Work Perspective Research Articles

Building Resilience in Patients Undergoing ART

“The coffee shops I’ve cried in” Building resilience is part of an individual’s personal growth and development and has long term benefits for clients. In this presentation Helen will focus on the importance of clients building resilience in their fertility treatment journey. She introduces a social work perspective of the patient context and the sources of difficulty that they may encounter during ART, before discussing resilience. Helen locates resilience within a human development model; the social-ecological model adapted from the work of Urie Brofenbrenner. She explores how clinics can support clients to build resilience both through the fertility counsellor role and at the multi-disciplinary team/unit level.

In Defense of Shirking in Capitalist Firms: Worker Resistance vs. Managerial Power

Shirking, the act of avoiding the demands of one’s job, is generally seen as unethical. Drawing on empirical evidence from the sociology of work, I develop a normative conception of shirking as a form of worker resistance against illegitimate managerial power. In doing so, I present a new approach to the political theory of the firm, which is more adversarial and agent-centered than available alternatives. It is more adversarial as it recognizes the political value of counterproductive and disruptive behavior in capitalist firms. It is more agent-centered because it theorizes the firm from the perspective of workers, asking what pro tanto reasons they have to shirk. I show that shirking under the structural domination of capitalism has diagnostic, agential, and epistemic values. The paper contributes to the wider methodological ambition to tailor political theorizing to the positionality of social actors by shifting attention from the institutional design of the firm to the methods of worker resistance.

Immunisation services in North-Eastern Nigeria: Perspectives of critical stakeholders to improve uptake and service delivery.

We investigated the perspectives of parents, health workers (HWs) and traditional medical practitioners (TMPs) on immunisation advocacy, knowledge, attitudes and immunisation practice and ways of improving immunisation uptake in Borno State, North-eastern Nigeria. A cross-sectional study analysing quantitative data from the three stakeholders' categories. It was conducted across 18 local government areas of Borno State. A representative sample of 4288 stakeholders (n=1763 parents, n=1707 TMPs, and n=818 HWs aged 20 to 59years, had complete data. The sample has more males: 57.8% (Parents); 71.8% (TMPs) and 57.3% (HWs). The awareness of immunisation schedule among the stakeholders ranged from 87.2 to 93.4%. The study showed that 67.9% of the parent and 57.1% of the health workers had participated in immunisation except the TMPs (27.8%). Across the stakeholders' categories, between 61.9 and 72.6% have children who had Adverse Event Following Immunisation (AEFI). The most common AEFI was fever. Safety concerns, preference for herbs and charm, culture and religions, and vaccination perception as a western culture were the major barriers to immunisation uptake. While 63.6 to 95.7% of respondents indicated that community leaders, religious and spiritual leaders and TMPs should be involved in immunisation advocacy, 56.9-70.4% of them reported that community leaders should be involved in immunisation policy. Upscaling the critical stakeholders' involvement in advocacy, policy development and implementation of immunization activities may improve acceptance, create demand and engender ownership in vulnerable communities of Borno State, Nigeria. AEFI could be detrimental to immunisation access and utilization. Consequently, health education by health workers needs strengthening to minimise vaccine hesitancy.

Homelessness from a Social Work Perspective: Intervention and Practice Practices

Evsizlik, hem bireyleri hem de toplumu doğrudan etkileyen bir toplumsal sorundur. Evsizlik, bireylerin kalıcı, güvenli ve uygun bir konuta sahip olmadığı, bu sebeple sürekli bir barınma sıkıntısı içinde olduğu durumu ifade eder. Bu durum, bireyleri sadece fiziksel olarak değil, aynı zamanda psikolojik ve sosyal açıdan da olumsuz etkileyebilmektedir. Evsiz bireyler genellikle sokaklarda, geçici barınaklarda veya elverişsiz alanlarda yaşamlarını sürdürmektedirler. Bu bağlamda çalışma, sosyal hizmet disiplininin evsizlik olgusuna yaklaşımını, evsiz bireylerin ihtiyaçlarını, karşılaştığı sorunları ve bu sorunlara yönelik sosyal hizmetin global ve yerel müdahale yöntemlerini ele almaktadır. Sosyo-ekonomik sorunlar, uygun fiyatlı konutlara erişememe, alışkanlıklar, sosyal dışlanma, psikolojik rahatsızlıklar ve sağlık problemleri, evsiz bireylerin en sık karşılaştığı zorluklardandır. Sosyal hizmet bilimi, bu sorunlara holistik bir yaklaşım sunarak, bireylerin topluma yeniden entegre olmasını amaçlar. Türkiye'de sosyal destek programları, barınma hizmetleri ve rehabilitasyon programları bu alanda dikkat çekerken, dünya genelinde konut öncelikli yaklaşım, sosyal entegrasyon projeleri ve eğitim programları öne çıkmaktadır. Bu çalışma, sosyal hizmetin evsizlik olgusuna müdahalesinin, hem bireyin hem de toplumun refahı için kritik bir öneme sahip olduğunu ortaya koymaktadır. Bu doğrultuda evsiz bireylerin toplumsal hayata yeniden entegrasyonunu destekleyen sosyal hizmet yaklaşımlarının önemine vurgu yaparak, bu alandaki yenilikçi ve etkili müdahale tekniklerini aydınlatmaktadır.

Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on nephrology social work: Perspectives of social workers

A mixed method study utilized surveys and focus groups to explore the perceptions of nephrology social workers in Canada regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their practice with patients and their families. As part of this larger study, participants were invited to focus groups which elicited pandemic experiences, personally and professionally, and to offer post-pandemic recommendations for nephrology social work. The sample comprised 15 nephrology social workers from several Canadian provinces, who provided in-depth reflections regarding the impact of the pandemic on professional practice. Study results reflect COVID-19 pandemic-related experiences of Canadian nephrology social workers, including psychosocial impacts as well as practice and infrastructure shifts. In providing service to patients and families, nephrology social workers were forced to confront personal, professional and organizational landscapes altered by hospital and broader societal public health guidelines aimed at decreasing the spread of COVID-19. Although an inherently challenging experience, participating social workers concurrently noted areas of growth that resulted from pandemic circumstances..

Digital Platforms and the Right to Just and Favorable Conditions of Work: A Business and Human Rights Perspective

Abstract Digital platform economy has radically changed the modes in which work is organized, stretching the functionality of legal environment of work and its governance. This article builds on a strand of labor law scholarship that advances the need to rethink the legal construction of work and work relationship in order to adapt it to the dynamically evolving socio-economic context. By applying a business and human rights lens to this process, this article confutes the mainstream argument that labor rights guarantees remain contingent on an individual’s enjoying the status of an employee under national jurisdiction. We survey a largely underexamined conception of affording protection to platform workers under International Human Rights Law (IHRL). In doing so, we argue that the instruments of IHRL may in some respects be even better placed than that of national law, both strengthening and complementing areas where state protection is weak or non-existent. Through the right to just and favorable conditions of work perspective, we outline the non-contested, albeit partly poorly implemented obligations of states, as well as largely contentious and contested responsibilities of private actors such as digital platforms towards the rights-holders. We conclude by arguing that the leverage offered by IHRL in the struggle to curb a quasi-sovereign power of the platform largely outweighs the democratically motivated objections this avenue may raise.

Women Refugees from a Feminist Social Work Perspective

Bu derleme makale, göç süreçlerinin kadınları erkeklerden daha olumsuz etkilediği bir bağlamda, göçün etkilerini feminist bir bakış açısıyla incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Makale, kadınlar ve göç olgusunu ele alırken özel olarak Suriyeli mülteci kadınları ele almaktadır. İlk olarak, göçün aktörlerini ulusal ve uluslararası mevzuat çerçevesinde tartışmakta ve resmi kurumlar tarafından sunulan istatistik verileriyle Türkiye'deki Suriyeli vatandaşların durumuna odaklanmaktadır. Mülteci kadınlar, "kadın" ve "mülteci" kimliklerinden dolayı çeşitli toplumsal cinsiyet eşitsizlikleri ile karşı karşıya kalmaktadır. Bu makale de kadınlar için göçün aşamalarını ve göçün cinsiyetlendirilmesini ele almakta, göç sırasında kadınların deneyimlediği çeşitli şiddet türlerine dikkat çekmekte ve göçün kadınlar üzerinde yarattığı dezavantajları ve buna bağlı olarak insan hakları ihlallerine değinmektedir. Kadınların özel ihtiyaçlarını eksiksiz bir şekilde karşılamak ve yaşamın karmaşıklıklarıyla başa çıkmalarını sağlamak, feminist sosyal hizmetin bir parçasıdır. Bu nedenle, toplumsal cinsiyet eşitsizlikleri ve kadın kimlikleri nedeniyle mülteci kadınların yaşadığı bu insan hakları ihlallerini önlemek ve haklara ve hizmetlere erişimlerini sağlamak için feminist sosyal hizmet uygulamalarının önemine vurgu yapmaktadır.

Perspectives of African American Social Workers Regarding Clinical Licensure

ABSTRACT Purpose This study was undertaken to illuminate the perspectives of African American MSWs, both licensed and unlicensed, concerning clinical licensure. Method In 2022, but prior to the time of the Association for Social Work Boards (ASWB) report release, the primary author interviewed 20 African Americans with Master of Social Work (MSW) degrees regarding their desire and attempts to attain licensure. The participants were selected utilizing non-probability, convenience sampling methods and self-selected in response to invitations extended via social media platforms. The interviews took place via Zoom and were recorded and analyzed utilizing qualitative methods. Results The findings suggested that many interviewees do view the test as biased in favor of White women and that they attribute lower test pass rates of African Americans in part to this bias. However, additional concerns, including the costs and difficulty of multiple test-taking efforts, the time limit between MSW and licensure, and the dearth of information available to MSWs about licensing credentials, among others, were also cited. Respondents also identified, in some cases, limitations in social support, particularly in work settings, for their professional development efforts. Significantly, many participants identified problems with supervision – securing supervision, the focus/content of supervision, or both. Discussion and Conclusions Recommendations for steps to increase access to the test and to information about the test are offered. Importantly, discussion regarding avenues to supervision and mentorship is initiated. This study offers a first step in the process of engaging with African Americans about their own experiences with the licensing process.

Influences on policy-formulation, decision-making, organisation and management for maternal, newborn and child health in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Malawi and Uganda: The roles and legitimacy of a multi-country network.

The Network for Improving Quality of Care for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (QCN) is intended to facilitate learning, action, leadership and accountability for improving quality of care in member countries. This requires legitimacy-a network's right to exert power within national contexts. This is reflected, for example, in a government's buy-in and perceived ownership of the work of the network. During 2019-2022 we conducted iterative rounds of stakeholder interviews, observations of meetings, document review, and hospital observations in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Malawi, Uganda and at the global level. We developed a framework drawing on three models: Tallberg and Zurn which conceptualizes legitimacy of international organisations dependent on their features, the legitimation process and beliefs of audiences; Nasiritousi and Faber, which looks at legitimacy in terms of problem, purpose, procedure, and performance of institutions; Sanderink and Nasiritousi, to characterize networks in terms of political, normative and cognitive interactions. We used thematic analysis to characterize, compare and contrast institutional interactions in a cross-case synthesis to determine salient features. Political and normative interactions were favourable within and between countries and at global level since collective decisions, collaborative efforts, and commitment to QCN goals were observed at all levels. Sharing resources and common principles were not common between network countries, indicating limits of the network. Cognitive interactions-those related to information sharing and transfer of ideas-were more challenging, with the bi-directional transfer, synthesis and harmonization of concepts and methods, being largely absent among and within countries. These may be required for increasing government ownership of QCN work, the embeddedness of the network, and its legitimacy. While we find evidence supporting the legitimacy of QCN from the perspective of country governments, further work and time are required for governments to own and embed the work of QCN in routine care.

Human Rights in Chilean Prisons: Advances and Pending Challenges from a Social Work Perspective

Human Rights in Chilean Prisons: Advances and Pending Challenges from a Social Work Perspective

Effects of a Brief, Solution-Focused, Digital Intervention on Social Wellness Among College Students: A Pilot Study

ABSTRACT Purpose Current trends among college students include compromised mental health and wellness which have been exacerbated due to COVID-19. This pilot study examined the effectiveness of a brief, digital intervention focused on social wellness among college students on wellness-related outcomes including perceived wellness, life satisfaction, and happiness. Materials and Methods A longitudinal, explanatory mixed-methods design was utilized. Quantitative data were collected from a total of 133 participants using questionnaires at baseline and one-week post-intervention. RM-ANOVA and post-hoc pairwise comparisons were employed to assess quantitative data. Qualitative data collection was obtained via semi-structured interviews at six weeks post-intervention and evaluated using Applied Thematic Analysis. A sub-sample (n = 23) from the participant pool (N = 133) completed the interviews. Results Results indicated intervention effectiveness as participants experienced significant positive change in perceived wellness, the primary outcome variable. Significant relationships were detected between wellness outcomes and goal attainment (e.g. I am confident in my ability to complete my goals) items. Qualitative analysis revealed themes related to accessibility and convenience of the intervention, increased self-awareness, and increased intentionality of participants. Discussion This study demonstrates the utility of a brief, digital intervention on wellness-related outcomes. Benefits were shown of a preventative, self-directed and solution-focused approach in enhancing wellness among college students. Conclusion From a social work perspective, employing a salutogenic approach to support college students’ wellbeing aligns with the field’s core values. Specifically, this social wellness-focused intervention encourages self-determination, dignity and worth of the person, and emphasizes the importance of human relationships.

“Allowing the community, that is, the essential beneficiaries, to take the lead”: Using the perspectives of health workers to inform a contextually relevant quality improvement intervention in the Nigerian health system

“Allowing the community, that is, the essential beneficiaries, to take the lead”: Using the perspectives of health workers to inform a contextually relevant quality improvement intervention in the Nigerian health system

How Adolescents in Residential Care Perceive their Skills and Satisfaction with Life: Do Adolescents and Youth Workers Agree?

Adolescents in residential care display a self-perception of their own skills that may differ from how their youth workers perceive them. This difference in perceptions may influence the way youth workers see the adolescents they serve and can have an impact on the development of these children. Moreover, how adolescents perceive their own skills may also influence other aspects, such as the degree of satisfaction they have in different areas of their lives. This article analyses perceptions of cognitive, emotional and social skills and their relationship with life satisfaction in a sample of adolescents in residential care in different European countries (Spain, Poland and Germany). At the same time, the relationships these adolescents establish within the residential setting, both with other peers and with the youth workers involved in their education, have also been used to assess their satisfaction. The research has collected quantitative data through 2 questionnaires, one for the children (N = 238) and one for their youth workers (N = 217). The results show that, in most aspects, the adolescents’ self-perceptions and evaluations are higher than those attributed to them by their youth workers. Another important finding is that the average scores for satisfaction with aspects of life are low, many of them below 7 points (out of 10). Regression analyses indicate that higher skill ratings are associated with higher well-being. This article highlights the importance of changing the perspective of youth workers to a more positive one that supports, empowers and accompanies adolescents in residential care.

Healthcare apprenticeships: assessing the potential benefits to an acute care provider NHS organization.

The introduction of healthcare-based apprenticeships to become both a physician associate and a doctor has been approved for delivery in England. This will revolutionize medical training and it is hoped that medical training would be more accessible. This has generated a mixture of reactions, some enthusiastic and others concerned. This paper gauges interest among staff at Barking, Havering, and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust in pursuing training as a doctor and/or physician associate through the apprenticeship route. Applicants were interviewed to discover their motivations for interest, and the potential benefit to the Trust of these new opportunities was also assessed. This revealed that applicants were primarily driven through intrinsic motivations, such as a lifelong dream to be a doctor and a desire to fulfil a patient-facing role. Many expressed financial and social situations were a barrier to prior application, making the apprenticeship role more attractive. Healthcare professionals should accurately represent the population that they serve, which is currently not the case. The prospective applicants, with diverse backgrounds and existing healthcare experience, can help to improve patient care through their diverse perspective and understanding of multidisciplinary team working. This article highlights the potential of medical-based apprenticeships to help address longstanding challenges in medical education and workforce diversity. Furthermore, there could be significant financial and practical benefits to the trust of upskilling enthusiastic staff. However, there is currently a lack of clarity regarding selection processes and entry criteria, which must be addressed.

The Benefits and Challenges of Including Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Paid and Unpaid Positions in Non-Governmental Organisations through ‘Experts by Experience’ programs

With the increase in migration to Europe after the 2015–2016 ‘refugee crisis’, the inclusion of refugees and asylum seekers in society and the workplace became crucial. However, refugees find it difficult to obtain jobs with or without qualifications, whereas asylum seekers are restricted because of their legal status, affecting their right to work. NGOs working with refugees and asylum seekers have been trying to implement strategies for inclusion by involving more people with lived experience. However, are these efforts enough? What are the limitations and challenges of this approach? This paper investigates small-scale inclusion of asylum seekers and refugees in charities in the United Kingdom using qualitative in-depth semi-structured interviews. It discusses the role charities play from the perspective of refugees, asylum seekers, and NGO workers. The paper will present a new concept in NGOs referred to as ‘experts by experience’ looking at its benefits and limitations.

“My Mummy Has a Hole in Her Face”: Living with Facial Eye Disfigurement

People living with facial eye disfigurements (LwFED) are often shunned by a society that makes spontaneous judgements based on appearance. This article is a case study of the lived experience of Toni, a 27-year-old woman LwFED, the result of her treatment for ocular cancer. Semi-structured interviews facilitated the exploration of her experiences. We present the findings chronologically but interwoven with themes such as: being strong for others; responding to her partner’s abuse; dealing with strangers; and reinventing her sense of identity and supporting others. We identified institutional perspectives of work, hospital, and family within the prevailing UK that impacted Toni’s experiences of LwFED and argue that institutional perspectives need to be educated about the ordinary person’s daily grind of LwFED to address unrecognised bias and assumption. Only when identified and addressed can the reframing of social, institutional, organisational, and medical understandings and responses facilitate and support the lives of those LwFED.

Shortage of Labour Force in Forestry of Bosnia and Herzegovina – Forestry Experts' Opinions on Recruiting and Retaining Forestry Workers

Labour force represents the sum of human physical and mental abilities used for the production of whatever kind of use values. In forestry, the performance of work operations, especially wood harvesting, represents a high-risk, physically intensive, and professionally very demanding activity, which inevitably requires a qualified and sustainable labour force. Professional, skilful and motivated forestry workers are the basic requirement for efficient forestry operations and make a constituent part of todays sustainable forest management. However, the forestry sector has recently been facing the increasing problem of a shortage of forestry workers i.e. the major challenge of obtaining the necessary labour force. The reasons for this are different demographic, economic, technological and political processes, as well as the specifics of the forestry sector itself. Therefore, in addition to some general indicators of the forestry workforce condition in Europe and worldwide, this paper presents forestry experts' reflections on the future perspectives of forest work in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Special attention is paid to current issues and problems in attaining and ensuring the necessary labour force (attitudes on forestry work and the profession of forestry worker, gravity of the labour shortage, leading causes and reasons for the lack of forestry workers) and to possible measures and instruments important for improving the forestry workforce sustainability (factors for successful recruitment of forestry workers, stronger retention of workers, greater work commitment, general forest management issues affecting workforce sustainability, etc.). The opinions of forestry experts in public and private companies were statistically tested for differences. The aim of the study is to sensibilize the sector and the public on the problems of the labour force in forestry, its condition and status, and to create the basis that can contribute to bettering the status and sustainability of the labour force in forestry.

Dinamika Konflik antara Masyarakat Buruh dengan Pengusaha

This research explores the dynamics of conflict that occur between workers and factory entrepreneurs in Kedungrejo Village, Muncar District, using the perspective of Karl Marx's conflict icon theory. Fish factories are one of the main economic sectors in this area, and conflicts between fish factory workers and entrepreneurs have a significant impact on the social and economic life of local communities. Karl Marx's conflict theory is used as an analytical framework to understand the root of the problem, the resources being contested, and the role of social class in this conflict. This research includes participatory observation methods, interviews, and document analysis to explore the perspectives of fish factory workers and entrepreneurs. The research results show that the conflict in Kedungrejo Village is related to economic inequality and control of production resources. Workers experience exploitation, low wages and unsafe working conditions, while fish factory entrepreneurs try to maximize their profits. This conflict reflects the conflict between the working class who seek to protect their economic rights and entrepreneurs who prioritize their profits. In the perspective of Karl Marx's conflict theory, this conflict is the result of a structural conflict between the working class (proletariat) and the owners of capital (capitalists). These conflicts reflect fundamental inequalities in the distribution of wealth and power. This research proposes the need for more inclusive and fair solutions in overcoming this conflict, such as collective bargaining, stricter labor regulations, and building awareness of the working class to increase their bargaining power in negotiations with fish factory entrepreneurs. Thus, this research provides insight into the dynamics of conflict between workers and fish factory entrepreneurs in the context of the Kedungrejo Village community, as well as its implications from the perspective of Karl Marx's conflict theory.

“I Don’t Want my Job to Take over my Life”: Psychological Self-Care Perspectives of Early-Career Social Workers in the Field of Migration in Turkey

The aim of the study was to examine the experiences of early career social workers in the field of migration regarding psychological self-care. Three focus groups were conducted with nine social workers who were registered with the Migration Study Commission of the Turkish Association of Social Workers. The data were analyzed using MAXQDA. The analysis is presented through four themes: the motivations for working in the field of migration, the experiences of working in this field, the strategies for psychological self-care, and the recommendations for psychological self-care. The findings show that the caseload of early career social workers is high, they face the language barrier, and there is no effective supervision system. Individual and institutional strategies are used to provide psychological self-care. It can be recommended to reduce the workload, improve the supervision system, implement mindfulness activities, and provide access to mental health services in promoting psychological self-care of early career social workers in the field of migration.

The cost of beauty: Perspectives of salon workers in Kisumu City, Kenya.

Despite occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals in cosmetics and personal care products (PCPs), salon workers receive minimal formal protections. Consequently, most salon workers rely on personal safeguards. However, the nature of such individual-level safeguards remains unknown. Knowledge of risks associated with occupational use of cosmetics and PCPs and information needs of salon workers were investigated in Kisumu City, Kenya. Responses from 302 respondents showed that 84% were women and 30% had post-secondary education. Seventy percent reported knowing that ingestion, inhalation, dermal absorption, and injection are the pathways through which harmful products in cosmetics and PCPs may enter the body. Salon workers who had been employed for more than 5 years were at least twice more likely to report that it is not the case that cosmetics and PCPs only cause harm to children (5-10 years vs 1 year: OR = 2.440, 95% CI, 1.160-5.239; >10 years vs 1 year: OR = 8.857, 95% CI, 3.163-29.377); they were about three times more likely to either agree with the statement that cosmetics and PCPs only cause harm under prolonged exposure or to say that they did not know compared to their counterparts who had worked in the industry for 1 year (5-10 years vs 1 year: OR = 2.750, 95% CI, 1.144-7.179; >10 years vs 1 year: 3.179, 95% CI, 1.173-9.096). Over 50% of the respondents reported that they need information on how to protect themselves and others; on available protective measures; and on cosmetic products and PCPs that are safe. Sixty percent reported that they would prefer to get such information from the Ministry of Health at the county or national level and on product inserts. Overall, salon workers in Kisumu City are knowledgeable about the risks associated with their occupation but also appreciate gaps in their knowledge, which can be filled by government-mandated interventions.