Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Psychology

Program Name/Specialization

Community Psychology

Faculty/School

Faculty of Arts

First Advisor

Dr. Melody Morton Ninomiya

Advisor Role

Associate Professor - Department of Health Sciences

Abstract

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) and alcohol-exposed pregnancies (AEP) remain significant but often misunderstood public health concerns across Canada. Social workers play a central role in FASD prevention, assessment pathways, and long-term support for individuals and families. However, little is known about social workers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding FASD and AEP in New Brunswick. My mixed methods study involved an online survey and interviews with a sub-set of survey respondents. I examined the KAP among two groups of social workers: those in social services and child welfare (SS&CW; N=26) and social workers in the remaining sectors (SWRS; N=14) of health, education, community organizations, and criminal legal systems to observe cross-sectoral differences and identify gaps in training and service structures. Guided by critical disability theory and structural stigma theory, my analysis includes descriptive statistics and correlational findings from the survey data, and interpretive phenomenological analysis from the semi-structured interviews (N = 3).

SS&CW survey respondents had higher FASD knowledge scores, more consistent understanding of FASD-related needs, and greater exposure to FASD-specific training compared to SWRS participants. Across groups, access to FASD-specific training was constrained by limited availability and inconsistent organizational support. Participants with FASD-related training more frequently engaged in private and public advocacy for people with FASD. Mean attitude scores indicated agreement with dominant narratives around prevention, stigma and barriers, and diagnosis and assessment across participant groups. For the SWRS group, a positive correlation was observed between completion of FASD-related training and mean attitude scores of agreement with dominant narratives, suggesting a difference due to role responsibility and available training opportunities. Anticipated emotional responses to seeing prenatal alcohol use varied between the participant groups.

Qualitative findings revealed six interconnected themes: (1) knowledge blooms and limitations, (2) a need for tailored knowledge translation and dissemination, (3) stigma as a structuring force shaping disclosure and practice, (4) practitioner frustration linked to behavioural cycles and systemic barriers, (5) relationship-based practices rooted in trust, advocacy, and brain-based framing, and (6) navigating difficult conversations about AEP and FASD. These themes illustrate how practitioners navigate complex emotional, relational, and systemic environments when supporting individuals with FASD and AEP.

My findings suggest that the social worker participants in New Brunswick are committed to supporting individuals with FASD and AEP yet face systemic and structural inequities regarding educational opportunities to effectively support clients with AEP, FASD, and their caregivers. This study discusses the importance of improving sector-wide and public education, strengthening diagnostic pathways and service navigation, and advancing equitable, stigma-informed practices.

Convocation Year

2026

Convocation Season

Spring

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Available for download on Thursday, March 15, 2029

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