Determinants of Xenophobic Attitudes Towards Displaced Migrants Among Healthcare Workers

Displacement increases inequalities by preventing access to basic rights, especially the right to health. This cross-sectional study explains the level of xenophobic attitudes of healthcare professionals towards displaced migrants and related factors. A total of 436 health workers across varied health professions completed a Socio-demographic Information Form, a Xenophobia Scale, and a Cultural Intelligence Scale. Approximately 60% of the participants were female, with an average age of 29.7±7.32 years. The mean score obtained from the Xenophobia Scale, which has a maximum score of 66, was 52.8±11.03. The results showed that knowing a foreign language, having immigrant friends, receiving training on the healthcare needs of immigrants, and possessing high motivation scores were associated with reduced xenophobic attitudes. In contrast, immigrants having inadequate income or an elevated metacognition score was linked to xenophobic attitudes (p<0.05). In order to prevent inequalities in health and to ensure that displaced populations have access to the right to health, these findings are taken into consideration in the planning of social work interventions

Validating AI-based Pre-operative Prediction of Glioblastoma Recurrence Location

Background and Hypothesis: Glioblastomas (GBM) are aggressive brain cancers with poor prognoses and an average survival of 18 months. Surgical resection is the most effect treatment, but GBM is characterized by recurrence. Artificial intelligence (AI) can identify abnormalities in imaging imperceptible to humans. We plan to utilize a pre-operative MRI-based algorithm that identified regions of higher rates of cancer infiltration where recurrence is likely to occur. The goal is to use this model to guide extra tumor resection of high-risk regions. This model has yet to be validated with an external system, an essential step for machine learning studies. Here, we are working to validate our AI-based model. Methods: We identified patients with pathology-confirmed glioblastoma from 2021 and prior. These patients then were screened by the following requirements: pre-operative MRI scans of T1, T1+Contrast, T2, T2 FLAIR, ADC, DTI, and DSC sequences; initial gross-total resection; and neuro-oncology diagnosed recurrence by change in treatment. The pre-operative scans for patients are pre-processed with NFTI conversion, skull stripping, and noise reduction. Scans are used to validate the AI-based recurrence model by comparison with post-recurrence scans. Results: Results from the multi-institutional consortium of which the model was trained have shown an overall odds ratio of 12.0 and area under curve of 0.80 at 99% confidence intervals. Within our selected patient population of recurrent GBM, we have identified that 63% are male, 50% are over the age of 60 years old, 100% are IDH-wild type, and 63% have demonstrated MGMT promoter methylation. Future Impact: We are currently in the process of collecting and segmenting a large validation cohort. The AI model’s prediction accuracy and robustness is validated with this data outside of the institutions of which the model was trained. The future purpose is to direct supramarginal resection and targeted radiation therapy to areas with higher probability of GBM infiltration

Restorative Practices and Disproportionate Discipline of Black Girls: An Intersectional and Ecological Analysis

This mixed-methods study examines the disproportionate discipline of Black girls attending a U.S. high school implementing restorative justice practices. Grounded in ecological systems theory and intersectionality, this study presents overall and within-gender disciplinary outcomes, with qualitative data providing context for these trends. Quantitative analyses, including a relative risk index and Pearson’s chi-square tests, confirm significant overall and within-gender disparities in disciplinary outcomes. Qualitative findings reveal inconsistent discipline practices and classroom management challenges as pathways to inequity, exacerbated by subjective enforcement and punitive measures. The study underscores the need for consistent, equitable application of restorative practices and intentional relationship-building to address the complex interplay of race, gender, and discipline. We posit that school social workers can play a pivotal role in developing intersectional tier-2 restorative practices that center the lived experiences of Black girls to reduce inequitable school discipline outcomes

Addressing Identity Disruption and Displacement Through a Culturally Responsive Ecological Model of Trauma Assessment

Identity is complex and embodies cultural, social, and place identity. These three parts of identity connect to an individual’s sense of belonging in the world. Identity disruption or identity displacement can occur when trauma happens related to one’s culture. Current methods of assessment fail to recognize the role of disruption or displacement among marginalized populations. Furthermore, current validated trauma assessments are often not generalizable to racial and ethnic minorities. The primary aim of this conceptual paper is to provide guidelines for the inclusion of identity-based factors in culturally responsive trauma assessment. The secondary aim is to discuss culturally responsive trauma assessment approaches, which include an exploration of identity disruption and displacement as a dimension of adverse experiences. A culturally responsive, ecological approach to trauma assessment is then introduced with implications for social work education, practice, policy, and research

The Connection Between Anxiety and Empathy in Social Work Students

Anxiety and empathy are familiar concepts for social work students. This study explored levels of anxiety and empathy in a group of students to understand if there was a connection between the two. The participants were current social work students studying at the undergraduate or graduate level. They were studying in in-person and online classrooms. A total of sixty-five participants completed two instruments, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale for anxiety, and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) for empathy. Within this sample of social work students, anxiety and empathy were moderately correlated. At p<.05, GAD-7 scores were significantly correlated with total IRI scores (r = .38, p < .01), as well as sub-scores for Fantasy (r = .34, p < .01), Personal Distress (r=.30, p < .05), and Empathic Concern (r = .31, p < .05). GAD-7 scores were not significantly correlated with Perspective Taking. Findings suggest that both educators and practitioners have roles to play in helping emerging professionals develop awareness of their reactions to those with whom they work. Through developing awareness, social workers may be better able to minimize emotional burden and maximize the advantages that come from empathic engagement

Ethical Reflections on Career Outcome Data

In higher education’s competitive landscape, driven by rankings, enrollment targets, and demands for return on investment (ROI) of degrees, career outcomes data is seen as a panacea. However, ethical considerations are conspicuously absent from the myriad discussions on career outcomes data collection. Critical issues such as student privacy, data security, accuracy, reliability, and transparency persist. This paper explores the ethical dimensions of career outcomes data collection and reporting, examining current practices, identifying gaps, and proposing solutions that higher education institutions can adopt to enhance transparency, accountability, and public trust

MLA 2025 Annual Meeting Research Awards

The MLA Research Caucus is pleased to announce the winners for best research papers and posters presented at the MLA 2025 Pittsburgh annual meeting

Factors Associated with Anemia in Infants with and without HIV Exposure in Western Kenya

Background: Anemia is a major global health problem impacting morbidity and mortality, especially in children under 5 years of age. Children living with HIV are more likely to develop anemia, but little is known about children who are HIV exposed but uninfected (HEU). The objective of this study is to evaluate rates of anemia and factors associated with anemia in a population of 6-month-old infants who are HEU and HIV-unexposed and uninfected (HUU) in western Kenya.   Methods: This study included a cross-sectional analysis of a large prospective cohort study. The study was conducted as part of the Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH) and took place at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MRTH) in Eldoret, Kenya. Only those participants with lab values were included in this analysis. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin level ≤10.5 g/dL. Data were analyzed from prenatal and birth records, questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, and blood samples. Two sample t-tests, chi-square, Fisher’s exact tests, and logistic regression were used for analyses.   Results: Of the 586 infants with lab values, 95 had anemia (16.2%), with 38 (6.5%) meeting the threshold for moderate-to-severe anemia (≤ 9.4 g/dL). Infant anemia was associated with male sex (p=0.02) and stunting (low height-for-age) status (p=0.04). Furthermore, infants with HIV exposure (OR=2.63, 95%Cl: 1.29, 4.54), preterm birth (OR=3.92, 95%CI: 2.29, 6.70), high maternal blood pressure (OR=2.31, 95%CI: 1.05, 4.90), and interruption of breastfeeding before 6 months of age (OR=2.77, 95%CI: 1.29, 5.88) had increased odds of anemia, even after adjusting for covariates.  Conclusions: Infants who are HEU, born prematurely, exposed to maternal hypertension, and with interruption of breastfeeding were more likely to develop anemia, even when accounting for other factors. Health systems should monitor these risk factors to identify children at high risk for having anemia and ensure early referral for treatment. 

Social Determinants of Health Factors Associated with Breast Cancer Screening in Underserved Communities of Northwest Indiana

Background: Despite breast cancer being the second most common type of cancer found in female patients, a large number of female patients have not received a mammogram in the past two years. This disparity is partly due to factors related to social determinants of health. The effects of social determinants of health on positive breast cancer screenings are clearly present in Northwest Indiana, a region containing vastly differing communities with a wide range of income levels and diversity. Nearly two decades of patient data from this area can inform us which social determinants of health are associated with increased risk for breast cancer. Methods: “Hospital System A”, located in Lake County, Indiana, provided data from 111,564 mammograms from the year 2006 to the end of 2023. These 18 years of data provide patient zip code, age, race, insurance category, and screening results. A proportion of positive screenings was calculated for each group and compared using Chi-Square tests. Census information such as mean household income, race, and age was gathered for each zip code in Northwest Indiana and was tested on proportion of positive screenings by regression analysis. Results: When comparing zip codes of Northwest Indiana, lower mean household income was associated with higher rates of breast cancer (p-value = 0.0049). Medicare and Medicaid patient groups both had significantly higher rates of breast cancer than private and self-pay groups (p-value = 1.35x10-10, p-value = 0.0032). Race had almost no impact on breast cancer rates. Potential Impact: Income level has the greatest impact on breast cancer rates. We hypothesize that this relationship may be related to decreased access to care and unhealthy lifestyles because of economic restraints. Additionally, race has little influence on breast cancer rates, which may explain that society may have a greater role in health than individual characteristics