Social Profession Research Articles

Kopeck Journalism as a Social Profession: Upward Mobility, Service, and the Civil Society Spectrum in Late Imperial Russia

Abstract Through case studies of five prominent journalists, editors, and publishers, this article explores journalism at late imperial Russia’s kopeck newspapers. Exploring the lives and careers of journalists from wide-ranging backgrounds who shared a view of their work as both a business and a form of service to poor Russians, this article argues that kopeck journalists thought their profession combined entrepreneurship and upward mobility with activism and civic responsibility. The life stories and views of kopeck journalists reveal that civil society was not limited to small groups of educated middle-class Russians but rather included a wide range of actors and initiatives. Viewing these figures as members of late imperial Russian civil society also demonstrates that civil society activity could coexist with business concerns and operate within Russia’s emerging free market, despite the critiques of contemporary observers who saw commercial and social goals as inherently contradictory.

The relationship of the career barriers of women teachers with their perceptions of professional social support and hopelessness level: evidence from Turkey

ABSTRACT In this study, career barriers, perceptions of professional social support and hopelessness levels of female teachers were examined. Gender-related barriers faced by female teachers in rising to senior managerial positions were considered as carrier barriers; social connections of women with work environment as perception of professional social support; and the negative expectations for the future as hopelessness. The study group consisted of 466 teachers selected through non-proportional random sampling. The data of the study were collected by using Career Barriers Scale, Teacher Professional Social Support Scale and Beck Hopelessness Scale. The results show that all female teachers accept the presence of career barriers. On the other hand, the results of the study were interpreted separately according to female teachers who want and do not want to be managers. The women who want to become managers need more social support and experience more hopelessness. Also, it was revealed that career barriers are associated with professional social support perception and hopelessness; and career barriers significantly predict the social support perception and hopelessness. These finding points out that gender stereotypes are still effective in the teaching profession and have negative consequences for women teachers.

Narrativa e legitimidade na Restauração de Portugal: primeiras ações no âmbito da literatura justificativa (1641-1644)

The present article explores the early steps taken toward the international legitimization of King Joao IV of Portugal by means of books and printed leaflets, outlining the context in which each work was published and the main arguments made by each author. Such writings were fundamental to publicizing the official version of the restoration movement abroad, which was until then only known of in Portugal. Dedicated to this task were the “republics”, formed by men from a wide variety of social backgrounds and professions whose primary concern was to promote the things of the res publica. During the campaign, the republics were challenged by Castilian Juan Caramuel Lobkowitz, who wrote a response to the Kingdom of Portugal’s manifesto, prompting a further response from various Portuguese authors. The result was to spark a controversy that involved various European countries and lasted for years.

Is Sport Coaching a Social Sustainable Profession for Women? Analysing the Experiences of Women Coaches in Spain

While there are several studies showing the importance of social sustainability in different settings (e.g., Democracy and Governance: the Role of Sport Governing Bodies, urban planning, architecture) there is a lack of studies investigating social sustainability in the sports coaching profession, and even less research has specifically addressed women coaches. Using Barron and Gauntlett’s model of social sustainability (2002), the purpose of this study was to analyze the women coaches’ experiences of their profession and the extent to which it is a sustainable livelihood for women coaches. Semi-structured interviews with 20 women coaches were conducted from a variety of sports and performance levels. From a social sustainability perspective, the women coaches’ experiences were analyzed using Barron and Gauntlett’s principles of equity, diversity, interconnectedness, and democracy and governance to ascertain their quality of life. Our findings reveal that women coaches face multiple barriers and difficult working conditions in their profession, yet they continue to be committed to coaching largely because of the strong positive interpersonal relationships and social interactions they have with their sporting community. This study shines a light on the extent to which coaching is a livable and sustainable profession for women coaches today and highlights the importance of considering social sustainability principles to improve the experiences of women in the sports coaching profession.

Judgement, Common Sense and Discernment: Contributions from Humanistic Thinking to the Social Professions

This paper reviews definitions and usage of judgement and common sense as time-tested criteria in decision-making. It looks at how scholars in different disciplines and professions have approached judgement and professional wisdom, (to include tacit knowledge and common sense). It advocates teaching, reflecting and dialoguing on ethical principles and the incorporation of the classical virtues in discussions to increase social workers and other professionals’ full understanding of the complex meaning of these terms. The paper does not advocate any single approach to decision-making and acknowledges the quandaries of professionals. However, the paper builds the case that practitioners and academics can use good judgement to enhance, not abandon, their commitment to fairness and justice. Professionals, in the sense of those who belong to a discourse tradition (MacIntyre, 1984), can successfully overcome prejudicial assumptions relying on discernment developed through study, reflection and lived experiences. Finally, it is acknowledged that social work policies and practice parameters are reliant on ethical and legal frameworks. Philosophic and legal reasoning discourses are discussed as offering worthwhile perspectives. The paper strives to draw on the humanistic and multidisciplinary approaches to «knowing» to enhance the wisdom upon which the all human professions build.

Assessment of bacterial isolates associated with mobile phones of meat sellers in selected markets in Benin city, Edo State, Nigeria

Mobile phones are essential components used to enhance social life and aid different professions. Swab samples were obtained from ninety-six (96) meat sellers' mobile phones in four (4) major markets; Edaiken, New Benin, Oba and Ogida in Benin City, over a period of four months. Mobile phones were sampled in the morning (8am-10am) and evening (4pm-6pm) between September, 2018 and December, 2018. Samples were immediately transported to the laboratory for microbiological processing and analysis using standard methods. The isolates were enumerated and identified, and antibiotics susceptibility test was carried out before and after plasmid curing. The study revealed that the mean total heterotrophic bacterial counts ranged from 1.07 ± 0.22 x 104 CFU/mL in New Benin market to 5.60 ± 0.12 x 104 CFU/mL in Edaiken market. The mean total coliform counts ranged from 0.60 ± 0.15 x 104 CFU/mL in Ogida Market to 4.63 ± 0.61 x 104 CFU/mL in Oba Market. The total staphylococcal counts ranged from 0.27 ± 0.09 x 104 CFU/mL in Oba market to 3.00 ± 0 ± 1.30 x 104 CFU/mL in New Benin market. Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus spp, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Enterococcus sp. were recovered. All the bacterial isolates had multiple antibiotic resistance index greater than the minimum limit of 0.2, indicating that the isolates are of significant public health concern. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus spp all had multiple plasmids, according to the plasmid profile study. The existence of bacterial isolates linked to human diseases on the phones of meat vendors highlight their potential as fomites, which could lead to disease outbreaks resulting in infections with serious public health implications.

Calculating the Social Return on Investment of a Japanese Professional Soccer Team's Corporate Social Responsibility Activities.

In response to the lack of evidence for visualizing the monetary value of professional sport teams' CSR-related social impact, this study aimed to calculate the social impact of a Japanese professional soccer team's corporate social responsibility (CSR) activity (i.e., community soccer/physical activity program) by using a social return on investment (SROI) framework. Specifically, Matsumoto Yamaga Football Club was used for the estimation. This professional soccer team was ranked in the top division of the league (J1) during the estimation period and engaged in CSR activities at 129 community soccer schools in a year (2019–2020). The SROI calculation involved five stages: (1) identifying key stakeholders, (2) mapping inputs, outputs, and outcomes, (3) measuring and valuing outcomes, (4) establishing impact, and (5) calculating SROI. For the first step, we specified seven major stakeholders (soccer team, nursery school children, parents, coaches, teachers, local governments, and local football associations) and conducted interview investigations with each stakeholder. Our result showed that the social value of the teams' targeted community soccer school was USD 54,160, and the total financial and non-financial inputs to the school were USD 10,134, meaning an SROI ratio of 5.3. This means that for every USD invested in a community soccer school, social benefit worth USD 5.3 was generated. This study contributes to advancing social impact research in sport by shedding light on the monetary value of the social impact of professional sport teams' CSR activities. In addition, it also has practical implications for team managers looking to utilize CSR activities as a management strategy, through cost-effective investment and optimization of resources.

Multiple stakeholder perspectives of factors influencing differential outcomes for ethnic minority students on health and social care placements: a qualitative exploration

BackgroundDespite considerable efforts there continues to be a degree awarding gap within the United Kingdom (UK) between the proportion of White British students receiving higher classifications, compared to ethnic minority UK-domiciled students. Practice placement elements constitute approximately 50% of most health and social care programmes, yet surprisingly little research exists related to the factors which may contribute to ethnic minority student placement outcomes or experiences. This study bridges this evidence gap by exploring factors influencing differential placement outcomes of ethnic minority students from the perspectives of key stakeholders.MethodsThe study followed a descriptive qualitative research design and was multi-disciplinary, with participants drawn from across nursing, midwifery, social work and the allied health professions. Participants from four stakeholder categories (ethnic minority students, academic staff, placement educators and student union advisors) were invited to join separate focus groups. Focus groups were recorded and transcribed and analysed thematically.ResultsTen separate focus groups [n = 66] yielded three primary themes: 1) recognition, which highlighted stakeholder perceptions of the issues [sub-themes: acknowledging concerns; cultural norms; challenging environments]; 2) the lived experience, which primarily captured ethnic minority student perspectives [sub-themes: problematising language and stereotyping, and being treated differently]; 3) surviving not thriving, which outlines the consequences of the lived experience [sub-themes: withdrawing mentally, feeling like an alien].ConclusionThis study presents a rich exploration of the factors affecting differential outcomes of ethnic minority students on practice placements through the lens of four different stakeholder groups. To our knowledge this is the first study in which this comprehensive approach has been taken to enable multiple viewpoints to be accessed across a wide range of health and social care professions. The issues and challenges raised appear to be common to most if not all of these disciplines. This study highlights the urgent need to value and support our ethnic minority students to remove the barriers they face in their practice learning settings. This is a monumental challenge and requires both individuals and organisations to step up and take collective responsibility.

Social pedagogy in transnational translations: the settlement house approach in the transatlantic discourse on national social reforms

A new interest in social pedagogy has arisen internationally since the beginning of the twenty-first century. This new development is accompanied with considerations on how to translate abstract notions such as social pedagogy to fit new social contexts. The umbrella term ‘social professions’ helps to gain an international and transnational outlook, as it does not solely focus on a single profession that has become dominant in the social sector of a single nation state. This article aims to show that there are important interconnections in the histories of social professions in the various nation states which have influenced both social work and social pedagogy. Instead of focusing on the distinctions between the various social professions, this approach aims to reveal the boundary objects which have facilitated the links between the different developments without causing the social professions to become homogeneous. During the progressive era in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, there was a transatlantic discourse that influenced those professions’ further development. It is argued specifically that the settlement house movement and its understanding of and work with the community affected the development of social pedagogy, as these ideas and practices were adapted to comply with the changing face of social pedagogy in the second decade of the twentieth century.

Job burnout and empathy among different healthcare professionals

Abstract Introduction. Burnout and empathy affect employees in social professions due to the demanding work environment. Characterized, among others, by: stress, experiencing failure, workload and its multitasking. At the same time, social professions require high interpersonal skills, active listening, communication, empathy, patience and interest from people who practice them. Aim. The aim of the study was to analyze the influence of occupational burnout on showing empathy among medical personnel towards patients. Material and methods. The research was conducted among a group of 104 nurses and 103 doctors, working in hospitals and clinics located in urban areas. The nurses’ mean age is 37,35 (SD=11.32), the doctors’ mean age is 32.50 (SD=8.29).The surveyed persons completed a set of questionnaires: Self-authorship sheet for collecting sociodemographic data, Link Burnout Questionnaire by Massimo Santinello, and Personal Empathy Questionnaire by Zenon Uchnast. Results. The conducted research shows a negative correlation between occupational burnout and the empathy of medical personnel. Research also shows that burnout affects younger medical staff with a short period of work and wage-driven. On the other hand, empathy is visible above the age of 40. Conclusion. The research deepened the knowledge about the factors of burnout, which have an impact on the negative perception of development opportunities, failure to perceive work efficiency and the perception of the professional situation as significantly exceeding the individual’s abilities. Negative correlations between burnout and staff empathy indicate a lack of burnout in empathetic people. However, you should bear in mind that having mature empathy protects you from burnout.

German social pedagogy and social work: the academic discourses mapping a changing historical relationship

The term ‘social pedagogy’ was coined in Germany, a country which also provided fertile ground for the early development of social work. This article reconstructs the evolution of the two disciplines, which existed alongside one another for much of the twentieth century. It starts with their identities at the time of their early emergence, and then focuses on two formative periods: the early twentieth century, when both disciplines were in the nascent stages of independent development; and the late twentieth century, when they appeared to be in a state of amalgamation. In the course of this examination, Hämäläinen’s recent suggestion that social pedagogy can be regarded as a science, as a profession and in terms of its education is investigated. So too is Lorenz’s framework for considering a nation’s social professions in terms of social policy, civil society and academic discourse elements. Those academic discourses tied to the identity of the two professions offer an opportunity to pin down the slippery German concept of social pedagogy, demarcate it from social work and consider the path dependencies of each profession. This is carried out with particular reference to the early figures who shaped the disciplines, specifically Paul Natorp, Herman Nohl and Alice Salomon. The case of Germany reveals not only few uncontested definitions of the two professions, but also a clear formal separation for much of the twentieth century, which is best understood by considering historical, not contemporary arrangements.

Social changes and challenges in (post)pandemic times for social professions

Social changes and challenges in (post)pandemic times for social professions

The Importance of Teaching Social Work as a Sociolegal Practice: An Irish Perspective

ABSTRACT It has been argued that social work is the only profession that is based on a sociolegal expertise. In this article we suggest that this expertise differentiates social work from related social professions; requiring advanced sociolegal practice skills and a particular approach to sociolegal education. In a sociolegal environment, social workers and legal professionals practice in a space between service user and their wider environment. We demonstrate the importance of social work students developing competence in the use of the law and how a socioecological model can help students develop their sociolegal practice. We draw from our experience of the Irish child welfare and protection context and argue that specialist sociolegal skills education is required to inform practice across domains.

SPIRITUAL BASIS OF SUCCESSFUL PROFESSIONAL SOCIALIZATION OF YOUTH

The article reveals the spiritual foundations of successful professional socialization of student youth in the modern conditions of the information society. The author has defined the essence of the following concepts of the research: «spirituality» as a category of human existence that expresses their ability to create culture and self-creation; «professional socialization»‘ as a person’s entering a profession, acquiring specific role knowledge, when the professional role is connected with the division of labor; «institution of higher education» as an institution of professional socialization of an individual, connected with their choice of profession, deepening of worldview and final consolidation of professional social role; «religious socialization» as the process which is performed by society to transmit a system of religious knowledge from generation to generation, orientations, guidelines acquired during the life-creating period of humanity, nation, individual.
 The conditions of professional socialization of student youth in the educational space of a higher education institution are highlighted. They are the following: the inclusion of student youth in a creative activating environment and developmental situations, achieving openness of youth in the process of communication and formation of professional competence, active living by an individual of a new personal experience, involving young people in self-analysis and self-evaluation of their own activities, teaching youth self-regulation of their experiences and activities, personal orientation in the process of professional socialization, the system of continuous education.
 Eight levels of spiritual development of the individuality of each representative of student youth, which is significant for their professional socialization, are distinguished, i.e., the level of the biological individual; the level of the psycho-physiological individual; the level of the mental individual; the level of the social individual; the level of the individual as a subject of volitional action; the level of the continuous intuitive mind, freedom of will; the level of compassion and empathy, emotional sensitivity and love; the level of transcendence.
 Attention is focused on the main concepts of determining the spiritual values of the professional socialization of student youth in the direction of humanistic psychology (A. Maslow, G. Allport, K. Rogers, etc.).

Decision Making by Practitioners in the Social Professions Involved in Compulsory Admission to Mental Health Hospital: A Scoping Review

Abstract This scoping review examined the literature on decision making by practitioners in the social professions involved in compulsory admission to mental health hospital in the UK. This aimed to find out(i) what processes shape social profession decision making about compulsory admission to mental health hospitals in practice? and (ii) what methods have informed studies in this area, and how have these shaped the current state of knowledge? Three main themes emerged are: professional positioning; characteristics of the person assessed; and organisational factors. The literature has approached answering this question by focusing on social professional jurisdictional perspectives, emphasising concern whether a social perspective is privileged in decision making. Lack of realistic options to avoid in-patient care underpins decisions to detain. The process involves a logistical challenge for the social profession. The social milieu of those assessed is associated with social vulnerability and social deprivation, highlighting the relevance for social work. Concerns about risk and a citizen’s lack of mental capacity to make decisions about care are associated with decisions to detain. Implications for social work include a need for research that explores the institutional and social context of decision making. Finally, implementing supported decision making in social work practice is proposed as an imperative for future research.

Factors influencing study engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study among health and social professions students.

BackgroundThe aim of this study is to explore factors influencing the study engagement of health and social professions students during the COVID-19 pandemic. While antecedents of study engagement have been studied previously, the factors influencing engagement under pandemic conditions have not yet been investigated. Furthermore, there is a particular need for research among students in health and social professions programs, as these students are particularly affected by the pandemic. As theoretical basis, the study draws on the demands-resources-theory. It is hypothesized that pandemic-related study and personal resources drive engagement during the pandemic, and that pandemic-related demands negatively influence engagement.MethodThe study uses a cross-sectional survey to explore the hypothesized effects. The sample consists of 559 university students of health and social professions in Germany. The study was carried out in July 2020, towards the end of the first digital semester and after the first peak in COVID-19 cases. Data are analyzed using linear multiple regression analysis.ResultsThe findings show that the demands-resources-theory is suitable to explain study engagement even under pandemic conditions. Suitable digital learning formats and social support are identified as important study resources for study engagement during major life events, while emotional resilience, active self-care and academic self-efficacy are identified as important personal resources.ConclusionsUnder pandemic conditions academic institutions should focus on providing beneficial teaching formats and innovative ways to support students lacking social networks. Besides, they should consider developing means to help students structuring daily life as well as establishing initiatives to strengthen students’ self-efficacy beliefs.

Determinants of the work of a court-appointed guardian in Poland

The profession of a court-appointed guardian belongs to the so-called social professions. This means that the person performing such a profession has direct and constant contact with people. In Poland, a very important legal act regulating the work of a court-appointed guardian is the Act of 27 July 2001 on court-appointed guardians which emphasizes that the legal supervision is a professional social service. As a public officer cooperates not only with the ward and their immediate environment, but also with institutions and institutions dealing with care, education, rehabilitation, treatment, counselling and social assistance. The actions taken by the court-appointed guardians are of educational and social rehabilitation, diagnostic, preventive, and supervision nature. The purpose of this article is to analyse the conditions of the work of a court-appointed guardian.

19세기 영국 퀘이커교도의 비즈니스 성공요인과 그 윤리

This study aims to examine the roles of Quaker tradesmen and entrepreneurs in the developments of the Industrial Revolution in Britain and the success factors and ethics of Quakers’ Business activities. How the Quaker took the lead the front line of the Industrial Revolution? What brought Quakers into various fields of commerce and industrial world? Quaker was derived from puritanism since the Civil War in England but Quaker believers had been at odds with other protestant sects. Because Quakers thought that Everyone was equal before God and they denied the official authorities including the King and the religious leaders. Therefore Quakers were regarded as the dangerous group that threatened the social order. From the 1660s, The Commonwealth of England and the constitutional monarchy kept prohibited Quakers from advancing the official position of the political circles and the social professions and the admission into any university and college. So Quakers could not have advanced into the various business circles and industrial world. Quakers had been striven to calling faithfully and concentrated on their trading and managing their business efficiently during 18~19th centuries. Finally, they contributed to establish the development of modern capitalism in Britain as the outstanding forerunners or manufacturers or tradesmen that were engaged in manufacturing industries during the 18th~19th century. Above all, Quakers had managed to their company honestly and put in business practice truthfully following codes of conduct of Quakerism for equality, peace, truth and simple life. As a result, Quaker companies like the Cadbury Co. of Birmingham and the Rowntree Co. of York got a good reputation of ‘good companies and good employers’ by the contemporary and some scholars of today. Some Quaker entrepreneurs and reformers tried to remove parts of social problems caused by the Industrial developments. They tried to improve their labourer’s poor life by improving the working conditions and they established collaborative relations by recognizing their labourers as collaborators. Nowadays, the Business activities of Quaker tradesmen and companies are termed in ‘Quakernomics that had features of Ethical capitalism’ by Mike King. The result of this study highlights the religious life of preserving the religious spirituality of Quakers, the presence of competent businessmen pursued new technology and innovation, Quaker’s enterprise culture and system for labourers differentiated from other companies and especially the network power of the religious society of Friend based on Quaker relationship etc. as the real factors of Quakers’ business success. (Kyungpook National University / minerva10@hanmail.net)

THE SWEDISH SOCIAL LANDSCAPE IN SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE WITH VULNERABLE YOUNG POPULATIONS

A substantial number of young people in Western countries are facing severe difficulties due to wider social, political and economic change. Using a review of the literature and a descriptive approach, this paper explores issues of youth education, training, employment and social capital on the Swedish welfare landscape, as important factors in the education of the social professions, to understand and meet the needs of young vulnerable populations. The research found growing uncertain conditions in young populations, growing socio-economic vulnerability, mental ill-health and insufficient access to the labour market. Furthermore, the results of the paper suggest shortcomings in the social services for disadvantaged young people, and current socio-political programmes seem to reinforce the existing pattern of inequality. The insights generated by this study have the ability to inform international, national and local evidence bases in this area. It may contribute to the support of reflective future practitioners who use research as an integral element of improving their holistic client-centred interventions. The article has been prepared in the frame of the project „Social Professions for Youth Education in the Context of European Solidarity“* with participation of Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, and Swedish universities that deliver programmes of training social professionals.

EFFORTS OF INCLUSIVE PRACTICES FOR PARENTS IN CHILDREN DAY CARE CENTERS: WHEN CHILD FAILS TO ATTEND THE SCHOOL

In this article the efforts of social workers to promote inclusive practices in children day care centres is analysed. Changes in education based on life-long learning culture require active and conscious participation of parents in child’s education process. However, this participation becomes overburden if family is socially excluded because of the deviant lifestyle or poverty. Indeed, practical observations together with results of the studies reveal that the collaboration between social professions, which aim to implement child welfare and parents is insufficient. In order to help these families children day care centres were established. The aim of the article is to reveal how social workers construct professional help with parents on the purpose to help overcoming child’s issues at school. The study is based on hermeneutical methodology. During Soviet period development of child’s skills belonged to the educational institutions outside the family. Research participants still struggles for the ownership of these developments, pushing neglectful parents aside. The research revealed that within transformation process social workers adapts the forms of professional posture, however, the content of their performance is inherited from the past experiences and historical development.