Jill M Chonody - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Jill M Chonody
International Journal of Ageing and Later Life, Nov 20, 2020
Journal of Social Work Education, Jan 18, 2022
Journal of Social Work, Jan 2, 2023
Advances in social work, Jan 29, 2021
Successful aging is a prominent framework within gerontology, yet an understanding of how aging a... more Successful aging is a prominent framework within gerontology, yet an understanding of how aging adults define "successful aging" is often missing in the social work discourse around what it means to age well. This cross-sectional, exploratory study used an online survey to explore community-dwelling adults' (aged 55+; n=471) definition of successful aging, the underlying components across all definitions, and any differences in components based on whether or not the adults identified as aging successfully. Summative content analysis yielded five main themes and 13 sub-themes for those who identified as aging successfully and five main themes and 11-sub-themes for those who identified as not aging successfully with elements of health constituting the largest percentage of responses across both groups. Bivariate analyses found participants in the "not aging successfully" group mentioned elements of Being Healthy and Financial Security more than those in the aging successfully group, and elements of Sustain Participation, Curiosity, and Learning less than those in the "aging successfully" group. The findings illustrate the extent to which aging adults view successful aging as the presence of health and ability. Social workers should be mindful to the ways in which adults view successful aging and the elements they believe to contribute to successful aging in order to provide and tailor programs, services, and resources that are supportive of aging adults' needs and wishes.
Journal of Workplace Behavioral Health, Oct 2, 2014
This study validates an instrument assessing work-related chronic stress in emergency medical ser... more This study validates an instrument assessing work-related chronic stress in emergency medical services (EMS) personnel. The instrument was distributed to a systematic probability sample of EMS personnel (N = 1633). Exploratory factor analysis revealed a two-factor, 34 item solution (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin = .943, χ2 = 23344.38, df = 561, p ≤ .001). Confirmatory factor analysis suggested a two-factor, 20 item solution (χ2 = 632.67, df = 168, p < .001, root mean square error of approximation = .06, comparative fit index = .92, Tucker-Lewis Index = .91, standardized root mean square residual = .04). The factors demonstrated good internal reliability as well as acceptable convergent, discriminant, and predictive validities. Chronic workplace stress may lead to psychological distress; this validation contributes to the tools available to assess the health and well-being of EMS providers.
The journal of aging and social change, 2021
Journal of Lgbt Youth, Jul 8, 2022
Journal of Human Behavior in The Social Environment, Jan 4, 2021
Loneliness has a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of people. The COVID-19 pandemic ... more Loneliness has a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of people. The COVID-19 pandemic has demanded individuals to socially distance, which has implications for loneliness and social isolation. This cross-sectional study explored the ways in which people in the United States (N = 412) are meeting their social needs in a time of social distancing, how these activities relate to levels of loneliness, and any differences among young, middle-aged, and older adults. Results indicated higher levels of loneliness and social isolation for the entire sample and across the three age groups from pre-to during COVID-19 with younger adults experiencing higher levels of emotional loneliness during COVID-19. The extent to which the activities were related to loneliness was only found among the young adults and older adults where outdoor meet-ups, talking on the phone, and texting was associated with lower levels of loneliness among the young adults, and engaging in social media and talking on the phone was associated with lower levels of loneliness among the older adults. The findings support social work and public health recommendations for addressing loneliness during times of social distancing under the COVID-19 pandemic and future public health crises.
Affilia, Jul 20, 2015
Addressing social injustice is an integral aspect to social work; however, the challenge lies in ... more Addressing social injustice is an integral aspect to social work; however, the challenge lies in the fact that society is stratified by sociodemographic characteristics creating power and privilege for some and oppression for many. Understanding how biases that support this social structure are interrelated further elucidates the systemic nature of biases. This study examined the extent to which sexist beliefs would help explain ageism. Results indicated that benevolent sexism was associated with positive ageism, and hostile sexism helped explain negative ageism. These findings contribute to theory development on interlocking prejudices and inform pedagogical approaches that help address biases.
The journal of aging and social change, 2022
Social Work Education, Dec 7, 2020
As environmental crises continue to rise, the profession of social work in the US is being called... more As environmental crises continue to rise, the profession of social work in the US is being called to incorporate environmental justice content in the training and education of social workers to pre...
Journal of Social Service Research, Oct 1, 2013
ABSTRACT Research has shown that racial and cultural differences are related to the degree of soc... more ABSTRACT Research has shown that racial and cultural differences are related to the degree of social distancing associated with mental illness, beliefs about what causes mental illness, and what treatment options are best; however, there is little information on how this may manifest in social workers’ perceptions of these issues. This cross-sectional survey analyzed the differences in perceptions by race of 835 students enrolled in social work classes in the United States. Results indicated that individuals who self-identify as African American/Black expressed the greatest social distance concerning mental illness. Whites were most likely to endorse the use of medication and were least likely to normalize mental illness. The most frequently endorsed mental health provider varied according to racial/ethnic groups. Our findings show that future research may be needed to further investigate the conceptualization of the role of social work among different groups. The need for self-reflection and keeping biases in check are discussed as implications for social work practice and education. Suggestions for working with diverse clients, including religious diversity, are offered as well.
Activities, Adaptation & Aging
COVID-19 had a significant impact on older South Africans' experience of social support. ... more COVID-19 had a significant impact on older South Africans' experience of social support. This cross-sectional study explored possible risk and protective factors of social support among community-dwelling older adults (N = 118). Social support pre-to during COVID-19 decreased significantly; however, overall social support was greater for those who were older, had more face-to-face contact, and had a greater number of friends or relatives. From a socio-ecological perspective on resilience, greater opportunities for older adults to create connections, such as classes or community events, are recommended to facilitate desired social supports, which in turn supports greater health and well-being.
Advances in Social Work
The stress that the COVID pandemic has caused is immeasurable and is likely to impact people for ... more The stress that the COVID pandemic has caused is immeasurable and is likely to impact people for many years to come. Service providers such as social workers are experiencing these impacts both personally and professionally. As new research emerges, a greater understanding of the emotional toll related to COVID can help to inform social work practice. To add to this gap in the literature, an online survey explored the factors that contribute to higher stress reactions among individuals in the general population (n = 412) and across the age spectrum. Bivariate analyses indicated a significant increase in stress from pre- to during-COVID for the entire sample and across the three age groups. Multivariate analysis revealed more conversations about COVID, more alcohol use, knowing someone who had tested positive, increased fear, greater avoidance of reading/watching information about COVID, decreased health status, and increased income contributed to stress during-COVID. Increased fear ...
Contemporary Feminisms in Social Work Practice, 2016
International Journal of Ageing and Later Life, Nov 20, 2020
Journal of Social Work Education, Jan 18, 2022
Journal of Social Work, Jan 2, 2023
Advances in social work, Jan 29, 2021
Successful aging is a prominent framework within gerontology, yet an understanding of how aging a... more Successful aging is a prominent framework within gerontology, yet an understanding of how aging adults define "successful aging" is often missing in the social work discourse around what it means to age well. This cross-sectional, exploratory study used an online survey to explore community-dwelling adults' (aged 55+; n=471) definition of successful aging, the underlying components across all definitions, and any differences in components based on whether or not the adults identified as aging successfully. Summative content analysis yielded five main themes and 13 sub-themes for those who identified as aging successfully and five main themes and 11-sub-themes for those who identified as not aging successfully with elements of health constituting the largest percentage of responses across both groups. Bivariate analyses found participants in the "not aging successfully" group mentioned elements of Being Healthy and Financial Security more than those in the aging successfully group, and elements of Sustain Participation, Curiosity, and Learning less than those in the "aging successfully" group. The findings illustrate the extent to which aging adults view successful aging as the presence of health and ability. Social workers should be mindful to the ways in which adults view successful aging and the elements they believe to contribute to successful aging in order to provide and tailor programs, services, and resources that are supportive of aging adults' needs and wishes.
Journal of Workplace Behavioral Health, Oct 2, 2014
This study validates an instrument assessing work-related chronic stress in emergency medical ser... more This study validates an instrument assessing work-related chronic stress in emergency medical services (EMS) personnel. The instrument was distributed to a systematic probability sample of EMS personnel (N = 1633). Exploratory factor analysis revealed a two-factor, 34 item solution (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin = .943, χ2 = 23344.38, df = 561, p ≤ .001). Confirmatory factor analysis suggested a two-factor, 20 item solution (χ2 = 632.67, df = 168, p < .001, root mean square error of approximation = .06, comparative fit index = .92, Tucker-Lewis Index = .91, standardized root mean square residual = .04). The factors demonstrated good internal reliability as well as acceptable convergent, discriminant, and predictive validities. Chronic workplace stress may lead to psychological distress; this validation contributes to the tools available to assess the health and well-being of EMS providers.
The journal of aging and social change, 2021
Journal of Lgbt Youth, Jul 8, 2022
Journal of Human Behavior in The Social Environment, Jan 4, 2021
Loneliness has a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of people. The COVID-19 pandemic ... more Loneliness has a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of people. The COVID-19 pandemic has demanded individuals to socially distance, which has implications for loneliness and social isolation. This cross-sectional study explored the ways in which people in the United States (N = 412) are meeting their social needs in a time of social distancing, how these activities relate to levels of loneliness, and any differences among young, middle-aged, and older adults. Results indicated higher levels of loneliness and social isolation for the entire sample and across the three age groups from pre-to during COVID-19 with younger adults experiencing higher levels of emotional loneliness during COVID-19. The extent to which the activities were related to loneliness was only found among the young adults and older adults where outdoor meet-ups, talking on the phone, and texting was associated with lower levels of loneliness among the young adults, and engaging in social media and talking on the phone was associated with lower levels of loneliness among the older adults. The findings support social work and public health recommendations for addressing loneliness during times of social distancing under the COVID-19 pandemic and future public health crises.
Affilia, Jul 20, 2015
Addressing social injustice is an integral aspect to social work; however, the challenge lies in ... more Addressing social injustice is an integral aspect to social work; however, the challenge lies in the fact that society is stratified by sociodemographic characteristics creating power and privilege for some and oppression for many. Understanding how biases that support this social structure are interrelated further elucidates the systemic nature of biases. This study examined the extent to which sexist beliefs would help explain ageism. Results indicated that benevolent sexism was associated with positive ageism, and hostile sexism helped explain negative ageism. These findings contribute to theory development on interlocking prejudices and inform pedagogical approaches that help address biases.
The journal of aging and social change, 2022
Social Work Education, Dec 7, 2020
As environmental crises continue to rise, the profession of social work in the US is being called... more As environmental crises continue to rise, the profession of social work in the US is being called to incorporate environmental justice content in the training and education of social workers to pre...
Journal of Social Service Research, Oct 1, 2013
ABSTRACT Research has shown that racial and cultural differences are related to the degree of soc... more ABSTRACT Research has shown that racial and cultural differences are related to the degree of social distancing associated with mental illness, beliefs about what causes mental illness, and what treatment options are best; however, there is little information on how this may manifest in social workers’ perceptions of these issues. This cross-sectional survey analyzed the differences in perceptions by race of 835 students enrolled in social work classes in the United States. Results indicated that individuals who self-identify as African American/Black expressed the greatest social distance concerning mental illness. Whites were most likely to endorse the use of medication and were least likely to normalize mental illness. The most frequently endorsed mental health provider varied according to racial/ethnic groups. Our findings show that future research may be needed to further investigate the conceptualization of the role of social work among different groups. The need for self-reflection and keeping biases in check are discussed as implications for social work practice and education. Suggestions for working with diverse clients, including religious diversity, are offered as well.
Activities, Adaptation & Aging
COVID-19 had a significant impact on older South Africans' experience of social support. ... more COVID-19 had a significant impact on older South Africans' experience of social support. This cross-sectional study explored possible risk and protective factors of social support among community-dwelling older adults (N = 118). Social support pre-to during COVID-19 decreased significantly; however, overall social support was greater for those who were older, had more face-to-face contact, and had a greater number of friends or relatives. From a socio-ecological perspective on resilience, greater opportunities for older adults to create connections, such as classes or community events, are recommended to facilitate desired social supports, which in turn supports greater health and well-being.
Advances in Social Work
The stress that the COVID pandemic has caused is immeasurable and is likely to impact people for ... more The stress that the COVID pandemic has caused is immeasurable and is likely to impact people for many years to come. Service providers such as social workers are experiencing these impacts both personally and professionally. As new research emerges, a greater understanding of the emotional toll related to COVID can help to inform social work practice. To add to this gap in the literature, an online survey explored the factors that contribute to higher stress reactions among individuals in the general population (n = 412) and across the age spectrum. Bivariate analyses indicated a significant increase in stress from pre- to during-COVID for the entire sample and across the three age groups. Multivariate analysis revealed more conversations about COVID, more alcohol use, knowing someone who had tested positive, increased fear, greater avoidance of reading/watching information about COVID, decreased health status, and increased income contributed to stress during-COVID. Increased fear ...
Contemporary Feminisms in Social Work Practice, 2016