Geriatric Social Work

University of Tennessee College of Social Work
Hartford Geriatric Enrichment Project

Professional Interests

o Aging and psychological well-being
o Elders with severe mental illness
o Familial caregivers of elders with mental health disorders
o Gerontological social work education

Current Research Projects

Efficacy of a Geriatric Inter-Disciplinary Mental Health Team in the Community Mental Health Center Setting - funded by the John A. Hartford Foundation

This research study examines the impact of an aging-specific intervention on older clients with severe mental illness served within the community mental health care system. The primary goal to examine whether a mental health geriatric inter-disciplinary team produces a beneficial impact on older clients' mental well-being and service utilization compared to a non-geriatric individually based model.

Caregivers of Older Clients with Severe Mental Illness: Burdens, Rewards, and Service Needs - funded by the University of Alabama Center for Mental Health and Aging

This study investigates the caregiving experience of family members of elders with severe mental illness (SMI). It examines: 1) characteristics of family members of older clients with; 2) burdens and rewards experienced by family members of older clients with SMI; 3) family members' perceptions of mental health service adequacy and; 4) the psychometric properties of scales modified for use with caregivers of older SMI clients

Hartford Geriatric Enrichment in Social Work Education Project - funded by the John A. Hartford Foundation

The purpose of this project is to enhance social work students' knowledge of and interest in working with older adults through the infusion of aging-related content in BSW and MSW foundation courses. The impact of infused gerontological content on social work students' aging-related knowledge, attitudes toward elders, and interest in aging-related work will be examined.

Selected Publications

Cummings, S. M., Bride, B. & Rawlins, A. (In press). Alcohol abuse among older adults: A review of recent empirical research. Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work Practice, 1 (4)

Cummings, S. M., Adler, G., & DeCoster, V. A. (2005). Factors influencing graduate social work students’ interest in working with elders. Journal of Educational Gerontology, 31,643-655.

Cummings, S. M., Chapin, R., Dobbs, D., & Hayes, J. (2004). Assisted living facilities’ response to residents’ mental health needs: A study in two states. Journal of Mental Health and Aging, 10, 151-162.

Husaini, B., Cummings, S., Kilbourne, B., Sherkat, D., Roeback, H., Levine, R., Cain, V, & Craun, C. (2004). Group therapy and depression among elderly women: An analysis of outcome by race. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 543, 295-319

Cummings, S. M., Kropf, N. P., Cassie, K. M., & Bride, B (2004). Evidenced Based Treatments for older adults. Journal of Evidence Based Social Work,1 (4), 53-81.

Cummings, S. M. & Cockerham, C. (2004). Depression and life satisfaction in assisted living residents: Impact of health and social support. Clinical Gerontologist, 27, 25-42.

Cummings, S. M. (2003). Impact of Facility Type on Assisted Living Facilities' Response to Residents' Mental Health Needs. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 13, 608-621.

Cummings, S. M. (2003). Efficacy of an integrated group treatment program for depressed assisted living elders. Research on Social Work Practice, 13, 608-621.

Cummings, S. M & Galambos, C. (2003). Predictors of graduate social work students' interest in aging-related work. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 39, 77-94.

Cummings, S. M. & De Coster, V. A (2003). The Status of Specialized Gerontological Training in Graduate Social Work Education. Journal of Educational Gerontology, 29, 235-259.

Cummings, S. M., Neff, J. A., Husaini, B. A. (2003). Functional impairment as a predictor of depressive symptomatology: The role of race, religiosity and social support. Health & Social Work, 28, 23-32.