Work Practice Research Articles

Social Work and Policy Practice in Albania: Unpacking the Professional Engagement of Social Workers in Policy Reforms

Social Work and Policy Practice in Albania: Unpacking the Professional Engagement of Social Workers in Policy Reforms

Relational Cultural Theory and Intervention Approaches with Adolescent Girls: An Integrative Review

Relational Cultural Theory (RCT) offers a feminist, relationally-centered approach to therapy and social work practice, which is focused on the unique developmental experiences of girls, women, and individuals from traditionally underrepresented or marginalized groups. Much of the theoretical and intervention research on this model has focused on adult women, with less attention devoted to RCT's application with adolescent girls. This integrative literature review synthesizes qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods, and case study research on RCT to assess: 1) how RCT theoretical tenets have been translated into intervention strategies with adolescent girls, and 2) the degree to which RCT intervention research includes experiences of girls from diverse and underrepresented groups. Five electronic databases were searched through August 2023. Following deduplication and screening for inclusion/exclusion, 12 studies were retained for inclusion in this review. Analysis revealed four core RCT concepts that were linked with therapeutic intervention components across all included studies: mutual empathy, authenticity, empowerment, and the overall strengthening and deepening of relational connections. Over half of included studies reported samples that were over 50% girls of color, and/or having an expressed study purpose focused on girls from a diverse or underrepresented group. Practice implications for work with adolescent girls are discussed.

The ecospiritual approach for the advancement of social work: a concept and practice of ‘interconnectedness’ in Won Buddhism

ABSTRACT In the context of today’s globalized world, marked by heightened awareness of interconnected social challenges, this paper explores the integration of ecospiritual approach into social work practice and education. Recognizing spirituality as a universal aspect of human experience, the authors advocate for a spiritually sensitive approach to social work, emphasizing the search for meaning, purpose, and connectedness. Central to this discussion is the ecospiritual approach, which challenges Western paradigms of individualism and capitalism by embracing interconnectedness and interdependent relationships. This approach is exemplified through the exploration of Buddhism, African spiritual philosophy, and Won Buddhism, particularly focusing on concepts of Interbeing, Ubuntu, and the Fourfold Grace. This paper highlights the relevance of the Fourfold Grace and gratitude practices in Won Buddhism for building the ecospiritual framework into practice, emphasizing their potential to enhance knowledge and practice integrity in the field. The overarching goal is to promote collective awareness and commitment, advanced practices toward the advancement of social work, social justice, and a sustainable well-being society. The future directions in this paper share thoughtful visions and hopes.

Working Individually and Collectively: Assisting Young People with Cognitive Disability Transitioning from Statutory Systems

AbstractYoung people with cognitive disability exiting statutory child protection and/or youth justice systems are a particularly vulnerable group. They have varied, complex and dynamic needs. These are often poorly responded to, due in part to a lack of formal and informal supports. There remains a lack of specialised supports and a dearth of evidence regarding best practice in supporting this group. This paper explores social work practices which respond to the social isolation of this cohort and the gap in support as young people transition to adulthood. The paper focuses on a group program in Queensland (Australia) which was specifically designed to support young people with a cognitive disability leaving child protection and/or youth justice systems. It reports on a subset of data from a mixed-methods study. It presents the perspectives of the young people and their practitioners regarding the practices that supported the engagement of young people and created opportunities for connection and skill development within the group program. The findings highlight the importance of relationship-driven practices that are supported and resourced by the organisation, and the need for parallel individual and group work processes for achieving positive outcomes with young people with cognitive disability transitioning from statutory systems.

Addressing loneliness in older adults: predictors, protective factors, and implications for social work practice

ABSTRACT Loneliness significantly impacts the mental well-being of older adults, prompting an examination of psychological predictors and buffering factors associated with it in this demographic. A cross-sectional study involving 246 community-dwelling older adults was conducted. The UCLA Loneliness Scale identified predictors of loneliness, including negative mood, hopelessness (negative future expectations and loss of motivation), and despair. Buffering factors included ego-integrity, personal growth, and purpose in life. Regression analysis revealed that negative mood, negative future expectations, and despair increased loneliness, with negative mood showing a strong association. Conversely, ego-integrity, personal growth, and purpose in life reduced loneliness. The study underscores the complex interplay of psychological factors shaping loneliness in older adults, highlighting the importance of addressing both risk and protective factors. Social work practitioners in healthcare settings can play a pivotal role in addressing loneliness among older adults by leveraging these factors.

Teknik Pembenihan Ikan Kerapu Cantang (Ephinephelus sp.) di Balai Budidaya Air Payau, Situbondo, Jawa Timur

Grouper fish (Epinephelus sp.) is one of the popular marine fish species in the market in Indonesia and abroad in Southeast Asia, this fish has high economic value, good taste. Currently, the development of grouper aquaculture has been growing, so the seeds must be available continuously to meet the demand for seeds, therefore the foundation of interspecies crosses between groupers that have a high heterosis effect in growth traits, disease resistance and environmental resistance. This research activity was carried out at the Brackish Water Aquaculture Center located in Situbondo, East Java and was carried out from June 19, 2023 to August 19, 2023. The working method used in the Field Work Practice is descriptive method with data collection including primary and secondary. The technique of grouper hatchery conducted at the Brackish Water Aquaculture Fisheries Center stages include tub preparation, broodstock rearing, hybridization, hatching and egg stocking, larval development, feeding, water quality management, growth sampling and grading, pests and diseases, and harvesting and marketing. The results of the observed parameters are HR 73.25%, SR 15.98%, FR 74.16%. Water quality management carried out in grouper hatcheries is water reduction and water changes according to larval age, siphon once a week and water quality tests.

Exclusive breastfeeding experience among healthcare working mothers in central Tanzania: A qualitative study

Background & Aim: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is essential for infant health, yet the global prevalence is below target. Tanzania is facing challenges in promoting EBF due to sociocultural and economic factors. Despite efforts, rates remained low, especially among working mothers. The experience of healthcare-working mothers in EBF is underexplored despite facing unique challenges like irregular schedules and workplace stressors. This study aims to explore healthcare-working women's experiences with EBF. Methods & Materials: This qualitative study involves fifteen participants from two referral hospitals in Tanzania. We employed semi-structured interviews to explore the significance of their lived experiences while keeping the interview on track. We sampled our participants using purposive and snowball sampling. The interviews were recorded using a digital audio recorder and transcribed verbatim. Then, thematic analysis was used to analyze data. Results: Participants shared insights into their EBF practices, highlighting the significance of breastfeeding knowledge and its benefits for mothers and children. Key themes identified were healthcare-working mothers' knowledge and practice of EBF, balancing EBF and work, and barriers to EBF while working. Mothers emphasized EBF's health and emotional benefits, noting strategies to ensure sufficient milk supply and challenges in maintaining EBF due to work demands, fatigue, and physiological discomforts. Support systems at home and workplace policies were crucial for facilitating EBF, yet the availability of alternative milk sometimes hindered sustained EBF. Conclusion: This research provides valuable insights into the experiences of healthcare-working mothers in EBF. The findings underscore the importance of promoting supportive environments, workplace policies, and social networks to facilitate exclusive breastfeeding continuation for working mothers.

Reconceptualizing early childhood education: Cartographic relational stories

In this article, we enact a partial cartographic storying of reconceptualist turns in our work. We do this by situating ourselves in relation to each other and our work across time as a mode of tracing the (situated) possibilities that these turns have enacted for children-in-relation with worlds. In enacting this dialogic and cartographic storying, we collaborate in a way that is inspired by Black methodologies. This means that we intentionally think with liberatory possibilities in our work in early childhood education research and practice across modalities, disciplines, temporalities and geographies. Importantly, like Black methodologies this co-theorizing is also ontological; it is inseparable from our own relational becomings. Following an anticolonial ethos, we are interested in the liberatory potentials of our work, at multiple scales and in different but specific places. We attempt to enact the difficult task of (re)storying our childhood education research and practice in ways that pay attention to the interconnected presences and effects of white supremacy, human supremacy and colonialism, while simultaneously refusing to reinscribe a flattened damage-centred understanding of children, educators and their relational worlds.

Forensic Doctorate Trainee Views on an Expert by Experience (EbE)-Led Workshop: A Qualitative Exploration of Trainee Reflections

ABSTRACT There is a growing recognition of the value of Expert by Experience (EbE) input into the training of forensic psychologists. This study aimed to gain insight into the experiences of doctoral trainees of an EbE led workshop. Sixteen trainees wrote reflective pieces of work following attending an EbE designed and led workshop. Four main themes were found: What I took from the workshop; Workshop delivery; What will I do differently?; and What needs to change? The findings point to the EbE led workshop having a positive impact on trainee current and future work practices.

Exploring staff experiences of remote working in a new community rehabilitation team

Background/Aims Health services required significant adaptation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The remote community enhanced rehabilitation team was created during the pandemic in response to faster discharges. This service evaluation aimed to explore staff experiences of remote working when implementing this new community rehabilitation team. Methods Six members of the community enhanced rehabilitation team, including nursing and psychology staff, completed qualitative semi-structured interviews about staff experiences. The interviews explored experiences of delivering clinical care, providing and receiving team support and personal impacts of remote working. Data were analysed using thematic analysis via a critical-realist approach. Results Thematic analysis from the interview transcripts revealed five main themes: anxiety related to remote working practices during a global pandemic, work–life balance, developing relationships, limits to remote working and working towards a hybrid model. Conclusions Challenges and benefits of remote working were identified along with some mitigations. Moving forward, a hybrid working model would likely benefit both service users and staff.

Book Review: Social work practice during times of disaster: A transformative green social work model for theory, education and practice in disaster interventions by Dominelli Lena

Book Review: <i>Social work practice during times of disaster: A transformative green social work model for theory, education and practice in disaster interventions</i> by Dominelli Lena

Outcomes of Pyrocarbon Hemiarthroplasty with Corrective, Concentric Reaming (CCR) for B2/B3 Glenoid Osteoarthritis

Posterior humeral subluxation (PHS) in B2/B3 glenoid is a cause of asymmetric long-term stress on the glenoid and the potential reason for glenoid loosening in anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (ATSA) and painful glenoid erosion in hemiarthroplasty with metallic heads (HA-Metal). We hypothesized that corrective and concentric reaming (CCR) of the glenoid associated with pyrocarbon hemiarthroplasty (HA-PYC) could improve the centering of the humeral head and decrease the risk of persistent painful glenoid erosion in young/active patients with B2/B3 glenoid. Between 2014 and 2020, 41shoulders (in 35 patients, mean age of 57.9 years) underwent HA-PYC combined with CCR reaming for B2 (n=30) or B3 (n=11) osteoarthritis. Patients were prospectively followed with computed tomography (CT) scans performed preoperatively, immediate postoperatively and at last follow-up (> 2 years). The primary outcomes were 3D-corrected CT-scan measurements of glenoid version, PHS, progression of glenoid erosion. Secondary outcomes included functional outcome scores, return to activities, and revision rate and complications. At a mean follow-up of 4.5 years (2 to 9.5 years), the prosthesis survival was 95% (39/41). No patient has been reoperated for painful glenoid erosion. The mean glenoid retroversion decreased from 17.1° ± 7.5 preoperatively to 8.3° ± 8.2 at last follow-up (p=0.001), and the mean PHS from 74% to 56.5% (p=0.001) based on the scapular plane and from 59.9% to 50.3% based on the glenoid plane. The humeral head was recentered in 97% according to the glenoid surface and 71% according to the scapular plane. Correction of PHS in the scapular plane was highly correlated to correction of glenoid retroversion (p<0.001). CT-scan measurements showed that the average total medialization was 3.7 ± 3.2 mm (2.0 ± 1.8 mm due to reaming and only 1.7 ± 2.4 mm due to erosion). The Adjusted Constant score increased from 43% ± 13 to 97% ± 16 and the Subjective Shoulder Value from 38% ± 14 to 84 % ± 12 (p<0.001). Overall, 84% of active patients returned to work and all patients returned to sports. In B2/B3 glenoid arthritis, corrective, concentric glenoid reaming combined with HA-PYC improves centering of the humeral head and shows a low risk of painful glenoid erosion at mid-term follow-up. The combined procedure results in excellent functional outcomes and high prosthesis survivorship at mid-term follow-up. HA-PYC and CCR is offering an alternative shoulder arthroplasty for young/active patients with B2/B3 glenoid osteoarthritis who want to return to work or sports practice.

Toward a theory of team resource mobilization: A systematic review and model of sustained agile team effectiveness

The notion of resources is central to many theories in HRM and applied psychology. Prominent resource-based theories in HRM tend to focus on issues related to accessing resources at the firm-level (e.g., resource-based view of the firm) or the employee-level (e.g., job demands - resources theory). However, at the team-level, the critical issue is often a matter of resource mobilization rather than resource access. Previous research has discovered that a team's ability to use resources effectively is indicative of collective intelligence. Instead of explaining this ability with a latent collective intelligence factor, we argue that teams can develop this ability by using agile work practices (AWPs). Through a systematic review of the agile team literature, we describe how agile teams mobilize resources embedded in the internal and external environment to achieve sustained team effectiveness. Generalizing beyond the agile team context, we propose a model that introduces team-internal and team-external resource mobilization as unique predictors of sustained team effectiveness. We further propose that resource mobilization is strengthened by challenge demands (e.g., work complexity) and weakened by hindrance demands (e.g., role conflict). We hope our model of sustained team effectiveness inspires future research into how teams can perform effectively across multiple episodes, without this going at the cost of members' health and well-being.

Impact of High-Performance Work Practices on Employee Outcomes in Employee-Owned Companies

Impact of High-Performance Work Practices on Employee Outcomes in Employee-Owned Companies

Sticking Together to Remain Unique: Institutional Work Practices for Cooperation Resilience

Sticking Together to Remain Unique: Institutional Work Practices for Cooperation Resilience

Managing Institutional Complexity in Constrained Work Practices

Managing Institutional Complexity in Constrained Work Practices

Stress Coping Strategies In Farmers As An Effort To Overcome Psychosocial Problems

Introduction: Agriculture plays a crucial role in Indonesia, with farmers as the backbone of this sector. However, farmers often experience high levels of stress due to workloads and other psychosocial issues. Objective: This study aims to review the literature on coping strategies used by farmers to address their psychosocial problems. Method: A literature review was conducted by searching for relevant articles in databases such as Science Direct, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Keywords related to “stress”, “farmers”, and “coping” were used. Selected articles were published in the last five years (2019-2024). Results: The literature review revealed that farmers employ various coping strategies to manage stress, including good work practices, stress management, mental health counseling, relaxation therapy, and coping strategies focused on problems or emotions. Social support, self-confidence, and self-efficacy also play crucial roles in reducing stress among farmers. Conclusion: Farmers in Indonesia face significant psychosocial challenges, but they demonstrate the ability to address these issues through various coping strategies. Social support and self-confidence are crucial in improving the mental well-being of farmers. The implications of this study emphasize the importance of developing more effective intervention programs to enhance the mental well-being of farmers in Indonesia.

Museum Professionals’ Perceptions of Chemical and Biological Hazards and Risks in Museum Work Environments in Finland

Limited research has explored museum professionals’ perceptions of workplace hazards and risks, despite the presence of various health threats in museum work environments. This study aims to identify perceived chemical and biological hazards and contributing factors in Finnish museum workplaces. Utilizing data from two surveys and qualitative content analysis, it uncovers a range of perceived hazards, often linked to collection storage facilities, historical buildings, and museum collections. Mold, indoor air quality, and dust are central concerns. While recognizing chemical hazards in collections proves challenging, accident-related and ergonomic hazards receive broad recognition. Workplace hazards are perceived to be rooted in systemic and cultural factors, encompassing haphazard management, recurring themes of neglect, limited safety knowledge, and negative attitudes. Enhancing workplace safety in museums necessitates a comprehensive approach, including support and education for leaders and other professionals, improved work practices and storage facilities, and increased budgetary support.

Symposium 3: Tomorrow’s Networked Posthumans: Reflections on Artificial Intelligence and the Digital Well-Being of Young Children

While networked learning (NL) is most often associated with adult learning and professional work practices, examining the “ontogenetic development” of children in the context of today’s smart global networks is also relevant to NL research (Rodríguez-Illera &amp; Barberà in NLEC et al., 2021). In this paper, we ask: What child-technology relations are being forged in our posthuman era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), big data and global networks? We begin by scoping the intensifying presence of networked, smart technologies in the home life of infants, toddlers and preschoolers; we examine recent policy frameworks regarding AI, ethics and children. We then turn to two phenomenological philosophers, Michel Serres and Bernard Stiegler to consider how their thinking about digital technologies might provide insight for parents and educators as they endeavour to make the best “smart” technology choices for children. Finally, we consider the implications of our phenomenological reflections on today’s young posthumans for networked learning and postdigital education.

Reinforce, readjust, reclaim: How artificial intelligence impacts journalism’s professional claim

Major advances in artificial intelligence have fuelled a rapid increase in the automation and augmentation of journalistic work, challenging the centrality of journalists in the news production process. This article theoretically explores news automation by adopting a system of professions framework from the sociology of professions to provide a holistic perspective on the impact of artificial intelligence on journalistic work. This framework posits that different factors influence professional control over work, and problems caused by these factors have left journalism vulnerable to automation. The routine and mundane nature of a significant portion of journalistic tasks suggests that artificial intelligence may potentially replace many journalists in the future, thereby challenging the profession’s claim to expertise. For journalism to uphold its professional authority in the future, it needs to brace for the impact of artificial intelligence. Building on this analysis, we explore strategies for journalism to do so. This involves reinforcing professional ideals in new algorithmic practices, readjusting knowledge and skill taught in education, and reclaiming specialised work practices in organisations. Rather than a threat, the emergence of artificial intelligence then presents an opportunity for journalism to reintroduce the distinctiveness of the profession and rejuvenate its professional promise.