Implications For Social Work Intervention Research Articles

Economic Empowerment for Enhanced Health Equity: A Qualitative Study of Women Living with HIV in Wakiso District, Uganda

Women living with HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa struggle for health equity while also facing the constraints of economic hardship and patriarchy. In this article, we describe the experiences of women who participated in economic empowerment groups for women living with HIV in Wakiso district, Uganda. Fifty women engaged in economic empowerment groups and ten social worker and community health worker key informants enrolled in the study. Taking a phenomenological approach, we used field notes, qualitative interviews, and focus groups with participants and key informants to describe the experiences of the women who joined the groups. We present the findings including enhanced management of HIV and increased property and business ownership due to economic empowerment group participation. We discuss the findings through an economic empowerment framework and offer implications for social work interventions and research.

LGBTQ+ youth experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic as observed through gender-sexuality alliances

Many of the factors that put LGBTQ+ youth at risk for poor mental health outcomes before the COVID-19 pandemic were exacerbated by the period of home confinement during the pandemic. The following exploratory study investigated the experiences of LGBTQ+ youth during the pandemic as perceived by Gender-Sexuality Alliance (GSA) advisors. In October-November 2021, recruitment began for a qualitative survey shared via a closed Facebook group for GSA advisors in a Midwestern state, in addition to an email sent by a nonprofit supporting GSAs in that state. Advisors were asked to complete the survey in reference to their experience facilitating these school clubs from March 2020-March 2021, a period during the pandemic that saw the highest number of restrictions around home confinement along with schools moving to a virtual format. Findings included themes reflecting impacts of the level of caregiver acceptance on access to support, youth engaging in support-seeking behaviors, and enhancements and challenges of virtual meetings. Implications for social work intervention are shared, focusing on supporting caregivers on a path toward acceptance of their child and advocating for policies that transform the culture and the conversation from whether LGBTQ+ youth can exist as themselves in some spaces, to fully embracing their identity as valued members of society.

Lived experience of young people with epilepsy in Bahir Dar city government hospitals, Ethiopia, a qualitative interview study.

Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder, which is characterized by persistent derangement of the nervous system due to an abrupt excessive discharge of the group of neurons from the cerebrum. For developing young people with epilepsy coping with the challenges of living with epilepsy and adjusting normative tasks associated with adolescence is stressful in all domains of the lives of young people with epilepsy. But in Ethiopia, published literature regarding the lived experience of young people with epilepsy is lacking. This study aims to explore lived experience of young people with epilepsy. A qualitative interview study was conducted in Bahir Dar city government specialized and referral Hospitals, from February to April, 2021. Using the rule of saturation, a total of 11 study participants (age 12-24) were selected using hetrogenious types of purposive sampling technique. The data were collected through semi structured interviews technique with the aid of audio recorder. Semi-structured interview guide and observation checklist for care context in health facilities were used. The collected data was transcribed word by word and translated conceptually. The Data were analyzed using thematic approach. The credibility, dependability, Conformability and transferability of the study were assured using different techniques such as peer debriefing, member checking; audit Trail, thick description and purposeful sampling. Atlas- ti version7 software was used to facilitate data analysis. The participants' narratives revealed two main themes: 'experiences due epilepsy' and 'coping strategies to wards epilepsy'. Experience due to epilepsy' was described by young people with epilepsy in terms of psychosocial, physical, economical and health care related experiences. They described coping strategies towards epilepsy in terms of finding support from family and society as well as religious institutions and other traditions as copping strategy. Even though young people with epilepsy had suffered a lot of hurtful experiences, they reported coping strategies towards epilepsy that include support from various sources. These types of findings have implications for social work interventions for young people living with epilepsy.

Kawaida Theory and the Nguzo Saba: African-centered Caregiving for the Elders

There is limited research on culturally sensitive interventions to support African American caregivers of elderly relatives. This qualitative research study explores caregiving among twenty African American professional and managerial women baby boomers caring for older parents. Study findings generate a culturally relevant, African-centered caregiving perspective to add to the literature on caregiving. Study results support the application of Nguzo Saba principles – Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith) to African American caregiving practices. The knowledge generated from this study has implications for social work interventions with individuals, groups, and communities to support African American caregivers.

Stress and coping among university students in Sierra Leone: Implications for social work practice to promote development through higher education

This participatory action study involved interviews with 80 Sierra Leonean university students. Participants reported stress caused by personal challenges (financial, access to transportation, peer pressure, lack of emotional support), university resources (lack of accommodation, water, toilets, learning materials, technology), and issues with instructors (sexual harassment, bribery). Also, the students described their coping strategies, including ‘staying quiet’, seeking external support, turning toward God, engaging in recreation, and ‘encouraging myself’. Implications for social work interventions on the micro level, organizational level, and policy level are discussed in order to take a holistic, systems approach to promoting quality tertiary education in developing countries.

Kidnapping and Hostage-Taking in Niger Delta Region of Nigeria: Implication for Social Work Intervention with Victims

Kidnapping and Hostage-Taking in Niger Delta Region of Nigeria: Implication for Social Work Intervention with Victims

Social work practice with West Indian migrant fathers

ABSTRACTSocial workers lack research and practice knowledge related to the challenges faced by West Indian men who migrate to the United States. This article is based on a qualitative study with 76 West Indian immigrant men and women who discuss father involvement. Findings from questionnaires and in-depth interviews indicate contextual factors that impact men’s involvement with their children, including relationship status and conflict, household structure, divergent approaches to parenting, and men’s employment and enrolment in school. The authors discuss implications for social work intervention in order to address interpersonal and environmental issues that hamper optimal father involvement for these migrant men.

Awareness and Attitude of Family Planning among Rural Women of Nsukka Local Government Area: Implications for Social Work Intervention

Nigeria’s population increase has become a great concern to demographers, economic planners and even the government agents as a result of people’s apathy in family planning. Many of the rural population are not knowledgeable about the benefits of family planning and as such, they feel that the programs are not for them, and therefore, do not participate. Against this backdrop of the above situation, the study examined the awareness and attitude of family planning among rural women of Nsukka Local Government Area. Data were gathered from 240 respondents who were randomly selected from Nsukka rural communities. Results showed that younger women (55.2%) were more knowledgeable about family planning than the older women (44.8%). It was also found that religion played an active role in the adoption of family planning practices in Nsukka area of Enugu State. In view of this, it is strongly recommended that education should be employed to improve people’s knowledge on sexuality and to curtail the ugly trends in family planning practices in Nigeria. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n27p1404

Contemporary Health-Related Decision Aids: Tools for Social Work Practice

The escalating complexity in health-related decisions that people face have important implications for social work interventions. This article explores the nature of these implications within the context of decisional conflict, shared decision making, and the use of decision aids. In addition, the authors present the findings of a content analysis of 29 contemporary health-related decision aids. Emergent categories from this analysis are presented as a resource for social workers as they encounter, adapt, and create decision aids in their work to help address the health-related needs of their clients.

Rural Development Initiatives and the Activities of NonGovernmental Organisations (Ngos): Implication for Social Work Intervention

The paper addresses the issues of rural development initiatives and the activities of non-government organizations in the promotion and development of individuals and groups in the society today. The effectiveness of the role performance of NGOs measured against their ability to engender the preconditions to the attainment of rural development objectives. NGOs are yet to wholly generate these success ingredients. This failure is due to the paradox of performance at different levels in society. The dynamics of operations of NGOs produce some latent inhibiting consequences which constrain the attainment of anticipated grassroots development. Thus, this paper identifies some of these shortcomings and concludes that concerted global research efforts are needed to understand better these nascent but elusive problems and to offer management strategies. The paper further shows that despite the existence of NGOs across the nation, their activities show their desire to propagate and run their agenda of creating wealth for their organization. It is recommended that most social workers and social development experts should be involved in rendering professional services through NGO activities in order to enhance development in society.

Examination of Treatment Episodes Among Women and Racial and Ethnic Minorities in Addiction Treatment

Women and racial and ethnic minorities face significant challenges to successfully completing substance abuse treatment. There is limited knowledge about factors that affect women and minorities' treatment careers over several treatment episodes. Survival Cox regression was used to model time and episodes to treatment completion. Using multiyear (2006–2009) data, the sample consisted of 52,799 clients from 276 treatment programs in Los Angeles County, California. Findings supported the role of homelessness and mental health status and their association with more episodes to complete treatment. Results also showed that the rate of completion was 41% lower among African Americans and 17% lower among Latinos compared to Whites. With each additional treatment episode, the rate of treatment completion increased by 73% for all groups. Compared to minorities, Whites and men were more likely to complete treatment throughout their treatment career trajectories. Implications for social work interventions to enhance treatment adherence and reduce disparities are discussed.

Factors Leading African Americans and Black Caribbeans to Use Social Work Services for Treating Mental and Substance Use Disorders

This secondary analysis of 5,000 African Americans and black Caribbeans explored how their use of social work services to address mental and substance use disorders was associated with the disorder involved as well as their perceived need for services, belief system, family resources, proximity to services, social-structural factors, and demographic characteristics. The sample was extracted from a national data set. Results of multinomial logistic regression showed that use of social work services was increased by dual diagnosis, substance use disorder alone, and mental disorder alone; by deteriorating mental health; by perceived stigma in treatment use; by welfare receipt and insurance coverage for mental health services; and by college graduation. Results also showed that use of services outside social work was promoted by dual diagnosis, substance use disorder alone, and mental disorder alone; by deteriorating mental health; by experience of racial discrimination; by insurance coverage for mental health services; by college education or graduation; and by female gender and increasing age. The findings' implications for social work intervention and education are discussed.

Measuring alcohol craving in Saudi Arabia with possible implications for social work intervention

It is only in recent times that there has been recognition of alcohol abuse in Saudi Arabia, and social, psychological and health implications are now acknowledged. This study measured craving among Saudi alcoholics and compared it with the levels of alcohol they consumed. The study used an instrument for measuring craving (Alcohol Craving Questionnaire) after identifying the subjects by means of a demographical questionnaire and testing their level of alcohol use by means of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. The study concludes that all Saudi alcoholics experience levels of craving. The overall results of both scales indicate that all patients can be considered to be alcoholics and that they experience various levels of craving for alcohol.

여성결혼이민자의 문화적응스트레스가 정신건강에 미치는 영향에 관한 연구

본 연구는 여성결혼이민자들의 정신건강수준과 함께 그들의 정신건강에 중요한 영향을 미치는 문화적응스트레스요인을 살펴보고자 하는 목적으로 이루어졌다. 본 연구의 연구대상자는 부산광역시 지역에 거주하는 239명의 여성결혼이민자들이며, 연구대상자들의 일반적 특성을 알아보기 위해서는 빈도 및 백분율을 그리고 문화 적응스트레스가 정신건강에 미치는 영향력을 알아보기 위해서는 단계별 회귀분석을 실시하였다. 연구결과 여성결혼이민자들의 17.6%가 정신건강상 문제가 있는 집단으로 분류되었다. 단계별 투입에 의한 중다회귀분석 결과, 문화적응 스트레스 요인들 가운데 '문화적 충격', '두려움', 그리고 '죄책감'이 정신건강에 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. 이러한 결과에 근거하여 여성결혼이민자들의 정신건강을 향상시키기 위한 실천적 함의를 논의하였다. The purpose of this study is to examine the mental health of married immigrant women and the effect of cultural adaptation stress of married immigrant women on mental health. The subjects were 239 married immigrant women who live in Pusan city. Collected date were analyzed through frequency, percentage, and stepwise multiple regression analysis. The results are as follows. The 17.6% of the sample had the problem of mental health. The result of stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that factors which predict the level of married immigrant women's mental health were cultural shock, fear, and guilty feeling. The findings give us significant practical implications for social work intervention.

Towards a Research Agenda for Social Work Practice in Virtual Worlds

Due to the unique applications of virtual reality in many modern contexts, Second Life (SL) offers inimitable opportunities for research and exploration. A review of current research regarding SL has examined the influence of real world social influences in online interactions and what the effects on users may be. This suggests the importance of developing an understanding of the relationship between users’ real life and their Second Life, and how the two are related. Some research has begun to reveal the effectiveness of telecommunication and computer simulation with certain clients in the fields of mental health and social work, yet there is a lack of sufficient research done within the context of virtual worlds. The implications for social work intervention in virtual reality could solve persistent concerns with transportation, distance, access to services and education, however questions about the relevance of social work practice in SL and the potential for implementation must be answered.

Spirituality vis-à-vis Muslim Filipino families: Implications for social work intervention

• Summary: Although social work literature acknowledges spirituality, Islamic spirituality has been neglected as a practice resource. • Findings: Among the various Muslim populations, Islamic spirituality was found to be fundamental. The psychological well-being of Filipino Muslims is thus contingent upon access to said spirituality. It is not compulsory that social workers endorse client belief systems, but they should acknowledge such systems as critical to the client’s frame of reference as in the case of Juvy. • Applications: Toward the end of her first semester at a Christian college, Juvy became increasingly overwhelmed with stress. The Islamic support system applied by the social worker resulted in a therapeutic experience which significantly reduced the client’s level of stress. Thus, it is essential for social workers to become informed about Islamic spirituality vis-à-vis Filipinos and other Muslim clientele.

Youths of Mexican Descent of the Southwest: Exploring Differences in Ethnic Labels.

Knowledge of the factors that influence youths' choice of racial or ethnic labels will help us understand intragroup diversity, suggest ways in which school social workers can support youth's ethnic identity development, and learn if youth who choose different combinations of labels may be grouped together for research purposes. This study of 2,857 Mexican-origin youth in the U.S. Southwest found that linguistic acculturation, socioeconomic status, and educational aspirations are related to choice of ethnic labels. Implications for social work interventions in schools and for future research are offered.

Psychiatric Rehospitalization of Children and Adolescents: Implications for Social Work Intervention

This study explored factors associated with the psychiatric rehospitalization of children and adolescents. A retrospective archival review was conducted on 403 children and adolescents admitted into an inpatient psychiatric hospital. Results indicated that 16% were readmitted in the same year. Children and adolescents who had a prior history of psychiatric rehospitalization, lived in a residential treatment facility, and had a diagnosis of oppositional/defiant or conduct disorder were more likely to be rehospitalized. Psychosocial factors must be considered in predicting and preventing psychiatric rehospitalization. Clinical social workers should include therapeutic foster care as an option for aftercare placements of youth exhibiting externalizing behaviors and/or with a history of multiple restrictive care placements.

Coping with Work-Related Stress: A Study of the Use of Coping Resources Among Professional Black Women

ABSTRACT Professional Black women's experiences with work-related stress are rooted in the social, political, and economic context of the work environment. This environment is characterized by race and gender-based discrimination and social isolation in the workplace. The specific aims of this study were to describe professional Black women's coping responses to and the resources used to manage work-related stress. Data were collected from 203 professional Black women. Results indicate that spirituality was a key coping resource for coping with stress and specifically with work-related stress. Implications for social work intervention, policy, and research are addressed.

Grandparent-Headed Families: Needs and Implications for Social Work Interventions and Advocacy

As the growth of grandparent-headed families continues, increasing numbers of social workers will find themselves dealing with the multitude of issues that these families face. Understanding the needs and concerns of these families is critical for the development of appropriate interventions, which include counseling, support groups, working with schools, and case management. This article discusses specific interventions social workers can use in working with these families. In addition, because their needs and problems are often systemic and not the result of any individual pathology, it stresses (a) the importance of working with grandparents to help them become self-advocates and (b) the role of social workers in changing unresponsive and insensitive policies and systems.