Social Work In China Research Articles

Advancing scholarship on rural social work in China: published researchers’ perspectives

ABSTRACT A search of literature spanning 2000–2019 located 45 articles on rural social work in China in peer-reviewed international and Chinese journals, showing that this was an emerging area of research and scholarship. To explore the nature of, and enrich the knowledge base on, rural social work in China, this paper reports on an exploratory study that involved interviews with Chinese researchers (n = 11), who had published on the topic. Thematic analysis revealed several findings: emerging place-based models, responding to complex rural dynamics and challenges, a focus on rural community development, professional practice issues, the need for political support and skilled professionals.

A Political Economy Analysis of Social Work’s Development in China: A Social Development Perspective

This paper examines the phenomenal growth of social work in China and the complexities and challenges faced by the profession and related stakeholders in the context of neoliberal economic practice within a hierarchical top-down political system. It proposes developmental social work as a viable indigenous social work practice mode. This analysis based on a collection of academic papers and relevant government reports sheds light on the interplay between welfare developmentalism, institutional dynamics, and professional challenges in the broader sociopolitical context, not least the neoliberal co-optation of social development aligned increasingly with economic goals to the detriment of broader social and structural issues. It shows how the political parameters of the Chinese Communist Party and its pursuit of community integration and social development shaped China’s approach to social work. It sees the necessity for a system of welfare services to address socio-structural issues and the indigenization and cultural adaption of social work in China as an expressly political process. Regarding the former, the government’s strategy of outsourcing public services to accord with its agenda has resulted in a contractual relationship between social organizations, including nongovernment and social work organizations, and the state. This has limited the independence and hindered the development of a strong civil society, and curtailed social workers’ autonomy, exacerbating professional challenges relating inter alia to the low number of qualified social work practitioners, limited job opportunities outside major urban centers, high staff turnover, and poor quality services provided by those without formal social work training. To enhance professional recognition in China, the paper suggests a holistic developmental approach that involves the resolution of individual problems through investing in people, helping them to build their capacity, drawing on social capital, and capitalizing on market opportunities to promote self-reliance, thereby contributing to community and social development.

Leadership Style and Social Behavior of Social Workers in China

This study examined the influence of leadership style on the social behave of social workers across different districts and organizations in China. The empirical measurement involved the participation of social work stations and associations, which included the Social Workers Association and various district social work stations in Hunan. The study sample consisted of 488 individuals who were social work learners and professionals. These participants were picked from various districts and training sites, and they were required to undergo self-evaluation tests. Findings reveal that while social workers generally exhibit average levels of empathy, professionalism, ethical decision-making, collaboration, and resilience, significant variations exist based on ae and educational background. Older social workers demonstrate higher levels of these traits compared to younger counterparts. However, barriers such as burnout, limited resources, organizational constraints, and lack of recognition hinder leadership development and positive social behavior. The study seeks to enhance leadership development initiatives and foster positive social behavior in the field of social work in China through a holistic strategy.

Integrating Indigenous Knowledge Into Rural Social Work: A Community-Led Study in Ninghua, Fujian, China

The main objective of this study was to examine the integration of indigenous knowledge (IK) into the rapidly developing field of rural social work in China. The study demonstrated the incorporation of indigenous elements such as folkways, power structures, values, norms, traditions, and crafts into the practice through collaboration with the local community. The research employed purposive sampling, which included 4 agency directors, 1 head of a social work organization, 6 social workers, 21 social work students, 16 children and teenagers, 13 villagers, 1 folk writer, 5 local families, 3 teacher lecturers, and 6 government officers. Results showed that the integration process involves the identification, extraction, application, and evaluation of IK are closely linked to the indigenous environment, service recipients, and social workers. Nevertheless, further research is required to operationalize and evaluate the effectiveness of this integration. Findings would be important guidelines for policymakers, education and development experts, and service providers. The conclusions drawn from this study offer valuable insights into the effective integration of Indigenous Knowledge (IK) into social work practice. These insights hold significance for policymakers, education and development experts, as well as service providers not only in China but also in a broader international context.

The Practice Path of Social Work in Supporting the Construction of Harmonious and Beautiful Countryside

Rural construction is an important part of the country's modernization process. With the official release of the No. 1 Central Document, rural development has entered a new stage, and the construction of livable, suitable for business, and beautiful rural areas has attracted widespread attention. The construction of harmonious and beautiful countryside requires both form and substance, and it is important to enrich both the internal and external aspects. Social work in China has always been closely associated with rural development. In the new stage of rural development, the role of social work in supporting the construction of harmonious and beautiful rural areas has practical significance. This article is based on the significance of social work in supporting the construction of harmonious and beautiful countryside and proposes practical paths from four aspects: livelihood, customs, housing, and ecology, in order to promote the high-quality development of harmonious and beautiful rural areas.

Analysis of Mental Health Conditions and Coping Strategies for the Elderly

With the arrival of the aging society, the mental health of the elderly population has been a social concern, and the psychological care work of the elderly population has become one of the important tasks of social work in China. This paper, through the questionnaire survey method, combined with the interview method, through the Beijing and Qingdao each 10 communities, 50 community health care workers and 500 elderly people and their families, the results shows that: the overall level of community mental health services is not high; 25.4% of the elderly people's overall happiness experience time is less than half of the time, the elderly people's sleep problems are more prominent, and the elderly people's self-esteem level is not high in general. Based on the analysis of the factors influencing the level of mental health of the elderly, this paper combines the current situation of community mental health services and puts forward suggestions for measures to improve the mental health of the elderly.

A brief comment on the present development of Chinese ethnic social work

Over a long period of time in history, there is a diverse and integral structure formed in China, which is one of the most fundamental conditions of China it means dealing the Ethnic affairs correctly is significant in China and it is also a base condition of the development of Ethnic social work in China. As an element of Ethnic affairs dealing, at present, the research scale of Ethnic social work is expanded to a high level in China. However, the theoretical innovation in Chinese Ethnic social work is short and the reach methods are also monotonous. Additionally, in the development of Ethnic social work in China, the development of Chinese Ethnic social work between different areas demonstrates obvious disequilibrium, which also gets involves social elements. This article analyzes the present development of Ethnic social work by literature study method and puts forward a suggestion that by optimizing the discipline system, improving the practitioners’ condition, converting the direction of research, and displaying superiority in inter-discipline cooperation of Social Work, the Ethnic social work will continue to make self-improvement in theories and practices then it is capable of making more contributions for the ethnic unity in China.

我国医务社会工作发展现状、困境及建议

我国医务社会工作发展现状、困境及建议

The Association Between Work Environment, Work Attitudes, and Turnover Intentions Among Geriatric Social Workers in China

ABSTRACT The psychological state of geriatric social workers affects the intention to leave and thus the quality of services provided to older adults. This study explored the relationship between the work environment, work attitudes, and turnover intentions of geriatric social workers. This study obtained an analytic sample comprising 999 geriatric social workers from the 2019 Longitudinal Study of Social Work in China. Multivariate regression techniques combined with a mediation analysis was performed to explore the relationships. The study results provided preliminary evidence on the complex associations between and among work environment, work attitudes, and turnover intentions of geriatric social workers in China. We demonstrated that perceived organizational support reduced the turnover intentions of geriatric social workers through increased collective psychological ownership and reduced burnout. Regular inter- and intra-agency communication between social workers and their supervisors and colleagues have important roles in reducing turnover by enhancing support and emotional commitment to organizations. Policy decision-makers are suggested to clearly define the roles and responsibilities of geriatric social works to release their administrative burdens, which may help to reduce their burnout level and improve the stability of the geriatric social work force.

Contributions and Challenges of Public Health Social Work Practice during the Initial 2020 COVID-19 Outbreak in China

Abstract Social workers contributed significantly to the promotion of public and community health during the initial outbreak of COVID-19 in China. Based on a quasi-scoping review of articles on social work practice during that outbreak, this reflective article elucidates how social workers contributed in three chronological stages. In the early stage (late January and February 2020), social workers provided community services offered as part of the governmental structure (moderate information and resource provision); in the middle stage (March 2020), social workers provided services to vulnerable groups alongside supporting the quarantine strategy; and in the late stage (April 2020 onwards), their services were focused on recuperation and recovery after the national lockdown was lifted. In the meanwhile, several issues for public and community health social work as a profession in terms of how it was able to support anti-COVID-19 practices became clear, including a lack of independence and stability, the need for better flexibility and greater ability to act pragmatically and lack of professional agreement. This article aims to enlighten the development of a (re)emerging field—public health and community health social work in China in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Exploratory research on field education in medical social work in the perspective of sustainable development

ABSTRACT The sustainable development goals set by the United Nations require all learners to have the knowledge necessary to promote sustainable development. Sustainable development education is a deliberate education intervention that addresses issues of global justice and sustainability. This article attempts to discuss the changes of external environment that influence field education development of medical social work in China from the perspective of sustainable development. We apply the perspective of future research to guide our work. We employ exploratory qualitative research to analyze the narration of field education experience of social work students in the medical environment. We discuss the impact on field education, which is caused by expected changes; our research results show that critical reflection is very important in field education. In order to better develop medical social work field education, students’ sustainable development conceptualization and sustainable development ability must be cultivated.

A study on positive organizational scholarship and social worker self-care in Guangdong region, China

There is limited research into positive organizational scholarship in social work in China. This study aimed to address this research gap by investigating what social workers perceive as positive management practices that facilitate work performance, strengthen work motivation or increase job satisfaction, and discover the relationship between self-care and organizational support. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 23 participants in various agencies in southern China that resulted in the development of a two-dimensional model with seven conditions of positive organizational measures in social work. Suggestions are made for social work managers to create an effective organizational management system.

How do working conditions affect the turnover intention of medical social workers in China?

BackgroundThe development of medical social work is an indispensable part of the Healthy China Strategy. However, the medical service field has the fewest social workers in all service fields in China. Creating favorable working conditions can reduce the turnover intention of social workers in the medical service field. So it is necessary to integrate the existing theoretical models to deeply analyze the multiple influencing paths of working conditions on the medical social workers’ turnover intention in the context of China.MethodsThe data we used came from the China Social Work Longitudinal Survey (CSWLS) conducted in 56 cities across the country in 2019. It adopted a multi-stage random sampling method and the sample of medical social workers was selected according to their current service field and the sample size finally entering the model was 382. We tested the relationships with the Structural Equation Model (SEM) by STATA 16.0.ResultsJob-related stress play the most significant role in explaining the formation mechanism of medical social workers’ turnover intention. On the one hand, job-related stress can reduce the job satisfaction of medical social workers, further increasing their turnover intention; on the other hand, job-related stress can increase job burnout of medical social workers, further reducing their job satisfaction and ultimately increasing the turnover intention. Job satisfaction plays a full mediating effect between the job burnout of medical social workers and their turnover intention. The social support and job autonomy provided by social work agencies have limited effects on decreasing the turnover intention of medical social workers.ConclusionsThe two paths of job-related stress affecting turnover intention successfully integrate the Job Demands-Resources Model and the Price-Mueller Turnover Model into the same theoretical framework providing a theoretical basis for reducing the turnover intention and behavior of social workers in the medical service field, improving the management level in the medical service system and promoting the overall healthy and sustainable development of medical social work in China.

A Research on the Dilemmas of Faculty Founded Agencies

Faculty founded social work agency is something with “Chinese characteristics”, also a unique phenomenon appearing in the special development process of social work in China, moreover, such a phenomenon has been widely recognized, and it will sustain for a long time. However, faculty founded social work agencies face not only the dilemmas which are common for all social work agencies, but also a variety of unique dilemmas. This paper analyzed such dilemmas from several aspects including censure of the society, lack of resources, treatment dilemmas, time and energy dilemmas, it is a thorough summary and overview on the current dilemmas of faculty founded social work agencies. Based on the analysis over the dilemmas of faculty founded social work agencies, and the present situation of social work education, practice and sector development, this paper addressed the dilemmas of faculty founded social work agencies from three aspects. i.e.: thinking and orientation, understanding and mutual-aid, mission and persistence, in turn proposed their development direction for the future, which is also the conclusion of the paper.

Study on the Dilemma and Development Path of Medical Social Work in China

Study on the Dilemma and Development Path of Medical Social Work in China

Evidence Based Social Science in China Paper 2: The History and Development of Evidence Based Social Work in China

ObjectivesTo present the history and potential for development of evidence-based (EB) social work in China. Study design and settingThe conception and methodology of EB social work is a potential strategy to support high quality development of social work in China. This article documents and analyzes the progress of EB social work in China. We focus on current research, reasons, challenges, and strategies. ResultsEB social work started late in China. The number of EB social work literature and systematic reviews has increased since 2004. The development of EB social work has been uneven nationally with few practitioners and decision makers involved. However, more and more social work researchers received training in evidence-based practice through national workshops and conferences. ConclusionEB social work faced various challenges, but there are now more opportunities for EB social work development in China. Researchers, practitioners, managers and decision makers are encouraged to work together to establish a thorough methodological system and use existing evidence as much as possible when carrying out social work programs and services.

Job Demands, Resources, and Burnout in Social Workers in China: Mediation Effect of Mindfulness.

Internationally, human service professionals, including social workers, experience high burnout and turnover rates. Despite the recent and rapid development of contemporary social work in China, Chinese social workers similarly experience significant rates of burnout. Therefore, there is a need to investigate the factors that contribute to social work burnout. This study applied the job demands and resources (JD-R) model to examine the effects of JD-R on burnout in social workers (n = 897) from Chengdu, China, and whether these relations are mediated by state mindfulness. Structural equation modeling results supported the previously hypothesized dual process by which JD-R affect burnout, specifically in a sample of social workers in China. Job demands (JD) were positively associated with burnout, while job resources (JR) were negatively associated with burnout. These relations were partially mediated by state mindfulness. JR had a strong, positive direct effect on mindfulness (β = 0.38), and its total effect on burnout was high (β = −0.56). Meanwhile, JD had a slight negative direct effect on mindfulness (β = −0.09), and its total effect on burnout was 0.42. The results suggest that the implementation of mindfulness-based interventions for social workers can potentially mitigate the effect of JD on burnout, as well as increase the effect of JR on burnout.

The Strengthening Mechanism of the Relationship between Social Work and Public Health under COVID-19 in China.

Social work and public health have always shared a common mission and vision in promoting human health. However, existing research tends to view social work and public health as two separate fields at both practice and policy levels, and these studies have largely neglected the consideration of how to integrate public health and social work. In the context of the COVID-19 epidemic, the link between the two has been strengthened and health social work has been given more importance. The question addressed in this article is through what mechanisms or practices the social work profession can strengthen its professional status and engage in interprofessional collaboration. Based on key informant interviews and case studies (one community and two cabin Hospitals), this study points out that three legitimacy mechanisms are needed: operationalizing policy, extending value, and completing justification. Furthermore, the future and possible limitations in relation to the development of health social work in China are discussed and specific recommendations are provided. Health social work needs to conduct practices and summarize its experiences and methods, to create a more friendly political environment by translating its results into policies that are conducive to the development of health social work through a political agenda. It needs to improve upon its practical abilities and methodologies, as well as professional education relating to professional values and ethics, in addition to identifying the deeper social needs of residents and discovering new, undeveloped areas of service. Moreover, because long-term change is difficult to justify due to China’s policy agendas, the question of whether the professional status of health social work in the post-epidemic context can be improved is something that needs to be further explored in future studies.

A Conversation between Confucian Ethics and the NASW Code of Ethics in the Chinese context

Abstract Recent years have witnessed a growing scholarly interest in the development of professional ethics of social work in China. Confucian ethics is believed to be able to contribute to such development. This article explores Confucian ethics and its interaction with western ethics that underpins the United States’ National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics. Particularly, it compares the two cultural contexts, western versus eastern, in terms of the ethical deliberation of two elements of Confucian ethics: Chinese people are embedded in a framework of complex relationality, and practical situations take precedence over abstract moral rules (action/practice-oriented situationality). This exploration can provide insight into the Chinese moral context of social work practice and the complex issues associated with formulating Chinese ethical guidelines for such a discipline adapted from the west as social work.

Indigenization without ‘Indigeneity’: Problematizing the Discourse of Indigenization of Social Work in China

Abstract While acknowledging mutual alignment in their critique of social work’s dominant Eurocentric lens, indigenous and indigenization of social work have thus far forged separate routes. Indigenous social work predominantly focuses on groups in the settler colonial states of North America and Australia where the term ‘indigenous’ as an official identity category is embraced by groups to signify their a priori territorial claims, traditional way of life, and distinct world views. Indigenization of social work, on the other hand, primarily deals with the effective transmission of praxis in non-western regions. Yet complex linkages between the two exist that impacts the trajectory of indigenization of social work. This article draws upon indigenous theorizing and transdisciplinary learning to examine the neglect of highly charged concepts such as ‘indigenous’ and relationally notions of indigeneity within the social work indigenization discourse in China. Further, grounding the analysis within the liminal sphere of China’s ethnic minorities, particularly the case of Tibet Autonomous Region, it presents a preliminary discussion on potential ways to conceptualize ways forward.