By Jaelon Jackson
School of Social Work
Dr. Saltanat Childress, Assistant Professor
A School of Social Work assistant professor and researcher at the University of Texas at Arlington received federal funding and has been recognized as a leading scholar by Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services and Child and Family Social Work for her service as a peer reviewer, and has published an article in Families in Society.
Dr. Childress is dedicated to understanding and mitigating the factors contributing to family violence and child maltreatment in Kyrgyzstan through comprehensive research and practical interventions.
"Receiving additional funding means we can continue to develop and evaluate interventions, policies, and social work practices that aim to improve family well-being in Kyrgyzstan and provide comparative data for other countries and immigrant groups," Dr. Childress said.
Kyrgyzstan, located in Central Asia and bordered by China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, is a landlocked country with a predominantly agricultural and natural-resource-based economy. The population consists primarily of ethnic Kyrgyz, with significant Uzbek and smaller Russian minorities.
Dr. Childress was motivated to enter social work by the social issues emerging in Kyrgyzstan following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Her personal experience as an immigrant to the United States has also deepened her commitment to the field.
"The lack of services and resources during this period motivated me to contribute to addressing these issues," she said.
The Title VIII Research Scholar Program, under the U.S. State Department, supports research and cultural exchange to enhance our country’s knowledge and expertise on Eastern Europe and the Independent States of the Former Soviet Union.
Dr. Childress's research under this program aims to understand the risk and protective factors for family violence and child maltreatment in Kyrgyzstan.
Her work also seeks to educate populations about human rights, challenge harmful cultural traditions, and promote gender equality.
The Peer Appreciation Award from Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services and Child and Family Social Work recognizes Dr. Childress's contributions to the field.
Her research provides valuable insights for improving social work practices globally.
Dr. Childress's ongoing work, supported by esteemed institutions, continues to contribute to better outcomes for families worldwide.
