Abstract

While there have been many studies that elucidate the extent of human suffering in Afghanistan, there has been no formal study of what it means to be psychologically and socially well. This article reports on a participatory phenomenological study conducted in Afghanistan designed to better understand psychosocial well-being. Collecting data from 440 Afghan participants in 56 focus group discussions, the research specifically elaborated and operationalized definitions of psychosocial well-being that were relevant to the Afghan context. This study adds critical value around definitions of what it means to be psychosocially well in Afghanistan and other conflict-affected countries.

To read the full article go here:

https://journals.sagepub.com/page/isw/collections/journal-prize-winners

Citation: Bragin, M., Akesson, B., Ahmady, M. Ayubi, B., Faqiri, R., et al., (2022). Peace, love, and justice: A participatory phenomenological study of psychosocial well-being in Afghanistan. International Social Work, 65(3), 405-587.

Project Title: NYC Land-Based Historical Trauma Healing Project

Lead PI: Anna Ortega Williams, Assistant Professor

Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College

Additional PI: Regina Bernard-Carreno, Rank: Associate Professor

Department of Youth Studies, CUNY School of Professional Studies

Additional Collaborators: Vanessa Nisperos and Elise Tosatti from The Academy for Community Behavioral Health, CUNY SPS and Dr. Nkemka Anyiwo with Columbia University.

Abstract: The proposed study will engage ten Black youth, and youth of color, working in urban farms/ gardens, with input from agricultural mentors, in a 12‐month research project. The outcomes will be to better understand 1) what land access means to them and 2) the roles gardens/urban farms play in their well‐being in the context of historical trauma and structural racism. The knowledge will be disseminated to key community stakeholders, including frontline community behavioral health workers and program administrators. The data will inform the design of a peer‐led wellbeing initiative, tested in future research.

Project Title: Acceptability and Preliminary Effectiveness of the AT EASE Initiative for Psychosocial Support for PROVE’s Student Veterans and Socio-Cultural Training for PROVE’s MSW Student-Interns

Lead PI: Alexis Jemal, Associate Professor

Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College

Additional PI: M. Sasha Rudenstine, Associate Professor

Department of Psychology, City College of New York

Additional PI: Amy Green, Associate Professor

Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Additional Collaborators: Katharine Bloeser, Assistant Professor, Silberman School of Social Work and the Veteran’s Administration and Leora Shudofsky (the director and Educational Coordinator for PROVE (Project for Return and Opportunity in Veterans' Education) at Hunter College). 

Abstract: This proposal develops, implements, and preliminarily evaluates the Applied Theatre for Empowerment, Agency, Support, and Education (AT EASE) initiative with student-veterans and MSW interns affiliated with the Project for Return and Opportunity in Veterans Education (PROVE). With the AT EASE initiative, this proposal’s focus is twofold: 1) To supplement PROVE’s support services for student-veterans, and 2) to provide additional training opportunities for PROVE’s interns.

Research Data Sandbox

AllofUs Research –Silberman faculty and staff participated in an AllofUs Data Sandbox Session in Room 115 A/B on March 6th. This training facilitated by Professor Elizabeth Cohn and colleagues through their IGNITE project will support participants to learn how to use these data to answer important health and well-being questions. The AllofUs Research program is funded by the National Institute of Health. The goal is to help researchers understand more about why people get sick or stay healthy.

Unlike research studies that focus on one disease or group of people, All of Us is building a diverse database that can inform thousands of studies on a variety of health conditions. This creates more opportunities to: (1) Know the risk factors for certain diseases; (2) Figure out which treatments work best for people of different backgrounds; (3) Connect people with the right clinical studies for their needs; Learn how technologies can help us take steps to be healthier. More information about the All of Us Research program can be found here: https://allofus.nih.gov/

Let’s Celebrate Women’s History Month!