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2026 · article
Kattari, S. K., & Erickson, D.
Journal of Diversity in Higher Education
Neurodivergent individuals are those whose brains engage the world in ways that society considers atypical. As with disabled individuals, they are often un- or underemployed, may need additional accommodations at places of employment, and experience high rates of ableism. While beginning to do a better job in supporting neurodivergent students, academia has often left neurodivergent faculty out of conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion and often fails to address how faculty can be supported in succeeding while being their full authentic selves. This phenomenological study explores the lived experiences of neurodivergent faculty in U.S. higher education. We conducted 23 qualitative semistructured interviews, coded the transcripts, and organized these codes into themes using a virtual tabletop coding method. We structured the codes into seven themes: (1) neurophobia as systemic oppression (including subthemes obstruction of access and accommodations and impact of enforced masking); (2) navigating the nexus of identities; (3) complexity of outness; (4) labors of communication; (5) "neurophoria" and the brilliance of neurodivergence; (6) community connection and advocacy; and (7) shared wisdom. Across disciplines (i.e., science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, humanities, social sciences), type of faculty role (i.e., tenure track, clinical, adjunct), type of institution (i.e., public vs. private, size), and a variety of other identities (i.e., race, gender, age), there were many shared experiences by participants. Institutions of higher education must be better prepared to support neurodivergent faculty, including integrating models of universal design, removing barriers for accessing accommodations, dismantling expectations of neurotypical communication, and recognizing the many strengths of these faculty. [Kattari, Shanna K.; Erickson, Debra] Univ Michigan, Sch Social Work, Ann Arbor, MI USA. Michigan System; University of Michigan
2026 · article
Inaganti, A., Underhill, A., Lacombe-Duncan, A., Soud, R., & Loutfy, M.
Janac-journal of the Association of Nurses in Aids Care
Trans and gender diverse (TGD) people have heightened vulnerability to HIV/sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs) driven, in part, by anti-trans stigma, yet they also face barriers to HIV/STBBI prevention and care. Integrating gender-affirming health care (GAHC; e.g., gender-affirming hormone therapy) with HIV/STBBI prevention/care could improve uptake of HIV/STBBI prevention/care for this population. Yet, the extent to which this integrated care is available is unknown. We conducted an environmental scan of active HIV/STBBI clinic websites in Ontario, Canada during June-September 2024, to determine the availability of HIV/STBBI services by geographic region and indicators of TGD inclusion. Of 198 clinic websites, 55.1% had visual or textual representation of TGD inclusion/support, with 21.7% stating nonmedical TGD affirmation programming (e.g., support group[s]) and 10.6% endorsing integrated HIV/STBBI prevention/care and GAHC. Findings underscore opportunities to increase integrated HIV/STBBI prevention and care and GAHC and to incorporate TGD inclusivity on websites to enhance TGD sexual health equity. [Lacombe-Duncan, Ashley] Univ Michigan, Sch Social Work, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA. [Loutfy, Mona] Womens Coll Hosp, Women & HIV Res Program, Toronto, ON, Canada. [Loutfy, Mona] Maple Leaf Med Clin, Toronto, ON, Canada. [Loutfy, Mona] Univ Toronto, Fac Med, Toronto, ON, Canada. System; University of Michigan; University of Toronto; Womens College Hospital; University of Toronto
2026 · articleopen access
Perron, B. E.
SSRN Electronic Journal
Objective. This study conceptually replicates Gartenberg et al. (2026), extending their methodology to a different scholarly community (social work), a different submission venue (conference abstracts), and a different family of AI-text detection models. Method. A corpus of 21,569 scientific-format abstracts submitted to the Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) for conference years 2010–2026 was scored using three open-weight detectors: EditLens RoBERTa-large (primary), EditLens Llama-3.2-3B (within-family secondary), and academic-tuned desklib (cross-family). Classifications were anchored on the 95th percentile of each detector's 2010–2015 (no-LLM-exposure) baseline. A segmented regression tested for a step change at the 2025 conference cycle, the first cycle in which authors had full LLM availability across the entire writing window. Results. All three detectors identified a sharp step at the 2025 cycle. Under the primary detector (EditLens RoBERTa-large), the proportion of abstracts above threshold rose from a stable 5.0% across 2010–2015 to 19.6% in 2024, 33.3% in 2025, and 57.0% in 2026. The two secondary detectors yielded consistent patterns, providing converging evidence of a stylistic shift. Writing-quality metrics showed temporal and directional changes consistent with Gartenberg et al., including a statistically significant decline in Flesch Reading Ease. First authors with no prior SSWR submissions and non-Anglophone first authors exhibited the largest increases in AI scores. Discussion. Findings converge with Gartenberg et al. on direction, timing, magnitude, cohort patterns, and writing-quality decline. By the 2026 cycle, abstracts whose stylistic profile resembles AI-generated academic prose are no longer rare in social work scholarship; they constitute the modal pattern.
2026 · article
Eldeeb, N., Grogan-Kaylor, A., Zhao, L., Hong, S., Chang, O. D., & Herrenkohl, T. I.
Child Abuse & Neglect
Background: Child maltreatment measurement has been a longstanding issue, with discrepancies across administrative records, parent-reports, and self-reports. One proposed solution is "triangulation," or integrating data from multiple reporters and sources. However, it remains unclear how best to operationalize this concept. Objective: This study examines the concept of "triangulation" by employing different analytic methods to determine whether these methods reveal a common underlying construct of physical abuse and whether they predict adult depression. Participants and setting: Data come from the Lehigh Longitudinal Study, a 40+ year prospective study that began in the 1970s with children ages 18 months to 6 years of age. Data were collected in early childhood, middle childhood, adolescence, and adulthood (ages 36 and 46, on average). Methods: We applied five analytic approaches - network analysis, ordinary least squares (OLS) regression, structural equation modeling (SEM), latent profile analysis (LPA), and a cumulative index regression - to assess the relationships among multiple reporters of childhood physical abuse and adult depression. Results: SEM best modeled the latent construct of physical abuse and significantly predicted adult depression, with adult self-reports playing a particularly strong role. Network analysis also highlighted strong intercorrelations among self-reports and meaningful links with depression. Conclusion: SEM and network analysis were the most informative for triangulation and prediction of adult depression. Adult self-reports of abuse were most related and most predictive of adult depression.
2026 · article
Showalter, K., Maguire-Jack, K., Marcal, K., Chen, Y., Park, Y., Zhao, L., & Bosetti, R.
Violence Against Women
Employment and income are critical in aiding intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a strategic anti-poverty initiative, promoting workforce participation. This study investigates the effect of state-level EITC policies on physical IPV incidence. Utilizing data from the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) spanning 2011 to 2019, we performed a generalized linear model with fixed-effects individual slopes to estimate the relationship between the level of state EITC benefits and state-level IPV rates by quarter. We found that increased state EITC levels were correlated with reduced physical IPV reports to law enforcement. [Maguire-Jack, Kathryn; Chen, Yinqi; Park, Yanghyun; Zhao, Lijian] Univ Michigan, Sch Social Work, Ann Arbor, MI USA. [Marcal, Katherine] Rutgers State Univ, Sch Social Work, New Brunswick, NJ USA. Michigan; Rutgers University System; Rutgers University New Brunswick
2026 · article
Qi, Z., Perron, B. E., Victor, B. G., Stoll, D., & Ryan, J. P.
Journal of Evidence-based Social Work
PurposeThis study develops a systematic benchmarking framework for testing whether language models can accurately identify constructs of interest in child welfare records. The objective is to assess how different model sizes and architectures perform on four validated benchmarks for classifying critical risk factors among child welfare-involved families: domestic violence, firearms, substance-related problems generally, and opioids specifically.Materials and MethodsWe constructed four benchmarks for identifying risk factors in child welfare investigation summaries: domestic violence, substance-related problems, firearms, and opioids (n = 500 each). We evaluated seven model sizes (0.6B-32B parameters) in standard and extended reasoning modes, plus a mixture-of-experts variant. Cohen's kappa measured agreement with gold standard classifications established by human experts.ResultsThe benchmarking revealed a critical finding: bigger models are not better. A small 4B parameter model with extended reasoning proved the most effective, outperforming models up to eight times larger. It consistently achieved "substantial" to "almost perfect" agreement across all four distinct benchmark categories. This model achieved "almost perfect" agreement (kappa = 0.93-0.96) on three benchmarks (substance-related problems, firearms, and opioids) and "substantial" agreement (kappa = 0.74) on the most complex task (domestic violence). Small models with extended reasoning rivaled the largest models while being considerably more resource-efficient.ConclusionSmall reasoning-enabled models achieve accuracy levels historically requiring substantially larger architectures, enabling significant time and computational efficiencies. The benchmarking framework provides a method for evidence-based model selection to balance high accuracy with practical resource constraints before operational deployment in social work research. [Victor, Bryan G.] Wayne State Univ, Sch Social Work, Detroit, MI USA. [Victor, Bryan G.] Wayne State Univ, Merrill Palmer Skillman Inst, Detroit, MI USA. [Stoll, Dragan] ZHAW Zurich Univ Appl Sci, Sch Social Work, Zurich, Switzerland. University; Wayne State University
2026 · article
Harvin, S., Guetterman, T. C., Hirko, K. A., Flores, E., Bhargava, A., Poore, K., Adwere-Boamah, R., Orr, J., June, K., MacDonald, M., Djuric, Z., Buis, L., & Mitchell, J.
Contemporary Clinical Trials
This study developed and evaluated strategies to optimize recruitment and retention to a mobile health-supported dietary intervention trial, the MyBestGI Study. This included instituting a Personal Technology Assistant and enhancing the study website with three short videos. The Personal Technology Assistant was available to address potential digital literacy barriers. The videos provided information about the study, introduced the research staff, and provided directions to the study location. Each of the videos also addressed concerns related to privacy, security and ethics that can curtail trust in research. Evaluation of these strategies was done utilizing semi-structured interviews. Study participants reported joining the study to improve their own health and/or to help others who are at risk for colorectal cancer. Technological assistance was not requested for use of the MyBestGI app, but it was useful for completing the online dietary recalls that were required for study eligibility. Themes identified from the interviews included that participants appreciated knowing that technological support would be available if needed and that it was helpful in completing the dietary recalls. Themes identified regarding the utility of the videos included that the videos increased participant comfort with study procedures and the staff, and that the videos did influence their decision to join the study. Although the strategies implemented facilitated the enrollment process to the study, they unfortunately did not enhance the diversity of the MyBestGI study population. Despite this, the benefits uncovered from the staff and participant interviews do support the implementation of these strategies for recruitment enhancement. [Hirko, Kelly A.] Michigan State Univ, Coll Human Med, Dept Epidemiol & Biostat, E Lansing, MI 48824 USA. [Flores, Elena; Mitchell, Jamie] Univ Michigan, Sch Social Work, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA. [MacDonald, Molly; Djuric, Zora] Univ Michigan, Dept Nutr Sci, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA. University; Michigan State University College of Human Medicine; University of Michigan System; University of Michigan; University of Michigan System; University of Michigan
2026 · articleopen access
Cureton, A., & Sadaghiyani, S.
Global Social Welfare
Abstract With the increased interconnectedness of the world and pressing social issues, the practice of global social work has become a critical and evolving field. However, there is an escalating necessity to decolonize social work courses, particularly globally oriented ones, to address the historical and ongoing effects of colonialism, capitalism, and White supremacy in social work practice and education. Moreover, decolonization requires the examination of Eurocentric and Western-dominated frameworks within social work to elevate diverse voices and perspectives, particularly Indigenous and marginalized groups. Drawing on critical pedagogy, critical consciousness, decolonial theory, and Indigenous and African-centered perspectives as framing mechanisms, this paper proposes concrete strategies on how to decolonize global social work classes by highlighting two courses at the University of Michigan that have engaged in this practice. This paper provides tangible and concrete examples of how global social work educators can incorporate decolonial practices within their classroom spaces, as well as highlight potential tensions that may emerge as a result of engaging in and teaching global social work education from higher education institutions located in the Global North.
2026 · articleopen access
Dalla, R. L., Edwards, K. M., Stalder, J. S., Nessa, S., Olson, S., Paschal, A., Rentschler, J. K., Wheeler, L. A., Ray, C. M., Thorne, E., Yatco, A., & Helpingstine, C.
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse
Project LIVE (Love, Inclusivity, Values, and Education) is a five-year Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funded project designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a school-based curriculum aimed at preventing the sexual exploitation of children (SEC) utilizing community-based participatory action research (CBPAR) methods. This paper describes challenges, successes, and lessons learned throughout the first two years of the project (Phase I), encompassing the open pilot trial. Framed by ecological systems theory (EST);, primary challenges at the microsystem (e.g. fictitious people trying to enroll in the study, difficulty matching anonymous surveys across time), mesosystem (e.g. misalignment across microsystems, differences in cultural and lived experience background between student participants and the research team, student resistance to participation), exosystem (e.g. personnel turnover), and macrosystem (e.g. state law changes requiring active guardian consent) are delineated. Active participation among research advisory board members, protocol adaptability, and collaboration and support across microsystems constitute major successes from Phase I.
2026 · article
Walls, M. L., Brown, D. L., O'Keefe, V. M., White, E. J., Gonzalez, M., Blackmore, I., Maudrie, T. L., Richardson, M., Werwie, T. R., Rakena, H. G. T., Medley, A., Desjardins, M. M., Sevillano, L., Wilson, G., & Lewis, M. E.
Prevention Science
Indigenous Peoples experience severe health inequities rooted in experiences of colonization. Calls for strengths-based, culturally grounded research and practice to redress these harms continue to grow. This systematic review assesses how Indigenous "culture" has been quantified in research across the globe over a 10-year span. Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched four databases (2013-2023) for peer-reviewed, English-language articles featuring quantitative measures of Indigenous culture as a positive/protective factor. Data were extracted via a double coding system to assess cultural domains, operationalization strategies, and sociodemographic characteristics of reviewed studies. We reviewed 279 records and identified 461 measures, 289 of which were unique. The most frequently coded cultural domains were connectivity/belonging (47%) and traditional medicine/spirituality (47%), followed by cultural identity (43%) and Indigenous language (36%). Measures most often operationalized culture through behaviors (61%) and beliefs/values (41%). Only 56% of studies reported any psychometric evaluation. Most studies centered on North American contexts and human health outcomes. Efforts to measure Indigenous culture are increasing but remain fragmented, lacking consensus in domain definitions and operational approaches. Results suggest a need for resources to appropriately grapple with and build momentum around ethically and logistically complicated issues surrounding Indigenous cultural measures. [Brown, Danica Love] Portland State Univ, 1825 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97201 USA. [White, Evan J.] Laureate Inst Brain Res, Tulsa, OK USA. [White, Evan J.] Univ Tulsa, Oxley Sch Community Med, Tulsa, OK USA. [Maudrie, Tara L.] Univ Michigan, Sch Social Work, 1080 S Univ Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA. [Sevillano, Lalaine] Calif State Univ Long Beach, Dept Social Work, 1250 Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90840 USA. [Wilson, Gwen; Lewis, Melissa E.] Univ Missouri, Dept Family & Community Med, Columbia, MO USA. Health; Portland State University; Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Inc.; University of Tulsa; University of Michigan System; University of Michigan; California State University System; California State University Long Beach; University of Missouri System; University of Missouri Columbia
2026 · article
Sokol, R., Degli Esposti, M., Victor, B. G., Kernsmith, P., Del Toro, V. M., Heinze, J., Portugal, J., Grinnell, R., & Gernaat, E.
Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
Background Chronically absent students miss learning opportunities at school, and as a result, may suffer academically and socially. Student absenteeism is rising across the USA, with 14%-30% of K-12 students being chronically absent (missing >= 10% of school days) each year. In 2012, Michigan started Pathways to Potential (P2P)-placing caseworkers in public schools to address the material needs of students that interfere with attendance. In this study, we evaluated the effect of P2P on chronic absenteeism in public schools across Michigan.Methods Our quasi-experimental study included 160 Michigan K-12 public schools that began implementing P2P between 2012 and 2016. We evaluated the effect of P2P on chronic absenteeism using administrative data for academic years 2008-2009 through 2018-2019. We used a staggered interrupted time series (ITS) analysis, first modelling a simple ITS for each school, and then pooling effect estimates using random effects meta-analysis. We estimated meta-regressions to investigate heterogeneous treatment effects.Results Results suggest P2P reduced chronic absenteeism rates by 7.88% (incidence rate ratio=0.92 (95% CI 0.88 to 0.96)), preventing 21 students from being chronically absent per school per year (95% CI 17.52 to 24.95). There was significant heterogeneity, with greater effects for schools that received a higher P2P dose, were in the eastern region of the state, had wealthier student bodies, and were less racially diverse.Conclusion This school-based intervention represents a feasible and effective programme for preventing chronic absenteeism. Further standardising the programme, while ensuring P2P can address diverse needs, may produce more consistent results across schools. [Sokol, Rebeccah; Del Toro, Victor Medina; Heinze, Justin; Portugal, Jorge] Univ Michigan, Inst Firearm Injury Prevent, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA. [Degli Esposti, Michelle] Univ Oxford, Dept Social Policy & Intervent, Oxford, England. [Victor, Bryan G.] Wayne State Univ, Sch Social Work, Detroit, MI USA. [Kernsmith, Poco] Univ Calif Los Angeles, Meyer & Renee Luskin Sch Publ Affairs, Los Angeles, CA USA. [Heinze, Justin] Univ Michigan, Dept Hlth Behav & Hlth Equ, Ann Arbor, MI USA. [Grinnell, Robin; Gernaat, Eric] Michigan Dept Hlth & Human Serv, Bur Community Serv, Pathways Potential, Lansing, MI USA. Michigan System; University of Michigan; University of Oxford; Wayne State University; University of California System; University of California Los Angeles; University of Michigan System; University of Michigan; MDHHS - Michigan Department of Health & Human Services
2026 · article
Fedina, L., Secaira, S., Koshay, M., Devylder, J., & King, C.
International Journal of Lgbtq+ Youth Studies
This study assessed the prevalence and demographic differences in suicide-related outcomes with a focus on sexual and gender minority (SGM) young adults. Data are from a 2021 nationally representative survey of young adults ages 18-29 (N = 1077). Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were used to determine factors associated with suicidal ideation, suicidal behavior, and self-harming behavior adjusting for U.S. region, urbanicity, employment status, income, education, and other factors. Overall, transgender/nonbinary young adults had substantially higher rates of all suicide-related outcomes compared to cisgender men and cisgender women. Sexual minority adults had increased odds for all suicide-related outcomes, even after controlling for region, urbanicity, and other factors. SGM young adults therefore remain at significantly higher risk of a range of suicide-related outcomes even after adjusting for demographic and regional factors. Culturally responsive suicide prevention strategies are needed to support SGM young adults. [Secaira, Stephanie; Devylder, Jordan] NYU, Silver Sch Social Work, New York, NY USA. [King, Cheryl] Univ Michigan, Dept Psychiat, Ann Arbor, MI USA. University; University of Michigan System; University of Michigan