Master Of Social Work Students Research Articles

Racial microaggressions in social work education: Black students’ encounters in a predominantly White institution

ABSTRACTResearch findings have substantiated encounters with racial microaggressions by Black students in predominantly White institutions. Yet no studies focus on students in social work programs. This is important since racial microaggressions can affect students’ academic, social, and emotional experiences, as well as career preparation of counseling students. In this study we examined encounters reported by 10 Black Master of Social Work students. We present an in-depth case example as support for the emergence of a Racial Microaggressions Interaction Framework, demonstrating how students define racial microaggressions and the socioemotional continuum along which they proceed following encounters. Implications are discussed for teaching from a culturally relevant competence perspective.

Supervision and social work students: relationships in a team-based rotation placement model

Social work has historically privileged one-to-one supervision in field education. However, in recent decades, the relentless pressure on organisations to innovate for efficiency gain has created an impetus to explore alternative placement formats. This article reports on how students and supervisors experienced their placement relationships in the context of one such alternative—a team-based rotation placement model where students routinely engaged in group and peer supervision as well as one-to-one supervision with various supervisors. A total of 128 Masters of Social Work students and 92 student supervisors participated in rotation placements across five hospitals over a three-year period; 2011–2013. The study adopted a mixed methods approach using online surveys and post-placement interviews each year. The findings suggest that, although both supervisors and students viewed the one-to-one supervisory relationship as pivotal, they experienced this relationship differently. Supervisors were more likely to highlight the interpersonal connection within the supervisory relationship as the primary vehicle for practice learning. Students were more likely to view their supervisory relationships as the conduit to the practice experiences that aligned with their placement goals. Ultimately, the study highlights the centrality of role and positioning when exploring perceptions and experiences of teaching and learning relationships on placement.

Feminist attitudes and ideologies: an examination of a Northeastern US MSW program

The relationship that Masters in Social Work (MSW) students in the United States have with feminism appears to be paradoxical, in which MSW students tend to endorse feminist principles but are hesitant to identify themselves as feminists. In an effort to better understand MSW student support of feminist principles, as well as social work students’ relationship with feminism and possible implications for social work education, a survey of MSW students was conducted at a Northeastern US MSW program utilizing an established scale, the Liberal Feminist Attitude and Ideology Scale, which is comprised of five subscales. Scores on the subscales were compared and findings indicate that MSW students were more likely to highly endorse the Gender Roles, Global Goals, and Specific Political Agendas subscales compared to Discrimination and Subordination and Collective Action subscales; suggesting that students promote gender role parity and feminist goals, but were less likely to acknowledge discrimination and the need for collective action. This article will discuss the importance of social work education as an instrument for exploring the ways in which women face gender-based discrimination and highlighting the necessity for students to take a more active role in participating in collective action to reduce gender-based oppression.

Exploring social work student education: The effect of a harm reduction curriculum on student knowledge and attitudes regarding opioid use disorders

ABSTRACTBackground: This study evaluates the degree to which a harm reduction intervention course module impacted Master of Social Work (MSW) students’ knowledge and attitudes towards addressing opioid use disorder issues and clients. Methods: Using a mixed-methods approach, data from 124 MSW students were collected between 2011 and 2015. Students completed a 3-hour course module that focused on harm reduction philosophy and interventions specifically for opioid use disorders. Students completed pre- and posttest of the Harm Reduction Attitude Scale. Students were also engaged in focus groups to gain a better understanding of how and if their knowledge and attitudes changed. Results: Overall, attitudes towards harm reduction approaches for opioid use disorder shifted favorably following the course module. Paired t-test results show a statistically significant difference in the mean scores for pretest attitudes (M = 2.64, SD = 0.16) and posttest attitudes (M = 2.86, SD = 0.12) among social work students. This trend remained consistent despite treatment orientation and having a family history of substance use. Conclusion: Given the increased capacity for social work students to encounter clients with opioid use disorders, it is important to ensure that students are provided with relevant and accurate information related to client-centered approaches such as the harm reduction model to address opioid use disorders. Moreover, given the dearth of social work programs that have and required substance use disorder courses, it is imperative for schools of social work to ensure that students are provided with more than practical information, which is often gained during field placement.

Interprofessional Education: Graduate Students’ Perspectives

Background: This program evaluation used qualitative methodology to describestudents’ expectations, concerns, needed supports, and experiences in a yearlongInterprofessional Education program.Methods and Findings: Focus groups were used to obtain the views of nurse practitionerand Master of social work students. Students participated in focus groups atthe program beginning and completion. Interprofessional education competencies,expectations, and concerns were examined. Results showed that at the beginning,students indicated a desire to understand the other’s professional role. They alsoexpressed concerns. During the post-program interviews, students indicated adesire to have had more classes and work together in clinical practice. Limitationsincluded a lack of participation of all students in the final focus groups.Conclusions: Student input in a program is essential. Further research is needed.Keywords: Interprofessional education (IPE); Qualitative research; Student evaluation;Graduate education

Current and Challenge of Master of Social Work Education in Mainland China: An Empirical Research from Students’ Perspectives

ABSTRACTSocial Work education in mainland China was established late but it has experienced a rapid development. It was not until 2009 that the government decided to put huge investment into the Master of Social Work (MSW) education. This study conducted an empirical investigation to evaluate the MSW education from the students’ perspectives. 500 MSW students were randomly selected from 10 universities, 8 provinces in mainland China. The results indicated the MSW education curriculum is not appropriate, teaching methods are not student-oriented, professional practice is not sufficient and so on. In such a training mode, MSW students demonstrate a negative attitude towards their majors and future development. Nearly half of respondents said that they did not obtain enough professional knowledge and skills and that they are reluctant to be engaged in careers related to social work after graduation due to the low salary and bad welfare. The reason lead to the crisis and challenges were analyzed. Improve sugg...

Gerontological Competencies among MSW Students: Evaluation of a Gerontology Specialization Program

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to conduct a preliminary evaluation of a gerontology specialization program (GSP) within a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)–accredited master of social work (MSW) program. This study utilized a pretest/posttest design with a three-group comparison: group 1—GSP students; group 2—students from the group 1 program but not in GSP; and group 3—students at two external MSW programs with no GSPs. The overall sample comprised 220 advanced year students. A CSWE Gero-Ed Center/Hartford Partnership empirical measure was used to assess overall, gero social work practice competency. Within-group analyses revealed a significant increase in gero competency scores from pretest to posttest among all groups, with GSP students showing the largest increase. Between-group analysis at pretest revealed that the GSP group showed lower gero competency scores than both non-GSP groups. At posttest, these results overturned: GSP students scored significantly higher gero competency scores than both non-GSP groups. These preliminary findings suggest that the GSP offers an impactful, positive role in development of practice skills for the next generation of gero social work practitioners and scholars. A follow-up study with additional years of data will increase longitudinal rigor and confidence in the long-range efficacy of this GSP.

Compassion Fatigue and Mindfulness: Comparing Mental Health Professionals and MSW Student Interns

ABSTRACTThe relationship between compassion fatigue and mindfulness in mental health professionals compared to Master of Social Work (MSW) students is explored. A convenience sample of mental health professionals (n = 40) and MSW students (n = 111) completed the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire and Professional Quality of Life Scale. Results indicate a medium, negative correlation between compassion fatigue and mindfulness, with high levels of compassion fatigue associated with lower levels of mindfulness. There was no statistically significant difference between mental health workers and MSW students on the combined dependent variables. Results suggest that mindfulness protects against compassion fatigue regardless of professional or student status.

Teaching Macro Social Work through Experiential Learning: Student Reflections on Lessons Learned in Building School-Community Partnerships

A faculty-led experiential learning project was implemented with Master of Social Work students at their field placement sites to teach macro practice skills and research methods. As part of a grant-funded school-university partnership, MSW students were placed in school social work field placements, where their practice focused on individual and small group interventions with youth. Ten MSW students participated in asset-based collective family engagement in diverse, low-income communities, using community organizing skills and community-based participatory research methods. To examine student learning, a pilot study gathered narrative data from seven of the students and three supervisors. MSW students’ learning from the project is discussed in the context of CSWE’s 2015 EPAS competencies. Participation in the experiential/service-learning project supported the ability of the MSW students to build a sense of themselves as professionals bringing value to the community, enhanced their understanding of cultural diversity and family engagement, and provided context for vulnerable students’ struggles in school and the families’ difficulties with school engagement. This project illustrates the potential of school-university partnerships involving MSW field students to help bridge the gaps in school-family partnerships, particularly in diverse and low-income communities, and highlights areas where different teaching methods can be used to reinforce competencies learned.

Exploring MSW students’ and social workers’ orientation toward the evidence-based practice process

The aim of this exploratory study was to assess whether practicing social workers currently enrolled in Master Social Work (MSW) programs (hereafter referred to as MSW students) were more oriented to the evidence-based practice (EBP) process and more engaged in it than practicing social workers who are not currently enrolled in MSW programs (hereafter referred to as social workers) in the Netherlands. Data were collected from MSW students (n = 32) and from social workers (n = 341) using the EBP Process Assessment Scale. MSW students reported a stronger orientation toward the EBP process, more positive attitudes toward EBP, more familiarity with EBP and more intentions to engage in EBP than social workers did, however, they were less positive about the feasibility of implementing EBP in practice. These preliminary results suggest that there are grounds for optimism about MSW students’ acceptance of and engagement in the EBP process. Implications for social work education are discussed.

Suicide Intervention Gatekeeper Training

Objective: Suicide is a significant public and mental health crisis in the United States. Training providers in suicide assessment and response is designated as one of the primary strategies for reducing deaths by suicide. Research has established that suicide intervention training is effective, but little work has been published on potential mediators of skill development and use. Method: Secondary data analysis of a randomized trial of the Question, Persuade, and Refer gatekeeper training with master of social work students. Path analysis was used to estimate mediated effects of knowledge, attitudes, reluctance, and self-efficacy on behavior outcomes. Results: Results suggest improvements in posttraining measures for knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy, reluctance, and the use of gatekeeper behaviors, but there was no supporting evidence for the presence of mediated effects on behavior. Only self-efficacy demonstrated a strong direct relationship with gatekeeper behaviors. Conclusions: Ongoing evaluation is needed with an added interest in self-efficacy and how it can be enhanced through training.

Teaching Note—Inclusion of Diversity Content in MSW Curriculum Using a Diversity Event

ABSTRACTThe Council on Social Work Education’s Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards outline expectations for social work education to reflect human diversity in the learning environment. Exposing social work students to a diversity-enriched curriculum can help prepare them for culturally competent practice. This article presents an innovative approach to the presentation of a diversity topic to master of social work students. The Diversity Event was designed around experiential learning and guided reflection with the objective to inspire students to better appreciate the unique and rich experiences social workers and clients can bring to the practice of social work. The lessons learned from the event implementation and students’ feedback are used to provide recommendations for improving future events.

Implementing a Modular Research-Supported Treatment in Child Welfare

Objective: Increasing rates of mental health needs in child welfare clients highlight the importance of training child welfare workers in effective mental health interventions. This pilot study evaluates the effects of training public child welfare workers and interns in modularized research-supported treatments (RSTs). Methods: We compared knowledge of and attitudes toward RSTs and barriers and facilitators to their use in a sample of 26 field instructors and 11 master of social work students trained in modularized RSTs with an untrained sample of 55 field instructors and 36 students. Results: Trained field instructors had higher knowledge scores at follow-up and were more open to adopting RSTs, as compared with untrained field instructors. Fewer barriers and more facilitators were associated with more positive attitudes toward RSTs across all groups. Conclusions: Interventions to address attitudes, barriers, and facilitators may facilitate the uptake of RSTs in child welfare.

Sexual Harassment in Social Work Field Placements

Addressing sexual harassment in educational environments is integral for Title IX compliance; however, there are few estimates of prevalence of the phenomenon in social work’s signature pedagogy, field education. A survey of 515 bachelor of social work and master of social work students revealed that 55% of participants had experienced at least one incident of sexual harassment on the Sexual Experiences Questionnaire. Those participants who were younger, Latina/Hispanic, or in a committed relationship were more likely to report harassment. The most common perpetrators were other staff at the field placement and clients. Implications for social work education and practice are addressed.

Social Work Curriculum Review Case Study

This paper presents the findings from community focus groups, comprised of social service users, and explores the characteristics of effective social workers. Focus groups were conducted as part of a case study to inform a Master of Social Work (MSW) curriculum review at Wilfrid Laurier University’s Faculty of Social Work. Wilfrid Laurier University has two MSW programs—the MSW Aboriginal Field of Study (AFS) and a non-Aboriginal program. The case for this study was the non-Aboriginal MSW program. Ongoing program evaluation that includes feedback from service users honours the knowledge of marginalized communities, and is an accreditation requirement of the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE). Four focus groups were conducted with a total of 24 individuals who access programs from human service organizations that provide supportive housing, immigrant, or refugee services in the Kitchener-Waterloo area. Service users identified numerous characteristics of effective social workers, including kindness, cultural awareness, and strong communication skills, as well as the need to articulate and address issues of professional suitability. We conclude by querying whether the typical assessment of MSW students’ suitability for the profession is adequate, and provide the AFSwholisticand comprehensive evaluation as an example of an alternative approach to MSW student assessment.

An empirical assessment of writing and research proficiency in HBCU social work students

ABSTRACTLack of proficiency in writing and research among social work students has increasingly concerned social work educators and practitioners. Given the significance of written communication with clients and emphasis on evidence-based practice in the field of social work, it is critical to assess students’ competence in both writing and research. However, deficit-based approaches to assessing writing and research competence have disadvantaged students at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). This pilot study aims to assess writing and research proficiency of HBCU master’s of social work (MSW) students through empirical analysis of their capstone papers and surveys from educators to provide implications for developing a writing and research manual for social work programs at HBCUs. Ten capstone papers were randomly selected and qualitatively analyzed; nine faculty and one field supervisor completed the survey, and their respondents were analyzed using cross-case analysis. Analyses of the capstone papers identified two themes for writing and research domains, respectively: (1) weakness in developing statements and lack of knowledge of writing style and (2) plagiarism and lack of understanding of research structure. Moreover, analyses of the surveys revealed four themes regarding assessment of writing and research skills among students struggling with basic writing mechanics, indicating that HBCU MSW students may have potential and capacity for learning, as evidenced by their ideas and critical thinking skills. These findings suggest both teaching- and research-oriented programs could employ the proposed writing and research assessment manual, as well as a writing and research lab/center for improving writing and research skills among their students.

Learning to Work with Trauma Survivors: Lessons from Tbilisi, Georgia

Survivors of armed conflict may experience traumatic stress, psychological symptoms, distress, or other behavioral health issues related to the disaster of war. This article outlines the historical background of the Russian-Georgian war, details the implementation of social work in the developing country of Georgia, and describes the training and application of social work knowledge and values using macro and micro examples of interventions that provide Masters of social work students and social workers with tools to address the needs of refugees affected by disaster. Following the macro- and microexamples, pedagogy and implications for social workers and social work students working with victims of trauma with few available resources are discussed.

Adverse Childhood Experiences Among MSW Students

ABSTRACTAlarming rates of burnout, compassion fatigue, and turnover in the social work profession have focused attention on factors influencing risk and resilience among professional social workers and, more recently, social work students. This article explores the prevalence and relevance of early trauma among social work students and describes a cross-sectional, exploratory study aimed at determining frequency of adverse childhood experiences among Master of Social Work (MSW) students. Results reveal rates of adverse childhood experiences are much higher than those found in general population samples, university students, and child welfare employees. Implications for social work education are discussed.

Are graduate social work students mindful?

ABSTRACTDoes the current common practice of traditional teaching of social work coupled with experiential learning in field placements foster mindfulness in graduate students? Using the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (Brown & Ryan, 2003) a cohort of 100 MSW (Master of Social Work) students were surveyed on their development of mindfulness during their first and last semesters. Instead of an increase in mindfulness, a significant decrease was found. During qualitative interviews, students reported multiple opportunities within their MSW experience to learn and practice mindfulness. Yet, these opportunities were not sufficient to raise the mindfulness level of the MSW cohort. Future studies which identify effective means to increase student mindfulness are recommended.

An innovative interprofessional education program for university medical, nursing, and social work students learning in teams during sessions and visits with geriatric mentors

Abstract This curricular resource describes a university interprofessional education program involving small teams composed of one first year medical student, one to two first year masters of social work students, and one to two traditional or accelerated nursing students. Case discussions framed by IPE competencies take place in a facility on campus with activities to be used with senior volunteer mentors. The main objective of using the Core Competencies for Interprofessional Collaborative Practice 2011 is because students have limited knowledge of IPE collaborative practice and little exposure to geriatric populations. The format includes a blended learning environment to work in teams and debriefing before and after sessions and visits. Students are given pretest and posttest surveys and short reflective writing assignments throughout and at the end of the program. A majority of the students agree to strongly agree that knowledge of IPE increased, teamwork strengthened, and attitude toward seniors changed.