Social Service Interventions Research Articles

Receipt of social services intervention in childhood, educational attainment and emergency hospital admissions: longitudinal analyses of national administrative health, social care, and education data in Wales, UK

BackgroundResearch consistently finds poorer health and educational outcomes for children who have experienced out-of-home care relative to the general population. Few studies have explored differences between those in care and those in receipt of intervention from social services but not in care. Children receiving social services interventions often experience Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and deprivation, which are known to negatively impact outcomes. We aimed to estimate the association of different social services interventions with educational outcomes and hospital admissions, while adjusting for ACEs and deprivation.MethodsWe linked retrospective, routinely collected administrative records from health, education, and social care to create a cohort via the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) databank in Wales, UK. We analysed data for children and household members (N = 30,439) across four different groups: [1] no social care intervention; [2] children in need but not in care (CIN); [3] children on the Child Protection Register but not in care (CPR); [4] children in care - i.e. removed from the family home and looked after by the local authority (CLA). Our primary outcome was education outcomes at age 16 years. Secondary outcomes were all cause emergency hospital admissions, and emergency admissions for external causes/injuries.ResultsChildren in receipt of social services intervention were more likely to not attain the expected level upon leaving statutory education at age 16 after adjusting for ACEs and other characteristics (for children who had been in out-of-home care (conditional OR: 1·76, (95%CI) 1·25 − 2·48), in need (2·51, 2·00–3·15) and those at risk (i.e., on the child protection register) (4·04, 2·44 − 6·68). For all-cause emergency admissions, all social care groups were at greater risk compared to children in the general population (children in care (conditional HR: 1·31, 1·01–1·68), children in need (1·62, 1·38 − 1·90), and children at risk (1·51, 1·11 − 2·04).ConclusionsAll groups receiving social service intervention experience poorer educational and health outcomes than peers in the general population. Children who remain with their home parents or caregivers but are identified as ‘in need’ or ‘at risk’ by social care practitioners require further research. Integrated support is needed from multiple sectors, including health, educational and social care.

‘Back Off! Stop Making US Illegal!’: The Criminalisation of Homelessness in Australia

In Australia, vagrancy and public order laws have been used to criminalise homelessness since colonisation. Such laws have never provided an effective deterrent against ‘offending’ because most crimes committed by homeless people are survival-related or otherwise associated with their homeless status. It is generally agreed that a welfare-oriented rather than a punitive approach is needed if these ‘crimes’ are to be prevented, however the perspectives of homeless people on this subject remain largely unknown. We undertook a national study where we asked homeless individuals and criminal law practitioners to comment on whether and how criminal law processes could respond more appropriately to the ‘offending’ behaviour of homeless people. Practitioners viewed criminal law interventions as an opportunity to connect homeless individuals with the services they required. However, the homeless participants were not supportive of mandated social service intervention. They eschewed a criminal identity and wanted state actors to leave them alone.

WHY ARE SOCIALLY ISOLATED OLDER ADULTS UNABLE TO ACCESS SERVICES IN JAPAN? A PRELIMINARY REVIEW OF FOUR FACTORS

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult for health and social service agencies to provide the necessary support to community-based older adults. It is believed that the number of socially isolated older adults without the necessary support has increased, but the actual situation is unclear. In this study, we conducted a self-administered mail survey targeting all local municipal governments and social welfare councils throughout Japan from September to October 2022 to examine the actual situation. The response rate was 18.7% (682/3654). Nearly 52% of respondents reported an increase in the number of socially isolated older adults during the pandemic, and 43.6% reported that providing support services to them was difficult. We specifically asked about the difficulties encountered in providing support and coded the open-ended responses (n=275). Four primary themes were identified: (1) generalized refusal by isolated older adults (n=79); (2) difficulty in locating (n=72); (3) difficulty in face-to-face communication (n=40); and (4) difficulty in supporting (n=73). Among the reasons for the difficulty in supporting isolated older adults were their diverse needs and tendency to not recognize their need for support, which may be due to mental illness or dementia. Our findings suggest that a better attempt at classifying refusals among social isolates is a first step to improving the impact of social and health services intervention. Further research is needed to clarify the reasons for refusal of the support provided and to identify the specific types of support that isolated older adults require.

A MULTIPLE CASE STUDY ON IN-PRISON TREATMENT OF PERSONS DEPRIVED OF LIBERTY IN A PENAL COLONY WITHOUT WALLS

This case study aimed to understand the lived experiences of the Persons Deprived of Liberty of Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Puerto Princesa City. The study utilized a qualitative research design using multiple case study approach, with seven Persons Deprived of Liberty chosen through purposive sampling. Coding type of analysis was used as a data analysis tool. Results revealed, that the PDL were experiencing just and humane treatment from the jail officers especially that they were provided meaningful and useful activities and programs. On the challenges and coping mechanisms, they mentioned that challenges are triggered by different factors and their coping mechanisms are varied and it is important for their survival inside the correctional facility. Further, their insights were shared by giving lessons they discovered through individual liberty deprivation. The lived experiences of the PDL are eye opener to the whole community, to support them in order to provide them a social service intervention meant to address the issues and difficulties encountered by the PDL, this support will bring great impact as it will transform the lives of the PDL. KEYWORDS: In-prison treatment, Persons deprived of liberty, transformation, case study, Puerto Princesa City, Philippines

Social Impact Assessment of Transitional Social Housing and Service Interventions for Low-Income Families: The Case of Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a typical global city with growing levels of substandard housing and a reduction in basic living quality. The government implemented a policy of transitional social housing (TSH) in 2018 to enhance the livelihood of low-income families. Nam Cheong 220 (NC220) is the first structural steel TSH project in Hong Kong. This study aims to evaluate the social impact and effectiveness of the project, and quantitative data were collected from individuals in three stages between 2020 and 2022. The first stage (T0) involved interviewing 106 successful applicants of NC220, followed by 91 participants in the second stage (T1) and 88 in the third stage (T2). Longitudinal analysis was implemented to scrutinize the changes observed over time, namely that the living area per capita substantially increased and housing expenses per capita decreased significantly due to residents’ relocation to NC220. Housing conditions and community problems also showed significant improvement. Living satisfaction, neighbour and family relationships also demonstrated positive changes. The most difficult issue for residents was finding suitable housing after staying at NC220. The findings reveal that the first TSH in Hong Kong as an intervention significantly improved the housing circumstances of residents. The social dimensions of housing for enhancing residents’ well-being is worth additional attention.

Centering Historical Oppression in Prevention Research with Indigenous Peoples: Differentiating Substance Use, Mental Health, Family, and Community Outcomes

The purpose of this pilot study was to understand how historical oppression relates to changes in outcomes for people who participate in the culturally grounded Weaving Healthy Families (WHF) program (i.e., alcohol and drug use, symptoms of anxiety, parenting practices, and communal mastery [CM]). This nonexperimental and longitudinal design used repeated measures regression analysis and generalized estimating equations (GEE) to examine postintervention changes according to reported levels of historical oppression among 24 participants in eight families. How do postintervention changes differ for WHF participants reporting lower and higher levels of historical oppression? Results indicated that participants reporting lower historic oppression reported greater postintervention improvements as indicated by declines in alcohol use, anxiety, and poor parental monitoring. All participants reported increases in CM, regardless of the level of historical oppression. Given historical oppression drives psychosocial conditions, such as substance abuse, mental health, and family challenges, settler colonial oppression must be addressed within social service interventions. Social service providers must work redress historical oppression rather than replicate them. The WHF program holds promise to center structural determinants in social service programs. Future inquiries assessing longitudinal changes in perceptions of historical oppression change and how they are associated with psychosocial outcomes are needed.

Commentary on Lim et al.: Mortality database linkages-A critical methodology to understand the structural drivers of the overdose crisis.

Commentary on Lim et al.: Mortality database linkages-A critical methodology to understand the structural drivers of the overdose crisis.

Intra-Urban Variations in the Prevalence of Self-Reported Common Mental Disorders in a Traditional City

Studies of intra-urban variations of self-reported Common Mental Disorders (CMD) are still emerging in most developing cities. This present study, thus sought to determine if variations exist in the prevalence of self-reported CMDs along the lines of gender and residential densities in a traditional urban city. Using the Neumman’s probability sampling method, 1200 respondents were selected and an adapted SRQ-20 was employed for the study. ANOVA and ArcGIS methods were employed to examine the variations, mapping and identification of the localities of high Self-reported CMD prevalence respectively. The result showed that overall prevalence was 32.5%. Females (35.1%) reported more cases of Self-reported CMD than males (30.1%). The analysis of variance shows a significant variation in Self-reported CMD across the residential densities (F=22.620, p=0.000). This implies that the prevalence of self-reported CMD varies across the residential densities. Post-hoc test result shows that Self-reported CMD varies across the residential densities as the mean score of high residential density area (5.1956) was higher than those of medium (3.9859) and low (3.5766) density areas. CMD is a major public health burden in and there is need for increased public sensitization on its causative factors. The high density localities should also be targeted as areas requiring immediate mental health and social service intervention.

What Underlies State Government Performance in Scaling Family Planning Programming? A Study of The Challenge Initiative State Partnerships in Nigeria.

Relatively few studies rigorously examine the factors associated with health systems strengthening and scaling of interventions at subnational government levels. We aim to examine how The Challenge Initiative (TCI) coaches subnational (state government) actors to scale proven family planning and adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health approaches rapidly and sustainably through public health systems to respond to unmet need among the urban poor. This mixed-methods comparative case study draws on 32 semistructured interviews with subnational government leaders and managers, nongovernmental organization leaders, and TCI Nigeria staff, triangulated with project records and government health management information system (HMIS) data. Adapting the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), we contrast experience across 2 higher-performing states and 1 lower-performing state (identified through HMIS data and selected health systems strengthening criteria from 13 states) to identify modifiable factors linked with successful adoption and implementation of interventions and note lessons for supporting scale-up. Informants reported that several TCI strategies overlapping with CFIR were critical to states' successful adoption and sustainment of interventions, most prominently external champions' contributions and strengthened state planning and coordination, especially in higher-performing states. Government stakeholders institutionalized new interventions through their annual operational plans. Higher-performing states incorporated mutually reinforcing interventions (including service delivery, demand generation, and advocacy). Although informants generally expressed confidence that newly introduced service delivery interventions would be sustained beyond donor support, they had concerns about government financing of demand-side social and behavior change work. As political and managerial factors, even more than technical factors, were most linked with successful adoption and scale-up, these processes and systems should be assessed and prioritized from the start. Government leaders, TCI coaches, and other stakeholders can use these findings to shape similar initiatives to sustainably scale social service interventions.

Involving fathers in family social services in Israel: in the shadow of a conflicted policy

While it is widely accepted that social work interventions are more productive when they include fathers, fathers are largely left out of child and family social service interventions in Israel and most Western countries. Current research worldwide focuses on the role that fathers, mothers and social workers play in causing this phenomenon. In this article, we shed light on the importance of a fourth element: the policy-making process. In a case study of Israeli social services, we interviewed leading bureaucrats and policy makers regarding their position on engaging fathers and identified three main conflicts hindering policy makers’ ability and motivation to promote policy favouring father engagement: a gendered profession conflict, a political conflict, and an ethical conflict. We show how these conflicts, each emerging from a different sphere, together create a conflict-ridden environment that may explain policy makers’ lack of action. Finally, we provide our conclusion and discuss the limitations of the study.

Social determinants, inequality, and autism

Understanding the possible social and demographic determinants of inequities in receiving an autism diagnosis is essential for planning access to health, educational, and social service interventions. Autism spectrum disorder is a common, heterogenous neurodevelopmental condition, with a prevalence of around one in 57 children in England, and is characterised by differences in social interaction and communication and repetitive sensorimotor behaviours. Learning disability, mental health, and physical comorbidities are common in autistic people.

State response to homelessness in South Africa: A multi-agency housing focused intervention approach considered

ABSTRACT This paper articulates state response to homelessness through multi-agency intervention in South Africa. While it argues strongly on relativity of homelessness, it however agrees with previous authors on common constituents of the concept. Based on secondary sources this paper delves into what constitutes homelessness and why there has been homelessness in the country, due to one or a combination of structural and individual related drivers. It further explores the state’s use of a multi-agency housing focused approach that integrates appropriate legislations, social services interventions and public works, where over 3.3 million houses have been delivered in the country. While in-depth review of available data indicated significant increase in housing provision, the strategy is confronted with human, material, and rising need concerns. Importantly, there is no certainty yet on the extent to which the ‘street homeless’ and marginalised groups of the poor are served equally to other categories of the homeless.

Using the bio-psycho-social-spiritual framework in holistic health and well-being: A case example of a community- and faith-based sports program

As in other parts of the world, Canada’s citizens are confronted with biological, mental, and social crises. Despite the fact that these issues can be interrelated, they are regularly studied and addressed separately. The bio-psycho-social (BPS) framework was offered as an alternative approach for care because of its assumption that in order to produce a variety of interconnected outcomes relative to health and well-being, biological, mental, and social issues must all be considered. Some authors have argued, however, that without a spiritual component, the BPS framework is not holistic. As such, recent scholarship has explored the inclusion of a spiritual component in the framework, and social service professionals have been encouraged to consider designing interventions informed by the bio-psycho-social-spiritual (BPS-S) framework. Good examples of how to apply the framework in practice are limited. This case example describes how the BPS-S framework was applied to design a community-, sports-, and faith-based martial arts program in Ontario, Canada. The program draws upon a combination of sports-, community-, and Christian faith-based considerations to serve its participants, including vulnerable populations such as those with constrained access to social services due to mental health challenges, language barriers, or low levels of income. This article details some of the ways in which the operations of this program (e.g., activities, target audience, leadership) were informed by the BPS-S framework. This includes some of the advantages of drawing upon this framework to foster more nuanced and holistic well-being among participants. The article concludes with some limitations of the BPS-S framework and implications for applying it to other social service interventions.

Evaluating the Impact of Policy and Programming on Female-Victim Intimate Partner Homicide at the County Level in Florida.

Legal and social service interventions aim to mitigate intimate partner violence (IPV) and keep IPV from becoming lethal. Accordingly, this study examines the impact of policies and programs on female-victim intimate partner homicide (FVIPH) rates across the 67 counties of the state of Florida. It focuses on community coordinated response efforts, batterer intervention programs, local domestic violence (DV) ordinances, DV fatality review teams, and DV shelter programs. Results indicate that community coordinated response efforts are associated with decreasing FVIPH rates. Discussions of findings, limitations, and implications are provided accordingly.

Socioekonomski aspekt maloletničke delinkvencije u Republici Srbiji

Juvenile delinquency is a widespread sociopathological and security phenomenon, which, due to its increasingly serious forms and consequences, deserves more attention from scholars and professional experts, that is, the general public. The consequences of some violent acts, which produce victims, committed by juveniles are so serious that this phenomenon first requires a comprehensive understanding, then resolving the cause. This paper focuses on sociological theories and such an aspect of the approach to the causes of juvenile delinquency. The tendencies of juvenile crime are observed from the aspect of socioeconomic situation in society and the position and functionality of families, and above all, through the prism of the data obtained from centers for social work and the records of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Serbia. This paper seeks to present the trend of socioeconomic vulnerability of families, social service interventions in families with violence and the number of juveniles who needed some service provided by the center for social work, to show whether the values of these factors follow each other and what trends we can expect. The data generated by the Republic Institute for Social Protection, which is obtained from all centers for social work refers to the period 2015-2019. The years 2020 and 2021 are specific to research and certainly require a broader analysis, given the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the declaration of a state of emergency, the imposition of curfew and numerous other regulatory measures to prevent the spread of infection, which we believe has had an impact on crime rates in general, even juvenile delinquency.

Relationship of Social Vulnerability, COVID-19 Mortality, Life Expectancy, and Chronic Disease Prevalence: Policy Implications for Public Health and Social Sciences Funding

Background: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its affiliate the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry established an index to identify the social vulnerability for natural disasters and infectious disease outbreaks for communities in the United States. This index, potentially, may be useful in evaluating the impact of social vulnerability on health. Aim: The objective of the study is to identify the relationship of the Social Vulnerability index with COVID-19, chronic diseases, and life expectancy. Methods: Social Vulnerability Index values were obtained for counties in Georgia, Louisiana (parishes), Michigan, and Mississippi. Current data on COVID-19, diabetes and obesity prevalence, premature age-adjusted death rates, and life expectancy were obtained from the County Health Ranking and Roadmaps. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were calculated for the relationship of social vulnerability and health outcomes. The relationship of funding for public health and social services interventions that target the social determinants of health as a mechanism for reducing community vulnerabilities was also examined. Results: Correlations were determined between social vulnerability and several health outcomes, both infectious and chronic diseases. Life expectancy was correlated with social vulnerability, overall and by race. Study findings found a positive correlation between social vulnerability and COVID-19 infections and mortality, premature age-adjusted mortality, and the prevalence of diabetes and obesity. There is a negative correlation between social vulnerability and life expectancy. Additionally, life expectancy was greater in non-Hispanic Whites compared to non-Hispanic Blacks. Conclusion: The study results can be used to guide policies directed to improvements in the social determinants of health that target reductions in community vulnerabilities. Social vulnerability of communities can be reduced with adequate resource allocations in public health and social services to mitigate untoward health outcomes associated with natural disasters and disease outbreaks.

Associations between Receipt of Social Services Interventions, Educational Outcomes and Emergency Hospital Admissions: Longitudinal Analyses of National Administrative Health, Social Care, And Education Data in Wales, UK

Associations between Receipt of Social Services Interventions, Educational Outcomes and Emergency Hospital Admissions: Longitudinal Analyses of National Administrative Health, Social Care, And Education Data in Wales, UK

The End of the Tunnel

In settler states, Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) girls and young women are targeted for specific kinds of social service interventions embedded in the gendered genocidal logics of colonial ideologies. Interlocking forms of violent carceral capture operate across settler institutions such as child welfare, immigration, and justice systems that are tasked with policing and criminalizing nonwhite girls. Conceptualizing these interconnected systems as a transcarceral pipeline, we examine their inner workings and impacts on Indigenous girls and BIPOC refugee girls in Canada through two sites of inquiry: child welfare systems targeting Indigenous girls and young mothers; and the immigration-child-welfare pipeline for refugee girls of color. Our analysis stresses the urgency of anticolonial systems of care grounded in sovereignty-making collective relations.

Community-based support for children who are next-of-kin for a parent experiencing illness or disability \u2013 a scoping review

IntroductionChildren who are next-of-kin, for a parent who experience illness or disability, need support. In Norway, guidelines, routines and structured approaches in the community health services are lacking regarding involving children in the care of a parent and for services when supporting children as next-of-kin. Additionally, no existing international review has focused on support from community health and social services for children who are next-of-kin to a parent regardless of the specific illness or disability.AimsThis scoping review examined the current knowledge regarding the types of community health and social services support to children 0 to 17 years old living with a parent experiencing illness or disability. The review also identified children’s support preferences and needs.MethodsThe scoping review involved five stages; identifying research question; identifying relevant articles; selecting articles; charting the data and finally, collating, summarizing and reporting the results.ResultsArticles which included community health and social services interventions and children’s preferences or needs for support were included. The foci of interventions included preventive education, peer support, psychosocial support, and interventions focusing on family communication and recovery planning. Articles focusing on children’s preferences or need for support described their wish to be recognized as a next-of-kin, having someone to talk to and professional and peer support.ConclusionThe review highlighted the importance of children receiving support according to their preferences. It is important to elicit children’s voices, to ensure community health and social services are developed for and tailored to this population.

Factors associated with antiretroviral therapy adherence among people living with HIV in Haiti: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundSocioeconomic, demographic and clinical factors can affect adherence to treatment among people living with HIV (PLH) and potentially have an impact on their prognosis and survival. The main objective of this study was to assess these factors as potential barriers to adherence among patients receiving care in central Haiti.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among PLH receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) at the TB/HIV clinic at St. Therese Hospital in Hinche, Haiti. A total of 426 potential participants were approached during their follow-up visits from June to August 2019, of whom 411 participated in the study. After giving informed consent, study participants completed a structured interview that included the Self-Report Item Scale (SRIS), a standard measure, to assess adherence. Socio-demographic, economic and clinical factors were assessed for their association with adherence.ResultsThe 411 participating patients represented 39% of the patient population at the TB/HIV clinic during the timeframe of the study. The mean age was 43.7 years (range: 19–80), 65.5% were female and 78.1% had only achieved a primary level of schooling. Nearly 78% had received ART for less than 10 years, 3.41% reported having poor adherence and 28% less than excellent adherence. Factors related to poor adherence in bivariate analysis were age less than 40 years (OR: 6.32, 95% CI 2.04–10.58, p < 0.01) and inability to meet basic needs (OR: 2.70, 95% CI 1.04–7.0, p = 0.03).ConclusionsTo improve medication adherence, the hospital should strengthen patient counselling of younger recipients of ART and provide financial assistance and other social service interventions. Studies should be implemented in other HIV management centers in Haiti and similar contexts to examine barriers to ART adherence with the goal of improving prognosis and survival in the long-term among PLH in resource-limited setting.