Training Programs
Interdisciplinary Research Program on Violence Across the Lifespan
Millions of American citizens are affected by family violence and abuse each year despite over twenty years of intervention work aimed at stopping it. Family violence cuts across the life span from infancy, through adulthood, to old age. It is a leading cause of death, injury, and psychological problems. Women, children, and poor families are disproportionately affected. In addition to the personal tragedies, society bears the enormous cost of medical and criminal justice expenses. Although the home is the first training ground in violent conflict resolution and the use of power, violence is often transferred outside the home when children become violent in our schools, dating relationships, or on our streets when they reach adulthood. The effects of intrafamilial violence are also exacerbated by violence in the community and other stresses, such as poverty…
Michigan Prevention Research Training Program
What is the aim of prevention research? Preventive interventions aim to promote well-being while reducing risk of a variety of negative life outcomes, with particular focus on mental health. Signs of well-being include life satisfaction, appropriate achievement of developmental milestones (such as developing social skills, completing school) and attainment of normative adult social functioning (establishment of a family, community engagement, career attainment, financial security). Signs of mental health problems include symptoms of anxiety or depression, for children and youth, 'acting out,' 'externalizing,' or 'deviant/delinquent' behavior, and for older teens and adults, substance abuse, and diagnosed psychiatric disorder, self-report or observation of difficulties in community functioning. Interventions can be universal (promoting well-being and reducing risk for all), selected (promoting well-being and reducing risk for sub-groups already at risk), or indicated (promoting well-being and reducing risk for sub-groups already exhibiting some signs of problematic outcomes)…
NIA Training in Social Research on Applied Issues in Aging
The Doctoral Program in Social Work and Social Science has been the recipient of grants from the National Institute on Aging since 1985 to provide training in applied issues in aging research to predoctoral and postdoctoral fellows. The overall objective of these grants has been to develop researchers who will contribute to the theoretical and empirical knowledge base for determining policies and programs that can enhance the well-being of aging individuals and the elderly. During the first 15 years of the project, 37 predoctoral and 35 postdoctoral fellows were supported by these grants. The current grant is funded through May 2011 with the capacity to support predoctoral and postdoctoral fellows annually. The grant is directed by Professors Ruth Dunkle and Berit Ingersoll-Dayton…