Category: Students

A new article co-authored by PhD students Junghu Im and Ting Hu has been published in Aging & Mental Health.

Elder abuse and depression in Korean older adults: roles of trust and social support analyzes the relationship between depression and elder abuse experience with the mediating effect of trust and the moderating effect of social support.

“Our findings also highlight the potential of social support,” Im said. “To address the psychological trauma of older adults who have experienced abuse, we need to pay closer attention to the power of this protective resource.”

Hu added, “The deepest wound of elder abuse may be the loss of trust. By examining interpersonal and institutional trust through a social-ecological lens, this study reveals how abuse is associated with depressive symptoms and where interventions can make a difference.”

The Journal of Undergraduate Social Work Research (JUSWR) is the University of Illinois School of Social Work journal that showcases peer-reviewed undergraduate research and creative pieces from social work and related disciplines. JUSWR is an annual publication that provides a comprehensive forum for discourse on research and other forms of original work relevant to social work and current social issues. JUSWR welcomes submissions throughout the year. Send submissions to our senior editor, Rebecca Hawley, rhawley@illinois.edu 

Submission deadline for the Fall 2026 Volume 10 is Tuesday, May 26, 2026

Submissions considered for publication include the following:

• Original research articles
• Policy Analysis
• Literature reviews
• Poster presentations
• Creative pieces (artistic expression or multimedia presentations)
• Materials developed for Social Work or other social science classes this academic year or in the previous academic year will also be considered.

Submission Procedure: Prepare submission files according to the submission guidelines below.

• Email all submission files (including any supplementary materials to JUSWR) to rhawley@illinois.edu
• The email subject header should be in the following format:
              JUSWR Submission Spring 2026 for (Insert your last name here).
• Primary author must be a University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign undergraduate at the time of authorship.
• Submitted project concerns original research or original work.
• Submitted work cannot be published or undergoing review in another undergraduate research journal.
• Primary author must be willing to work with JUSWR editors in revising the selected or seriously considered for publication submission.
• Upon selection of a submission, author(s) must consent to journal publication.
  

Submission Preparation and Formatting:

• Submission must not exceed 15 pages, including all figures/tables and references. Please prepare a Supplementary Materials document containing additional accompanying text, figures and tables if additional space is needed.
• Submission text should be double-spaced with 12-point font and standard margins.
• Written works should be submitted in a Microsoft Word document.
• Writing should be clear, logical and free from typographical or grammatical errors.
• If submitting a creative piece, submissions should include a reflection or summary statement to accompany the piece.
• For all submission types: Include a 150-200 word, non-technical summary or abstract for the summary page and three to five keywords.
• Also, submit a brief author’s biography, stating the names of all authors, year in school, majors/minors, research interests and preferred pronouns.

Structure and Style:

• Written works should use APA style.
• Depending on the nature of the submission, articles should use the following headings: Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, References, and Figures/Tables.
• Supplementary Materials may be submitted.

Figures and Tables:

• Figures should be included at the end of the main text or in the Supplementary Information document as needed.
• All figures must be appropriately referenced and include legends in text format.
• Tables should be submitted in text format.
• For plots and graphs, axes should be clearly marked and legible. Figures should be clearly labeled if applicable.
• If a manuscript is selected or seriously considered for publication, the editorial staff will request high-resolution figures.

References:

• Citations should be parenthetical (Author, Year) and embedded within the main text.
• References should be formatted as follows: Authors (Year). Title. Journal/Book. Volume, Page Numbers.
• Example:
  • Noctor, S. C., Martinez-Cerdeno, V., Ivic, L., and Kreigstein, A. R. (2004). Cortical neurons arise in symmetric and asymmetric division zones and migrate through specific phases. Nature Neuroscience, 7, 136-144.

Rights for authors including copyright statement: Submitted works must have not been submitted elsewhere, are not currently under review elsewhere, and have been submitted with full knowledge of faculty and research team collaborators. Any submissions that do not meet originality requirements will be rejected without peer-review. All submissions will be reviewed based on intellectual content without regard for age, gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, country of origin, or political philosophy of the authors. All works submitted for peer-review are kept strictly confidential by editors and reviewers. At no time will editors or reviewers utilize submitted materials without the consent of the authors. The purpose of the JUSWR is to encourage undergraduate research and creative pursuits and not to hinder the authors’ ability to publish their work in other relevant journals. After publication in JUSWR, the author reserves the right to present any part of their research or work in any form in other publications or proceedings. JUSWR reserves the right to reproduce and reprint any materials published for instructional and promotional purposes. By submitting any material to JUSWR, you agree that your work is original, unless otherwise specifically acknowledged.

The signature event of Undergraduate Research Week has been held on the University of Illinois (U of I) campus since 2008. The number of undergraduate students participating has grown from a few hundred in its inaugural year to well over 800 students. Over the course of the day, students present their work in concurrent oral and poster presentations (including creative performances), the breadth and scope of which reflect not only the wide range of academic disciplines at the University of Illinois, but also speak to the caliber of our undergraduates. Our students are innovative and engaged, eager to learn from their advisors and mentors. Their projects also demonstrate the ongoing institutional commitment to supporting and expanding research opportunities at the U of I and beyond.

Thursday, April 30, 2026
9 AM – 5 PM
Location: Illini Union (1401 W Green St, Urbana)
Posters: Rooms A,C, & South Lounge
Oral / Performance Presentations: 2nd Floor
Exhibits & Demonstrations: Room B

Social Work Presentations

Oral Presentations

Learning & Development 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM, Room 209

“Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Intergenerational Adversity within Black and African American Communities: A Literature Review” Montasia Curry, Senior, Social Work, SSW, (Research Mentor(s): Rachel Garthe, Social Work)

Gender, Relationships, & Society 12:15 PM – 1:30 PM, Room 211

“Exploring Creative Avenues of Dance and Poetry to Analyze the Prevalence of Gender-Based Violence on College Campuses” Samyukta Ananthanarayan, Senior, Social Work, SSW, (Research Mentor(s): Rachel Garthe, Social Work

Language, Communication & Technology 2:00 – 3:15 PM, Room 215

“AI Health Chatbots and Digital Health Inequities: Evidence of Immigration Status and Language Bias in Sexual Health Information” Debora Kim, Senior, Social Work, SSW, (Research Mentor(s): Moses Okumu, Social Work)

Poster Presentations

1C – Humanities, Culture & Society 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM, Illini Rooms ABC  & South Lounge 

“Help-Seeking Behaviors for Gender-Based Violence among College Students at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign” Izzy Schwartz, Junior, Social Work; Brooke Swaback, Senior, Psychology, LAS, (Research Mentor(s): Rachel Garthe, Social Work & Apoorva Nag, Social Work)

3A – Society, Culture & Social Issues 12:15 PM – 1:30 PM, Ballroom (2nd Floor)

“Defining the Undefined: Teen Dating Violence in the U.S.” Jessica Demirlika, Junior, Communication, LAS, (Research Mentor(s): Rachel Garthe, Social Work

“Empowering Families Beyond Survival: Distinguishing Conditional vs Unconditional Cash Supports in Child Welfare” Rachel Phillips, Senior, Social Work, SSW; Maritza Vazquez, Senior, Social Work, SSW, (Research Mentor(s): Alexis Krones, Social Work & William Schneider, Social Work)

3D – Health & Wellness 12:15 – 1:30 PM, Illini Rooms ABC & South Lounge

“Climate-Induced Risks and Maternal-Infant Health: An Analysis of Global Inequities and Systemic Barriers” Yongchan Lim, Junior, Kinesiology, AHS, (Research Mentor(s): Tuyet-Mai Hoang, Social Work & Ainslee Wong, Health Administration)

4C – Data & Information 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM, Illini Rooms ABC & South Lounge

“Communication and Policy Barriers in Data Reporting and Logic Model Completion” Richard Caccavale, Junior, Psychology, LAS, (Research Mentor(s): Rachel Garthe, Social Work & Haley Miller, Social Work)

5A – Social Science & Human Behavior 3:45 PM – 5:00 PM, Ballroom (2nd Floor)

“Using Logic Models to Evaluate Violence Prevention Programs Across Illinois” Molly Braskich, Junior, Social Work, SSW; Rena Knysz, Junior, Social Work, SSW, (Research Mentor(s): Rachel Garthe, Social Work & Haley Miller, Social Work)

“Hurtful or Helpful? Comparing Family Expectations and Practice Realities of Child Welfare Support” Sherry Park, Sophomore, Social Work, SSW; Jessa Kimble, Senior, Social Work, SSW, (Research Mentor(s): Alexis Krones, Social Work & William Schneider, Social Work)

“Exploring how GPT-Based Chatbots can Grow Students’ Critical Thinking and Awareness of Ethical Concerns in Social Work” Kimberly Colin Estrada, Freshman, Biology, LAS; Hana Evans, Freshman, Neuroscience, LAS, (Research Mentor(s): Tuyet-Mai Hoang, Social Work)

5C – Food Systems 3:45 – 5:00 PM, Illini Rooms ABC & South Lounge

“The Relationship Between Food Insecurity and Diabetes in Latine Populations in the United States” Yalinette Rivera, Senior, Social Work, SSW, (Research Mentor(s): Mirelsie Velázquez, Latina/Latino Studies)

1E – Social Science & Human Behavior 9:00 AM – 10:15 PM, Illini Rooms ABC & South Lounge

“Does Group Framing Shift Perceptions of Experience and Agency?” Santiago Gonzalez Ahuerma, Junior, Psychology, LAS; Sara Steffens, Junior, Psychology, LAS; Adam Skousen, Junior, Psychology, LAS; Greyson McDonald, Sophomore, Psychology, LAS; Eleanor Klein, Sophomore, Psychology, LAS; Tevi Balekita, Junior, Psychology, LAS; Olivia Brooks, Freshman, Social Work, SSW; Lara Copass, Sophomore, Undeclared, LAS; Mason Hanks, Freshman, Psychology, LAS; Skylar Hartley, Sophomore, Psychology, LAS, (Research Mentor(s): Chadly Stern, Psychology & Karl Conroy, Psychology)

A new article co-authored by PhD Candidate Qihao Zhan has been published in Qualitative Social Work.

“I felt represented”: Incorporating Latino youth’s perspectives into theatre for dating violence prevention discusses how Latino adolescents experience high rates of dating violence, but few interventions have been designed or adapted for Latino youth populations. The study explored Latino adolescents’ perceptions of a dating violence theatre intervention and solicited input on how the play may be adapted to reflect their dating experiences and cultural values, while also showcasing how researchers can partner with community organizations to enact meaningful change and amplify the voices of marginalized populations in the development of dating violence interventions.

“Prior studies have found that incorporating the insights of youth into program and research design is valuable for both enhancing the cultural and developmental relevance of programs and promoting skill-building among young people,” Qihao says. “Our project offers a practical example of this approach: we invited Latino youth to serve as playwrights and actively participate in program adaptations. They provided recommendations to improve cultural and developmental relevance and contributed meaningful input to community-based dating violence prevention efforts.”

Qihao was also recently featured in our PhD Student Spotlight series, where she shares what drew her to the University of Illinois, where she finds focus on campus, and how her work is reshaping conversations around adolescent dating violence and intergenerational trauma in social work.