Browsing by Author "Gandy, John, committee member"

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Open Access
Examining college students in recovery from a Substance Use Disorder through interpretative phenomenological analysis
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2016) Worfler, Kelsey Rae, author; Quijano, Louise, advisor; Gandy, John, committee member; Miller, Lisa, committee member
The purpose of this study was to examine the dichotomous relationship of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) recovery and the collegiate environment. Increasingly, academic institutions are implementing Collegiate Recovery Programs (CRPs) to address these environmental challenges and specifically support their students in recovery maintenance from a SUD. By conducting a needs assessment, the challenges recovering college students confront in this environment were investigated, as well as the specific needs of this minority student population. A review of current literature indicated previous studies focused on established CRPs and recovering students already engaged with these resources. This study differed greatly in that it was conducted at Colorado State University (CSU), an academic institution currently lacking campus-based SUD recovery resources; thus this study revealed the cognitions on the challenges and needs of recovering college students who, despite a lack of acknowledgement, continue to thrive in higher education. CSU is currently in the planning stages of CRP implementation; this needs assessment assisted in determining many effective potential service provisions for a campus-based SUD recovery maintenance program at this institution. Four key informant interviews were conducted with Colorado State University (CSU) students who self-identify as being in recovery maintenance from a SUD and the subsequent qualitative data was examined to extract corroborating themes through the use of Jonathan Smith’s Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). These key informant interviews consisted of nine open-ended questions about the recovering students’ experiences of simultaneously attending college while maintaining their SUD recovery. Although many questions surrounded their cognitions about challenges and needs of this student population, the participants were also requested to discuss other topics pertaining to recovery. The quadripartite IPA process was thoroughly conducted with each interview to determine corroborated “Central Themes” and, concurrently, the transcriptions were consistently referenced to isolate excerpts from participants and validate these themes. This qualitative analysis process is suggested to be most effective when the researcher is extremely knowledgeable about, and/or identifies as a part of, the population being studied; due to this aspect of IPA, specific effort was made to mitigate researcher bias throughout this study (Brocki & Wearden, 2006). This study suggests IPA is an effective explorative method when dissecting smaller amount of qualitative data and discussing the cognitions of individuals who may be hidden or stigmatized within a social system; this method of analysis also proved to be effective in comprehensively assessing characteristics of recovering college students within a given social context. The findings of this study revealed, not only challenges and needs of recovering college students, but also other characteristics pertaining to this student population. This study suggests the two main challenges recovering students confront in the collegiate environment are the environmental influences to reengage in substance abuse and the isolation experienced resulting from stigma associated with not using psychoactive substances while attending higher education. This study additionally suggests the greatest need for recovering college students is to combat this isolation through interacting with likeminded peers who are also committed to recovery lifestyle. Recovering students greatly emphasized the need for sober activities where recovering students could socialize, find mutual support, and fully engage in the college experience, as well as a campus-based locale to find respite from environmental influences. At an academic institution without supportive SUD recovery resources, recovering students desire a CRP that is located in a “safe” campus location, and provides substance-free housing specifically designed for willingly abstinent students. The term safety was referenced multiple times by recovering students; this study suggests these students feel the need to protect themselves, and their SUD recovery, while attending college. Although participants reported difficulties cohabiting off campus with individuals who drink, they assumed residing on campus would pose additional challenges and discussed the of necessity on-campus recovery housing. Concurrently with evaluating the needs and challenges of recovering college students, this study suggests other consistent characteristics exist among this student population. Recovering college students associated the term “recovery” with living differently and consistently making different choices while concurrently not abusing substances. Many attributed their initial success achieving SUD recovery to engaging in Twelve-Step Facilitated Groups (TFGs), such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Although recovering students report varied current attendance at TFGs, they comprehensively reported regularly engaging in both healthy daily habits and activities related to their SUD recovery maintenance program. Using a standardize formula endorsed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA), it is estimated that approximately 450 CSU students identify as being in recovery maintenance from a SUD and/or are currently seeking treatment for their problem (Texas Technical University [TTU], 2005). This study lastly suggests recovering college students desire acknowledgement within their academic institution, as well as the opportunity to prosper both academically and socially.
Open Access
Interdisciplinary approach: practices for training for health care workers addressing child sex trafficking cases
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2024) Vasquez, Erica, author; Buchan, Victoria, advisor; Tungate, Susan, committee member; Unnithan, Prabha, committee member; Gandy, John, committee member
Commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) remains a significant public health concern in the United States (Gibbons & Stoklosa, 2016). Many CSEC victims receive medical care at some point during exploitation for the treatment of acute care. Scholars lack reliable statistics on CSEC occurrences due to the lack of data, criminal activity, victims not recognized by professionals, and other factors (Greenbaum et al., 2018). Sex exploitation of children is not limited to any particular ethnic, racial, or socioeconomic group; however, children from lower socioeconomic groups are at risk (Ark of Hope for Children, 2019). This study was a grounded theory study. The researcher identified current ways ED hospital setting health care workers engage, identify, assess, and provide services/interventions and resources for child sex trafficked victims along with their recommendations/suggestions for a future sex trafficking training. An Integrated Anti-Child Sex Trafficking Conceptual Framework was also developed. Semi-structured interviews were used with open-ended questions along with a survey. Theoretical sampling and snowball sampling were used to select participants. The researcher interviewed eight nurses and seven social workers who have currently worked with or may have worked with female child sex trafficking victims in emergency department (ED) hospital settings.
Open Access
Measuring adolescent sense of belonging: development of an instrument incorporating gender, ethnicity, and age
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2017) Harrison, Shannon, author; Buchan, Victoria, advisor; Orsi, Rebbeca, committee member; Gandy, John, committee member; Canetto, Silvia, committee member
Studies incorporating the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (ITS) have largely excluded the association of adolescents with the ITS construct, thwarted belonging. A closer examination of the ITS was necessary, due to its potential for providing information regarding suicide risk. The purpose of this study was to develop a Sense of Belonging Measure, to examine whether and how the construct, thwarted sense of belonging, applied to adolescents, specifically by gender, ethnicity, and age group. Data (N = 10,148) from the National Comorbidity Survey-Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A, 2001-2004) was analyzed. Adolescents aged 13-18 completed the the survey. An exploratory factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha testing determined that the variables in the Sense of Belonging Measure reliably measured the concepts that the literature identified as being related to adolescent belonging. A three way analysis of variance (ANOVA) produced statistically significant main effects of age groups, and of ethnicity, on sense of belonging. An unexpected statistically significant interaction effect of gender and ethnicity on sense of belonging was produced. It is recommended that this measure be clinically tested in mental health settings, to further determine the utility of the construct "thwarted sense of belonging," in its application to adolescents.
Open Access
Trauma-informed organizational culture: the prevention, reduction, and treatment of compassion fatigue
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2013) Handran, Joni, author; Gloeckner, Gene, advisor; Buchan, Victoria, advisor; Gandy, John, committee member; Makela, Carole, committee member
Caregivers who provide services to trauma survivors are at high risk of developing secondary traumatic stress and burnout. Researchers and practitioners in the field of traumatology emphasize the role organizational culture has on individuals who provide services to trauma survivor's well-being. Although there is a considerable amount of theoretical literature on organizational culture and its effects on trauma-workers' well-being, there is a lack of empirical research. The purpose of this exploratory study was to identify what organizational characteristics influence trauma caregivers' compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction and to construct and provide validation for a measure of the role organizational culture has on caregivers. The measure is entitled the Trauma-Informed Organization Culture (TIOC) Survey. This study used data from a sample of 282 individuals who provide services to survivors of trauma including 67 animal control officers, 102 child, youth, and family service workers, and 113 individuals who work with the homeless. This research supports the literature and found several significant relationships between the independent and dependent variables. Organizational support and trauma-informed caregiver development were found to be strong predictor variables for burnout and secondary traumatic stress. Practical implications are provided addressing the roles that organizational support, supervisory support, peer support, and trauma-informed caregiver development have in the implementation of a trauma-informed system of care.
Open Access
Underrespresented minority medical (URiM) students: a social work approach to identifying factors affecting their experience
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2020) Richards, Regina D., author; Buchan, Victoria, advisor; Gandy, John, committee member; Jennings, Louise, committee member; Scott, Malcolm, committee member
A major injustice in the United States is the wide disparity in health care across racial/ethnic, gender and economic lines. The lack of URiM (underrepresented in medicine) physicians is a major cause of health care disparities: health care is enhanced when the physician is race-concordant with the patient. Many URiM students have negative experiences that can impact their motivation, performance, well-being and future careers. The major goal of this research is to gain an understanding of URiM student experience as a basis for changes within the student's Ecosystem. Using a social work approach and thematic analysis to gain a better understanding of the URiM experience at the University of Colorado School of Medicine (CU SOM), four themes emerged: (a) Overall Experience: URiM experience is multifactorial, reflecting positive, negative and ambivalent experiences and can change through time. (b) Impacts of Explicit Racism, Microaggressions and Low/Insufficient Diversity. (c) Negative Impact of Incongruence: URiM students expressed dissatisfaction at the incongruence between the medical school messaging about valuing diversity and the reality experienced by the students. (d) Sense of Belonging: multifactorial and dynamic: It is a significant factor in student experience, has multiple meanings for the students, and can change through time. In addition to the above four themes, one key result is a new definition of Sense of Belonging. Student recommendations combined with the researcher's experience were used to generate implications for programs and student support services. These results can be used to inform program development, coaching, advising and system level improvements. This will achieve the research goal of improving the experiences of URiM students and thus potentially their motivation, performance, well-being and future careers.