Generalist Social Work Practice Research Articles

Teaching Intersectionality to Enhance MSW Students’ Understanding of Oppression and Privilege

ABSTRACT Despite the growing importance of teaching about diversity and its connection to intersectionality, privilege, and oppression in social work education, few studies have examined whether teaching interventions could enhance students’ knowledge of oppression. Thus, this study assessed the extent to which students assimilated content related to intersectionality, privilege, and oppression after an enhanced teaching intervention. Using a one-group pretest/posttest research design, this study measured the effect of an enhanced lecture and modified assignments on knowledge of intersectionality, privilege, and oppression among 30 MSW students enrolled in a generalist social work practice course at a public university in the Southwestern United States. Using the Diversity and Oppression Scale (DOS) and open-ended questions, non-parametric test results revealed a moderate-to-strong effect of the intervention indicating increased knowledge of diversity and oppression (Z = 3.30, p < .001, r = .43). Additionally, results from open-ended questions corroborated quantitative findings, as several students indicated that TED talks and interactive exercises were helpful learning modalities. Despite the limited sample size, findings from this study suggest that combined teaching interventions including pre-lecture activities, interactive lectures, and modified assignments may improve knowledge of diversity and oppression though additional research is needed to replicate these findings.

How Graduating BSW Students Manage Uncertainty in an Objective Structured Clinical Examination

ABSTRACT Professional uncertainty is a feature of generalist social work practice, particularly for students completing their social work education or those new to the profession. This study saw graduating Bachelor of Social Work students (N = 34) engage in a 15-minute interview with a Standardized Client (SC) in an Objective Structured Clinical Examination on a case vignette with the mother of a transgender person. Following the interview, participants responded to structured reflection questions. Responses revealed that almost half (n = 16) the sample disclosed feelings of uncertainty and lack of knowledge regarding the clinical issue. Thematic analysis of the responses revealed the following themes: 1. Manifestations of Uncertainty; 2. Strategies to Manage Uncertainty; and 3. Navigating Uncertainty in Future Practice. This paper offers suggestions for social work educators to address students’ feelings of uncertainty and lack of knowledge in generalist social work practice.

Education of Generalist Social Work and Fieldwork Practice: Review of Contemporary Structures in Pakistan

Education of Generalist Social Work and Fieldwork Practice: Review of Contemporary Structures in Pakistan

برنامج تدریبی مقترح من منظور الممارسة العامة فی الخدمة الاجتماعیة لتنمیة وعی الأمهات بأسالیب التربیة الجنسیة لأطفال متلازمة دوان

الملخص باللغة العربية هدفت الدراسة الحالية إلى التوصل إلى برنامج تدريبى متقرح من منظور الممارسة العامة في الخدمة الاجتماعية لتنمية وعى أمهات أطفال متلازمة داون بأساليب التربية الجنسية السوية. وکان التساؤل الرئيسى للدراسة : ما البرنامج التدريبى المقترح من منظور الممارسة العامة في الخدمة الاجتماعية لتنمية وعى أمهات أطفال داون بأساليب التربية الجنسية السوية؟ ومن أهم نتائج الدراسة تقديم برنامج تدريبى مقترح لتنمية وعى أمهات أطفال متلازمة داون بالتربية الجنسية السوية. الکلمات المفتاحية : الوعى، متلازمة داون، التربية الجنسية. A suggested program from the perspective of the generalist practice of Social Work to develop Mother's awareness of Sexual Education for Down's Syndrome children Abstract The current study aimed to reaching suggested training program from the perspective of the generalist social work practice to develop mother's awareness of Down's syndrome children about sexual education. And the study's questions were identified in a main question: what are the suggested program from the generalist social work practice to develop the mothers awareness of Down's syndrome children about sexual education? The study presented a training program to raise mother's awareness of Down's children about sexual education. Key words : Awareness, Down's syndrome, Sex education

Examining Metacompetence in Graduating BSW Students

This article examines graduating students' conceptualizations of their generalist social work practice and their views for future skill development. Twenty 4th-year BSW students underwent an objective structured clinical examination that involved interviewing a simulated client and then responding to reflection questions. Reflections were analyzed using thematic analysis. Four patterns surfaced: foundational versus theoretical knowledge, deepening perspectives of diversity, managing client emotional intensity, and openness to learning. Implications for social work education include greater emphasis on teaching advanced social work practice concepts, more attention to complex and nuanced forms of diversity and assisting students with affect regulation for themselves and the client.

Dealing Skills with Field Training Students‘Reactions According to the Generalist Practice Perspective An Applied Study upon Academic Supervisors at the Faculty of Social Work – Helwan University

This study was designed to identify the skills that the academic supervisors must have in dealing with the reactions of the students in field training according to the generalist social work practice. All the academic supervisors at the Faculty of Social Work , Helwan University in Egypt were selected as a research population and the research instrument was applied upon them. There numbers were 87 . The current research results indicated that the dealing skills are important . Also , other skills such as listening , speaking and persuading skills are important to the supervisors when dealing with reactions of field training students. Also the results indicated that there were some problems related to the interaction between supervisors and students in regard with some demographic variables of students and supervisors.

Innovations in Governance: Application to Social Work

This article provides a conceptual framework of utility to social work clinicians, administrators, and resource brokers to increase knowledge of the current paradigms driving the environment in which social workers practice. The historical government paradigm is compared and contrasted with the developing innovative governance paradigm. Elements of each are reviewed and applied to current practice. The core values and skills of generalist social work practice are then highlighted and compared to each dimension of the dueling paradigms. Finally, this article demonstrates that social work is inherently aligned with the ‘emerging’ and innovative governance paradigm, under which social work practitioners have been unknowingly, yet successfully operating within for decades.

Child adoption and war: ‘Living disappeared’ children and the social worker’s post-conflict role in El Salvador and Argentina

The illegal removal of children from biological family life during conflict has a longstanding history. Briefly overviewed are the Vietnam Babylift and a more recent child abduction attempt in Chad. Then, turning to the history of child abduction and adoption history in Latin America, the conflicts of El Salvador and Argentina are presented and ‘living disappeared’ children – those who disappear into adoption networks during war – are discussed. The post-conflict social realities in both nations are explored. The role of the social worker and specific practices are identified and discussed in context of generalist social work practice.

The rights of the child enabling community development to contribute to a valid social work practice with children at risk

This paper presents a way of thinking about and doing child protection work using community development (CD) principles to guide practice. It suggests that a useful addition to CD can be found within the rights of the child provisions in Human Rights conventions. Using examples from the authors' three countries to illustrate the work that practitioners do in their work with children at risk, we argue that social work practice can be enhanced by the inclusion of these principles and practices which are essentially core generic social work practice. However, much of social work with the protection of children is bound by ‘risk’ perceptions which result in investigatory approaches being used as a first action, often to the exclusion of preventive approaches. This article demonstrates that in very different situations from different environments, CD in concert with the principles of the rights of the child can assist good outcomes with children at risk. A model is presented for unifying the worldview of human/children's rights with social work's core concern, the protection of children, using generic social work skills.

Increasingly Strange Bedfellows? An Examination of the Inclusion of Disability Issues in University- and Agency-based Social Work Education in a Welsh Context

Previous research has indicated relative reluctance among student social workers to plan future careers working with people with physical impairments. This continuing longitudinal study followed one cohort of undergraduate social work students from induction, to investigate and contribute to the development of effective curriculum strategies in preparing students for contemporary generic social work practice in relation to disability issues. A mixed methodology approach utilising questionnaires and focus groups was used to track the development of social work student perceptions of their preparedness for working with disabled people at different points in their education. Preliminary results revealed that while personal experience is a strong determinant of future interest in working within a particular service area, the use of case studies designed and delivered in conjunction with service users, carers and current practitioners appeared to be a particularly positive method of encouraging students to reflect upon real-life challenges within a safe environment. Results also suggest that interweaving features of a curriculum infusion model with a distinct module approach may moderate the gap that is perceived by students as remaining stubbornly prevalent between university- and agency-based learning.

The Family-in-Environment: A New Perspective on Generalist Social Work Practice

The Family-in-Environment: A New Perspective on Generalist Social Work Practice

Recognizing the Importance of Aging Skills and Knowledge in Generalist Social Work Practice: Effective Strategies for MSW Students

This article examines the impact of a curricular infusion strategy aimed at integrating gerontological practice issues into social work education. Findings (N = 83) illustrate that student interest, knowledge, and skills in aging practice increased immediately following implementation of a three-tiered infusion approach; however, ongoing exposure to gerontology in and out of the classroom appears necessary to sustain students' interest in working with older adults over time. Although the majority of students endorsed aging issues as important to social work in general, many did not understand its relevance to their own careers. Next steps are outlined to enable students to make this important connection.

The Essential Power of Group Work

SUMMARY For almost two decades, leaders in the field of social group work have been warning that the foundational principles and practice of group work as a modality are in danger of being absorbed into generalist social work practice. This paper expands upon the appeal of leaders in the social group work field to generate an environment in which group work is recognized as an integral method in social work practice and education. This paper examines group work as a powerful methodology in social work practice with a specific theoretical framework and skill base that is fundamental to the social work profession. The characteristics of group work's strengths are explored with a comprehensive overview that inspires renewed commitment to preserving, practicing and promoting social group work as a viable and integral part of social work practice.

Feature Review: Decision Cases for Generalist Social Work Practice: Thinking Like a Social Worker

Feature Review: Decision Cases for Generalist Social Work Practice: Thinking Like a Social Worker

Heideggerian existentialism and social work practice with death and survivor bereavement

Heideggerian existentialism has not been applied on a widespread basis to the Generalist Social Work Practice Model. This paper explores the relationship between social work practice with bereavement issues and Heideggerian existentialism. Applications of Heideggerian existentialism in the social work profession with clients and families experiencing bereavement are examined. Conceptual applications also address future utilization of Heideggerian existentialism.

Integrating Behavioral Health Services within a Primary Care Center in a Rural Setting

The Rural Care Program is a pilot program that has been developed to integrate generalist social work practice into a primary care center. The premise of the program is to provide a holistic model of health care, with licensed masters-level social workers providing behavioral health therapeutic interventions in addition to case management, community development, and information and referral. This article describes the development and implementation process of the program, emphasizing the effectiveness of rural generalist practice in enhancing service delivery in the rural environment. This program is the result of a successful collaborative effort among the masters in social work program at California University of Pennsylvania, the Primary Care Center of Mt. Morris, the Pennsylvania State University School of Nursing, and the Staunton Farm Foundation, a family foundation providing support for nonprofits addressing the behavioral health needs within a 10 county region of southwestern Pennsylvania.

The Working Definition of Social Work Practice: Does it Work?

This article explores the impact of the working definition of social work practice first articulated almost one half century ago. Its influence on both beginning and advanced levels of practice is considered. This consideration is examined in the contexts of social work education and professional identity. The authors conclude that the working definition has assisted in the development of clear and consistent theory underpinning generalist social work practice. On the other hand, the authors conclude that it has weakened social work's professional identity, thus reducing social work practice effectiveness in the Canadian environment.

Incorporating Principles of Solution-Focused Intervention into the Generalist Practice Curriculum

Brief, solution-focused intervention embodies some of the more important and distinguishing assumptions of social work practice, most notably the strengths and resilience orientations. This practice model provides a much-needed link between the abstract arena of the classroom and contemporary social work practice. In this article, the author presents the key assumptions of this model. Through the use of a case example, the author also discusses how this model may be incorporated into the generalist social work practice curriculum.

Grade-Induced Beliefs About Undergraduate Generalist Social Work Practice Competency

Standardized criterion-referenced achievement testing of undergraduate generalist social work knowledge based on correct answers to specific questions is compared to several norm-referenced measures of student learning, including student self-reports and the instructor-imposed cumulative grade point average (GPA). Two hypotheses are tested, namely, (a) norm-referenced measures systematically overstate content knowledge, and (b) student perception or belief about the ascribed meaning of the GPA inflates self-rated attainments. The implications of additional confirming evidence for the hypotheses are explored with a view to limiting the number of social workers with undergraduate degrees who are permitted to enter the field each year overconfident about their knowledge and practice capabilities.

Teaching Generalist Social Work Practice: Students' Perceptions of the Importance of the Instructor's Practice Experience

BSW and first-year MSW students from one school of social work were surveyed to determine the influence that the perception of the practice instructor's professional experience had on that individual's teaching effectiveness. Results indicate that practice experience, particularly current experience, did enhance students' evaluations of their instructor's teaching effectiveness. The perception of the instructor's practice experience also was linked to several other attributes that enhanced teaching effectiveness, most notably serving as a role model to students and engaging in classroom behaviors that helped students apply their classroom learning. The results underscore the importance of instructors being knowledgeable about the field curriculum and suggest the need for caution when interpreting findings related to teaching effectiveness in social work education.