Community Social Work Research Articles

Social workers’ voluntary political participation: Testing a civic engagement model

Summary With rapidly changing and complex social problems, social workers’ political participation has received increasing attention in promoting social justice and human rights. However, limited studies have examined significant factors that motivate social workers’ voluntary political participation in South Korea. Furthermore, little is known about how significant factors differ by the different types of voluntary political participation. Drawing on the civic engagement model, this study attempted to fill this research gap by analyzing nationally representative data collected from 4,375 social workers in South Korea in 2020. Findings For the resource domain, social workers’ political information was a significant factor to motivate all types of voluntary political participation especially greater for voting and lobbying. For the psychological engagement domain, social workers’ interest in politics was a strong factor in voting and campaigning. Political efficacy was a significant factor in lobbying and protest activities. When social workers had a radical political ideology, they were more likely to engage in protest activities. For the recruitment network domain, social workers’ membership in a political party significantly increased all types of voluntary political participation except for voting. Applications This study suggests that resources, psychological engagement, and recruitment networks are essential for promoting Korean social workers’ voluntary political participation. However, the effects of the three domains can vary across the different types of voluntary political participation Therefore, social workers should receive a wide range of opportunities to learn and engage in varying types of voluntary political participation through effective social work education, organizational support, and community partnerships.

Relationships and reciprocity in learning: a Palestine field trip for social work and youth and community students

For over ten years now, social work and youth and community students from a university in England have travelled to Palestine to be hosted by families and conduct a study tour of the West Bank. They have visited governors in the West Bank, community centres, camp committees, art centres, social work agencies, museums and faith and political heritage sites across the West Bank and Jerusalem. This article reports on the reciprocity between host families and university staff in addressing student learning for social justice in a community that seeks international recognition and action in respect of the injustices of an illegal occupation. We argue that the goals of the host community in respect of extending their voice and reaching a constituency beyond their borders are compatible with experiential learning goals for students in developing political and cultural awareness through engaging with community experiences of responses to social injustice.

Association Between Social Support and PHQ-4 Scores at a Student-Run Free Clinic

Background: Student-run free clinics (SRFCs) can provide quality mental health care to low-income and uninsured populations who are at a greater risk of depression. Evidence demonstrates the association between social support and severity of depression, but this relationship has not been analyzed in an SRFC. Thus, we assessed the association between social support and depressive symptoms.Methods: We used electronic health records data for patients from 2013-2020 (n=2,501 patients). The dependent variable was severity of depression symptoms as determined by scores on the patient health questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4). Higher PHQ-4 scores correspond to increased severity of depression. The main predictor was the patient's social support, which was defined by their employment status, marital status, and the number of individuals in their household. We conducted a multinomial regression model to control for other patient-level factors (i.e. race, sex, and age).Results: When controlling for other factors, patients with higher social support scores had lower odds of scoring a 4 on the PHQ-4 (Odds ratio [OR]=0.838, 95% Confidence interval (CI)=0.770-0.912). When examining specific social support sources, when compared to patients who reported being not-married, those who were married had lower odds of scoring a 4 on the PHQ-4 (OR=0.578, 95% CI=0.401-0.833). Compared to patients who reported being employed, those who were unemployed had greater odds of scoring a 4 on the PHQ-4 (OR=2.323, 95% CI=1.766-3.055). We observed no significant differences in PHQ-4 by the number of people in the household.Conclusion: Patients with greater social support were associated with fewer depressive symptoms. Specifically, employment status and marital status may be larger contributors to a patient’s social support. Our results allow SRFCs to offer interventions such as investing in social work programs and community partnerships that offer professional development and employment opportunities to patients.

Practicing Social Work in Deprived Communities: Competencies, Methods, and Techniques. Ana Opačić

At glance, when I read the title, I was attracted to this book, because it aligns with my current PhD study, which discusses community development in Papua, Indonesia (an Indonesian province located in the eastern part of the country). Papua is designated as a 3T—Terdepan, Terpencil, dan Tertinggal (front, remote, and underdeveloped)—area and so has much in common with the way deprived communities are described in this book, as slums; ghettos; favelas; and low-income, remote, underserved, vulnerable, impoverished, underdeveloped, or less-favored communities. Since its inception, social work has been focused on assisting individuals in their surroundings. However, it was quickly discovered that this task cannot be completed if no attention is paid to the surroundings. Therefore, community social work practices are needed because these are macro practice interventions focused on specific communities or populations like deprived communities for the purpose of developing, preventing, or dealing with social problems. As Ramos (2022) argues, internal and external apathy and the structural analogs of nonanswers to critical problems soon meet idealism and proactivity in humanitarian circumstances. This dynamic is rarely more evident than when working with displaced and similarly vulnerable groups, who confront obstacles in obtaining even the most basic protections and ongoing attacks on their inherent rights. Where accountability is arbitrary, outcomes are likely to be as erratic. Therefore, systems must engage in continual, purpose-driven reflection and adherence to standards in an environment that encourages impression control rather than forthrightness as an effective survival strategy. The book Practicing Social Work in Deprived Communities can help us understand what competencies, methods, and techniques social workers and practitioners need when working in/for these communities. The editor notes that the purpose of this book is to describe the essential elements of a deprived community, how they came to be and the processes that underpin them, and show practical social work models in such communities.

Community social workers as social entrepreneurs: Lessons from Israel

Social entrepreneurship in social work is vital to finding innovative, creative, and long-term solutions to complex and persistent social problems. Among all social workers, community social workers are the ones who are most expected to be innovative and entrepreneurial. This study explored the motivations for engaging in social entrepreneurship, as well as the action strategies adopted by community social workers who successfully implemented social innovations within the social services where they work. Research findings revealed five action strategies that have the potential to promote successful social ventures; a combination of individual and organizational characteristics motivates entrepreneurial behavior in social work.

Evaluation of academic detailing to educate clinicians regarding childhood lead poisoning prevention: a pilot study.

Environmental exposures are associated with approximately 19% of disease globally, and exposure to neurotoxic chemicals is estimated to cost the United States $50 billion per year. Despite calls from the Institute of Medicine to increase training for clinicians regarding environmental health since the 1990s, there is still little instruction in environmental health for clinicians. This leaves gaps in knowledge that need to be bridged through outreach and education to practicing clinicians. Academic detailing (AD) is an educational intervention associated with improved prescribing practices in healthcare professionals but has not been applied to preventive or environmental health. Childhood lead exposure is a common condition associated with lifetime increased risk of cognitive and behavioral problems. Ohio has more than 2 million homes built before 1978, making exposure to lead-based paint a significant public health problem; however, only 50% of high-risk children are tested for lead. Few receive health promotion information regarding lead poisoning prevention, in part because this is not a part of training for healthcare providers (HCPs). The objectives of this study were twofold: (1) implement a pilot of AD sessions on the topic of childhood lead poisoning prevention with frontline HCPs and theirstaff in different practice settings; and (2) evaluate theacceptability of these training sessions utilizing quantitative and qualitative methods. Physicians, nurses, social workers, community health workers, and clinical office staff were recruited from clinics who care for children at high risk for lead exposure. Trainings consisting of small group AD style sessions were presented at these sites. Learning objectives included increasing knowledge regarding lead testing requirements, enabling identification of lead's impact on child development and equipping participants to provide anticipatory guidance for parents regarding lead poisoning prevention. Participants provided feedback through an anonymous questionnaire and qualitative feedback. There were 46 participants (12 physicians in practice/in training, 21 nursing or office staff, and 13 community health or social workers); more than 90% of the participants reported that the training achieved its learning objectives. Small-group presentations were preferred (91%); approximately 39% of participants requested an online format. Participants preferred that the presenters be either a public health or lead clinical expert, and they suggested that future activities include clinical vignettes. Academic-detailing style training shows promise in promoting childhood lead poisoning prevention for frontline HCPs.

Peran Pemerintah Kota Medan dalam Menjamin Kesejahteraan Penyandang Disabilitas

The purpose of this research article is to find out the role of the Medan City government in ensuring the welfare of persons with disabilities, the efforts that have been realized by the Medan City government in ensuring the welfare of persons with disabilities and the obstacles found by the Medan City government in ensuring the welfare of persons with disabilities. In Indonesia, all access and empowerment for persons with disabilities are still not effective. This is evident from the lack of provision of public facilities for persons with disabilities, schools or non-formal education for persons with disabilities, empowerment from the government or other agencies as well as periodic social assistance. This research uses a qualitative descriptive research type. Data collection techniques were carried out using observation, interviews and literature studies. The results of this study explain that the role of the Medan City Government through the Social Service in the welfare of persons with disabilities consists of four aspects, namely: the aspect of the facilitator by purchasing and providing assistive facilities and distributing them to persons with disabilities who have been recorded every month. The regulatory aspect of the efforts being made is implementing all the rules and policies based on the Ministry of Social Affairs Regulation Number 2 of 2021 concerning persons with disabilities. From the point of view of the caalitator inviting social problem institutions such as PSM (Community Social Worker), PKSK (District Social Welfare Worker) and TKSPD (Social Welfare Workers for Persons with Disabilities) and the obstacle encountered is the limited budget funds to buy auxiliary equipment facilities, only 75 units each months, there is a quota (limit) for receiving direct cash assistance and there is no Regional Regulation or Medan City Mayor Regulation regarding persons with disabilities

"No matter what, I will not give up": Community practice on the front lines of COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has required frontline health care workers to cope with an unexpected and almost unprecedented emergency situation. Community social workers had played a crucial role during the pandemic, working to alleviate its adverse effects on marginalized communities. The present study investigated community social workers' experiences and hardships in coping with the "age of COVID-19." Drawing on in-depth interviews with 30 frontline community social workers in Israel, the findings highlighted three main themes: (a) the hope for recognition and the reality of underutilization; (b) the impact of the dysfunctional state on community social workers; and (c) realizing the core values and activities of community social work practice during the pandemic. Findings pointed to community social workers' professionalism and integrity despite the hardships they endured at the local and national levels. Committing on an altruistic level seemed to be an adaptive coping style, alongside facing "the politics of pandemics." Implications for community practice are outlined. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Project-based Teaching Reform and Exploration of "Community Social Work"

Project-based teaching mode has been widely used in many disciplines in the teaching field. "Community social work" as a highly practical subject, but in the teaching process of many colleges and universities, there is a state of separation between theory and practice. In order to enhance college students' cognition of social problems and improve their ability to integrate theory with practice and serve the community, this paper explores the project-based teaching reform in the teaching process of Community Social Work. This paper puts forward a holistic and systematic teaching process of "community concept teaching-community visit-community work mode teaching-community problem demand analysis-community work method and skill teaching-community service plan formulation and implementation-community work process summary". It is believed that through the project-based teaching reform, the potential of teachers and students can be fully explored, and the "teaching" of teachers and the "learning" of students can be truly realized, both relying on the reality of the community.

The Use of Appreciative Inquiries In Rural Communities

Counties in East Texas experience elevated levels of poverty and underemployment, and limited access to important services. However, in these rural areas in Texas, Unites States, social capital and relationships are considered some of the most important strengths. The connection between people, ongoing support for each other, and the need to bring about change in their communities, lead people to use their own power to create sustainable change. When addressing specific needs such as rural access to services, substance use, mental health care, and supporting families with infants and children, it is important to build on the social capital of the communities. How do we connect people to engage and intervene in a sustainable way? In rural communities, coalitions have emerged for many years as an innovative way to address needs. Coalitions bring people with the same purpose together. To establish coalitions, community social workers use appreciative inquiries to strengthen the social capital and develop important sustainable and focused connections between people.The article focuses on the usability of the appreciative inquiry approach in rural communities and details three case studies of effective rural coalition development. In all three case studies the purpose was to (1) identify the needs, challenges and strengths as described by people with lived experiences and diverse stakeholders, (2) identify specific priorities and (3) develop and sustain a coalition to address the priorities in a sustainable way. As with any appreciative inquiry, the data collection takes place at the same time as reflection and development of action. A descriptive process to discover, dream, design, and deliver to establish coalitions (destiny) is introduced. At the center of this process are the people with lived experiences who participate in the discovery process, serve on the coalitions, and they are the key to the development of the coalitions.

EFEITO DO EXERCÍCIO AERÓBICO NOS ÍNDICES DE FUNÇÃO FÍSICA DOS IDOSOS

ABSTRACT Introduction China is currently experiencing the problem of population aging, and the health status of the elderly has become a major focus of social attention. Objective Study the effect of aerobic exercise on the indices of physical function in the elderly. Methods 40 elderly people performed aerobic exercise 5 times a week for 8 weeks. Each exercise lasted 60 minutes, including 10 minutes of warm-up, 40 minutes of aerobic exercise (running, brisk walking, square dancing, among other activities), and 10 minutes of final cool-down. Data measurement included body indices, cardiopulmonary function, blood markers, and exercise capacity. Results Aerobic exercise can effectively improve the body shape, cardiopulmonary function, and blood lipid content of the elderly, and improve their flexibility and physical quality, enhancing their activities of daily living. Conclusion The results of this study show that aerobic exercise can effectively improve the body performance of the elderly in activities of daily living, effectively optimizing cardiopulmonary and lipid indexes. Engaging the elderly to participate in aerobic exercise should be considered by community social workers. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

Social group work and its training within the academic course on methods of social work. Theory, praxis, challenges

Social work with a group, as one of three classic methods of social work, is being taught in the course of academic studies in the “Social work” BA programme. In comparison to the other two social work methods (social work with an individual case and community social work), the social group method seems to be least recognized in training and praxis of social work in Poland. The aim of the article is to systemize and to deepen the knowledge on the social work with a group. The first part of the text is dedicated to the review of chosen theoretical and methodological foundations of social work with a group. I refer to “the power of group” and the significance of the group process; I present a small group as a resource and as a tool of social work; I point to the diversity of groups used in the context of social work, and provide a catalogue of personal features, knowledge, skills and tasks of a professional social group worker. The second part of the article is based on my experience as a teacher of methods of social work at the Faculty of Economics and Sociology of the University of Łódź, Poland. I describe training in social work with a group as a shared group experience. In the end I reflect on the influence of Covid-19 pandemic on changes in teaching group work and the group work itself in the light of “work online”.

DIGITAL STORYTELLING AND INTERGENERATIONAL COLLABORATIONS: OLDER ADULTS AND COLLEGE STUDENTS

Abstract The use of digital storytelling can be a helpful tool within community work, health and social work research and policy. Digital storytelling refers to life-story telling that can be done in a variety of ways and used to encourage social change and transformation. This presentation will include experience on how this method was used in a study and an intergenerational project between older adults and university graduate and undergraduate students. This group of older adults specifically shared their experiences with equine interactions and activities, while the university students worked with the older adults to create a digital story. For this study and project, recruitment included students enrolled in different disciplines. Discussion on digital storytelling’s connection to the narrative method and critical gerontology framework will be noted. Challenges and barriers, including Institutional Review Board and ethical considerations while preparing for this method will also be discussed.

SUCCESSFUL TRANSITIONS TO LONG-TERM CARE COMMUNITIES

Abstract Older adults who transition to independent and assisted-living communities perceive their transition experience differently. This research focused on understanding what factors were predominant for a successful transition from a long-time home to a dependent living community. A constructivist grounded theory method was used to explore the experiences of 18 older adults who had relocated within the past year. The participants of this study were aged 65-95 years and are equally represented by gender. Equal numbers of respondents transitioned into independent and assisted-living accommodations. Five factors related to a central concept of behavioral attitude were found to be key for a successful transition. When an older adult reported a successful transition, their behavioral attitude was positive about their new living environment. The five factors that contributed to their positive attitude are creating a new place, increased community integration, sense of safety and security, independence while dependent, and accepting a new life stage. The theory that emerged from the research emphasizes that when an older adult has increased awareness about the five factors associated with adapting to a dependent living community, this awareness will promote a positive behavioral attitude and increase the opportunity for success during and after a transition. Family members, LTC community administrators and social workers could all benefit from understanding these factors for a successful transition. Enhancing a positive experience for an older adult and improving their behavioral attitude toward the new transition.

Community practice as street-level bureaucracy: community views and discretionary patterns

ABSTRACT Social work research has increasingly focused on the role of social work in shaping policies on behalf of disadvantaged individuals, families, and communities. However, scarce research has examined the contribution of social work community practitioners to policy development and practice. This qualitative study addresses this gap in the literature, exploring public community practitioners’ discretion patterns within Israeli Jewish-Arab mixed cities. Based on street-level bureaucracy perspective theory, the findings reveal that ambiguous formal policy allows participants an extensive discretionary space to initiate policies, informed by three perceptions of the urban community: as a shared space of cultural encounters; as a challenged site of structural unequal power relations; and as a contested arena of ethnic clashes. Consequently, three main patterns of discretion were identified: promoting cultural competence, addressing inequalities through service development for excluded populations, and mitigating ethnic conflicts by developing opportunities for dialogue. The study offers a conceptualisation to understand public community practitioners’ use of discretion and discusses their ability to critically address political issues in contested community settings.

Community social work in Hong Kong during COVID-19: Intervention strategies to address social injustices.

In Hong Kong, professional social workers made their presence felt when they delivered a variety of services at the height of the pandemic. Social workers who were working in community development projects or who had adopted community work approaches have become the major service providers when the availability and accessibility of other types of social services have been seriously impeded. This article reports on a qualitative research study conducted to examine (1) how community social workers have planned and implemented services, (2) their use of information and communication technologies (ICTs), and (3) ideas for addressing injustices in disaster management work.

Descriptive Quantitative Analysis of Support Calls to the #delamcomuzu Project and its Implications for Three Concepts of Community Social Work

Community social work is an approach that has been present in social work since its inception as a distinct field. The Covid-19 pandemic and its effects have once again shown its importance. The study aims to draw possible implications for community-based social work from the realised descriptive analysis of the data, which were obtained during contacts with the clients of the #delamcomuzu project. As part of the descriptive analysis, proportional representation, confidence intervals and, in justified cases, also correlation coefficients were used. The conclusions of the analysis of the data itself are in line with the findings of foreign research. The difficulties addressed tend to vary over time as well as between age groups. From a gender point of view, the smaller representation of men and the gendered nature of the topics of work and relationships in the family appear to be significant. The data can be used both to prepare for eventual conflict moments caused by possible further interventions of the state in the lives of citizens and also for the present time in favour of various methods of community social work.

“Who Were You?”

While Girlhood Studies is an emerging field of academic study, knowledge about how to work with girls in the community has long been evolving. As community social workers doing critical, gender-transformative work with girls, we trained adult women volunteers in gender-specific girls’ programs. Pedagogically rooted in popular education, our training approach, in drawing on volunteers’ own memories of girlhood, evoked a diversity of stories, lived experiences, and understandings of how their lives were affected by systemic forces. In this article, we illustrate how explicating the temporality of girlhood with women can facilitate the interrogation of their own internalized sexism and adultism, and how building intergenerational empathy serves as a tool for reshaping adult women’s ability to work collaboratively with and build relationships with girls.

Field Note—The Practicum Learning Portal: Building Resilience in Social Work Field Education During and Post-COVID-19

ABSTRACT During COVID-19, sudden field placement cancellations impelled schools of social work to find immediate means to support students in the completion of practicums remotely, whilst accreditation standards had yet to be re-articulated and permitted adaptations were unclear. Early “panic-gogy” moved to strategic development of new field pedagogies that build institutional resilience during times of crisis. The social work practicum learning portal (PLP) is one such pedagogy. Designed by Canadian field education faculty and created by community social workers, this series of online modules engages students in experiential learning by simulating the ways students learn in practice. During periods of disruption, the PLP expands access to field placement hours using digital technology and helps equip students for remote practice.

One Piece at a Time: Building Community and a Mosaic Mural

This phenomenological study explored the experiences of community members who worked with a social work community practice class to create a participatory mosaic mural in an ethnically diverse and rapidly gentrifying area of a small city in New England. Community members in this project included people working in the community at agencies and schools, artists with studios in the neighborhood, residents, and business owners. Seven community members participated in the study and completed hour-long semi-structured interviews. Analysis revealed three primary themes: (1) artist and community match, (2) what it takes to make it happen, and (3) mural legacy. This paper contributes to literature investigating the value of participatory art projects as a strategy to build collaboration and connectedness utilizing critical service learning and creative placemaking approaches.