Abstract

AbstractThis chapter reports the findings from a scoping review of the use of the capability approach in social work with older people. Four peer-reviewed articles using the capability approach and addressing social work practice with older people are discussed. The purpose was to examine how the use of the capability approach is linked to policies, practices and social justice approaches in social work research. Two main applications of the capability approach were found: to explore the subjective sense of well-being, and to address social inequalities at a structural level. The capability approach was framed as congruent with the aims of social work, and as a call for action for social workers to promote social justice, human dignity and well-being. Only a few studies were found in this scoping review; however, more seemed to have been done within the fields of healthcare and developmental studies. Despite these limitations, the conclusion is that the capability approach has attracted some attention in social work with older people, and the number of studies elaborating on the capability approach in social work in general is growing.

Highlights

  • In this chapter, I will focus on how the capability approach has been used in research on social work with older people

  • Robeyns (2017) states that not all versions of the capability approach need to endorse an account of agency, for social workers the acting agent plays a crucial role in achieving goals in human life

  • There is no comprehensive review of the literature on how the capability approach is used in social work research

Read more

Summary

11.1 Introduction

I will focus on how the capability approach has been used in research on social work with older people. The chapter starts with a general definition of social work, and social work with older people in particular, followed by a discussion of the merits and challenges of the use of the capability approach in social work research addressing the social care of older people. Social work is both a practice-based profession and an academic discipline, which is mainly concerned with a large range of social problems such as poverty, homelessness, drug abuse, criminality and violence against vulnerable groups. The capability approach can be a useful tool for exploring individuals’ expectations and

Kjellberg (*) Department of Social Work, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
11.2 Social Work with Older People
11.3 Main Concepts of the Capability Approach
11.4 The Capability Approach and Social Work
11.5 Methodological Framework
11.6 Different Uses of the Capability Approach
11.7 The Capability Approach in Social Work with Older People
Objective of the study
11.7.1 Exploring the Subjective Sense of Well-being
11.7.2 Addressing Social Inequalities at a Structural Level
11.8 Discussion
11.9 Conclusions
Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.