Anne Fortune
SUNY: University at Albany, School of Social Welfare, Faculty Member
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
This study conceptualizes treatment communication as a set of joint practitioner-client, problem-solving activities. Patterns of activities within and across six interviews of intensive task-centered practice are compared for twelve adult... more
This study conceptualizes treatment communication as a set of joint practitioner-client, problem-solving activities. Patterns of activities within and across six interviews of intensive task-centered practice are compared for twelve adult and twelve child cases. Although both adults' and children's cases implemented a general task-centered model, there were differences in proportionate utilization and temporal patterns of problem-solving activities which suggest that children's cases adhered to a logical problem-solving process more closely than adults' cases.
Research Interests:
The purpose of this study was to determine if children were being referred for inpatient hospitalization only after all other community resources were exhausted. Over a three month period, it was found that prior to hospitalization one... more
The purpose of this study was to determine if children were being referred for inpatient hospitalization only after all other community resources were exhausted. Over a three month period, it was found that prior to hospitalization one half of the patients received either limited outpatient services or none at all. Conduct disordered children received a disproportional amount of services than any other diagnostic group. Furthermore, children who were also identified by the schools were highlighted as receiving mental health services far more frequently than those children who did not receive special education services.
Research Interests:
Students' perceptions of their field placements rarely are taken into account in the literature on field practicum and supervision. This survey of MSW students at a southern university examines factors associated with... more
Students' perceptions of their field placements rarely are taken into account in the literature on field practicum and supervision. This survey of MSW students at a southern university examines factors associated with student satisfaction with field agency, field instructor, and field learning. The survey covers student and agency characteristics, learning goals and structure, supervision, and schoolagency linkages. Students associated the
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Florida International University Do students with prior academic preparation in social work perform better in graduate school than students who do not have a BSW? Master's students in a southeastern school of social work were... more
Florida International University Do students with prior academic preparation in social work perform better in graduate school than students who do not have a BSW? Master's students in a southeastern school of social work were sur-veyed about their background, general psychosocial adjustment, ad-justment to and attitudes toward graduate school, and graduate academic performance. Forced-entry multiple regression was used to control simultaneously for the effect of background and adjustment factors on four outcome variables: Grade Point Average in the most recent semesters; Stress as a Student; Educational Program Satisfac-tion; and Professional Social Work Commitment. Having a BSW was
Research Interests:
Practicum is essential to professional social work education. What makes this intense learning experience satisfactory to students? One hundred forty-two graduate social work students specializing in direct practice were studied to... more
Practicum is essential to professional social work education. What makes this intense learning experience satisfactory to students? One hundred forty-two graduate social work students specializing in direct practice were studied to determine factors associated with ...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
This paper presents an overview of the relationship between population aging in the United States, the growing demand for geriatric social workers, and how that need can be met through graduate-level social work training. We describe the... more
This paper presents an overview of the relationship between population aging in the United States, the growing demand for geriatric social workers, and how that need can be met through graduate-level social work training. We describe the basic components of graduate level social work training and discuss two key elements in the training of geriatric social workers. Focussing on a
Research Interests:
Social workers are being called upon to utilize a wide range of skills in practice including not only skills of working directly with clients, but also skills related to practice in organizations such as program management,... more
Social workers are being called upon to utilize a wide range of skills in practice including not only skills of working directly with clients, but also skills related to practice in organizations such as program management, inter-organizational cooperation, research and evaluation. This article describes an innovative geriatric field education program that prepares social workers with leadership skills in both direct service and management, and engages community agencies as both sites for student learning and as beneficiaries of their professional development projects. Case examples are provided and benefits and challenges to the model are discussed.
Research Interests: Sociology, Program Evaluation, Geriatrics, Social Work, Leadership, and 15 moreFocus Groups, Professional Development, Social Work Education, Leadership Development, Medicine, Humans, Program Development, Student Learning, New York, Educational Models, Aged, Professional Practice, Cooperative Behavior, Gerontological social work, and Residence Characteristics
Research Interests:
How do MSW students learn new professional skills in the field practicum? Does students' reflection affect the use of other learning activities during the field practicum? Students in field practica participate in activities that... more
How do MSW students learn new professional skills in the field practicum? Does students' reflection affect the use of other learning activities during the field practicum? Students in field practica participate in activities that involve observation, doing (participatory), and conceptual linkage. In this study of MSW students, conceptual linkage activities represent students' overall reflective capacity to integrate classroom theory and field practice. The results indicate that conceptual linkage activities are more strongly related to learning outcomes than observation or participatory activities. There is also a significant interaction effect between participatory activities and conceptual linkage activities when students' satisfaction is considered. Discussion includes suggestions for increasing students' reflection to integrate classroom and field.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Two articles in this month's Social Work Research look at an important issue in providing social work services: which clients will "hook up" with services. Each article describes populations that are difficult to serve:... more
Two articles in this month's Social Work Research look at an important issue in providing social work services: which clients will "hook up" with services. Each article describes populations that are difficult to serve: child welfare families using recommended services after Intensive Family Preservation and homeless adults accepting outpatient case management services. A third article addresses factors associated with adolescent pregnancy and parenting status. A fourth examines commitment to long-term partner relationships among African American men and women. Finally, an article on methodology explores issues and solutions in conducting research with lesbians and gay men as participants. Intensive Family Preservation Services for families at risk of removal of a child often end with recommendations for additional services. Staudt looks at how 101 families follow up on such recommended services, using Andersen's (1995) social context framework to assess the importance of need for service versus predisposing (demographic) or enabling factors. Need, measured by child functioning or by family functioning, was related to how much a family used service and to the proportion of recommended mental health services used. The predisposing and enabling factors did not increase the explanatory power of the hierarchical ordinary least squares regression models. However, overall the factors were not good predictors of use of service, explaining between 4 percent and 18 percent of variance. Homeless clients often present complex problems that make getting them into sustained treatment difficult. Sosin and Bruni test two perspectives on why homeless people reject offered services. The personal attributes perspective suggests that special personal characteristics, such as personal problems or disaffiliation, reduce motivation or ability to use services. The situational perspective suggests that people reject treatment because of immediate situational factors such as previous experience with treatment programs or how the program is presented to them. Two hundred eighty-five homeless clients from three short-term in-patient programs in Chicago were invited to participate in an outpatient service program (as part of a larger experiment). Nearly two-thirds "rejected" the intervention--did not make or attend an initial appointment or did not return after one appointment. A logistic regression model with personal attributes predicting rejection was not very powerful, and only military experience and conflict with friends and relatives predicted rejection of treatment. The logistic regression model with situational factors was more powerful: Clients rejected treatment less often if they had more previous experience with drug treatment programs, if they did not have access to other treatment programs, if recruitment workers were trained in presenting the treatment program clearly, and if recruitment workers did not emphasize recreation as part of the program. With all predictors combined, five situational factors and only one personal attribute were significant. The study suggests strong support that homeless clients reject service on the basis of situational factors rather than personal characteristics. Which adolescents become pregnant? …
Research Interests:
Abstract Students' initial impressions of field practica are important because educators try to balance consumer satisfaction with curricular objectives, and because they may motivate students' learning. Do students' initial... more
Abstract Students' initial impressions of field practica are important because educators try to balance consumer satisfaction with curricular objectives, and because they may motivate students' learning. Do students' initial reactions to their field settings in fact affect their subsequent performance? This study included 69 Master of Social Work students who completed a beginning and advanced field practicum. Two weeks after beginning each practicum, they rated their satisfaction with the practicum, their desire for that type of practicum, and whether their learning goals could be accomplished in that setting. Their initial impressions were not associated with their performance of practice skills at any of three evaluation points during the practicum. However, students with more positive initial impressions were more satisfied at the end of the practicum.
Research Interests:
The Hollis and Reid typologies of practitioner verbal communication represent an important and theoretically consistent attempt to measure social work practice techniques within a psychosocial framework. This article reviews the... more
The Hollis and Reid typologies of practitioner verbal communication represent an important and theoretically consistent attempt to measure social work practice techniques within a psychosocial framework. This article reviews the theoretical and research issues in application of the typologies and summarizes the results of studies applying the typologies to social work practice.
Research Interests:
ABSTRACT A survey of 118 MSW students in a mid-sized northern university showed a significant relationship between coping skills and two components of learning in field: students' perception of confidence in ability to perform;... more
ABSTRACT A survey of 118 MSW students in a mid-sized northern university showed a significant relationship between coping skills and two components of learning in field: students' perception of confidence in ability to perform; and students' sense of difficulty of the tasks. Coping skills were defined as habitual activities such as physical exercise, nutrition, humor, spirituality, and creativity. Other variables that were not related to coping skills were the students' sense of internal motivation and perceived social work skills.
Research Interests:
This article will demonstrate how schools of social work can collaborate with community agencies to provide a comprehensive and enriching educational experience for both student interns and participating agencies. An innovative... more
This article will demonstrate how schools of social work can collaborate with community agencies to provide a comprehensive and enriching educational experience for both student interns and participating agencies. An innovative partnership of a state school of social work with community agencies leading to a cutting-edge geriatric field education program is described. Case examples are used to illustrate the benefits of these partnerships, as well as challenges partners overcame in forging and sustaining partnerships. Necessary components of partnership development are detailed.
Research Interests: Sociology, Program Evaluation, Geriatrics, Social Work, Leadership, and 13 morePublic Relations, Social Work Education, Medicine, Humans, Program Development, Universities, New York, Gerontological research in social work, Educational Models, Aged, Cooperative Behavior, Gerontological social work, and Residence Characteristics
Research Interests:
Page 1. Page 2. Page 3. This One KNY JXE-SP06 Page 4. Page 5. Task Strategies Page 6. Page 7. Task Strategies Page 8. Page 9. William J. Reid Task Strategies An Empirical Approach to Clinical Social Work with contributions ...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Abstract As social work education in China expands rapidly since 2000, field practicum is one of the most challenging areas. This qualitative study explored the field learning experiences of 27 students from a pioneer social work... more
Abstract As social work education in China expands rapidly since 2000, field practicum is one of the most challenging areas. This qualitative study explored the field learning experiences of 27 students from a pioneer social work undergraduate program. Analysis resulted in six major themes revealing the students’ perspective on the process of learning by performing various practice events during 4-week summer block placements. Discussion focuses on the key features of this learning process. Suggestions for future research and implications for field instruction are included.
Research Interests:
This special issue addresses one of the profession's most pressing needs--evidence about the effectiveness of interventions in social work practice. Notwithstanding recent progress in the development of its research infrastructure,... more
This special issue addresses one of the profession's most pressing needs--evidence about the effectiveness of interventions in social work practice. Notwithstanding recent progress in the development of its research infrastructure, social work suffers a dearth--in both quantity and quality--of empirical studies of practice (Proctor, 2001). A recent study revealed that fewer than 14 percent of the research articles published in social work journals addressed the central issue facing the profession--the development of effective interventions (Rosen, Proctor, & Staudt, 1999). As the then-editor of this journal wrote when announcing this special issue, "Practice is the raison d'etre of social work. The purpose of social work is intervention. Social workers do not stop after studying a phenomenon, but do something about it: prevent ill health, change policy, influence organizations, assist families, or teach individuals coping skills. Why, then, do so many social work researchers stop with studying a phenomenon (descriptive research) rather than look at what social workers do and its effects?" (Fortune, 1999, p. 2) The credibility and effectiveness of our practice depends on the sufficiency of our knowledge about what works, under what circumstances, and for whom (McMahon, Reisch, & Patti, 1991; Task Force on Social Work Research, 1991). It is essential that the field increase its attention to intervention research. Thus, this collection of articles has particular importance. Each contributes new understanding about social work practice methods. Each contributes to our quest to discover "what works." The range of interventions reflects the breadth and variety of what we do--both prevention and intervention, with methods ranging from specific aspects of worker-client collaboration, to "packages" of component interventions (for example, family preservation "services," educational and prevention "programs"), to programmatic-level services (for example, shelters). Three articles demonstrate that our practice has enduring effects over time. This issue also addresses interventions' effectiveness in reaching not only ultimate outcomes, but also intermediate outcomes--that is, outcomes that reflect the worker-client relationship and contribute to the attainment of subsequent outcomes (Proctor, 1982; Rosen & Proctor, 1978). Littell's article addresses the intermediate outcome of client participation in treatment. The construction and testing of interventions in medicine and psychology is traditionally understood to begin with efficacy research, testing or validating interventions in relation to outcomes under relatively uniform and controlled conditions, with the primary focus on internal validity. Efficacy studies are and will remain important in an iterative process of knowledge development. Yet social work ultimately requires effectiveness studies--those that field-test interventions in relation to a variety of clients, settings, and practitioners so that issues of external validity are addressed. The articles published here are relevant to the diverse populations we serve. Each study reflects the complexity of real-world service settings--residential treatment settings, schools, shelters, and child welfare agencies. Moreover, Littell's findings indicate that clients must participate fully in these real-world services to attain desired outcomes. This issue's lead article reports on the effectiveness of a theoretically based and well-specified program targeting a significant public health concern among a high-risk population. Slonim-Nevo tested a cognitive--behavioral program designed to prevent HIV/AIDS among adolescents in residential centers and found the intervention to have a significant effect on participants' knowledge about HIV/AIDS, attitudes toward prevention, and coping with high-risk situations. Although the intervention did not affect all areas of targeted behaviors, it did have significant impact on the most important sexual risk activity--condom use in vaginal sex. …
Research Interests:
The competence of a journal’s referees or reviewers is a critical issue in any discipline. Referees who review manuscripts for a journal, along with the editors who make final decisions about publication, serve as gatekeepers of... more
The competence of a journal’s referees or reviewers is a critical issue in any discipline. Referees who review manuscripts for a journal, along with the editors who make final decisions about publication, serve as gatekeepers of information and advancement of knowledge in the discipline. They must, as Pardeck (1992 [this issue]) notes, &dquo;have appropriate research and practice skills.&dquo; In addition, they must be familiar with the discipline, to know what is within its purview. They must have a conceptual ability and breadth beyond their own expertise, to know what is innovative. They must have a sense of
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
... Development of Intervention Models with New Overwhelmed 154 Clients/June G. Hopps, Tony B. Lowe, and Ollie G. Christian Page 9. ... Task-Centered Practice in the United States/Ronald H. Rooney 195 14. Task-Centered Practice in Great... more
... Development of Intervention Models with New Overwhelmed 154 Clients/June G. Hopps, Tony B. Lowe, and Ollie G. Christian Page 9. ... Task-Centered Practice in the United States/Ronald H. Rooney 195 14. Task-Centered Practice in Great Britain/Peter Marsh 203 15. ...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
ABSTRACT Integrative field seminars can help students with the difficult task of integrating learning between field and class. Are the seminars effective? We compared one cohort of MSW students who were required to attend an integrative... more
ABSTRACT Integrative field seminars can help students with the difficult task of integrating learning between field and class. Are the seminars effective? We compared one cohort of MSW students who were required to attend an integrative field seminar (n = 101) with another cohort that was not offered a seminar (n = 147). We questioned each cohort at the end of the generalist practicum about skills and attitudes we thought the seminar would enhance. Students who attended a seminar reported better critical thinking, more identification with the profession, and more satisfaction with their field education. However, they were similar to students without a seminar on 10 other skills, including evaluations by their field instructors.
Research Interests:
With more older, married, and working students entering graduate social work schools, there is concern that these "non-traditional" students need assistance managing the stresses of multiple roles beyond the student role. But do... more
With more older, married, and working students entering graduate social work schools, there is concern that these "non-traditional" students need assistance managing the stresses of multiple roles beyond the student role. But do they experience more stress than other students? This study of MSW students indicates that the spouses, parents, and workers experience less rather than greater stress, but when all background characteristics are controlled, the only predictor of stress and poor psychological well-being is a psychological measure, perception of external Locus of Control.
Research Interests:
... Record Details - EJ377265. Title: Gender Inequities in Early Social Worker Careers. Full-Text Availability Options: ... Related Items: Show Related Items. Click on any of the links below to perform a new search. Title: Gender... more
... Record Details - EJ377265. Title: Gender Inequities in Early Social Worker Careers. Full-Text Availability Options: ... Related Items: Show Related Items. Click on any of the links below to perform a new search. Title: Gender Inequities in Early Social Worker Careers. ...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) was founded in 1994 to provide a meeting ground and support organization for individual social workers who engage in research. Over its first 14 years, SSWR has grown from a modest-sized... more
The Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) was founded in 1994 to provide a meeting ground and support organization for individual social workers who engage in research. Over its first 14 years, SSWR has grown from a modest-sized organization that hosted an initial ...
Research Interests:
In response to escalating health care costs, especially costs for which Medicare and Medicaid are the primary payers, government officials, policy makers, and health administrators have placed increasing pressure on health care providers... more
In response to escalating health care costs, especially costs for which Medicare and Medicaid are the primary payers, government officials, policy makers, and health administrators have placed increasing pressure on health care providers and mental health providers to answer the following question: What is the relationship between the cost of the services provided and the benefit to the consumers receiving it? In other words, can health and mental health providers demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of the services they provide to consumers? Answers to these questions are increasingly used to determine reimbursement structures for private insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare. Therefore, evidence about the costeffectiveness of social work interventions is needed to convince government officials, policy makers, and health administrators that these services are essential. For this reason, the use of economic analysis to examine the efficacy of social work practice is the focus of this special issue. What is cost-effectiveness analysis? Several methods for the economic evaluation of health and mental health interventions exist, including cost-identification analysis, cost-utility analysis, cost-benefit analysis, cost-consequences analysis, and cost-effectiveness analysis (Drummond, O’Brien, Stoddart, & Torrance; Neumann, 2005). However, the evaluation method receiving the most attention of late is cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA). Its prominence is a result of the recommendations of The United States Panel on Cost-Effectiveness in Health and Medicine (Weinstein, Siegel, Gold, Kamlet, & Russell, 1996) and the fact sheet entitled, “Focus on Cost Effectiveness Analysis at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality” (AHRQ; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Services (USDHHS/PHS), 2001). CEA is the recommended economic evaluation method because
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
ABSTRACT Managed care has profound effects on health and mental health service delivery in the United States. This article describes the knowledge that students need for effective social work practice within a managed care environment and... more
ABSTRACT Managed care has profound effects on health and mental health service delivery in the United States. This article describes the knowledge that students need for effective social work practice within a managed care environment and evaluates a course to deliver the content.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
What activities are associated with MSW students' performance in the field, perceptions of the quality of field instruction, and satisfaction with the field?... more
What activities are associated with MSW students' performance in the field, perceptions of the quality of field instruction, and satisfaction with the field? Sixty-four MSW students reported on observational-participatory and conceptual linkage learning activities used in their first- and second-year placements. Greater use of some activities was associated with satisfaction and perception of quality but not with field instructors' ratings
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Abstract This study examines job satisfaction at early career stages among new U.S. Master of Social Work (MSW) graduates. It explores (a) what factors were associated with job satisfaction, including organizational factors (interpersonal... more
Abstract This study examines job satisfaction at early career stages among new U.S. Master of Social Work (MSW) graduates. It explores (a) what factors were associated with job satisfaction, including organizational factors (interpersonal working environment and agency characteristics), educational preparation in the MSW program, and personal characteristics, and (b) whether organizational factors have more significant effects than other predictors. Eighty graduates of a northeastern MSW program were surveyed. Organizational factors, specifically interpersonal working environment (atmosphere and quality of working relationship, satisfaction with general supervision) and agency characteristics (worker’s perceived effectiveness of service delivery in the agency) were correlated with job satisfaction. Educational preparation, defined as graduates’ perceived level of attainment of competence, was correlated with job satisfaction. Regression analysis revealed that two organizational factors (atmosphere and quality of working relationship and effectiveness of service delivery) were more significant predictors than other characteristics. To help neophyte social workers better transition into the reality of the workplace, agency efforts to build positive working relationships with supervisors and coworkers are recommended. Workers’ confidence in the effectiveness of services should be enhanced through an emphasis on evidence-based practice. Further studies that develop measurements of early-stage worker competence and examine more diverse factors are recommended.