Social Work Takes on D.C. at SSWR 2026
11-minute read | Posted on January 13, 2026 | Posted in: Research
This week, students, faculty and staff head to Washington D.C., to attend this year’s Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) Annual Conference! With over 500 symposia, workshop, roundtable, flash talks, paper and poster presentations, this event brings together social workers and community partners from all over the country to share and celebrate research. The conference will run from January 14-18.
Check out the table below for our presenting authors, speakers and organizers. Find all emerging research in the social work field that was accepted at SSWR (search by name or university).
| Title | Presenters (* presenting author) |
|---|---|
| County-Level Industrial Job Profiles and Substance Use/Misuse/Use Disorders Among U.S. Working-Aged Individuals: A Latent Profile Analysis | *Sehun Oh, PhD, Associate Professor, The Ohio State University; Bridget Freisthler, PhD, Cooper-Herron Endowed Professor in Mental Health, University of Tennessee; Yeonwoo Kim, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of Texas at Arlington |
| The Scope and Consequences of System Responses to Intimate Partner Sexual Violence: A Scoping Review | *Hannah R. Steinke, MSW, Doctoral Student, The Ohio State University; Jacquelyn Meshelemiah, PhD, Associate Professor, The Ohio State University; Gage Littlejohn, MSW, Therapist, Behavioral Health Partners |
| Effects of the Title IV-E Waiver Program in Reducing Child Maltreatment and Foster Care Entry in the United States, 2012-2019 | *Michelle Johnson-Motoyama, PhD, Professor, The Ohio State University; Donna Ginther, Ph.D., Roy A. Roberts Distinguished Professor and Director, Institute for Social and Policy Research, University of Kansas; Megan Allbright-Campos, MS IMFT, Doctoral Student, The Ohio State University |
| Navigating Policy Shifts: Advancing and Sustaining Substance Use Research in Social Work | Organizer: Michael Broman, PhD, The Ohio State University; Speakers/Presenters: Jamey Lister, PhD, MSW, Rutgers University, School of Social Work; Lisa Berger, PhD, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; Emily Pasman, University of Illinois at Chicago; Dania Lerman, Fordham University |
| Sex, Immigrant Background, and Victimization Patterns Among Middle School Students in the U.S | *Hexin Yang, MSW, Ph.D student, The Ohio State University; Zhi Jie Lee, Doctoral Student, The Ohio State University; Gia Barboza-Salerno, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University; Chaoyue Wu, MA, Ph.D student, University of California, Los Angeles |
| We’re a Close Community…We Do Check on Each Other”: A Mixed Methods Case Study on Extreme Weather Preparedness Among Older Adults in Subsidized Housing | *Smitha Rao, PhD, Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University; Anthony Traver, MSW, Doctoral Student and Research Associate, The Ohio State University; Joselyn Sarabia, MSW, Doctoral Student, The Ohio State University; Sean Bartlett, Regional Planner, Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging; Abby McAtee, Case Manager, Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging; Marisa Sheldon, MSW, Director, Age-Friendly Innovation Center, The Ohio State University; Holly Dabelko-Schoeny, Professor, The Ohio State University |
| Who Is a Good Father? a Scoping Review and Critical Examination of Fatherhood Theories | *Amy Xu, MSW, PhD Student, The Ohio State University; Joyce Lee, PhD, Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University; Hunmin Cha, MSW, PhD Student, The Ohio State University; Yujeong Chang, MSW, PhD Student, The Ohio State University |
| Theoretical Approaches to Fathering in Child Support Research: A Scoping Review of U.S. Studies | *Hunmin Cha, MSW, PhD Student, The Ohio State University; Jeong-eum Cha, MSW, PhD Student, The Ohio State University; Joyce Lee, PhD, Assistant Professor,The Ohio State University |
| Little Cities of Black Diamonds: How Coal’s Legacy Shapes Social Disconnectedness and Extreme Weather Vulnerability in Appalachian Ohio | *Fiona Doherty, PhD, Graduate Research Associate, The Ohio State University |
| Pilot Testing an Adapted Group-Based Parent Training Program for Families with Youth in Residential Care | *Charis Stanek, MA, Doctoral student, The Ohio State University; Kayla Herbell, PhD, RN, Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University |
| Abused, Hopeless, and then It Made Me Think about Suicide”: Exploring the Integration of Gender-Based Violence and Suicidal Crisis Intervention Services Among Survivors | Tina Jiwatram-Negron, PhD, Assistant Professor, Arizona State University; *Ran Hu, PhD, Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University; Genesis Dejan, Psychologist, Eleison Foundation; Laura Cordisco Tsai, Executive Director, Eleison Foundation |
| Creating a Virtual Reality Intervention to Increase LGBTQ+ Competence Among Social Workers and Other Health Professionals | *Lauren McInroy, PhD, Associate Professor, The Ohio State University; William Nickley, Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University; Kah Min Ong, Graduate Student, The Ohio State University |
| Understanding U.S. First Responder Mental and Behavioral Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review | *Joselyn Sarabia, MSW, Doctoral Student, The Ohio State University; Hunmin Cha, MSW, PhD Student, The Ohio State University; Indranarayan Roychowdhuri, MPhil, Doctoral Student, The Ohio State University; Smitha Rao, PhD, Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University |
| Visualizing Belonging: A Photovoice Portrayal of Immigrant and Refugee Youth Voices | *Arati Maleku, Ph.D., Associate Professor, The Ohio State University; Shambika Raut, MSW, Doctoral Student, The Ohio State University; Jhuma Acharya, MSW, Doctoral Student, The Ohio State University; Cecilia Mengo, PhD, Associate Professor, The Ohio State University |
| Determinants of Healthcare Utilization By Older Refugees in the United States: A Modified Andersen Model Approach | *Muna Saleh, PhD, Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University; Hyojin Im, PhD, Associate Professor, Virginia Commonwealth University; Kyeongmo Kim, PhD, Associate Professor, Virginia Commonwealth University; Denise Burnette, PhD, Professor, Virginia Commonwealth University |
| Revisiting the Effectiveness of Federally Funded Workforce Development Program: Focus on Human Capital Development Services | *Jeong-eum Cha, MSW, PhD Student, The Ohio State University; Sehun Oh, PhD, Associate Professor, The Ohio State University; Yeonwoo Kim, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of Texas at Arlington |
| Student Experiences in an Interprofessional, Culturally Responsive, Behavioral Health Workforce Training Program“ a Mixed-Method Study | *Mo Yee Lee, PhD, Professor, The Ohio State University; Amanda Klein-Cox, Ed.D., Senior Research Associate, The Ohio State University; Charis Stanek, MA, Doctoral student, The Ohio State University; Brianna Smith, MSW, PhD Student, The Ohio State University |
| The “Who” and “How” of Ecosocial Work Practice in the United States | *Amy Krings, PhD, Associate Professor, The Ohio State University; Yoonjung Chung, MSW, PhD Student, The Ohio State University; Smitha Rao, PhD, Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University; Lisa Reyes Mason, PhD, Professor, University of Denver; Heather Boetto, PhD, Associate Professor, Charles Sturt University |
| Intersectional Inequalities in Environmental Health Hazard across United States: Eco-Intersectional Multilevel Approach | *Yoonjung Chung, MSW, Doctoral Student, The Ohio State University; Gia Barboza-Salerno, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Ohio State University |
| Invisible Barriers: How Racial Discrimination Alters Help-Seeking’s Role in Mental Health for Black Young Adults | *Donte Boyd, PhD, MSW, Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University; Myles Durkee, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of Michigan; Addie Weaver, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Michigan; Emily Nhan, PhD-Student, University of Michigan; Michael Henry, BA, Chair, Washtenaw My Brothers Keeper; Joesph Himle, PhD, Professor, University of Michigan |
| Understanding Response Rates in Parenting Studies Using Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA): Lessons from a Multi-Wave Study | *Yun Ye, PhD, MPH, Research Scientist, The Ohio State University; Megan Allbright, PhD candidate, The Ohio State University; Karla Shockley McCarthy, PhD, MSW, LSW, Research Specialist, The Ohio State University; Bridget Freisthler, PhD, Cooper-Herron Endowed Professor in Mental Health, University of Tennessee |
| The Role of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) in Child Welfare Outcomes: Evidence from Ohio START Implementation | *Megan Allbright-Campos, MS, Doctoral Student, The Ohio State University; Yun Ye, PhD, MPH, Research Scientist, The Ohio State University; Elinam Dellor, PhD, Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University; Bridget Freisthler, PhD, Cooper-Herron Endowed Professor in Mental Health, University of Tennessee; Jen McClellan, PhD, Evaluation & Performance Manager, Public Children Services of Ohio (PCSAO) |
| Predictors of Mental Health Problems Among Trump-Supporting | *Joyce Lee, PhD, Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University |
| Resilience in Crisis: Bridging Frontline Practice and Research in Pediatric Child Maltreatment | Organizer: Juan Benavides, The Ohio State University; Speakers/Presenters: Megan Allbright, The Ohio State University; Lois Stepney, PhD, The Ohio State University; Elinam Dellor, PhD, The Ohio State University; Chance Parker, Franklin County Children Services; Melissa Kapp, Nationwide Childrens Hopsital |
| Analyzing Employment Possibilities from Recovery Housing: Jobs Available, Job Mix, and Clustering of Houses | *Gia Barboza-Salerno, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University; Keith Warren, PhD, Associate Professor, The Ohio State University; Taylor Harrington, Research Assistant, The Ohio State University; Sharefa Duhaney, Research Assistant, The Ohio State University |
| Successes from the Educator-to-Social Worker Pathway Program: Evidence for Future “Grow Your Own” School Social Work Models | Dawn Anderson-Butcher, PhD, Professor & Researcher, The Ohio State University; *Samantha Bates, PhD, Associate Professor, The Ohio State University |
| The Impact of Fair Chance Housing Ordinances on the Housing Outcomes of People with Past Convictions | *Taylor Reed, PhD, Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University |
| Enhancing Job Satisfaction and Retention in Child Welfare: The Impact of the Ohio Start Intervention Model | *Sarah Parmenter, MSW, Doctoral Candidate, The Ohio State University |
| Associations between Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1RAs) and Cannabis Use: A Scoping Review | *Tristan Maynard, Student, The Ohio State University; Joselyn Sarabia, MSW, Doctoral Student, The Ohio State University; Bridget Freisthler, PhD, Cooper-Herron Endowed Professor in Mental Health, University of Tennessee |
| Caught in the Middle: Navigating Rehabilitative and Punitive Approaches in India’s Youth Justice Policy | *Additti Munshi, MSW, Doctoral Student, The Ohio State University; Sharvari Karandikar, PhD, Professor, The Ohio State University; Melissa LaCaze, MA, Ph.D. Candidate, The Ohio State University |
| Child Maltreatment and Adolescents’ Exposure to Physical and Social Disorder in Daily Activity Spaces | *Susan Yoon, PhD, Associate Professor, The Ohio State University; Taylor Napier, PhD, Postdoctoral Scholar, The Ohio State University; Kathryn Maguire-Jack, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Michigan |
| Shared Parenting Experiences in Kinship Care: The Role of Kinship Family Demographics, ACEs, Birthparent Involvement, and Attitudes Toward Shared Parenting | *Yanfeng Xu, PhD, University of South Carolina; Amanda Klein-Cox, Ed.D., The Ohio State University; Ramona Denby-Brinson, Ph.D., MSW, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Eun Koh, PhD, The Catholic University of America; Angela Tobin, OTD, Kinship Caregivers Connect; Joyce Lee, PhD, The Ohio State University; Nancy Mendoza, Ph.D., The Ohio State University; Qi Wu, PhD, Arizona State University |
| Understanding the Well-Being of Children in Kinship Care: The Role of Child Disability Status and Relationship to Caregiver | Angela Tobin, OTD, Kinship Caregivers Connect; Eun Koh, PhD, The Catholic University of America; Yanfeng Xu, PhD, University of South Carolina; Nancy Mendoza, Ph.D., The Ohio State University; Amanda Klein-Cox, Ed.D., The Ohio State University; Joyce Lee, PhD, The Ohio State University; Qi Wu, PhD, Arizona State University; Ramona Denby-Brinson, Ph.D., MSW, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
| Kinship Caregiving, Health, and Stress: Outcomes Among Caregivers Raising a Child with or without a Disability | *Nancy Mendoza, Ph.D., The Ohio State University; Qi Wu, PhD, Arizona State University; Angela Tobin, OTD, Kinship Caregivers Connect; Joyce Lee, PhD, The Ohio State University; Ramona Denby-Brinson, Ph.D., MSW, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Amanda Klein-Cox, Ed.D., The Ohio State University; Eun Koh, PhD, The Catholic University of America; Yanfeng Xu, PhD, University of South Carolina |
| Social Networks As an Engagement Strategy in Child Maltreatment Prevention Programs: A Scoping Review | *Yiran Zhang, PhD, PhD Student, The Ohio State University; Jinyu Chen, PhD student, Yanbian University; Shuting Yuan, PhD student, Queen’s University; Qiuchang Cao, PhD, Assistant Professor, Florida State University; Amanda Cruce, MSW, Doctoral candidate, University of Pittsburgh; Xuemei Xiao, PhD student, Guizhou Minzu University; Huajie Gu, PhD student, Guizhou Minzu University; Weizhi Chen, Associate professor, Qingdao University of Science and Technology |
| Unpacking Housing Stability: A Systematic Review Exploring the Definition of Housing Stability | Katie Calhoun, PhD, Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University; Additti Munshi, PhD Student, The Ohio State University, Columbus; Jeong-eum Cha, MSW, PhD Student, The Ohio State University; *Yejeong Nam, MSW Student, The Ohio State University |
| Beyond the Xs and Os: Investigating Predictors of College Athlete Mental Health | *Emily Nothnagle, MSW, PhD Student, The Ohio State University; Samantha Bates, PhD, Associate Professor, The Ohio State University; Dawn Anderson-Butcher, PhD, Professor & Researcher, The Ohio State University |
| Health After Resettlement: Predictors of health status and primary care utilization among Somali refugees living with chronic illness | *Muna Saleh, PhD, Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University |
| Navigating Emotional Labor and Role Strain in Child Abuse Pediatrics: The Buffering Role of Social Support | *Juan Benavides, PhD Candidate, The Ohio State University; Sarah Parmenter, MSW, Doctoral Candidate, The Ohio State University; Madison Nurre, masters student, The Ohio State University; Lois Stepney, PhD, Clinical assistant professor, The Ohio State University |
| Profiles of Family Strengths Among Early Head Start Caregivers and Associations with Young Children’s Socio-Emotional Well-Being | *Yujeong Chang, MSW, PhD Student, The Ohio State University; Erin Tebben, PhD, Associate Director of Research, The Ohio State University; Taylor Napier, PhD, Postdoctoral Scholar, The Ohio State University; Minjung Kim, PhD, Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University; Sarah Lang, PhD, Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University; Susan Yoon, PhD, Associate Professor, The Ohio State University |
| Syndemic Effects of Food and Water Insecurity on Blood Pressure and Stress in Haiti: Integrating Public Health and Social Work Perspectives | *James Lachaud, PhD, Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University; Indra Narayan Roychowdhuri, MSW, PhD. Student, The Ohio State University |
| Discharged and Denied: Exploring the Lived Experiences and Systemic Barriers of Justice-Involved Veterans in Los Angeles County Jail | *Eric Sowers, MSW, Ph.D. Candidate, The Ohio State University; Manuel Gomez, MSW, Supervisor, Veterans Claims, California Baptist University |
| Sustainable Prisons or Sustaining Prisons: A Systematic Review Evaluating Green Prison Initiatives | Additti Munshi, MSW, Doctoral Student, The Ohio State University; Katie Calhoun, PhD, Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University; Smitha Rao, PhD, Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University; Melissa LaCaze, MA, Ph.D. Candidate, The Ohio State University |
| Job Loss and Prolonged Unemployment Increases Depressive Symptoms over Time Among Sexual and Gender Minority Adults | David Kinitz, PhD, Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University; Nguyen Tran, PhD, Biostatisticion, Stanford University; Shamsi Soltani, MPH, PhD Student, Stanford University; Kinsey Bryant-Lees, PhD, Associate Professor, Northern Kentucky University; Annesa Flentje, PhD, Professor, Stanford University; Micah Lubensky, PhD, Participant Experience Lead, Stanford University; Shalonda Ingram, Social Omipreneur, Born Brown Institute; Juno Obedin-Maliver, MD, Associate Professor, Stanford University; Mitchell Lunn, MD, Associate Professor, Stanford University |
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