Date of Conferral

2020

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Human Services

Advisor

Tracey Phillips

Abstract

Teen pregnancy prevention has been a focus for clinical and medical professionals for many years now, and it is an extensively documented social issue, especially in the foster care system. In an effort to promote pregnancy prevention, clinical caseworkers who work with foster youth educate at-risk youth in regards to the difficulties that can be experienced as a result of teen pregnancy. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of clinical caseworkers as they promoted pregnancy prevention in foster care youth. The 6 purposefully selected respondents were all clinical caseworkers. The study used a code-to-theory model that allowed for the process to transition from codes to themes. Key themes that emerged from this study were that caseworkers should maintain professional boundaries and avoid promoting personal beliefs; promoting condom use proves ineffective; and male caseworkers must be cautious when communicating with female clients. The results of this study can help clinical caseworkers to better assist and support at-risk teens as they face life challenges, peer pressure, and the overall realization of just being in the foster care system, which can ultimately impact the teen pregnancy issue within the foster care system. The efforts and methods used by the study participants were consistent with the system theory framework. The conceptual framework and theoretical construct revolved around the systems theory and narrative therapy of social work, and incorporated the principles of the latter to help better understand the teens through a holistic approach. The principles of decision making, therapist influence, impact of relationships, and deconstruction of societal norms were foundation for at-risk teen intervention initiatives.

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