American Social Work Research Articles

Weaving Our Kuwentos (Stories) toward Ginhawa (Aliveness): Pilipinx American Social Work MotherScholars Enacting Praxes of Survival and Thrivance in the Academy

Five Pilipina American (PA) social work MotherScholars, from a doctoral student to an interim dean, used kuwentuhan (Pilipinx methodology) to amplify their survivance and thrivance despite attempted exclusion, reduction, and distortion as Pilipinos by coloniality/modernity. Grounded in decolonial feminism (the view that oppressions such as sexism and racism co-constitute coloniality and that unsettling oppressions disrupts hegemony) and Pinayism (an integrated framework revaluing the labor, intellect, and nurturance of mothering through a cultural lens), the authors work coalitionally across their PA diversity to re-center ginhawa (aliveness or sense of ease and wellness). Together, they embarked on an iterative self-study process of data generation and analysis that included presenting, recording, and transcribing two panel presentations at a premier social work conference, writing reflections and hay(na)ku poems about their experiences and processes, reading and rereading the data, and meeting and discussing the data, their process, and past and current events pertinent to the content. The stories highlight how the authors are living and enlivening decoloniality, and that, in so doing, they continue a lineage of those who have resisted coloniality/modernity and promoted thrivance. Collectively, these kuwentos (stories), reflections, hay(na)ku, and their weaving together, are memory, resistance, counter-storytelling, and healing.

“We Owe It to Those Who Shall Come After Us”: Considering the Role of Social Work Education in Disrupting Carceral Complicity

Reflecting upon Mary Richmond’s early call for formalized social work training to address the historical struggles of the field, this analysis examines how American social work education has addressed the paradoxes of help and harm present in the field for more than a century. We examine how, under the guise of benevolence and care, social work has exerted social control and contributed to gendered criminalization. We use the term carceral complicity to extend the concept of carceral social work, illustrating how carceral complicity has contributed to women’s criminalization through the embedding, enacting, and invisibilizing of carceral logics in social work. In addition to describing how carceral complicity has been addressed in social work education, we illustrate the gendered nature of carceral complicity, highlighting how women have historically and contemporarily been positioned as both the proprietors and the recipients of carceral complicity. In line with recent scholarship, we suggest that through a transformative approach to social work education we may disrupt carceral complicity and support liberatory futures.

Centering Asian Americans in Social Work Education, Research, and Policy

ABSTRACT The Asian American population is incredibly diverse in terms of ethnicity, culture, language, religion, class, and histories of war shaped by U.S. imperialism. Understanding this immense diversity is crucial for engaging with communities while recognizing the diversity–convergence paradox - the idea that Asian Americans share common experiences of discrimination and racialization despite their varied backgrounds and social locations. This paradox offers a critical lens to address health and social challenges for Asian Americans and other minoritized populations. Drawing on insights that account for this paradox, this article reflects on the authors’ experiences as Asian American social work scholars and alumni of the Council on Social Work Education’s Minority Fellowship Program. We discuss contemporary and historical issues facing Asian American communities as well as offer recommendations for advancing antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion within social work and beyond.

Framing the human rights curriculum in American social work education

ABSTRACT In this paper, the authors take the position that human rights are not a principal discipline of American social work. Rather, within the United States, social work is a profession that makes the fulfillment of human needs its principal focus. The authors offer methods to prepare social work students for rights-based practice, a product of their work in educating social work students in global human rights over the past decade and in undertaking research. The authors consider the importance of the Capability Approach as an overarching framework guiding human rights education in social work. Using the author’s experiences, review of key documents, and two approaches to human rights practice, proactive and reactive ones, to teach relevant content, the authors offer a framework guiding human rights education in American social work. By drawing from documents pertaining to the global human rights movement, the authors examine key ideas, practices, and institutions that constitute the human rights movement internationally. The authors conclude by identifying pedagogical approaches that can assist social work students in learning about human rights practice, theoretically and experientially, with an emphasis on preventing rights violations and on responding effectively during and after these violations occur.

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Their Relationships with Perceived Stress and Self-Care Behaviors in African American Social Work Students: Insights from a Latent Class Analysis.

Based on stress sensitization theory and stress proliferation theory, this study was designed to identify adverse childhood experience (ACE) classes and their relationships with perceived stress and self-care behaviors. Hypotheses were that (a) there would be diverse ACE classes among African American social work students; (b) the identified classes embedded in high/multiple ACEs would have greater levels of perceived stress than those in low ACEs; and (c) the identified classes embedded in high/multiple ACEs would have lower levels of self-care behaviors than those in low ACEs. Recruited from one of the South's historically Black colleges and universities, 186 African American social work students completed an online survey. Latent class analysis found three classes fit the data best: low ACEs, high divorce/abuse/neglect, and high/multiple ACEs. Students in the high divorce/abuse/neglect class had the greatest levels of perceived stress and significantly greater perceived stress levels than the low ACEs class. The low ACEs class had greater self-care behaviors than students in the other two ACEs classes. The study revealed diverse ACE classes and the effect of more ACEs on greater perceived stress and lower self-care behaviors, supporting the importance of using a range of approaches to support African American social work students with different ACEs.

Latin American Social Work in the Justice System

Este libro se caracteriza por adentrarnos de un modo exhaustivo en diversos países de América Latina y el Caribe en relación al estado del arte del trabajo social forense o sociojurídico. El libro cuenta con 13 capítulos, donde cada uno toca temas diferentes, pero relacionados entre sí. Es posible conocer la discusión conceptual existente entre trabajo social forense y trabajo social socio jurídico, o entre perito consultor y revisor. Algunos capítulos nos llevan a: conocer la historia del trabajo social en el área desde las primeras décadas del SXX hasta hoy en Chile, o a un análisis de los contextos de intervención de distintas unidades de la Defensoría Penal Pública en el mismo país. También a un análisis de literatura actual sobre los procesos de inhabilitar a las familias involucradas en el servicio de protección a menores, y a una propuesta que permite la defensa de los niños y jóvenes que han sufrido abuso sexual infanto juvenil. Otros temas del libro: la trayectoria del trabajo social en el ámbito de la justicia en la provincia de Buenos Aires–Argentina; la reflexión en torno al principio del “interés superior de la niñez y la juventud”; procesos de acompañamiento en Colombia a víctimas donde aún permanece de manera latente el conflicto socio político armado; infracción de ley de adolescentes en Uruguay; análisis de algunos de los enfoques y variables a considerar en las evaluaciones sociales de la población adolescente acusada en un proceso penal en Costa Rica. De México hay 2 capítulos, uno de los cuales compara las leyes chilenas y mexicanas de Responsabilidad Penal Juvenil, y los antecedentes profesionales de los oficiales de libertad condicional; y otro que nos entrega un análisis desde la perspectiva de género sobre las experiencias de las mujeres con discapacidad en el Sistema de Justicia Penal en México.

Anti-Asian Hate's Impact on Asian American Social Workers: Implications for Professional Training and Education.

This article explores the impact of recent incidents of anti-Asian hate and violence against Asian American social workers, clients, and communities. Asian Americans represent a small but growing proportion of the U.S. population. Yet, Asians are underrepresented in the social work profession-approximately 3.6 percent of the social work workforce and 2.1 percent of licensed social workers are Asian, and data on underrepresented racial and ethnic groups in the workforce continue to omit details on Asian people. Recent social and political framing of the COVID-19 pandemic as attributable to Asian people has fueled racist rhetoric and incidents of hate and bias crimes against Asian people. Through exploratory research to understand the experiences of Asian American social workers in the proliferation of anti-Asian hate, authors identified that more should be done to support and meet the needs of Asian American social workers, clients, and communities by improving social work education and training, by addressing the social work workforce and agency practices, and by expanding upon advocacy and community building.

Social Work Professional Competencies and Educational Programs Specialized Practice. Theoretical Analysis

The practice of social work starts from the period of university education – bachelor and master educational programs, where students are guided, supervised by experienced professionals to develop the competencies and skills of relating to clients of social work services, step by step. The purpose of this work is to theoretically analyze the relation between specialized education programs during bachelor's and master's studies and the desired competencies of social workers. We will refer to the international literature to understand a global perspective on the practice of social work from the perspective of education in the field. We will focus on the identification of key competencies of social workers, in Romanian and American social work practice and educational system

Perspectives of African American Social Workers Regarding Clinical Licensure

ABSTRACT Purpose This study was undertaken to illuminate the perspectives of African American MSWs, both licensed and unlicensed, concerning clinical licensure. Method In 2022, but prior to the time of the Association for Social Work Boards (ASWB) report release, the primary author interviewed 20 African Americans with Master of Social Work (MSW) degrees regarding their desire and attempts to attain licensure. The participants were selected utilizing non-probability, convenience sampling methods and self-selected in response to invitations extended via social media platforms. The interviews took place via Zoom and were recorded and analyzed utilizing qualitative methods. Results The findings suggested that many interviewees do view the test as biased in favor of White women and that they attribute lower test pass rates of African Americans in part to this bias. However, additional concerns, including the costs and difficulty of multiple test-taking efforts, the time limit between MSW and licensure, and the dearth of information available to MSWs about licensing credentials, among others, were also cited. Respondents also identified, in some cases, limitations in social support, particularly in work settings, for their professional development efforts. Significantly, many participants identified problems with supervision – securing supervision, the focus/content of supervision, or both. Discussion and Conclusions Recommendations for steps to increase access to the test and to information about the test are offered. Importantly, discussion regarding avenues to supervision and mentorship is initiated. This study offers a first step in the process of engaging with African Americans about their own experiences with the licensing process.

African American PhD Social Work Students’ Perspectives and Experiences on Qualitative Research Methods

African American PhD students are severely underrepresented in the attainment of PhDs compared with their White counterparts and, therefore, underrepresented as PhD professors. Key factors contributing to the lack of African American students seeking doctoral education include financial hardship, racial discrimination, and a lack of mentorship. The purpose of this qualitative study is to investigate the experiences and meaning of African American social work students enrolled in a PhD qualitative research methods course at a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). Results from this study will shed light on Black scholars’ experiences in obtaining a doctoral education, identify challenges and barriers in completing a doctoral program, and contribute to ideas on how to increase the number of Black scholars in HBCU PhD.

Asian American social workers’ experiences and perspectives on anti-Asian hate

Summary The rise in anti-Asian hate since the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the challenges that Asian Americans in the United States (U.S.) experience with xenophobia, racism, and the “model-minority stereotype.” The model-minority stereotype is a misleading myth that has been pervasively attached to the Asian American identity and experiences. Thus, it can serve as a useful framework to understand experiences in the current anti-Asian hate climate. In this exploratory qualitative study, the investigators interviewed Asian American social workers ( N = 17), highlighting their perspectives and experiences during the anti-Asian hate climate, with attention paid to how the model minority stereotype was contextualized among participants. Findings The resounding tone underlying participants’ model-minority stereotype-related discussions was the need to counter the model minority stereotype. Notably, the model-minority stereotype was contextualized differently for participants and three themes were identified: (1) limbo between model minority and perpetual foreigner status; (2) impacts on the social worker role and in the organizational setting; and (3) impacts on advocacy work. Applications Study findings suggest a need for continued support and opportunities to unlearn and relearn the purpose of the model-minority stereotype and its broad sweep and attacks on various health dimensions (physically, psychologically, socially, and spiritually) across Asian Americans ethnic groups. Countering the model-minority stereotype can play a pivotal role in transforming the narratives surrounding Asian American's identity and experiences in the U.S., in addition to organizational culture and dynamics to support Asian Americans social workers practice and advocacy work across practice levels.

Anti-Asian Racism and COVID-19 Impact on Older Adults: The Voices of Social Workers

ABSTRACT Heightened anti-Asian racism and hate crimes during the COVID-19 pandemic impacted older adults and the social workers who supported them. Yet, the experiences of Asian and Asian American (AAA) social workers are unknown. This study aimed to explore the perspectives and experiences of social workers focusing on the aging population during the anti-Asian racism climate and the COVID-19 pandemic. Guided by a qualitative approach, seventeen AAA social workers participated in semi-structured interviews. Based on thematic analysis, the following themes were identified: concerns about safety and discrimination, perceived service and support needs for older adults, and perceived generational gaps in advocacy. Social work practice, policy, and research implications are discussed.

Tracing the history of discourses on professionalism in the ‘sister professions’ of librarianship and social work in the United States

In Whole Person Librarianship: A Social Work Approach to Patron Services (2019), Zettervall and Nienow aptly refer to librarianship and social work as ‘sister professions’, highlighting their gendered histories and similar professional values. Both librarianship and social work emerged as service-oriented, female-dominated professions in the late nineteenth century. Questions about professional identity have concerned librarians and social workers since those early days, with scholars and practitioners in both fields examining markers of professionalism, such as training, associations, and values. This article compares the historical development of professional social work and librarianship by tracing the changing discourses on professionalism, attending to the role gendered language plays in debates about professional status. The analysis focuses on the works of early pioneers in American social work and librarianship and the public debates about professionalisation in the early 1900s to provide context for collaborations between librarians and social workers and look towards the future.

Embracing Our Values: Social Work Faculty Progressivism in a Conservative World

Social work faculty have an ethical imperative to engage in policy and political practice. While the literature indicates that a progressive-liberal tradition exists within social work, few studies have specifically looked at faculty political inclination and even less at their social welfare policy preferences. This descriptive study used an online survey to look at the party affiliation and political ideology of United States (U.S.) based social work faculty and the influence that these have on the social welfare policies faculty prefer. The study finds that U.S. based social work faculty are affiliated with the Democratic party (78.1%) and on the liberal side of the political continuum (86.4%). Descriptive statistics show that, overall, the social policy preferences of American social work faculty reflect the progressive paradigm more than the restrictive paradigm (M = 6.06, SD = 1.23 for progressive items and M = 2.63, SD = 1.54 for restrictive items). Multivariate regression analysis results indicate that political ideology is the strongest predictor of social welfare policy preferences among study participants (β = .307, p < .01). The implications of these findings for social work education, including the alignment of a progressive ideology with social work values and ethics, are discussed. Keywords: Political ideology, social work values, social work faculty, policy preferences, pedagogy

The Catholic Psychoanalytic Theology of the American Social Work Profession

Since the death of theologian Aldolphe Tanquerey, in 1932, doctoral dissertations involving significant theological research in schools of social work have become virtually extinct. The vanishing of these dissertations represents a simultaneous vanishing of social work’s capacity to detect eremitic scriptures that are autochthonous to, and yet have remained undetected, in the profession. Since the death of Sigmund Freud, in 1939, doctoral dissertations involving significant psychoanalytic research in schools of social work have become virtually extinct. The vanishing of these dissertations represents a simultaneous vanishing of social work’s capacity to detect phylogenetic structures that are autochthonous to, and yet have remained undetected, in the profession. The purpose of this study is to introduce a Catholic psychoanalytic theology that detects, tracks, and delineates social work’s eremitic scriptures and phylogenetic structures. For librarians responsible for religious and theological libraries, the current study is a rich resource for bibliographers and scholars who are interested in interdisciplinary information (literature) on contemporary trends in religious and theological studies.

Introduction to Special Issue

Social work regulations obligate social workers to attend to issues of diversity, and consider the value of engaging others well. This includes Christian social workers. Despite this, conflict, divisiveness, and polarization are increasing among North Americans. Perhaps because of this reality, a proliferation of different models has emerged to offer social workers strategies for engaging more positively in the presence of contentious differences. This special issue provides examples of the application of three models meant to facilitate more positive encounters: restorative practice, Reflective Structured Dialogue, and Living Room Conversations. It also offers a conceptual framework meant for deconstructing and assessing various models. The collection of articles in this special issue reflects some of the work being done in North American social work practice to foster improved encounters where differences are present and shows that the field is rich with models to help each of us encounter others well.

La asistencia social en tiempos de pandemia

The article Social assistance in times of pandemic is part of a collection of 25 texts written over the years by Professor Norberto Alayón, one of the leading intellectuals in the field of Latin American social work. The text presented was originally published in the book entitled Recapitulating: my contributions to Social Work (2022), under the Editorial Fundación La Hendija. It is reproduced with the permission of both the author and the publisher. Through this writing, Alayón, starting from the Argentine context, but with direct implications for the rest of the countries of our Latin America, reflects on the importance of recognizing assistance as a right, particularly given the effects that neoliberal capitalism has on the generation of poverty and inequality. In this way, the author raises the responsibility of the State in the repair of social problems, united with the search for a more dignified and humane society.

A Reevaluation of Elizabeth Wickenden’s Model of Social Action in American Social Work Theory in the 1950s

A Reevaluation of Elizabeth Wickenden’s Model of Social Action in American Social Work Theory in the 1950s

#WhiteSaviorComplex: Confidentiality, Human Dignity, Social Media, and Social Work Study Abroad

ABSTRACT Many American social work education programs now offer study abroad components, which provide significant advantages to students, including cross-cultural exposure, personal and professional development, and preparation for a globalizing profession. However, multiple ethical challenges are presented when North American (often White) students interact with vulnerable populations abroad, including the use of social media. We searched for relevant institutional social media policies and found very little, except those encouraging students to post often while traveling. We offer case studies of potential model policies for both North American based universities and international-based hosting sites. Finally, we argue that study abroad programs in general, and social media policies specifically, must center the dignity, worth, and best interests of vulnerable populations.

Culture Differences in Advance Care Planning and Implications for Social Work Practice

Advance care planning (ACP) is the process of making plans and decisions regarding end-of-life care (EOLC) in advance while one has the physical and cognitive capacity to do so. However, even if health practitioners recognize the importance of ACP, they may be constrained by social and cultural factors in engaging their clients in ACP. This study examined cultural differences in ACP and various strategies that social workers use to initiate conversations on ACP in a range of settings. Using the case study method, we conducted in-depth interviews with 7 social workers who work in South Korea, 2 Korean-American social workers working in the Korean-American communities in the US, and 3 American social workers serving diverse populations in the US. Their practice sites include: university hospitals, day care centers, a community senior center, a nursing home, and a hospice agency. Social workers in both countries emphasized the need to build rapport with their clients early on and to empower them to take the lead in their ACP while they were still healthy. In Korean and Korean-American communities, social workers recognized their clients’ reluctance to speak about EOLC and highlighted the importance of communicating with their family due to their clients’ preference for family-centered decision-making. When doing this, a step-by-step approach in giving relevant information was recommended. We identified relationship-building, empowerment, and culturally sensitive approaches as common strategies in initiating discussions on ACP in both countries.