Social Service Professionals Research Articles

Приоритеты психолого-педагогической работы с поколением Z (зарубежный опыт)

The article analyzes foreign data on the characteristics of the psychological profile of the digital generation and counter-actions of employers, as representatives of previous generations, in order to understand and develop a common language in contacts. The authors consider this multi-level interconnectedness in a space-time structure that combines the educational system and the labour market. For the first time, it is proposed to apply the term of the forward request to the interpretation of the work of this design on the principle of feedback. The material proposed for discussion is differentiated into blocks: a general idea of the psychological portrait of teenagers and youth of the generation; forwarding requests to the educational system from employers and professionals (in the sought-after areas of professional sports, business, tourism, medical and social services); resources to shape the competencies of the generation Z; certain aspects of the topic. The article reveals a number of topical points (assistant ego, prenosological diagnostics, status assessment tools). In conclusion, it is intended to recognize the need to "refine" personal socio-psychological deficits in order to alleviate the difficulties of integrating young people into the workforce.

Perceived Stress and Burnout: The Mediating Role of Self-Care and Job Satisfaction as Preventive Factors in Helping Professions

Background: Stress and burnout are among the common causes of absenteeism and fluctuation of staff in European workplaces. Therefore, the demand for understanding the predictors of burnout in high risk professions has been growing. The aim of this study is to explore the link between perceived stress and the three dimensions of burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment) while considering the potential mediating role of self-care and job satisfaction that may prevent the transformation of stress into burnout. Methods: A randomly selected group of Slovak social service professionals (N = 689; 618 women) from institutions in 8 districts in Slovakia described their levels of perceived stress, burnout, performed self-care and job satisfaction in self-reported questionnaires. Results: The relationship between stress and emotional exhaustion is solely mediated by certain aspects of job satisfaction: salary, nature of work, and operating procedures. The relationship between stress and depersonalization is mediated by the nature of work, psychological self-care, and professional self-care. However, professional self-care does not prevent but rather facilitates the development of depersonalization in times of high perceived stress. The relationship between stress and personal accomplishment is mediated by psychological and professional self-care as well as by three factors of job satisfaction: co-workers, nature of work and job benefits. When stress increases, satisfaction with co-workers and nature of work prevent the decrease of personal accomplishment. However, job benefits, with increasing stress, may be related to a decrease in personal accomplishment at work. Conclusion: Satisfaction with salary, nature of work, operating procedures and co-workers as well as psychological self-care may prevent the further development of burnout in times of high stress. Yet, professional self-care and job benefits may, in times of increased stress, potentially lead towards specific aspects of burnout (depersonalization and reduction of personal accomplishment).

Reliability and validity of the scale of labor welfare

The objective of this work was to establish the reliability and validity of an instrument that measures labor well-being, considering a review of the public literature from 2015 to 2019 in international repositories such as Copernicus, Dialnet, Ebsco, latindex, Publindex, Redalyc, Scielo, Scopus, WoS, Zenodo and Zotero. An exploratory, cross-sectional and correlational study was carried out with a sample of 245, considering its insertion in the labor market, as well as its participation in the system of professional practices and social service. Eight dimensions were established regarding satisfaction, capacity, trust, justice, timeliness, valuation and the environment that accounted for 81% of the total, variance, although the research design limited the findings to the research scenario.suggesting the extension of work towards other professional training scenarios.

Common trust and personal safety issues: A systematic review on the acceptability of health and social interventions for persons with lived experience of homelessness.

BackgroundPersons experiencing homelessness and vulnerable housing or those with lived experience of homelessness have worse health outcomes than individuals who are stably housed. Structural violence can dramatically affect their acceptance of interventions. We carried out a systematic review to understand the factors that influence the acceptability of social and health interventions among persons with lived experience of homelessness.MethodsWe searched through eight bibliographic databases and selected grey literature sources for articles that were published between 1994 and 2019. We selected primary studies that reported on the experiences of homeless populations interacting with practitioners and service providers working in permanent supportive housing, case management, interventions for substance use, income assistance, and women- and youth-specific interventions. Each study was independently assessed for its methodological quality. We used a framework analysis to identify key findings and used the GRADE-CERQual approach to assess confidence in the key findings.FindingsOur search identified 11,017 citations of which 35 primary studies met our inclusion criteria. Our synthesis highlighted that individuals were marginalized, dehumanized and excluded by their lived homelessness experience. As a result, trust and personal safety were highly valued within human interactions. Lived experience of homelessness influenced attitudes toward health and social service professionals and sometimes led to reluctance to accept interventions. Physical and structural violence intersected with low self-esteem, depression and homeless-related stigma. Positive self-identity facilitated links to long-term and integrated services, peer support, and patient-centred engagement.ConclusionsIndividuals with lived experience of homelessness face considerable marginalization, dehumanization and structural violence. Practitioners and social service providers should consider anti-oppressive approaches and provide, refer to, or advocate for health and structural interventions using the principles of trauma-informed care. Accepting and respecting others as they are, without judgment, may help practitioners navigate barriers to inclusiveness, equitability, and effectiveness for primary care that targets this marginalized population.

Models of Housing in the Quebec Setting for Individuals With Mental Illness.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines mental health as “a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community”. A person’s mental health is shaped by various social, economic, physical, and environmental factors, at different stages of life. Risk factors are heavily associated with social inequalities in the domains of employment, housing, and education. Theories of social determinants of health postulate the beneficial effects of factors exterior to medicine (regarding income, housing, education, and employment) on the health of individuals and populations. Recognition of the effect of social determinants on the health of vulnerable populations has been at the core of the intervention models and housing services developed by social service professionals in Québec. This article offers a review of housing services provided to psychiatric patients living in the community, over the last 50 years in Quebec. Different models of housing with social support which contribute to the autonomy, the security, and the empowerment of psychiatric patients are presented.

Sexual and gender minoritized youth in Christian home schools: Perceptions of climate and support

In 2014, Leelah Alcorn, a homeschooled transgender teenager in the United States, died by suicide after enduring months of social isolation and her parent’s repeated efforts to change her gender identity. Sexual and gender minoritized (SGM) youth who are, like Leelah, homeschooled in the U.S. do not have access to the institutional and relational supports afforded to SGM youth in public schools. This study examines how variations in educational setting, family support, internet access, and peer relationships influence mental health outcomes in a sample of 651 sexual and gender minoritized (SGM) young adults who were primarily homeschooled in Christian homes. Participants reported extremely high rates of mental illness (87%) suicidal ideation (72%), suicide attempts (22%) self-harm (66%), and substance abuse (29%). Regression analysis revealed that a positive family attitude toward SGM people (although rare) and access to the internet were the most significant protective factors against negative mental health outcomes in this sample. This study explores the unique vulnerabilities of SGM youth in Christian homeschool settings and has implications for educators, policy makers, health care providers, and mental health and social service professionals. To our knowledge, this is the first study to explore the experiences of homeschooled SGM youth.

Especificación de un modelo para el estudio de la percepción de utilidad

A model is a data management, production and transfer system organized in explanatory trends of past, current and future relationships. The emphasis on each suggests decision making and strategy execution. The objective of this work was to specify a model for of the perception of utility. An exploratory and cross-sectional study was conducted with a selection of 186 students from a public university in central Mexico, considering their participation in the system of professional practices and social service in local organizations. The validity of the instrument that found a one-dimensional variable that explained 43% of the variance was established, but the research design limited the results to the research scenario, suggesting the extension of the work.

Casting and scripting: Visibility, responsibility, and legitimacy in transcultural psychiatry apprenticeships in Paris.

Transcultural psychiatry was developed in France to promote cultural and linguistic diversity and address the mental health needs of immigrants who were excluded from accessing other public mental health services. Professionals in health and social services refer patients to transcultural psychiatry consultations when miscommunications arise or when professionals determine that patients need culturally sensitive therapy. In transcultural psychiatry consultations, a group of therapists, composed primarily of psychologists and psychiatrists, as well as other health and social service professionals, receives a patient, the patient's family, and referring professionals. Previous research on transcultural psychiatry has emphasized the importance of culturally diverse therapy teams and the ways that therapists' diversity could permit patients to open up in consultation sessions. This study draws on ethnographic research in two transcultural psychiatry consultations in Île-de-France, and pays particular attention to the experiences of apprentice therapists, who were often graduate students in clinical psychology. Apprentice therapists reported being introduced to patients in ways that they would not choose themselves. As a result, therapists felt that they had to overemphasize their cultures or countries of origin and French therapists questioned their place in the group. This article describes how transcultural therapy groups are a theater in which belonging, identity, and Frenchness are contested and performed. Apprentice therapists proposed more intersectional and inclusive ways of portraying diversity in the transcultural groups.

Empirical Evidence for Professional Practice and Public Policies: An Exploratory Study on Social Exclusion in Users of Primary Care Social Services in Spain.

This study examines the social exclusion characteristics of a sample of users of primary care social services in two local entities in Spain. The objective of this study was to identify the intensity and scope of social exclusion in an exploratory way and to look at the typology of existing exclusionary situations to inform policy making and professional practice. Data from 1009 users were collected by primary care social services professionals, completing the Social Exclusion Scale of the University of Alicante (SES-UA). The dimensions with the greatest levels of social exclusion in the study population were those related to work/employment, income and education and training. The dimensions with an intermediate level of exclusion were those related to housing and social isolation. Social acceptance, family and social conflict and health were the dimensions with the lowest levels of exclusion. The analysis also showed the existence of five significantly different groups, that showed five different life trajectories along the continuum between social exclusion and social inclusion. The results show the importance and utility of developing professional and policy intervention protocols based on research evidence, with the objective of improving the quality of life of the users.

Развитие практик инклюзивной культуры в работе социальных служб: междисциплинарный анализ проблем и перспектив

The article analyzes the principles of interaction of regional social services with children with disabilities and their families. The authors considered the working practices of social institutions as well as cultural and educational institutions as the subject of the study. This allowed for the author’s analysis and interpretation of existing contradictions arising from the introduction of inclusive practices into the organizational culture of the regional social service. The data obtained in the course of the interregional empirical study demonstrate the disproportionateness of the processes of socialization and inclusion of children with disabilities, which is expressed in the lack of readiness as social services themselves (in methodological and methodical levels) and staff (practical, procedural levels) to carry out their mission - the application and development of inclusion practices not only in educational and social and social areas, but also in the field of sociocultural and professional socialization. The study found that, despite constant discussion of inclusion and disability, the concept of ‘inclusion’ is still misunderstanding among social service professionals. This has a negative impact on the effectiveness and effectiveness of the day-to-day activities of social services, the quality of their work, and the implementation of ideas of inclusive culture in practice.

TECHNOLOGY USE IN RURAL DEMENTIA CARE: PERSPECTIVES FROM FAMILY CAREGIVERS, PWD, AND SERVICE PROFESSIONALS

Purpose: The use of technology in dementia care has shown promising benefits for both people living with dementia and their family caregivers, however, little is known regarding how technology is used among families affected by dementia who reside in rural communities. The purpose of this study was to explore technology use and barriers among people living with dementia, family caregivers, and service professionals who live in rural areas of Michigan. Methods: This study was based upon focus group data from six groups of family caregivers (n=32); one group of people living with early stages of dementia (n=4), and one group of service professionals (n=4) recruited from rural counties in Michigan. Results: Technology use included assisting caregiving tasks (e.g., monitoring a wandering care recipient), facilitating treatment (e.g., access treatment through telemedicine), and providing social connection and support. Themes related to strategies included addressing educational needs of young older and old-older caregivers, providing step-by-step toolkits, and collaborating with multi-sectors (e.g., public libraries, grocery stores, and churches). Discussion: Findings suggest a great need to facilitate technology literacy and competency for rural family caregivers to access caregiving resources. To effectively reach out to this population, technology methods such as local TV news network, radio, and newspaper are still beneficial. Health and social service professionals should consider collaborations with public service institutions (e.g. libraries) and faith-based organizations to include educational workshops about technology in their curriculum and training programs for dementia family caregivers.

A computerized and innovative tool to guide interdisciplinary assessment: Exploring the feasibility of the implementation of the Competency Assessment Tool (CAT)

ABSTRACT An electronic tool, the Competency Assessment Tool (CAT), was developed in order to guide interdisciplinary teams through clinical competency assessment. Objectives: To support the implementation and perpetuation of the CAT, the objectives were: 1) document health and social service professionals’ needs in order to support the use of the CAT; 2) identify the facilitating factors and those hindering the implementation of the CAT in a healthcare establishment; 3) identify strategies favoring the use of the CAT. Participants: Health and social service professionals and doctors were recruited. Methods: A qualitative study was realized by conducting focus groups with health and social service professionals and individual interviews with doctors. Results: The results allowed us to bring to light the CAT’s advantages, the issues associated with its implementation (facilitators and obstacles) and the needs to support its use. A number of avenues of intervention were identified and could be put in place to encourage the use of the CAT. Conclusion: This study will support the implementation of the CAT and ultimately, this will allow for the assurance that the decisions taken on the need for protection of vulnerable individuals will be just, rigorous and the fruit of a concerted ethical reflection.

Supervisory Experiences of Social Workers in Child Protection Services

Social work in the child protection field presents an opportunity to positively transform the lives and future of vulnerable children, but frequently at a cost to the mental health and well-being of the social workers concerned. Social workers must constantly manage children’s trauma, resource challenges and parents’ emotions. Providing supervision to social workers is mandatory in the social work profession. Although there are three functions of supervision, it is argued that the support function is neglected in favour of the administrative and educational functions of supervision. The support function of supervision aims to equip social workers to manage their work-related stress especially in the field of child protection. In light of the literature reviewed on the benefits of the support function of supervision juxtaposed with contrasting anecdotal evidence that suggests a neglect of the support function of supervision in practice, a qualitative study was undertaken in South Africa with the aim of enhancing the understanding of the experiences of social workers in child protection services in respect of the support function of supervision. The study’s major finding pointed to an absence of the support function in supervision. Child protection social workers experienced a need for continuing professional development to increase their competence and reduce burnout. The findings also highlighted the value of peer support as a significant experience in child protection work. It was concluded that organisational compliance with the minimum standards set out in the Supervision Framework of the Department of Social Development, in partnership with the South African Council for Social Service Professions, and the inclusion of peer mentoring could contribute significantly in enhancing the mental health and well-being of child protection social workers.

An Exploratory Study of Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI) in Social Service Agencies

This exploratory survey of social service professionals investigated the use of animal-assisted interventions (AAI) within various occupations and settings. Forty one participants from social service agencies responded to an electronic survey. Sixty eight percent of respondents indicated they are providing AAI with the most common type being animal-assisted activities (AAA). Forty one percent of respondents indicated they have received some training in AAI with hospital and residential treatment settings having the most training. Individuals with mental illness and physical disabilities are the largest groups receiving AAI. Many benefits were noted with the implementation of AAI including increased social interaction, decreased stress and decreased depression. The most commonly cited barrier to implementation of AAI was liability concerns. Future research detailing how social service agencies overcame barriers would be valuable for others who wish to implement AAI.

Promoting Identification and Use of Aid Resources by Caregivers of Seniors: Co-Design of an Electronic Health Tool.

BackgroundThe importance of supporting caregivers is recognized in home care for older persons, and facilitating their help-seeking process is a way to meet that need. The use of electronic health (eHealth) is a potentially promising solution to facilitate caregivers’ help-seeking process.ObjectiveThe aim of this research was to develop, in partnership with community organizations, health and social service professionals and caregivers, an eHealth tool promoting the earlier identification of needs of older persons and an optimal use of available resources.MethodsTo design the tool, 8 co-design sessions (CoDs) were conducted and 3 advisory committees were created (in 11 regions) in Quebec between May 2017 and May 2018. A variety of methods were used, including the sorting method, the use of personas, eHealth tool analysis, brainstorming, sketching, prototyping, and pretesting.ResultsA total of 74 co-designers (women n=64 and men n=10) were recruited to participate in the CoDs or the advisory committees. This number allowed for the identification of needs to which the tool must respond and for the identification of its requirements (functionalities and content), as well as for the development of the information architecture. Throughout the study, adjustments were made to the planning of CoD, notably because certain steps required more sessions than expected. Among others, this was true for the identification of functionalities.ConclusionsThis study led to the development of an eHealth tool for caregivers of functionally dependent older persons to help them identify their needs and the resources available to meet them.International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)RR2-10.2196/11634

A qualitative study on the specific supportive care needs of patients with gynecological cancer

Objective To explore the specific supportive care needs of patients with gynecologic cancer, and provide evidence for health care personnel to assess and meet needs of patients with gynecologic cancer. Methods Using phenomenological research method, 24 women with gynecologic cancer were investigated by in-depth interview. Themes and sub-themes was extracted through content analysis. Results Three kinds of specific supportive care needs were found, including specific symptom management needs, spousal relationship consolidation needs and self-esteem maintaining needs, and there existed gaps between patients identified needs and actual acquisition from health care personnel. Conclusions Health care personnel should accurately assess the specific supportive care needs of patients with gynecologic cancer and then carry out targeted professional social support services to further meet patients' needs. Key words: Genital neoplasms; Female; Social support; Health services needs; Qualitative research

CSEY service provider perceptions of critical needs for effective care as youth transition from juvenile detention to the community

BackgroundThe Victims of Trafficking and Prevention Act of 2000 initiated necessary change to treat CSEY as victims rather than criminals. Without sufficient resources, CSEY service providers encounter significant challenges in meeting youth care needs in the community. ObjectiveThis study’s purpose was to examine service providers’ perceptions of these challenges. Participants and Setting: Semistructured interviews were conducted with nine California CSEY service providers. Thematic analysis principles guided data analysis and interpretation. Key findings indicated needs for improvement of: 1) CSEY screening, 2) relationship building, 3) community resource access, 4) clarity regarding ambiguous feelings and practices associated with the treatment of CSEY as victims or criminals, 5) support systems for service providers experiencing vicarious trauma and acute/chronic stress. ConclusionFuture research is needed to continue to explore the experience of service providers who work with CSEY. Implications for practice include the need for funding to support the development of community-based services for CSEY, particularly for training and professional supports for education, health, social service, and criminal justice professionals.

Disabled people’s voices on sexual well-being

Disabled people have equal rights to positive sexual well-being including sexual citizenship; however, this may not always be experienced and support for sexual well-being is less likely to form part of services offered by professionals in health and social care services. Inspired by disabled people, phenomenological research into the experience of sexual well-being for a group of physically disabled adults was undertaken. The results show that sexual well-being is understood in several ways. The notion of sexual well-being raises issues of the physical body, connection to notions of normality and what support disabled people want from health and social care professionals. There is a clear link between sexual well-being and other aspects of physical and emotional well-being, making it an issue which needs to be proactively addressed by health and social care professionals in ways which are directed by disabled people.

Social worker perception of grandparent involvement where a parent has an intellectual disability

BackgroundFamily members of parents with intellectual disabilities (ID) are viewed as their main source of support. However, the existence of family involvement itself does not guarantee that such support will be beneficial. AimsThis study draws on the perspectives of social workers to describe and evaluate involvement by Israeli family members (grandparents) in the lives of their adult children with ID (parents with ID) who themselves have become parents. MethodA thematic analysis was conducted in 21 semi-structured interviews with social workers serving parents with ID through social service departments. ResultsFrom the social workers’ perspectives, grandparent attitudes regarding their adult children with ID procreating and parenting ranged from strong resistance to active encouragement. Two sub-themes of grandparent involvement were identified from the social workers’ perspectives: the critical role of grandparent support, and the complex relationships between grandparents and the parents with ID. Two further and interrelated subthemes emerged on the role of social worker engagement with grandparents. ConclusionsProfessionals should be aware that grandparent involvement can either support or undermine the parenting function of parents with ID. Social service professionals need to promote family involvement that empowers parents with ID by supporting their needs and roles, but without supplanting their primary parenting activities.

(In)visibility of notifications of violence against children and adolescents registered in a municipality in southern Brazil.

Objective.To know the perception of health, education and social service professionals about the records and notifications of violence against children and adolescents, carried out in a municipality in the south of Brazil.Methods. This is an exploratory, descriptive, and qualitative approach, specifically developed in places that integrate children and adolescents victims of violence. Ten professionals participated, including three nurses, one doctor, two social workers, two psychologists, one tutor, and one educator. Data collection was performed through a semi-structured interview. The statements were submitted to discursive textual analysis.Results. The analysis showed that the act of recording and reporting violence against children and adolescents is still not a routine practice for health professionals. The registration and formal communication of the information should be considered as a priority; however, the results showed that the protection of the victim seems to overlap with the registry. The study identified important elements in strategies for coping with violence against children and adolescents: centralization of notifications in a single service; creation of a notification flow; existence of an advisory team to deal with cases of violence; and completion of compulsory notification by education and social assistance professionals.Conclusion. For the professionals, the routine attendance of situations involving violence, but not formalized through the notification form, has contributed to the underreporting and invisibility of the cases.