young Adult Services, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Deborah A Cohen
- Steve Hicks School of Social Work, Texas Institute for Excellence in Mental Health, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, USA
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Matsuzaka S, Peters A, Sapiro B, Krutyansky J. Homonegativity, binegativity, and transnegativity among substance use treatment practitioners in the United States. J Ethn Subst Abuse 2024:1-19. [PMID: 38578847 DOI: 10.1080/15332640.2024.2336501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people have an elevated risk for substance use disorder relative to heterosexual and cisgender people. Scholars have predominantly explained this disparity as resulting from LGBT people's chronic exposure to interpersonal and structural stigma and discrimination. Despite their front-line role in serving LGBT people with substance use disorder, investigations of homonegativity, binegativity, and transnegativity among substance use treatment practitioners have been limited. An online survey of 225 practitioners examined levels of homonegativity, binegativity, and transnegativity and their demographic and socio-political correlates. Levels of homonegativity were lower than those of binegativity and transnegativity. Educational attainment, connectedness to LGBT people, and having a liberal political identity were associated with lower homonegativity, binegativity and transnegativity, while religiosity was associated with higher scores in all categories. Addressing substance use treatment practitioners' stigma toward LGBT people, particularly bisexual and transgender people, should be prioritized. Substance use treatment organizations are recommended to examine how their policies and practices may perpetuate structural stigma toward LGBT people.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Matsuzaka
- Department of Social Work and Child Advocacy, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ, USA
| | - Annie Peters
- National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers, Louisville, CO, USA
| | - Beth Sapiro
- Department of Social Work and Child Advocacy, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ, USA
| | - Jillian Krutyansky
- Department of Social Work and Child Advocacy, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Klodnick VV, Sapiro B, Gold A, Pearlstein M, Crowe AN, Schneider A, Johnson RP, LaPelusa B, Holland H. Relational Complexity of the Near-Age Peer Support Provider Role in Youth and Young Adult Community Mental Health Settings. J Behav Health Serv Res 2024:10.1007/s11414-024-09877-4. [PMID: 38413546 DOI: 10.1007/s11414-024-09877-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Increasingly, US community mental health settings are integrating professional near-age youth peer support providers to improve youth service engagement and outcomes. Youth peer specialists (YPS) use their lived and living experiences with a mental health diagnosis to validate, empathize, and provide individualized support, while also improving their program's overall responsiveness to young people's needs. Although promising, these roles tend to lack clarity-responsibilities vary immensely, and turnover is high. Examining near-age youth peer on-the-job experiences is needed to design effective on-the-job supports. Using community-based participatory action research methods, young adults with lived experience worked in partnership with a PhD-level qualitative researcher to design, recruit, conduct, and analyze in-depth-interviews with current and former near-age youth peer providers. Ten young adult peer mentors in Massachusetts completed interviews that revealed near-age youth peer role relational complexity. Five relational aspects were identified requiring relational practice skills and self-awareness, including relationships with (1) self, (2) clients, (3) supervisors, (4) non-peer colleagues, and (5) other near-age peer providers. Near-age peers experience relationship-related struggles with non-peer identified colleagues who do not understand nor value the near-age peer role. Findings expand on current near-age peer practice and associated on-the-job challenges. Training, supervision, and professional development activities that target these five relational areas may improve YPS on-the-job wellbeing, decrease YPS turnover, and improve youth client outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa V Klodnick
- Texas Institute for Excellence in Mental Health, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
- Research & Innovation, Youth & Young Adult Services, Thresholds, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Beth Sapiro
- Department of Social Work and Child Advocacy, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ, USA
| | - Alisa Gold
- Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mei Pearlstein
- Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research, Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Autumn N Crowe
- Research & Innovation, Youth & Young Adult Services, Thresholds, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Ava Schneider
- Research & Innovation, Youth & Young Adult Services, Thresholds, Chicago, IL, USA
- School of Social Work, Loyola University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Rebecca P Johnson
- Research & Innovation, Youth & Young Adult Services, Thresholds, Chicago, IL, USA
- Texas Institute for Excellence in Mental Health, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Brianne LaPelusa
- Research & Innovation, Youth & Young Adult Services, Thresholds, Chicago, IL, USA
- Texas Institute for Excellence in Mental Health, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Heidi Holland
- Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Cole AR, Adams DR, Ben-David S, Sapiro B, Villodas ML, Stanhope V, Jaccard J, Munson MR. Feasibility, Acceptability and Preliminary Implementation of the Cornerstone Program for Transition-Age Youth with Mental Health Conditions: A Mixed Methods Study. Adm Policy Ment Health 2023; 50:506-519. [PMID: 36738385 PMCID: PMC10835190 DOI: 10.1007/s10488-023-01254-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Transition-age youth with mental health conditions from low socio-economic backgrounds often drop out of mental health services and, as such, do not receive therapeutic doses of treatment. Cornerstone is an innovative team-based, multi-component intervention designed to address the clinical needs of this understudied population through coordination and extensive provision of services in vivo (in the community). The present study used a convergent parallel mixed-methods design. Researchers collected quantitative and qualitative data during a small developmental trial, analyzing the two data types independently and then exploring them side-by-side to evaluate feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary implementation. Semi-structured interviews and quantitative surveys were conducted with transition-age youth, clinic staff, and policy makers. Qualitative interview guides were developed using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to build understanding on implementation determinants alongside feasibility and acceptability. A two-group preliminary randomized trial was conducted to assess feasibility outcomes, such as recruitment, randomization, measurement performance, and trends in pre- to post- outcomes. Using grounded theory coding techniques, transcripts were coded by multiple coders, and themes were identified on acceptability and implementation. The team recruited fifty-six transition-age youth. Randomization was used in the study and the intervention was provided without incident. Results suggest individual components with both the social worker and mentor were more acceptable to participants than group-based approaches. Thematic analyses revealed themes associated with the inner, outer, and policy contexts describing a range of critical implementation determinants. Findings suggest that Cornerstone is feasible, acceptable, and promising for transition-age youth. It represents an innovative multi-component intervention worth exploring for transition-age youth with mental health conditions in a larger efficacy trial.Trial registration: The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02696109) on 22 April 16, Protocol Record R34-MH102525-01A1, New York University, Cornerstone program for transition-age youth with serious mental illness: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea R Cole
- School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison, NJ, 07940, USA
- Brown School of Social Work and Public Health, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Danielle R Adams
- School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison, NJ, 07940, USA
- Brown School of Social Work and Public Health, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Shelly Ben-David
- School of Social Work, University of British Columbia, 1147 Research Road, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - Beth Sapiro
- Department of Social Work and Child Advocacy, Montclair State University, 1 Normal Avenue, Montclair, NJ, 07043, USA
| | - Melissa L Villodas
- Department of Social Work, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, MSN: 1F8, Fairfax, VA, 22030, USA
| | - Victoria Stanhope
- Silver School of Social Work, New York University, 1 Washington Square, New York, NY, 10003, USA
| | - James Jaccard
- Silver School of Social Work, New York University, 1 Washington Square, New York, NY, 10003, USA
| | - Michelle R Munson
- Silver School of Social Work, New York University, 1 Washington Square, New York, NY, 10003, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Sapiro B, Shpiegel S, Ventola M, Quiroz SR, Nwankwo OH, Munyereyi T. "Trying to be positive in the face of the storm": The experiences of independent college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Child Fam Soc Work 2022; 28:CFS12983. [PMID: 36718289 PMCID: PMC9877811 DOI: 10.1111/cfs.12983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic created multiple stressors for college students, particularly for young adults experiencing multiple forms of disadvantage. Little is known about the pandemic experiences of independent college students, many of whom are emancipated minors, former wards of the state, and other students who lack familial financial and practical support as they pursue higher education. Twenty-three independent students, ages 18-23, from one northeastern university were interviewed to understand how independent students were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and their needs for support from the university during this time. Most participants were identified as Black or Latinx, and two thirds were first-generation college students. Participants reported an overall lack of support from their families prior to the pandemic. During the pandemic, they experienced compounding academic, economic, and mental health-related stressors. Students responded to these stressors in resilient and resourceful ways, by adapting to their new realities, expressing gratitude, and finding opportunities for self-growth. Participants recommend that institutions of higher education support independent students during periods of emergency through providing financial assistance, offering opportunities for connection with both adults and peers, and demonstrating administrative flexibility and understanding of their unique needs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beth Sapiro
- Department of Social Work and Child AdvocacyMontclair State UniversityMontclairNew JerseyUSA
| | - Svetlana Shpiegel
- Department of Social Work and Child AdvocacyMontclair State UniversityMontclairNew JerseyUSA
| | - Marissa Ventola
- Department of Social Work and Child AdvocacyMontclair State UniversityMontclairNew JerseyUSA
| | - Silvia Ramirez Quiroz
- Department of Social Work and Child AdvocacyMontclair State UniversityMontclairNew JerseyUSA
| | - Oomi Helen Nwankwo
- Department of Social Work and Child AdvocacyMontclair State UniversityMontclairNew JerseyUSA
| | - Tariro Munyereyi
- Department of Social Work and Child AdvocacyMontclair State UniversityMontclairNew JerseyUSA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Katz CC, Courtney ME, Sapiro B. Emancipated Foster Youth and Intimate Partner Violence: An Exploration of Risk and Protective Factors. J Interpers Violence 2020; 35:5469-5499. [PMID: 29294849 DOI: 10.1177/0886260517720735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Due to their high rates of parental maltreatment and violence exposure, youth in the foster care system are considered particularly vulnerable to experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) in adolescence and young adulthood. Those who have emancipated from foster care may be at a heightened risk, as they are significantly more likely to struggle in a variety of critical domains (i.e., mental health, substance use, and delinquency). This longitudinal study is the first to explore the impact of demographic, individual, family, and foster care system factors on IPV involvement for foster care alumni at age 23/24. Analyses were conducted on three waves of quantitative data from the Midwest Evaluation of the Adult Functioning of Former Foster Youth (the Midwest Study). We find that approximately 21% of the young adults in our sample were involved in some type of IPV at age 23/24, with bidirectional violence the most commonly reported form. Males were more likely than females to report IPV victimization, whereas females were more likely than males to report IPV perpetration and bidirectional violence. Young adults who reported parental IPV prior to foster care entry were more likely to be involved in bidirectionally violent partnerships than nonviolent partnerships in young adulthood, as were young adults who reported neglect by a foster caregiver and those who reported greater placement instability while in the foster care system. Anxiety at baseline increased the odds of IPV perpetration at age 23/24, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at baseline decreased the odds of IPV perpetration at age 23/24. Understanding the characteristics and experiences that place these young adults at risk for IPV will allow for more effective and targeted prevention efforts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Colleen C Katz
- Hunter College, City University of New York, New York City, USA
| | | | - Beth Sapiro
- Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Abstract
Marginalized youth are at elevated risk for mental health difficulties, yet they encounter numerous barriers to engagement with mental health services. Past negative experiences with family, social workers, and systems of care contribute to distrust of service providers and ambivalence about engaging in trusting relationships with adults. This longitudinal qualitative study explored how marginalized youth living with mental health conditions make decisions about trust in their relationships with helping professionals. Semi-structured, open-ended in-depth interviews were conducted with 13 young women living with a mood or anxiety disorder, exploring trust, mutuality, and disconnection in relationships between marginalized youth and helping professionals. Eleven of the participants also participated in a second interview, 3 months later, that explored participants' relationships with friends and family. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis and interpreted through the lens of relational-cultural theory. Results indicated that the majority of interview participants described feeling unseen, judged, or invalidated in their relationships with family members. Four themes emerged as factors in the assessment of the trustworthiness of service providers: genuine caring; understanding; non-judgmental acceptance; and adult respect for youth agency. Concerns about confidentiality and mandated reporting informed participants' decisions about disclosure in these relationships. Analysis of findings reveals evidence of the central relational paradox in these descriptions of helping relationships, reflecting the simultaneous appeal and peril of vulnerability in relationships, especially relationships characterized by power differentials. Findings suggest that practitioners working with marginalized youth can expect both openness and guardedness in the treatment relationship.
Collapse
|
8
|
Sapiro B, Johnson L, Postmus JL, Simmel C. Supporting youth involved in domestic minor sex trafficking: Divergent perspectives on youth agency. Child Abuse Negl 2016; 58:99-110. [PMID: 27352092 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2016.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Revised: 05/03/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Domestic-minor sex trafficking (DMST) continues to affect youth in the United States; however, lack of empirical evidence for interventions and the complex sociopolitical discourses surrounding sex trafficking and the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) hamper delivery of effective services to this population. To explore perspectives on best practices with these young people, 20 in-depth interviews were conducted with key stakeholders whose work provides them with a unique vantage point on the needs and experiences of survivors of DMST in New Jersey. Notes from interviews were coded and analyzed for emergent themes. While key stakeholders generally agreed on best practices, there were several important areas of dispute that emerged regarding how best to serve youth involved in DMST, specifically with regard to youth running away from services, models of service provision, and the use of technology by these youth. Findings suggest that professionals from diverse backgrounds may disagree about the extent to which youth involved in DMST possess agency in their decision-making capacities as adolescents. This study explores these areas of dispute, and discusses the implications for the many different professionals and systems that must work together in providing services to this population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beth Sapiro
- Center on Violence Against Women & Children, School of Social Work, Rutgers University, United States.
| | - Laura Johnson
- Center on Violence Against Women & Children, School of Social Work, Rutgers University, United States
| | - Judy L Postmus
- Center on Violence Against Women & Children, School of Social Work, Rutgers University, United States
| | - Cassandra Simmel
- Center on Violence Against Women & Children, School of Social Work, Rutgers University, United States
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Abstract
Increasing numbers of women are choosing to have children in the context of same-sex relationships or as "out" lesbian or bisexual individuals. This study used qualitative methods to assess perceived predisposing and protective factors for perinatal depression in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBQ) women. Two focus groups with LGBQ women were conducted: 1) biological parents of young children and 2) nonbiological parents of young children or whose partners were currently pregnant. Three major themes emerged. Issues related to social support were primary, particularly related to disappointment with the lack of support provided by members of the family of origin. Participants also described issues related to the couple relationship, such as challenges in negotiating parenting roles. Finally, legal and policy barriers (e.g., second parent adoption) were identified as a significant source of stress during the transition to parenthood. Both lack of social support and relationship problems have previously been identified as risk factors for perinatal depression in heterosexual women, and legal and policy barriers may represent a unique risk factor for this population. Therefore, additional study of perinatal mental health among LGBQ women is warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lori E Ross
- Women's Mental Health and Addiction Research Section, Centre for Addiction & Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|