IU Indianapolis ScholarWorks :: Browsing by Author "Adamek, Margaret"

Browsing by Author "Adamek, Margaret"

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Applied Educational Neuroscience in Elementary Classrooms: a Grounded Theory Study
(2018-11) Dennis, Sheila R.; Lay, Kathy; Adamek, Margaret; Brown, James; Draucker, Claire; Glassburn, Susan
Educational neuroscience (EN) is a transdisciplinary convergence of neurosciences, education, and psychology that has gained international momentum. Its purpose is to advance the application of neurosciences in P-12 education as a way to improve the design of instructional environments and practices that support the multidimensional social, affective, and cognitive learning needs of students. The potential integration of EN practices into school settings affects educators and school social workers who promote positive school climates and address barriers to learning. Despite the ascension of scholarly discourse proposing the integration of neuroscience knowledge with education practices, a shared conceptual framework remains elusive for the emergent discipline, and the translation of EN into education practices is unexamined. A constructivist grounded theory study was conducted to investigate the emerging conceptualization of EN practices and implications for promoting a positive classroom climate. Data collection included semi-structured interviews with two administrators, three teachers, and 48 students as well as four classroom observations from three different fourth and fifth grade classrooms in a US Midwest city. The data analyses generated a conceptual model that revealed how EN practices unfolded in the classroom to facilitate the co-creation of a positive classroom climate. The data indicated that a humanistic organizational structure facilitated the EN practice implementation, and the teacher’s regulatory state was central to the application process. Five themes emerged that characterized EN practices: teaching neuroanatomy, reflecting on emotions, selfregulating, adapting classroom boundaries, and honoring the whole student. Interactions resulting from these practices aligned with four established climate dimensions: teaching and learning, structure of the learning environment, safety, and relationships. The resulting classroom climate contributed to students’ resiliency, as observed by reduced office referrals, readiness to learn, empowered decision-making, greater empathy, and enhanced social connectedness. Findings from this study support a conceptual model for the application of EN practices in elementary classrooms and align with existing research that suggests positive climates promote healthy development, social-emotional learning, and academic success. The results of this study will inform future translational EN inquiry as well as educators and school social workers who seek to co-create positive classroom climates using transdisciplinary EN practices.
Centenarians In The Global South: A View From Ethiopia
(Oxford University Press, 2021) Chane, Samson; Adamek, Margaret; School of Social Work
As global aging advances, the number of centenarians worldwide is greatly increasing. Most of what is known about centenarians comes the Global North. It is not clear what factors contribute to longevity of centenarians in impoverished, mostly rural areas of Global South nations that still lack basic amenities. Cultural differences in the profile, lifestyles, and needs of centenarians in Africa have yet to be documented. Using a case study design, this descriptive inquiry investigated the profiles of centenarians in Ethiopia including religion, marriage, education, occupation, income, and living arrangement. Data were generated through in-depth interviews with nine centenarians (1 woman, 8 men) and were analyzed using descriptive narrative analysis. Respondents were between 100 and 108 years old. All nine were adherents of Orthodox Christianity, had been married, and were great-grandparents. Their adult lives were marked by both residential and marital stability. The Ethiopian centenarians persevered through many losses and hardships with the help of strong community-based social networks. Unlike studies of centenarians in the Global North, most respondents were male and had strict religious upbringings. Understanding the unique profiles of centenarians in the Global South will help to inform research and practice with this growing population of the oldest-old.
Challenges Facing Yemen Refugee Women in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
(2023-10) Adamek, Margaret; Amare, Samuel; Minaye, Abebaw; School of Social Work
Forced migration is associated with several challenges. The challenges that refugee women faced in their host countries were numerous. There has been a gender bias in Ethiopian literature on refugees. Refugees are homogenized in the existing studies. The gender differences among refugees have an impact on the challenges of forced migration that they encounter and how they handle them. Moreover, no study has been done on the adaptation challenges faced by Yemeni refugee women in Addis Ababa. This study's main objective was to examine the challenges that Yemeni refugee women faced in Addis Ababa. An interpretative phenomenological analysis was employed to achieve that objective. Thirteen Yemeni refugee women were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide to understand their experiences. Purposive sampling was used to choose study participants. The data was analyzed using interpretive phenomenological analysis procedures. The study's findings revealed that refugee women encountered several challenges that were detrimental to their well-being, including language difficulties, limited income and job opportunities, unrecognized identity papers and price increases, and housing problems. Furthermore, refugee women faced social isolation and sexual harassment. The study concluded that the challenges that Yemeni refugee women faced in Addis Ababa had an enormous impact on their well-being, which demands immediate intervention.
Ethiopian centenarians: Health conditions and sensory/cognitive functionality
(Oxford, 2022-11) Chane, Samson; Adamek, Margaret; School of Social Work
Globally, the centenarian population is expected to increase in the coming three decades reaching 3 million by 2050. In Ethiopia, like other Sub-Saharan African countries, information about the health condition, sensory and cognitive functionality of centenarians is scanty. This study examined the health conditions and sensory/cognitive functionality of Ethiopian centenarians. A qualitative case study design was employed. Nine centenarians (1 woman, 8 men) between age 100 and 108 were identified using snowball sampling. Data were generated through in-depth interviews and analyzed using descriptive analysis. All 9 were Orthodox Christians and lived in rural areas either with their wives (3) or other relatives. Four centenarians could read and write, two attended grade eight and nine, and three were non-literate. Before retirement the centenarians engaged in different occupations as farmers (4), shoemaker, government employee, school teacher, priest, “bounty hunter” and mechanic. Most perceived that their sensory and cognitive functionality was normal until their later 90s except for minor complaints. Centenarians faced walking difficulty (5), joint tightness (4), back pain (4), fatigue, dental issues, stuttering, hypertension (3), insomnia, diabetes, anorexia, severe headache, constipation and anxiety. Two centenarians identified themselves as escapers. Centenarians faced hearing defect (4), sight problems, and a decrease in taste and smell. Two reported proper functioning of their sensory organs. Despite various health problems, the Ethiopian centenarians aspired to live longer resiliently. Findings call for further study and the need for social workers, caregivers, and health care practitioners to consider the health conditions, sensory and cognitive functionality of centenarians.
Everything Has Changed For The Worse: Experiences Of Elders Displaced By Armed Conflict In Ethiopia
(Oxford University Press, 2022) Gebeyaw, Getachew; Dessale, Shambel; Kasseye, Eyayu; Adamek, Margaret; School of Social Work
In November 2020 an outbreak of ethnically and politically motivated armed conflict started in Tigray, Ethiopia and expanded to the Amhara and Afar regions, bringing a devastating impact upon civilians and disadvantaged groups. Persons living in those areas, including elders, were forced to flee and seek refuge at internal displacement centers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the challenges faced by older individuals fleeing the war zone and settling in internal displacement centers during Ethiopia's armed conflict. A qualitative descriptive case study was used in this cross-sectional investigation. Purposive sampling was used to identify 13 displaced older adults. Data from the in-depth interviews with elders were supplemented with key informant interviews and observations. Narrative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings revealed that the older adults faced a variety of challenges in the war zone while escaping their homes and in the displacement center, all of which negatively impacted their physical and psychosocial well-being. Elders fled on foot and walked for three days without food to reach the internal displacement center. In addition to food shortage, other themes included loss of significant others, family disintegration, and lack of care and support. The findings call attention to the need for practical access to social and economic integration of elders in the aftermath of war as well as ongoing psychosocial intervention. In Ethiopia and in other war-affected areas, displaced older people need tailored support.
How Public Libraries Respond to Crises Involving Patrons Experiencing Homelessness: Multiple Perspectives of the Role of the Public Library Social Worker
(2023-05) Provence, Mary Anita; Starnino, Vincent; Adamek, Margaret; Copeland, Andrea; Kyere, Eric; Wahler, Elizabeth
Due to a shortage of affordable housing, gaps in social welfare infrastructure, and the criminalization of homelessness, public libraries find themselves providing daytime shelter to patrons experiencing homelessness. Their needs and crises have created demands on staff and security that exceed their training and role. Sometimes police are involved, exposing patrons to possible arrest. To fill this knowledge and service gap, libraries have begun hiring social workers. Early research on the broad role of social workers suggests they are changing how libraries respond to crises with patrons experiencing homelessness in four keyways: by providing an option to calling 911; influencing code of conduct implementation, serving patrons, and equipping staff. However, no study has given an in-depth explanation of how social workers are changing libraries’ responses to crises with patrons experiencing homelessness. The purpose of this study is to explain how the role of the social worker influences how libraries respond when patrons experiencing homelessness are in crises. Considered through lenses of role theory, social cognitive theory, and the humanization framework, this embedded multiple-case study of three U.S. urban libraries collected 91 surveys and conducted 46 Zoom interviews. It includes the perspectives of 107 participants across six roles: patrons experiencing homelessness, social workers, front-facing staff, security, location managers, and CEOs. The social workers’ influence was perceived to reduce behavior incidents, exclusions, and arrests around three themes: (1) being an option, with subthemes of in-house referrals and de-escalation; (2) running interference, with subthemes of low barrier access and barrier-busting services; and (3) buffering, with subthemes of equipping, influencing code of conduct implementation, and advocating and being present during security and police interactions. Three models of library social work and their impact on the social worker’s role of de-escalation were identified and described: The Sign Up and Summon Model, the Outreach and Summon Model, and the Social Work Center Model. In addition, a commingled rival was found: the impact of the Black Lives Matter movement. The implications of the findings include recommendations for structuring library social work practice to reduce exclusions and arrests of patrons experiencing homelessness.
"Hunger Would Kill Us Instead Of The Pandemic:" Elders' Responses To Covid-19 In Ethiopia
(Oxford University Press, 2021) Kotecho, Messay; Takele, Anduamlak; Adamek, Margaret; School of Social Work
The COVID-19 pandemic has posed unpredictable challenges globally. Urban elders in Global South nations are among the major population groups vulnerable to COVID-19. A qualitative case study design was used to uncover the challenges and sources of support for poor urban elders during COVID-19 lockdown in Ethiopia. Data were collected from 27 elders age 60 and above in Debre Markos Town via in-depth interviews and document review. Narrative data were analyzed using thematic data analysis. Four prominent themes were identified: 1. Food insecurity (“Hunger would kill us instead of COVID-19”), 2. Hopelessness (“Feeling hopeless and begging to die”), 3. Social isolation (“We prefer social support rather than food donations”) and 4. Gratitude (“Feeling thankful”). The physical distancing program introduced to contain the pandemic isolated many elders and diminished their capacity to access support from others needed to perform their daily activities. An institutional welfare system is needed to ensure older adults in the Global South can live a joyful and dignified life, even through a global pandemic. Moreover, a special emergency fund to meet older adults’ basic needs during a pandemic like COVID-19 should be introduced to minimize the effect of crises on vulnerable groups like destitute older adults in Ethiopia.
The Influence of Social Isolation and Other Risk Factors on Older African Immigrants' Emotional Well-Being
(2022-08) Adeniji, Dolapo Omolola; Adamek, Margaret; Hong, Michin; Gentle-Genitty, Carolyn; Huber, Lesa
Social isolation has been documented as a significant challenge for older adults, including those who are immigrants. The conventional wisdom blames social isolation among older immigrant adults on language barriers, living arrangements, and age at migration, however, this does not allow for analytical clarity on how social isolation interacts with other important risk factors to influence emotional well-being among older African immigrants. This study offers an important contribution to the existing knowledge by examining how social isolation and other risk factors interact to impact emotional well-being among older African immigrants. It uses life course theory, acculturation theory, resilience theory, and cumulative risk theory to identify the relevant stressors or risk factors such as living arrangements, financial satisfaction, acculturation predictors, transportation, and grandchild care. A mixed-methods approach integrating quantitative and qualitative research methods was used in the study. For the collection of quantitative data, 163 participants aged 60 and over completed an online or mailed survey. Hierarchical regression was used to analyze the quantitative data. Findings showed that ethnic social relations and living arrangements had a unique contribution to the social isolation of the participants. Also, social isolation, ethnic social relations, and financial satisfaction significantly influenced the emotional well-being of study participants. For the study’s qualitative data, the researcher conducted in-depth interviews with 11 participants, age 63-79, by telephone. Five major themes were generated from the data using a thematic analysis approach, which included (a) minimal social engagement outside of the home, (b) barriers to social engagement, (c) satisfaction with finances, (d) fewer socialization consequences, and (e) coping strategies. The overall finding showed that the participants lacked social engagement outside of the home, which negatively affected their emotional well-being. Implications for social work practice and policy as well as recommendations were emphasized in the study.
Is Active Aging Possible In Ethiopia? Perceptions Of Rural Older Adults
(Oxford University Press, 2022) Teshome, Abraham; Kotecho, Messay; Adamek, Margaret; School of Social Work
Despite historical veneration of elders, older adults are increasingly viewed as a burden in many Sub Saharan African nations. Using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach, in-depth interviews were conducted to explore the aging experiences of 20 adults aged 70 and older in rural Ethiopia. Themes that emerged from the interviews were analyzed in light of the three pillars of the World Health Organization’s Active Aging Framework: health, security, and participation. Despite facing multiple barriers to active aging including lack of health care, financial hardship, ageism, and social exclusion, study participants were determined not to withdraw from activities in an effort to retain their autonomy, independence, and sense of dignity. As one participant shared, "the government does not care about us because it considers us as a useless segment of the society." Three themes reflected their major struggles: dwindling health and lack of access to health care, financial hardship, and social exclusion tied to ageism. The fourth theme--willful and purposive engagement--reflects the older adults’ response to these struggles. Contrary to myths about rural aging, study participants faced multifaceted challenges that kept them from realizing active ageing as they were not provided with sustained opportunities for health, security, and participation. Study findings point to the need for policymakers and other concerned bodies to develop supportive policies and programs to promote older adults’ well-being. The study calls for a paradigm shift that involves adopting the WHO’s Active Aging Framework, developing rights-based policies and programs, popularizing active aging, and revitalizing intergenerational solidarity.
Life On The Streets Is Horrible: Older Rural-Urban Migrants Cope With Homelessness In Ethiopia
(Oxford University Press, 2022) Gebeyaw, Getachew; Kotecho, Messay; Adamek, Margaret; School of Social Work
The prevalence of homelessness among older adults in Ethiopia is growing. While prior studies examined the push factors and challenges of homeless elders, little is known about how older people in Sub Saharan Africa cope with homelessness. This study explored the coping strategies of homeless older people in Kobo Town, Ethiopia. Purposive sampling was used to identify 10 homeless older people and four key informants. Study participants were homeless for a year or longer. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data collected through in-depth interviews. To cope with the challenges faced on the street, homeless older people used various strategies including begging, holy water, drying leftover food, using river water for hygiene and sanitation, sleeping in church compounds, and creating their own social networks. Despite their efforts, the coping strategies used by elders were not sufficient. In the absence of family and government support, study participants relied heavily on begging to meet their survival needs. The findings call attention to the need for a national income support program and other supportive services for older adults. Homelessness is the product of a failing support system. Despite Ethiopia having a Plan of Action for Older Persons and Social Protection Policy for Vulnerable Groups, these policies have not been effectively implemented leaving older adults with no safety net. This study calls for the development of new policies to empower older people in Ethiopia and prevent them from turning to begging as their only recourse.

Browsing by Author "Adamek, Margaret"

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