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A Qualitative Intrinsic Case Study of Persons with Social Work Degrees Working on College Campuses

Rouse, Kimberly D.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1615835757320885

Abstract Details

2021, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, Higher Education (Education).
Student mental health is a concern across all sectors of postsecondary education as today’s college students are presenting to campus with higher amounts of psychopathology than ever before. In 2019, the NASPA Vice President for Student Affairs Census found that student mental health was ranked the number one issue by 750 chief student affairs professionals at both two and four-year public institutions (Anderson, 2019). Social workers are one of the largest groups of mental health professionals in the country (Council on Social Work Education, 2014), though very few social workers are employed in the college and/or university setting (Salsberg et al., 2017). This research aimed to explore the functions that persons with social work degrees are playing on college campuses and see how their social work training informs their work on campus and within student affairs roles. The study’s findings show that while persons with social work degrees are employed in a variety of different roles on campuses, they have a common approach to their work. The themes noted include a holistic approach to student support, addressing basic needs concerns, supporting student mental health, and engaging in program development. Additionally, the participants noted that social work training including competency-based education, field placement requirements, and the social work code of ethics help guide in guiding their work on campus. Lastly, it was discovered that higher education does not understand the social work profession. This study considers the ways that non-counseling center staff, specifically those with social work degrees, are using their knowledge, skills, and experiences to support students outside of the traditional college counseling center environment. We have likely hit the end of the road in our ability to address student mental health issues with individual counseling. The systematic approach that is ingrained into the social work profession is necessary. The findings from this study confirm that many of the student issues universities are struggling with today are areas in which social workers can provide expertise and support, though they are still a widely underutilized profession on college campuses.
Laura Harrison (Advisor)
156 p.
Higher Education; Social Work
college student mental health; social work; social workers on college campus; systems based approach to student mental health

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Rouse, K. D. (2021). A Qualitative Intrinsic Case Study of Persons with Social Work Degrees Working on College Campuses [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1615835757320885

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Rouse, Kimberly. A Qualitative Intrinsic Case Study of Persons with Social Work Degrees Working on College Campuses. 2021. Ohio University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1615835757320885.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Rouse, Kimberly. "A Qualitative Intrinsic Case Study of Persons with Social Work Degrees Working on College Campuses." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University, 2021. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1615835757320885

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1615835757320885
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© 2021, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.
Release 3.2.12