Amanda Barusch

amanda.barusch@socwk.utah.edu

Specialties: Aging, poverty, family caregiving, social policy (esp. Social Security).

Classes Taught: Introduction to Social Policy, Research Methods, Aging and Social Policy, and Family and Community Policy

Amanda Barusch's research focuses on issues of late life and the aging process, ranging from interpersonal relations to international social policy analysis. Her recent work examines the romantic experiences and beliefs of Americans over the age of 50. She is also involved in the development of community-based interventions for depressed seniors. She serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of Poverty and the Journal of Health and Social Work.

Dr. Barusch completed her MSW and PhD at the University of California, Berkeley, and is a professor at the University of Utah College of Social Work, where she also serves as Associate Dean for Research and Doctoral Studies. She has received awards for teaching, research and service, and is a devoted member of the Association for Gerontology Education-Social Work (AGE-SW). Dr. Barusch is a fellow in the Gerontological Society of America, and serves as a national mentor for the John A. Hartford Foundation's faculty scholars program in geriatric social work.

She lives in Salt Lake City, with her husband, children, and numerous pets. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, swimming, skiing, wheel-thrown pottery, and reading & writing fiction.
Publications:
Books -
  • Richardson, V. and Barusch, A.S. (2006). Gerontological Practice for the 21st Century: A Social Work Perspective. Columbia University Press.
  • Barusch, A.S. (2002; 2006) Foundations of Social Policy: Social Justice in Human Perspective. Wadsworth Press. (2nd Edition)
  • Atchley, R. and Barusch, A.S. (2004) Social Forces and Aging (10th Edition) Wadsworth Press.
  • Barusch, A.S. (1994). Older Women in Poverty: Private Lives and Public Policies. New York: Springer. (Second printing)
  • Barusch, A.S. (1992). Caring for the Frail Elderly: Family Support, Public Services and Case Management. New York: Garland. (Second printing)
  • Barusch, A.S. (1991) Elder Care: Family Training and Support. Newbury Park: Sage.

    • Journal Articles -
  • Taylor, M.J., Barusch, A.S. & Vogel, M.B. (2006). Heterogeneity at the Bottom: TANF closure and long-term welfare recipients. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 13(2), 1-14.
  • Maramaldi, P., Berkman, B. & Barusch, A.S. (2005) Assessment and the Ubiquity of Culture: Threats to Validity in Measures of Health Related Quality of Life. Health and Social Work. 30(1), 27-38.
  • Taylor, M.J. & Barusch, A.S. (2004). Personal, family, and multiple barriers of long-term welfare recipients. Social Work.49 (2),9-15.
  • Abu Bader, S. Rogers, A., & Barusch, A.S. (2002) Predicting Life Satisfaction Among Frail Elders. Journal of Gerontological Social Work. 38(3), 3-18.
  • Barusch, A.S. (2001). Social Security is not for babies: Issues and trends affecting older women in the U.S. Families in Society, 81(8),568-575.
  • Rogers, A. & Barusch, A.S. (2001). Mental Health Service Utilization Among Frail, Low-Income Elders: Perceptions of Home Service Providers and Elders in the Community. Journal of Gerontological Social Work.
  • Barusch, A.S. (2000). Serving Older Men: Dilemmas and Opportunities. Geriatric Care Management Journal, 10(1), Winter, 31-36.
  • Barusch, A.S. Rogers, A. & Abu-Bader, S. (1999). Depressive Symptoms Among the Frail Elderly: Physical and Psycho-social Correlates. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 49(2), 107-125.
  • Barusch, A.S. (1999) Religion, age and adversity: Religious experiences of low-income, elderly women. Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare, Vol 26(1), 125-141. (special issue on aging).
  • Barusch, A.S. (1997) Self-concepts of low-income older women: Not old or poor, but fortunate and blessed. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 44(4), 269-282.
  • Barusch, A.S. & Spaid, W.M. (1996). Spouse caregivers and the caregiving experience: Does cognitive impairment make a difference? Journal of Gerontological Social Work. 25(3/4), 93-106.
  • Barusch, A.S. (1995). Programming for family care: Mandates, incentives and rationing. Social Work, 40(3), 315-322.
  • Spaid, W., and Barusch, A.S. (1994). The Importance of Relationship: Emotional Closeness and Caregiver Burden in the Marital Relationship. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 21(3/4), 197-213.
  • Spaid, W.M. and Barusch, A.S. (1991). Social Support and Caregiver Strain: The impact of positive and aversive social contacts on elderly spouse caregivers. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 18(1/2),151-162.
  • Barusch, A.S. and Spaid, W., (1991). Reducing caregiver burden through short-term training: Evaluation findings from a caregiver support project. Journal of Gerontological Social Work. 17(1/2), 7-34.
  • Barusch, A.S. and Spaid, W., (1989) Gender differences in caregiving: Why do women report greater burden? The Gerontologist, 29(5), 667-676.
  • Barusch, A.S. and Spaulding, M. L., (1989) The Impact of Americanization on the U.S. Territory of Guam. Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare, 16(3), 61-80.
  • Barusch, A.S., (1988) Problems and Coping Strategies of Elderly Spouse Caregivers. The Gerontologist, 28, 677-685.
  • Barusch, A.S. (1987) Power Dynamics in the Aging Family, Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 11(3/4), 43-56.
  • Barusch, A.S. & Miller, L.S. (1986) The Effect of Services on Family Assistance to the Frail Elderly. Journal of Social Service Research, 9(1), 31-45.

    • Chapters, Reports, Monographs -
  • Barusch, A.S. (2006). Native American Elders: Unique Histories and Special Needs, in B. Berkman (Ed). Handbook of Social Work in Aging. Oxford University Press.
  • Barusch, A.S. & TenBarge, C. (2004). Indigenous Elders in Rural America. In L. Kaye & S. Butler (Eds). Aging in Rural America. Haworth Press, 121-136,
  • Barusch, A.S. (2002).Community Services. In Ekerdt, David J., Robert A. Applebaum, Karen C. Holden, Stephen G. Post, Kenneth Rockwood, Richard Schulz, Richard L. Sprott, and Peter Uhlenberg, (Eds.). Encyclopedia of Aging. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2002.
  • Barusch, A.S. (2000). “Family Relations.” in Roberts, P. (Ed.) Aging. Pasadena, CA: Salem Press.
  • Barusch, A.S. (1998) "Mental Health and Families." in Bakston, C.L. (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Family Life. Pasadena, CA: Salem Press.
  • Barusch, A.S. & Peak, T. (1997) Support Groups for Older Men: Building on Strengths and Facilitating Relationships. in Kosberg, J.I. & Kaye, L.(Eds.) Elderly Men: Special Problems and Challenges. pp: 262-278. Springer Publishing.
  • Barusch, A.S. & Steen, P. (1996) Keepers of Community in a Changing World. Generations, Special Issue on Grandparenting at Century's End, Spring, 49-52. [reprinted in Rector, C. Rector (Ed.) Readings in Gerontological Nursing, Lippincott-Raven Publishers.]
  • Barusch, A.S., Greene, R. & Connelly, R. (1991). Strategies for Increasing Gerontology Content in Social Work Education. Published by the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education. Washington, D.C.
  • Greene, R., Barusch, A.S. & Connelly, R. (1991). Social Work and Gerontology: A Status Report. Published by the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education. Washington, D.C.
  • Barusch, A.S. with Zhang, M., Wu, W., Jin, H. & Cai, G.(1991). Intergenerational Relations in Contemporary China: Descriptive findings from Shanghai. Chapter 7, in H. Sheppard (Ed.) Social Services and Aging Policies in the U.S. and Asia. Published by the International Exchange Center on Gerontology, Tampa, Florida, pp. 117-134.
  • Barusch, A.S. (1985). "Growing Old in Changing Times: A preliminary look at the lifestyles of Guam's elderly." Micronesian Area Research Center.
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