Browsing by Subject "Parents"
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Item Predicting Parental Participation to Toddler Obesity Prevention Programs(2020-01-20) Evans, Shariece Adiah; Miller, Nancy A; School of Public Policy; Public PolicyThe prevention of obesity in the United States has become a serious public health concern, especially among children. In 2013, it was estimated that there were 23.9 million children in the U.S. ages 2 to 19 who were overweight or obese. Since children with overweight or obesity are at higher risk for becoming adults who are obese and may suffer from serious chronic disease, addressing the issue of preventing childhood obesity should be a top priority. One important barrier to overcome when trying to develop childhood obesity prevention programs is addressing parental participation in such programs. Childhood obesity prevention programs often deal with low parental participation to program protocols, which can lead to diminished program results. Exploring factors that predict parental participation will help to increase childhood obesity prevention program adherence levels, which in turn will lead to better program outcomes. This research explored factors that predict parental participation in a toddler obesity prevention program conducted in a rural area of Maryland and an urban area of Maryland. This research also looked at relationships between intervention lesson content and parental participation. Although some intervention outcome effects had statistically significant relationships with level of parental participation and certain intervention lesson content, overall most results were not statistically significant. One variable contributed the most to predicting parental participation. The results helped shape the suggestions regarding future research in the area of toddler obesity prevention programs and parental participation. Successful program outcomes will ultimately lead to fewer adults who are obese, which in turn will reduce medical expenditures and medical costs associated with treating obesity and obesity-related chronic diseases.Item Too Many Problems And Not Enough Help: Exploring The Need For School Social Workers In The Hashemite Kingdom Of Jordan(2017) Alhajjaj, Huda Abd Alhamed; Tirmazi, Mohammed Taqi; Social Work; Doctor of PhilosophySocial work encompasses many different fields of practice. School social workers provide services to students encountering a wide spectrum of psychosocial and behavioral challenges at school, home, and society. While school social workers exist in many countries across the globe, many countries such as Jordan remain without school social workers. The primary aim of this qualitative study is to explore the need for school social workers in Jordan. A secondary purpose is to explore the social and behavioral challenges that face students as identified by social workers, students, and parents. Lastly, this study adds to the modest research literature on social work in the Jordan school system. Using an ecological perspective and systems theory, this study explores the factors and systems contributing to student challenges and the lack of school social workers in Jordan. This qualitative study utilized a case study design to explore the need for school social workers in Jordan. Focus groups were conducted using a semi-structured discussion guide with a purposive sample of 31 in total of teachers, social workers, and parents in Jordan. Focus group data was tape recorded and transcribed. Open coding was utilized with NVivo software. Thematic analysis was conducted to derive four key themes: (1) role of the school social worker, (2) difference between counselors and social workers, (3) challenges and barriers for school social workers, and (4) student challenges. In addition, numerous subthemes were constructed within the four themes. Findings for this study indicate that there is a need for school social workers to address numerous challenges amongstudents in Jordanian schools. Moreover, findings suggest several key socioeconomic challenges in developing school social workers in Jordan. Based on the findings, there are some implications for practice offered: (1) Social workers in Jordan need to do more research about their roles and how they could make positive changes; (2) teachers and parents should be educated so they understand the role of school social work, and how students' life environment affects their academic performance; and (3) future research should continue in the area of school social work interventions and outcomes in the community of Jordan.