The Influence of Client Age on Clinical Judgements of Male and Female Social Workers

Perceptions of Elders' Substance Abuse and Resilience

“…In general, respondents did not believe that the treatment of older persons for substance abuse was a waste of resources. In some research it has been reported that health, mental health, and human service professionals believed that older adults would not benefit from intervention for health and psychosocial problems such as substance abuse and depression (Bartels & Smyer, 2002;Blow et al, 2002;Bowling, 1999;Breslow et al, 2003;Choi & McDougall, 2007;Damiano et al, 1997;Dowling et al, 2008;Gfroerer et al, 2003;Ivey et al, 2000;Lakey et al, 2008;Reekie & Hansen, 1992). In this study, human service students disagreed with those perceptions.…”

“…Although older adults are commonly perceived to be resistant to therapeutic interventions (Ivey et al, 2000;Kane, 2004a, 2004c, Reekie & Hansen, 1992, Dowling and colleagues (2008) reported older adults have substance-treatment outcomes comparable and sometimes better than the outcomes for younger adults. If the initial diagnostic barriers are overcome, older persons respond to cognitive behavioral therapies, increased social support, and therapies that are supportive rather than confrontational (Dowling et al, 2008).…”

“…For older persons with depression, treatments such as talk therapy, socialization, and pharmacotherapy are available and effective (Bartels & Smyer, 2002;Butler et al, 1998;Choi & McDougall, 2007;Ivey et al, 2000;Lakey et al, 2008;Reekie & Hansen, 1992;Sadock & Sadock, 2007). For older persons who are substance abusive and dependent, the data suggest improvement and recovery similar to recovery rates for younger persons (Blow et al, 2002;Breslow et al, 2003;Dowling et al, 2008;Gfroerer et al, 2003;Sadock & Sadock, 2007).…”

“…In addition to failing to recognize the symptoms of substance abuse and mood disorders (Bartels & Smyer, 2002;Blow et al, 2002;Choi & McDougall, 2007;Kane, 2006aKane, , 2006bKane, , 2007Lakey, Gray, Ciechanowski, Schwartz, & LoGerfo, 2008;Sadock & Sadock, 2007), professionals may be disinterested and unwilling to work with older persons (Cykert et al, 1995;Damiano et al, 1997;Kane, 1999Kane, , 2004cKane, , 2006aKane, , 2006bKane, , 2007James & Hayley, 1995). Some mental health professionals hold that older persons are not good candidates for recovery and do not respond well to psychotherapy or other human service interventions (Ivey et al, 2000;Kane, 2004aKane, , 2004cJames & Hayley, 1995;Reekie & Hansen, 1992). These perceptions inhibit practitioners' willingness to engage older persons and may encourage ageist belief and behavior (Bartels & Smyer, 2002;Blow et al, 2002;James & Hayley, 1995;Kane, 2002Kane, , 2006aKane, , 2006bKane, , 2007.…”

Attitudes About the Competence of Charitable Gift Givers

“…Researchers have identified ageist attitudes among health, mental health, and human service professionals and students in professional education programs (e.g., Bowling, 1999;Carmel, Cwikel, & Galinsky, 1992;Damiano, Momany, Willard, & Jorgerst, 1997;James & Hayley, 1995;Kane, 1999bKane, , 2004aKane, , 2004bKane, , 2004cKane, , 2006aKane, , 2006bKane, , 2007Kane et al, 2013;Kane, Hamlin, & Hawkins, 2004;Pettersen, 1995;Rohan, Berkman, Walker, & Holmes, 1995). These perceptions and attitudes toward older persons affect the type and quality of services that are delivered in health, mental health, and social service settings (Bowling, 1999;Cykert, Kissling, Layson, & Hansen, 1995;Damiano et al, 1997;Ivey, Wieling, & Harris, 2000;Kane, 2002;2004b;Pettersen, 1995;Reekie & Hansen, 1992). Some of the more common attributions directed toward older persons are that elders will not profit significantly from intervention, they are not worth the effort attached to the intervention, and they are incapable of change (Kane, 2006a(Kane, , 2006b(Kane, , 2007(Kane, , 2008.…”