Social Work Student Awarded Grant from Honors College

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Paige Johnston and Alisha Ferguson

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Paige Johnston, a student in the Honors College and the School of Social Work in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, has received an Honors College Research Grant for the 2012-13 academic year.

Johnston, mentored by Alishia Ferguson, an assistant professor of social work, will receive a research stipend of $1,875 plus $400 of travel funds to collect data or present her research at a conference.

“Paige is a wonderful student and there is no doubt that she will be successful in this project and in her career,” said Ferguson. “We need many more students like Paige who are interested in aging issues as we move forward in the 21st century.” 

Johnson and Ferguson designed the study to measure the effects of the Caring Friends respite program on the short-term stress level of family caregivers. Caregivers serving as subjects in intervention and control groups will be recruited from the Alzheimer’s Association, and data will be collected via text messaging protocol.

“This is a well-deserved honor!” said Yvette Murphy-Erby, associate professor of social work and director of the school. “Ms. Johnston’s and Dr. Ferguson’s study will provide valuable information to the Caring Friends respite project, the Alzheimer’s Association and caregiving research.”

The study will measure the caregivers’ short-term stress over time and plot the changes to determine if the Caring Friends respite program can lessen the pressures placed on those caring for a loved one suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers hold that a reduction in short term stress each week could contribute to less stress overall and allow caregiving situations to be preserved. 

“Family caregivers for older adults suffering from dementia are unsung heroes in our communities,” said Ferguson. “Caregiving is a very stressful job and as the baby boomers age and the number of people with dementia rises sharply, keeping caregivers healthy will be a major priority. This study will help us determine if an innovative new respite program run exclusively with volunteers can help to do that.”

In November of 2011 Ferguson received the inaugural Senior Research Award from the North West Arkansas Alzheimer’s Association. As part of the prize, she will receive a mentor stipend of $1,000 for research materials and for guiding Johnston’s research process.