코로나19 이후의 사회복지실천 현장에서의 경험에 대한 주관적 인식유형 연구

Abstract

Ever since the first COVID-19 case appeared in Korea at the beginning of 2020, quarantine measures, including social distancing and prohibition on gatherings, have been implemented to prevent the spread of infection. Unfortunately, such responses have ceased or limited the provision of services for the groups relatively more reliant on public services, such as children, people with disability, and seniors. As well, these responses expose the vulnerable population to severe risks. This research aims to categorize the subjective perception based on the social workers’ experience regarding solutions to COVID-19 circumstances and explore the properties of those types. To achieve this goal, the Q-population group was established through the FGI (Focus Group Interview) of social workers on the frontlines of social welfare practices and the exploration of formative research. Then, the final 29 Q samples were selected. Finally, the data surveyed from P samples collected from 45 people was analyzed using QUANL software. The analysis result indicates that a distinctive approach depending on the type is in need rather than uniform social welfare practices. From the analysis, four types of perception have been identified. The first type is “an emphasis on social welfare practice based on local community networks,” highlighting the importance of a collaborative network between private and public sectors to actualize on-site centralized services around local beneficiaries. The second type is “focusing on inequality,” emphasizing tailored services for vulnerable population groups. The third type is “recognizing the structural shifts in social welfare due to emerging changes.” which asserts that the need for new welfare services is not because of COVID-19 but caused by social welfare environment structure issues. Lastly, the fourth type is “recognizing the social welfare practice following the societal disasters,” highlighting the necessity of expanding the scope of social welfare properties and the changes in measures to cope with the issues rather than focusing on the contraction of social welfare. Based on the result of this research, implications have been discussed to understand the distinction between each type of perception and seek countermeasures on the frontlines of social welfare practices.