Mentoring Programs and Youth Development - Annotated Bibliography Example

Annotated Bibliography Barth, P., Greeson, K., & Chintapalli, R. . Evidence-based practice for youth in supervised out-of-home care: A framework for development, definition, and evaluation. The Journal of Evidence Based Practice in Social Work, 525(2), Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19431052 This study examines the need for out of home care for adolescents that are currently in foster supervision. By weighing prior research, as well as drawing on the acute needs represented within the foster care community, the authors draw a framework for the need to sustain, develop and administer the essential needs of children in foster care as well as provide out of home services according to the evaluation criterion. Casey, J. (2009). The adolescent brain: New research and its implications for young people transitioning from foster care. Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative, Retrieved from http://www.jbcc.harvard.edu/advocacy/Executive Summary on Adolescent Brain Development Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative Final 090611.pdf This research discusses the distinct needs that adolescents have as compared with younger children in foster care. Specifically, adolescents have mental/emotional developmental requirements that their younger counterparts do not share. The study focuses on the needs of autonomy, responsibility, and adult role emulation. Furthermore, the study argues that this period of adolescent development is exceptionally crucial as it is during this time that further elements of identity, goal establishment, and value systems are solidified. Halverson, L. (17 January 2011). Dysthymic Disorder. Retrieved from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/290686-overview This study analyzes the effects that Dysthymic Disorder has on adolescents and children. More specifically, the study lays out the unique differences of symptoms exhibited by Dysthymia as compared to depression (for which it is often misdiagnosed). Furthermore, the study warns that because the symptoms are oftentimes less acute than traditional depression, dysthymia often goes undiagnosed in many children and adolescents. Hadfield, C., & Preece, M. (2008). Obesity in looked after children: Is foster care protective from the dangers of obesity. Child Healthcare Development, 34(6), 710-2. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18959567 This study looks into the obesity levels of children in foster care. More specifically, the research attempts to answer whether or not children in foster care are more likely to be obese than their non-foster care counterparts. The research analyzed and the information gathered shows that children in foster-care are 35% more likely to be obese than other children outside of foster-care. Harri-Sims, D. (2006). Foster Youth Emancipation: Implications of Resiliency, Independence and Responsibility, Capella University. Retrieved July 15, 2012, from http://www.bookpump.com/dps/pdf-b/9426838b.pdf This study attempts to measure the links between independence and responsibility among foster youths. The study found that youths in foster care, as compared to non-foster care counterparts, experienced higher levels of emotional activity associated with levels of responsibility. Accordingly, children in foster-care also scored significantly lower in their sense of related responsibility and emotional activity. Holtmaat, A. & Svoboda, K. (2009). Experience-Dependent Structural Synaptic Plasticity in the Mammalian Brain. Nature reviews. Neuroscience, 10 (9), 647–58. This study focuses on recent analysis of cell-specific synaptic plasticity. It further examines the claim that studies reveal that the structural elements of neocortical neurons in the normal adult brain are remarkably stable. Lastly, the effects of plasticity within the brain, appearance and disappearance of boutons and dendritic spines, is measured with respect to the long term neurological impacts that may become evident with these changes. Jekielek, S., Moore, K., & Hair, E. (2002). Mentoring programs and youth development: A synthesis. Washington, DC: Child Trends. Retrieved July 15, 2012, from http://12.109.133.224/Files/MentoringSynthesisFINAL2.6.02Jan.pdf This article examines the essential role that adult mentoring plays in adolescent youth development. Furthermore, the study discusses the three elements in adolescent emotional development: education and cognitive attainment; health and safety; and social and emotional wellbeing. Although these are the well known attributes that are affected by adult mentoring, the study further postulates that a fourth – self sufficiency – is just as integral to development. Lastly, the study attempts to focus on how mentoring programs can be honed to best administer the types of knowledge and skill sets which most adequately speak to these specific needs mentioned. Jirtle, L. & Skinner, K. (2010) Environmental Epigenomics and Disease Susceptibility. Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, North Carolina. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17363974 This article examines the increasing evidence which points to the fact that environmental exposures early in life have a definite role in the development and susceptibility to disease in later life. Furthermore, the study postulates that some of this susceptibility is possible to be spread through subsequent generations. In short, the study argues that the overwhelming evidence in both animal and clinical testing supports the hypothesis that epigenetic has a much more powerful role on disease susceptibility than previously thought. Kalland, M. & Pensola, H. (2001). Mortality in Children Registered in the Finnish Child Welfare Registry: Population Based Study, BMJ. 323(7306), 207–208. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC35273/?tool=pmcentrez This study concentrated on the research question of whether children in foster-care had a statistically higher mortality rate than those children in the general population. Several metrics were used to set the data list for successful representation of the respective populations. The study concluded that there was a clearly higher rate of child mortality related to those children in foster care. Furthermore, the study noted that boys were the most at risk to die prematurely as compared with girls. McCormick, B. (2010). Mentoring Children in Foster Care: Considerations and Partnership Strategies for Senior Corps. Directors Corporation for National and Community Service. Retrieved from http://www.nationalserviceresources.org/files/legacy/filemanager/download/learns/Mentoring_Children_in_Foster_Care_Final_Revised.pdf This analysis attempts to close the gaps between the needs and the capabilities of foster-care mentors, the state, schools, and the Senior Corps. Furthermore, the study has put together a “toolkit” to help directors train and equip providers for the multitude of needs that foster-children require; suited specifically to their relevant requirements. Neigh, N., Gillespie, F. & Nemeroff, B. (2009). The Neurobiological Toll of Child Abuse and Neglect. Trauma, Violence & Abuse 10 (4), 389–410 This analysis discusses the link between childhood abuse/trauma and psychiatric disorders that development afterwards. Furthermore, the neurological effects of changes to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis as a pathway for fight or flight response is also measured. Lastly, epigenetics is discussed as the possibility that the scars of abuse may extend beyond later life of the immediate victim and into subsequent generations. Lastly, the study makes policy recommendations based on these findings in the hopes that remediation and treatment procedures can find a way to stop or slow the progression. Skinner, M.K., Manikkam, M. & Guerrero-Bosagna, C. (2010). Epigenetic Trans-generational Actions of Environmental Factors in Disease Etiology. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2848884/?tool=pmcentrez This study analyzes factors that can affect the individual as well as subsequent generations (transgenerational inheritance). Analysis is made of genome types and DNA sequencing alterations to determine the extent and/or level in which transgenerational inheritance is taking place. Lastly, the analysis attempts to show how biology, environment, and genetic mutations play a vital role in the development of disease. Wagner, J.O. & Wonacott, M.E. (2008). Youth Aging out of Foster Care. Learning Work Connection. Retrieved from http://cle.osu.edu/lwc-publications/youth-information-briefs/downloads/Youth-Aging-Out-of-Foster-Care.pdf This article focuses on the difficulties which face foster-care children once they are no longer within the system. Specifically, this study focuses on the difficulties of finding work, pursuing higher education, and the independence of adult living that is thrust upon them at the age of 18 years of age. The study analyzes the lack of segue that currently exists between full foster-care and adulthood; thereby leading to so many problems once that step has been made. Lastly, the study makes recommendations as to how the foster-care system can attempt to ease this transition as well as more adequately tracking and monitoring those recently out of foster care to ensure that none have fallen through the cracks of the system. Yehuda, R. & Bierer, L.M. (2007). Trans-Generational Transmission of Cortisol and PTSD Risk. Progress in Brain Research. 167, 121–135 This study analyzes the link between parental PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and the development of PTSD in the siblings of the initial sufferer. The biological effects on brain chemistry to include neuroendocrine and cortisol excretion levels are closely measured and the data analyzed to draw inference between parental and offspring PTSD. For the purpose of this analysis, the specific link between parental and child PTSD lies in the cortisol levels found in the child born while a parent was diagnosed with or suffering from PTSD. Read More