Date of Award

6-2018

Document Type

Project

Degree Name

Master of Social Work

Department

School of Social Work

First Reader/Committee Chair

Simon, James

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to assess Master of Social Work (MSW)

students’ perspectives on their preparedness to identify mental health needs of

caregivers that are working toward reunification. Research has established that

caregivers with mental illness have children removed by the child welfare system

at higher rates. In order to reunify successfully, it is critical that any mental health

needs are identified to provide appropriate linkage to services. This quantitative

study used a self-administered survey questionnaire with a case study vignette.

MSW students have some exposure to diagnosing during their MSW program,

however, the findings suggest that key factors such as area of specialization,

length of experience in a mental health setting, and mental health diagnosing

experience, impact how comfortable they are with diagnosing and recognizing

the severity of mental health symptoms.

Included in

Social Work Commons

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