Individual Social Workers Research Articles

Elements of trust and trust-building in gerontological social work. The social worker’s perspective

ABSTRACT Although trust between social workers and their clients emerges as a critical factor in social work, it has often been taken for granted and rarely placed under detailed scrutiny in social work research. This study explores the elements on which clients’ trust is built, and social workers’ trust-building practices in gerontological social work (GSW) in Finland. We analysed seven focus group discussions of gerontological social workers abductively, using Russell Hardin’s model of trust as an analytical tool. This study identifies six elements of clients’ trust: (1) trust in the individual social worker and in the institution, (2) trust as mutually recognised goals, (3) trust in the professional’s competence, (4) trust as a risk, (5) trust as dynamic, (6) trust as cognitive. A social worker builds trust by listening carefully to clients, considering their interests when choosing their own goals and actions, clearly articulating the goals and premises of social work, and demonstrating that the social worker can contribute meaningfully to the client’s life. In GSW, clients’ distrust and refusal of services are common. Consequently, trust-building often requires plenty of time, creativity and perseverance from the social worker. This is challenged by the fact that there is not always enough time to build trust, trust’s essential nature is not often recognised in the service system, and social workers may lack competence and understanding of the elements of trust and trust-building. In order to meet older adults’ complex needs, it is essential to meet these challenges and place trust at the centre of GSW.

Psychological Protective and Risk Factors for Depression, Anxiety and Mental Well-Being in Social Workers

Abstract Social workers worldwide experience high rates of depression, anxiety and deficits in well-being. Depression, anxiety or poor mental well-being can have a significant effect on the individual social worker, and the quality of care they can provide. There have been limited attempts to examine and understand the underlying psychological protective and risk factors for depression, anxiety and poor well-being amongst social workers. Using the clinically modified Buddhist psychological model (CBPM) as a theoretical framework, this cross-sectional study examined a range of potential psychological protective and risk factors for depression, anxiety and mental well-being of 121 social workers in Northern Ireland, using structural equation modelling, and conditional process analyses. Mindfulness, acceptance, attention regulation/decentering skills, self-compassion, non-attachment and non-aversion could act as protective factors against depression, anxiety and poor mental well-being in social workers. Results also indicate that each of these variables could reduce the extent to which social workers worry and ruminate, further reducing the risk that social workers might experience depression, anxiety, or poor mental well-being. This study offers promising preliminary evidence that the CBPM is a useful explanatory framework which helps to explain variation in depression, anxiety and mental well-being amongst social workers.

Kompletterande, kompenserande och komplicerande

Complementing, compensating and complicating – informal organisation in Swedish child fare work The child welfare work within the Swedish personal social services (PSS) is clearly marked by formalisation and specialisation. It is guided by a diversity of national and local guidelines, while different units assume responsibility for specific tasks (e.g., intake, investigation and decision, or care and treatment). A risk of service fragmentation has been identified as a substantial downside to these organisational settings. However, prior research has mainly focused on formal organisational structures and how work is ‘supposed to’ be carried out. Less attention is paid to informal organisation, namely how work is ‘actually performed’ on day-to-day basis, which has been identified as an important but often overlooked aspect for understanding organisational performance. Therefore, the aim was to describe and analyse the influence of informal organisation in child welfare cases. Non-participating observations and group interviews were conducted in 11 Swedish municipalities. The findings show that informal organisation can ‘grease the wheels’ in child welfare cases: firstly, by complementing formal structures and offering alternative channels for collaboration and information exchange; and secondly, by compensating for gaps in areas of responsibility within the formal organisation, such as when staff offer informal care and support, even though their work is supposed to specifically focus on investigation and decision making, or individual social workers assume an informal case management role. Nevertheless, informal organisation was also found to complicate work, as unregulated and informal areas of work also allow the conflicting interests and work logics among different units and their staff to unfold. The findings are finally discussed in relation to the future organisation of social services.

Examining Potential Psychological Protective and Risk Factors for Stress and Burnout in Social Workers

AbstractSocial work professionals experience high levels of stress and burnout. Stress and burnout can have a negative impact on the individual social worker, the organisations they work for, and perhaps most importantly, the quality of care that marginalised groups that are supported by social workers receive. Several work-related predictors of stress and burnout have been identified; however, no studies have examined the underlying psychological protective and risk factors which might help to explain changes in social worker stress and burnout. Using the clinically modified Buddhist psychological model (CBPM) as a theoretical framework, this cross-sectional study attempted to identify psychological protective and risk factors for stress and burnout in 121 social workers in Northern Ireland, using structural equation modelling, and conditional process analyses. This study provided promising preliminary evidence for a mediated effect CBPM as being a potentially useful explanatory framework of variation in social worker stress, emotional exhaustion, and depersonalisation. This study also provided evidence that several CBPM domains could have a direct effect on personal accomplishment. This study provides preliminary evidence that support programmes, which have the capacity to improve each CBPM domain (mindfulness, acceptance, attention regulation/decentering, self-compassion, non-attachment, and non-aversion) and reduce experiences of worry and rumination, are likely to support social workers to experience reduced stress, emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation of service users, and improvements in personal accomplishment.

Safe Staffing and Workload Management in Social Work: A Scoping Review of Legislation, Policy and Practice

Abstract In Northern Ireland, social work-specific legislation is planned for safe staffing across the governmental sector. As part of a broader research project to inform this development, we conducted a scoping review seeking examples of safe staffing definitions, safe staffing-related legislation, policy and practice in social work and associated professions from the UK and internationally. We searched English language databases in 2023 websites and reference lists as well as grey literature. Finding no international examples of social work-specific safe staffing definitions, legislation, or policy outside of Children’s Services, we offer a tentative definition to the current debate. Our scoping review found examples of individual social workers and local teams developing caseload management practices to promote ‘safer’ working, which may be useful for policymakers and regulators to consider. However, these need greater conceptual clarity, consensus over definitions and outcomes, and evaluation for cost-effectiveness. Given the limited evidence in this area, recommendations include the need for further research to ascertain what ‘safe staffing’ does, can and should mean in social work and what can work in different contexts and at different levels of policy and practice to inform service user and social worker safety in social work.

Training Master of Social Work Students in Brief Intervention for Unhealthy Alcohol Use: Results of a Validated Adherence Assessment.

Many social workers receive limited training in working with clients engaged in unhealthy substance use. As a result, national organizations and agencies such as the Council on Social Work Education and individual social work programs are beginning to address this need by incorporating training into higher education social work programs. The purpose of this study was to examine Master of Social Work (MSW) students' adherence to a brief intervention protocol for unhealthy alcohol use. A total of 91 MSW students consented to the assessment of their digital, audio-recorded class assignment by independent raters. Although 90% of MSW student participants were found to be overall adherent to the protocol, gaps in training quality were also identified. Lessons learned for addressing the gaps are discussed, along with future directions for teaching and learning in social work related to substance use.

Adolescents’ perspectives on SSWs’ counselling practice in Swedish elementary schools: “plumb the depths and navigate to shore”

PurposeThis study aims to gain a comprehensive understanding of adolescent’s experiences of individual school social work counselling in Swedish elementary schools.Design/methodology/approachThe study encompasses interviews with 16 adolescents about their experiences of individual counselling with school social workers (SSWs). The data was analysed using conventional content analysis.FindingsThe main result was the adolescents’ desire “to navigate to shore” to speak freely about their whole lives with a professional SSW and find a “ safe haven,” […] where a trusting professional cared for and comforted them in counselling. The counselling contact contributed to increased knowledge about oneself. The results reveal the importance of the SSWs paying attention and listening to the adolescents’ narratives. The creation of a coherent life narrative enables to finally end counselling and “Cast off.”Originality/valueThe results highlight the importance of Swedish SSWs focusing on individual counselling sessions with adolescents to provide a setting for growth.

The Relationships between Stress, Burnout, Mental Health and Well-Being in Social Workers

Abstract Stress and burnout can have several negative effects on the individual social worker’s work performance, along with their mental health and well-being. We are still unclear on how these negative effects play out, as no studies have examined what the relationships are between stress, burnout, anxiety, depression and well-being in social workers. This cross-sectional study attempted to identify the rates and correlates of stress, burnout, anxiety, depression and mental well-being of 121 social workers, using bivariate and multiple regression analyses. This study highlighted a significant proportion of social workers who reported mild to severe issues in anxiety, depression and mental well-being. This study highlighted that perceived stress is likely to be a universal risk factor for anxiety, depression, and mental well-being in social workers. Emotional exhaustion was also identified as a potential risk factor for anxiety, with personal accomplishment being a potential protective factor against depression and for positive mental well-being. This study provides promising preliminary evidence that if social workers who are experiencing issues with anxiety, depression and mental well-being are supported to reduce feelings of stress, emotional exhaustion, and increase feelings of personal accomplishment, they are likely to experience improvements in their mental health and job performance.

Feeling safe enough to explore as a newly qualified social worker

ABSTRACT This essay shares the barriers and opportunities encountered whilst trying to adopt a more exploratory and curious position with parents, as a Newly Qualified Social Worker in an Inner London Child Protection service. This was influenced by systemic theory and an aspiration to relationship-based practice, with an assumption that this would open up conversations with parents. My findings point to a discomfort and uncertainty within the position of the Newly Qualified Social Worker, but that use of techniques drawn from narrative therapy and Motivational Interviewing enabled more exploratory practice. The parent’s perception of the wider Child Protection system appeared to be as influential as their relationship with the individual social worker, and the implications for this on social worker practice are discussed.

Transforming Care: Individual Social Work in Post-Conflict Zones for Children and Youth.

The significance of efficient social service provision has gained increased attention in war-affected regions following the Russia-Ukraine war conflict. The conventional method of establishing social services is currently facing criticism due to an increasing acknowledgment of the advantages associated with tailored and customised social work interventions, particularly in the context of children and young individuals. The article explores the notion of deinstitutionalization, emphasising its importance in post-conflict areas and emphasising the value of a personalised social work approach in promoting the welfare of children and young people impacted by the Russia-Ukraine war conflict. The present article is grounded in a comprehensive conceptual review of pertinent literature, encompassing books, journals, and related scholarly articles within the specific field of study. Research has endeavoured to ascertain the challenges and ramifications associated with the implementation of institutionalised social work practices. This study has also explored the potential pragmatic benefits of personalised social work interventions in areas of conflict, particularly focusing on children and adolescents. This article could also elucidate the key factors that should be taken into account while engaging with individuals, particularly children and young people, in regions characterised by war. The comprehensive endeavour would serve as a valuable resource for further examination, particularly in relation to the use of a personalised social work approach within the specific circumstances of recurrent invasions and civil conflicts.

Technology-Facilitated Domestic Abuse: An under-Recognised Safeguarding Issue?

Abstract Responding to domestic abuse is a key element of social work practice, in both child protection and adult safeguarding. This article sets out the ways in which rapid technological advances are being co-opted by perpetrators of domestic abuse to create new ways of exerting control. After starting with a brief reminder of recent UK legislative changes around domestic abuse, the article outlines the main ways in which technologies, including mobile phones and other Internet-enabled devices, are used by abusers for surveillance, monitoring, tracking and otherwise controlling all aspects of the lives of those they target. The article then moves on to consider how some groups may be at greater risk than others of technology-facilitated domestic abuse (TFDA), including women with insecure immigration status, women with learning disabilities and younger women and girls. Finally, the key social work tool for assessing risk in relation to domestic abuse is critiqued as lacking sufficient focus on TFDA. The article concludes by suggesting what individual social workers and local authorities need to do in order to better respond as TFDA continues to evolve.

“If Another Person Says, ‘You’re So Articulate,’ So Help Me”

Few studies have examined the nature of microaggressions experienced by employees of human service agencies. This exploratory study identified the types of microaggressions that women and non-binary people of color experience within their agency settings. Narrative data were collected using a web survey. The survey consisted of two instruments, both developed by the researcher--a non-categorical demographic questionnaire and a survey that asked participants about their experiences of four types of workplace microaggressions. The sample consisted of 52 self-identified women and non-binary people of color employed by non-profit agencies or governmental departments providing human services in the United States. Data were analyzed by applying interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) and a constant comparative approach, generating three overarching themes: (a) misperceptions of identity or circumstances, (b) navigating racial stereotypes, and (c) racialized objectification. Findings stress the importance of addressing microaggressions among employees to foster inclusive workplaces and the salience of race/ethnicity as a targeted identity in the human service professions. Recommendations include the development of workplace policies that create clear and effective avenues for addressing subtle discrimination. Individual social workers can effectively implement these policies by acknowledging, validating, and ultimately reducing unintended harm to colleagues.

사회복지관에 근무하는 사회복지사의 재난인식과 재난위험성 인식이 재난관리역량에 미치는 영향

This study set out to investigate the effects of disaster cognition and disaster risk cognition on the disaster management competence of social workers working in social welfare centers and examine their disaster management competence in details by focusing on the mediation effects of disaster preparedness. The purpose of this study is to establish a disaster safety culture at the organizational level of social welfare centers and to seek ways to strengthen disaster management competence at the level of individual social workers. To this end, a survey was conducted with social workers in social welfare centers(community welfare centers, community rehabilitation centers, and senior welfare centers located in Busan. Total 980 questionnaires were distributed, and 896 ones were returned, and the data of 892 research subjects was used for the descriptive statistical analysis, correlation analysis, structural equation model(measurement model and structural model) analysis, and mediation effects analysis using bootstrapping. The analysis results are as follows. First, it was found that the disaster cognition and disaster risk cognition directly affected the disaster management competence. Secondly, as for the relationship between disaster cognition and disaster management competence, and between their disaster risk cognition and disaster management competence, the mediating effects of disaster preparedness was found statistically significant. In particular, as a result of effect decomposition, it was found that the indirect effect of disaster preparedness had most significant impacts on the disaster management competence, being followed by the direct effect of disaster risk cognition in the order, which suggests that the social welfare academy should increase their interest in disaster preparedness. Based on the above results, it is necessary to seek ways to realize a safety-first organizational culture by raising the value and awareness of disaster safety at the organizational level of social welfare centers. And at the level of individual social workers, it will be necessary to actively participate in various disaster safety education and training. In addition, it will be important to foster expertise and responsibility in disaster safety for the rapid recovery of local communities. Finally, it was suggested that it is important to seek ways to increase disaster preparedness at the organizational level of social welfare centers and individual social workers.

Factors Affecting Employability of Patients with Schizophrenia who had First Participated in Vocational Training: A Pilot Study.

While vocational training may offer financial and health benefits for patients with schizophrenia (PwS), further empirical research is required to investigate the effectiveness of this intervention for PwS, as well as the factors influencing their employability. This study aimed to (i) identify the factors affecting the employability of PwS who had participated in vocational training and (ii) examine the effectiveness of vocational training. This prospective cohort study was conducted in a community rehabilitation center attached to a psychiatric hospital in southern Taiwan that provides vocational training. The participants completed two questionnaires: (i) a pre-test that served as the study's baseline; (ii) a post-test during a follow-up 12 months later. The questionnaire was divided into three parts: (i) participants' basic information, (ii) the work performance scale, and (iii) the mental state measure. The participants included 35 males and 30 females, with the average age being 45.85 years. The significant factors affecting their employability were social support, work behavior, thinking disorder, and cognitive impairment. In other words, participants with better social support, work behavior, and fewer thought disorders and cognitive impairment were more employable. Their work attitude and ability were found to have significantly improved after having participated in vocational training for 12 months. In conclusion, when conducting vocational training in the future, it is necessary to pay attention to individual participants' social support and work behavior and reduce thinking disorders and cognitive impairments. This may help improve the employability of PwS.

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”.

The situation to the progress of supporting early working children - case study in Vietnam

Early child labor has been and is a prominent issue that needs to be improved and pushed back all over the world. Currently, the situation of children working early, especially in heavy, dangerous, and hazardous jobs will significantly affect the physical, mental and cognitive development of children. The article deals with the current situation and outlines the individual social work process to support and prevent early child labor.

Feasibility and Effectiveness of a Psychosis-Specific Intensive Outpatient Program.

ObjectiveIntensive outpatient programs (IOPs) are rarely designed specifically to treat psychosis. In 2016 UCLA established the Thought Disorders Intensive Outpatient Program (TD IOP), combining a time‐limited, group‐based intervention called cognitive behavioral social skills training (CBSST) and medication management to treat individuals with psychosis. The purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility of developing an IOP for individuals with psychosis and the effectiveness of the program in improving psychotic symptom severity.MethodsAdults were referred to the TD IOP from inpatient and outpatient settings. Programming included 3 hours of CBSST and 6 hours of additional groups weekly as well as individual psychiatry and social work services. Primary outcomes were symptom changes as measured at intake and discharge by the Clinician‐Rated Dimensions of Psychosis Symptom Severity scale. Program feedback was solicited from a small subset of patients.ResultsOf the 92 enrolled subjects, 71 completed the program (77.2%). Average length of stay was 52 ± 30 days across all enrolled. Participants showed significant (p < 0.05) improvement with small‐moderate effect sizes across five of eight psychosis symptom domains (hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech, depression, and mania). Patient‐reported program satisfaction was high (86.6 ± 12.7 score, range 0–100).ConclusionsThe current study indicates that targeted treatment for psychosis is successful within an IOP framework, with minimal additional training required for Master's level clinicians. Participants demonstrated significant symptomatic relief from group‐based, time‐limited treatment. Further work is needed to determine the full range of program benefits on patient well‐being and illness morbidity.

WHAT IS HAPPENING IN AN INDIVIDUAL SUPERVISION SESSION? REFLECTIONS OF SOCIAL WORKERS IN SOUTH AFRICA

This article reports on qualitative research, aimed at acquiring an understanding of what transpires in an individual social work supervision session in South Africa. Findings reveal that supervision sessions are chiefly “open door” and “on the run”, with minimal evidence of critical reflection. A key recommendation stresses that the evolution of supervision in the country should enter a new phase as response to the hegemony of a neoliberal inspired managerial discourse in social work. The deliberate utilisation of more clinical educational and supportive elements, and critical reflection-in-action and reflection-on-action in supervision sessions is therefore recommended. Keywords: social work supervision, clinical supervision, reflection, neoliberalism, managerialism

The myth of organization autonomy: Social workers’ salary under the lump sum grant subvention system in Hong Kong

AbstractAdopting the principles of managerialism, the Lump Sum Grant Subvention System in Hong Kong grants service organizations autonomy to deploy resources. Using organization‐ and individual‐level survey data, this article examines the salaries of social workers under the managerialist subvention system and investigates its impacts on frontline service professionals. We found that when service organizations adopted flexible employment terms to hire social workers, they offered lower minimum wage. Smaller organizations, which are often believed to benefit more from the system, paid social workers lower minimum wage. When individual social workers made use of flexible employment terms and switched their jobs in the welfare sector, there was no evidence that their income levels would be raised—on the contrary, switching jobs for three or more times would in fact lower their income levels. Furthermore, while the system encouraged social workers to get more involved in management work, there was no evidence that increasing work hours on management‐related work would increase the income of social workers. As organizational autonomy does not necessarily result in income justice for frontline social workers, clear guidelines, supervision, and policy interventions in the management of service organizations are still needed in social service planning and delivery.

Self-Care Rhetoric in Neoliberal Organisations: Social Worker Experiences

Self-care has become an increasingly important practice for social workers to ensure practitioner wellbeing and effective, ethical practice outcomes. However, undertaking self-care activities is often considered the responsibility of individual social workers with limited consideration of how the workplace may influence their understanding and practice of self-care. Based in Southeast Queensland, Australia this paper uses interpretative phenomenological analysis to understand workplaces influences on eleven social worker’s practice and experience of self-care. This study produced rich data about how social workers perceive workplaces’ use of self-care rhetoric to achieve increased productivity and minimise organisational risk. Social workers instead suggested self-care practices and practitioner well-being was more easily maintained in organisations that fostered supportive teams and healthy workplace cultures. This research illustrates how the concept of self-care has become manipulated to meet the neoliberal demands of organisations rather than a mechanism for supporting social workers. Findings of this study suggest more research, practice, policing, and funding should focus on organisational practices and policies which support social workers well-being, rather than focusing on individualised practices of self-care.