Social Work Intervention Research Articles

Unlocking the Potential of the Regression Discontinuity Design for Social Work Research

Purpose: This article introduces the regression discontinuity design (RDD) as a valuable quasi-experimental approach for evaluating social work interventions. Methods: The RDD is outlined, providing guidance on identifying and framing research questions within its structure. Detailed explanations of analytical procedures for estimating intervention effects under both sharp (treatment assignment strictly determined by a cutoff) and fuzzy (treatment assignment is influenced but not strictly determined by a cutoff) RDD conditions are included, along with common supplemental analyses to address potential validity threats. Results: Concrete examples of social work scenarios where RDD can be effectively employed are presented, showcasing innovative approaches that can enhance the design's utility. This paper also includes code for implementing these techniques. Conclusions: By examining the applications and methodologies of RDD, this article equips social work practitioners and researchers with a versatile tool to rigorously assess the impact of interventions and advance evidence-based practice within the field.

An Examination of Social Work Interventions for Female Survivors of Sexual Abuse: Example of Türkiye

This study explores the life experiences of young women in northwest Türkiye, who were subjected to childhood sexual abuse. It considers the social services provided during their time in institutional care and their subsequent life experiences. The research adopts a holistic approach, encompassing the young women’s childhood experiences, the disclosure of abuse, the care received from statuary services, and the post-care challenges based on their narratives. The key research questions are: "How do institutional social work interventions affect the long-term recovery of young women who experienced childhood sexual abuse?" and "How effective is institutional care in preparing these women for life thereafter?" Employing a qualitative research methodology, semi-structured interviews were carried out with 12 women to retrospectively analyze their life experiences through the life history method. Furthermore, focus group discussions were conducted with social workers and representatives from non-governmental organizations. The findings emphasize that although institutional care caters to the immediate needs of children, it inadequately supports their development into well-adjusted adults capable of informed decision-making across different life contexts. Consequently, this deficiency leads to new and persisting challenges in family relationships, housing, partner choice, marriage, and motherhood, exacerbating the trauma resulting from sexual abuse. Results suggest a need to restructure social services in the field of child protection system in Türkiye to better address the long-term effects of trauma of child sexual abuse. Further research should assess the interventions for families of these children’s in care, to identify and meet specific needs, thereby enhancing intervention strategies.

Realities on Participation of Scheduled Caste in India: The Benefits of Social Inclusion in Higher Education through Social Work Interventions

Abstract Education plays a crucial role in empowering individuals and building a society that is driven by knowledge. In India, higher education focuses on instilling values, attitudes and skills in students for their personal growth and the betterment of society. The core principles of higher education in India revolve around social justice, equality, democratic participation and equity. However, despite the constitutional promise of equality and social justice, the Indian social structure still adheres to the Caste system. This leads to social exclusion and creates a significant gap in access to quality education for marginalised groups, particularly the Scheduled Castes (SCs). This article examines the participation trends of SC students in higher education, highlighting the challenges within the education system and policies. It emphasises the need for inclusive education to empower SC students and uphold the principles enshrined in the Indian Constitution. Moreover underscores the value of social work intervention in encouraging the active involvement of SCs in higher education.

‘Already doing the work’: social work, abolition and building the future from the present

Social work internationally is currently subject to debate. Some call for the abolition of social work, detailing legacies of harm, inadequate practices and theoretical limitations. Central to abolitionist thought is the tradition of community work to build alternative futures in the present, an area currently receiving less attention. This article adopts an auto-ethnographic method, drawing on the authors’ experiences of social work in the UK – in childhood and as a professional career, respectively – to consider the limitations of social work responses to childhood harm, alongside existing community harm-reduction practices. Four themes are identified that capture the limitations of social work intervention, as well as acts of community care and resistance. These are: the extent of engagement with context and community knowledge; resources for caring; legacies of harm; and the role of social work in relation to community harm-reduction work. Implications for research methods and social work practice are discussed.

Exploring Latest Trends in Social Work (The case study of Bhopal

Social work is a dynamic field constantly adapting to address evolving societal needs. This research paper investigates the latest trends in social work practice within Bhopal, India. Through interviews with professors from local universities and founders/leaders of prominent NGOs, the study aims to identify the most pressing social issues currently faced by Bhopal`s communities and the innovative approaches social workers are employing to address them. The paper will also explore how social work practices in Bhopal align with, or diverge from, global trends. The analysis will consider areas such as the rise of technology-based interventions, the growing focus on mental health and well-being, and the increasing emphasis on community empowerment and social justice advocacy. By comparing local practices with international trends, the study will shed light on Bhopal`s unique social work landscape and its potential to contribute to the global discourse. This research paper offers valuable insights into the evolving nature of social work in Bhopal. By understanding the specific challenges and innovative solutions employed by local social workers, the study can inform best practices for social work education and intervention strategies. Furthermore, by comparing Bhopal`s trends to the global landscape, the research can contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of social work`s role in addressing contemporary issues across diverse contexts. This comparative analysis can foster knowledge exchange and collaboration between social work professionals from Bhopal and around the world.

Social Workers’ Perceptions of the Nature of Child Neglect: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract Neglect is the most common form of child maltreatment in the UK and the USA. This article reviews research about how child neglect is perceived by social workers. We conducted a systematic review and identified fifty relevant studies, using a range of methodologies, published since the 1989 Children Act. The themes were identified iteratively and synthesised using a narrative method. The review found that despite evidence that neglect is associated with several adverse outcomes, neglect is a lower priority for social work intervention compared to other forms of maltreatment. This is particularly true for emotional neglect and neglect of older children. The review found that social workers conceptualise poverty and neglect as being distinctly different and try to address poverty through practical, non-punitive interventions. However, assessments could better recognise how deprivation exacerbates other risk factors for neglect. The review found a lack of knowledge about perceptions of neglect in adolescents and children with a disability and about the threshold for intervention when neglect is cumulative. Practice may be improved by better recognising and addressing the societal context to neglect allegations and the risk of long-term harm. Achieving this may have resource and training implications.

Preventive Healthcare Utilization among Asian Americans in the U.S.: Testing the Institute of Medicine’s Model of Access to Healthcare

The current research, guided by the intersectionality theory and the Institute of Medicine’s healthcare access model, explored the determinants of preventive care utilization within the Asian American community. Analyzing data from the Asian American Quality of Life Survey (with a sample size of 2535), logistic regression models were employed, incorporating various factors: demographic variables, immigration-related variables, health and access, and patient–provider relationship. Results revealed that longer stays in the U.S., having health insurance coverage, having a usual source of care, and higher satisfaction levels with prior healthcare services were associated with increased odds of utilizing preventive healthcare. These findings contribute to our comprehension of preventive care utilization among Asian Americans and offer practical insights for targeted interventions in social work and public health and strategic healthcare planning.

A Case Study of Social Work Intervention in Behavioural Deviations of Adolescents with Intellectual Disabilities-Based on the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Model

A Case Study of Social Work Intervention in Behavioural Deviations of Adolescents with Intellectual Disabilities-Based on the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Model

Perceived discrimination and relative deprivation as predictors for age differences in loneliness

ABSTRACT This study examined the predictors of loneliness, with a focus on the roles that discrimination plays and how it intersects with gender and educational attainment among three subgroups of adults at different life stages (young, middle, and late adulthood). In sum, our study found that the link between discrimination and loneliness varied across age groups, making the examination of its root cause from the ecological perspective and identifying symptoms/triggers for loneliness critical in developing different targeted interventions. Findings from this study can be used to guide social work intervention efforts undertaken to prevent and reduce loneliness

Short-term impact of a combination intervention on family cohesion: Results from a pilot cluster-randomized clinical trial in Northern Ghana.

Child labor remains a concern in sub-Saharan Africa. Yet, evidence-based preventive efforts are limited. We analyzed longitudinal data from Ghanaian adolescent girls in a pilot randomized clinical trial testing the preliminary impact of a combination intervention on family cohesion as a protective factor against child labor and school dropout. While there was no statistical difference between the control and intervention groups at 9 months, the results show that family cohesion scores improved significantly from baseline to 9 months for the ANZANSI intervention group. Qualitative results indicated improved family cohesion in the intervention group. Hence, future studies should further examine this promising social work intervention.

Analyzing the Difficulties Facing Sex Education for Children with Disabilities in China and Social Workers' Intervention Countermeasures

As an important part of the disabled population in China, children with disabilities are basically the same as normal children in terms of physiological development, although they lag significantly behind normal children in terms of self-cognition, self-control and self-protection. Because of the mismatch between the cognitive ability and physiological development of disabled children, they are vulnerable to sexual abuse and sexual assault, or become the sender of sexual assault, causing serious social problems, so sex education for disabled children is urgent. This paper analyses the dilemma of sex education for children with disabilities in China and the reasons behind it from the perspective of social work, and explores the solution strategies for social worker intervention.

Media-Based Social Work as a Modality for the Enhancement of Public Awareness of Violence against Women: A Comparative Analysis of Two Cases Covered by the Israeli Media during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract Utilising framing theory and conceptual metaphor theory, the present study delves into how media can aid social workers in enhancing public awareness of social problems. A comparative content analysis was conducted, focusing on two Israeli cases involving the attempted murder of women by their partners during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Of the 570 reports analysed, 210 reports focused on the two cases of attempted murder of women by their partners. The first case received only episodic framing in contrast to the second case, which transitioned from episodic framing to thematic framing, leading to noteworthy social and legislative changes. Three transformative factors were identified as contributors to the shift in media coverage: the timing of the event; the willingness of the victim to be interviewed and the presence of a family member or professional accompanying the media story. This study also underscores the importance of understanding the metaphorical language employed by the media in influencing public awareness. On a practical level, the findings of the study offer insights into the essential elements of media-based social work that can foster the recognition of social problems and their prevention, complementing other social work interventions.

Social Work Advocacy: Towards a Trauma-Informed Model

AbstractAdvocating for rights is widely regarded as an integral part of social work education and a key component of social work interventions with people in poverty and other marginalized populations. Current research also indicates that poverty and marginalization are strongly associated with trauma. However, models of social work advocacy fail to acknowledge and account for the effects of past and present trauma on marginalized populations. Similarly, principles stemming from a trauma-informed perspective (TIP) typically do not address advocacy of rights. This separation maintains the traditional social work divide between internal struggles and external obstacles, as well as the distinct approaches used to facilitate change in each realm. Based on a presentation of the main models of social work advocacy in light of their consideration of trauma, this article proposes an integrative model: the trauma-informed active take-up advocacy model (TI-ATA). We conclude by discussing case study illustrations and the applications and limitations of the integrative TI-ATA model to the social work field.

Exploration of Social Work Intervention Models in College Students' Youth Health Education—Taking University X as an Example

Based on the youth health program of colleges and universities, we carry out youth health education for X-school students based on the group work method of social work. It explores the practical path of youth health education in colleges and universities and develops a "trinity" youth health education model for colleges and universities, which promotes the organic integration of professional social work education, student peer education, community practice education, and youth health education, and finally provides suggestions for future youth health education in colleges and universities.

The health consequences of child marriage among rural women: Evidence from Igbo-Eze North, South-east Nigeria

Child marriage has emerged as a significant social issue due to its profound health consequences, particularly within rural communities. This study aims to investigate the health consequences associated with child marriage among rural women. Employing a phenomenological approach, this qualitative study collected information from women with firsthand experiences in the communities of Etteh and Enugu Ezike, both situated in the Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State. Data were collected through in-depth interviews conducted with 20 women selected through purposeful sampling. The sample encompassed married women aged 18 – 45 years, with a specific focus on those married before the age of 18. The findings revealed a significant association between child marriage and adverse physical health outcomes, including heightened rates of maternal mortality, inadequate prenatal care, and increased vulnerability to infectious diseases. Moreover, mental health assessments indicated a higher prevalence of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder among women who experienced child marriage. Reproductive health implications were also observed, with a higher incidence of obstetric complications and adverse birth outcomes among this cohort. This study sheds light on the intricate web of health consequences associated with child marriage among women in Nigerian rural communities. The findings underscore the urgency for social work interventions that address the unique challenges faced by young girls in rural communities. Recognizing the long-term repercussions of child marriage is essential for informing evidence-based strategies aimed at improving the health and well-being of affected women and promoting sustainable development in the region.

Adult Safeguarding Inequalities in Northern Ireland: An Exploratory Study

Abstract Whilst studies of child welfare inequalities have identified the impact of socio-economic deprivation on child protection rates, little is known about how this relates to intervention with adults who have care and support needs. This article examines the impact of area-level deprivation on adult safeguarding (AS) rates in Northern Ireland (NI). Routinely gathered statistics for community AS referrals (2015–2017) were linked to area-level deprivation across NI using service users’ postcode. The relationship between deprivation and the screening, investigation and safeguarding planning stages of intervention was examined. Our analysis identified a clear social gradient in relation to AS referrals; the higher the level of deprivation, the higher the rates of AS screening and protection plans. Findings for investigations showed more variability. Further research is needed to explore the factors associated with areas of high deprivation that shape AS social work responses. To our knowledge, this is the first time AS rates have been explored in relation to deprivation. The study findings, that structural factors play a significant role in AS interventions, will help to determine how and where social work interventions are best focused, helping to shape policy and AS theory.

Exploring the Moderating Role of Demographic Variables in the Influence of Social Networks on the Mental Health of the Older Persons: An Empirical Study With Social Work Interventions

Exploring the Moderating Role of Demographic Variables in the Influence of Social Networks on the Mental Health of the Older Persons: An Empirical Study With Social Work Interventions

Transgender Lived Experience in Social Work: A Critical Discourse Analysis

To date, social work literature regarding transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals situates TGD individuals as objects of social work knowledge and intervention. While this existent work represents an important foundation, it may foreclose other positionalities for TGD individuals. Therefore, this feminist critical discourse analysis of social work literature utilizes professionalization and transnormativity as conceptual anchors to explore the phenomenon of “transgender lived experience” in social work literature in order to understand both the nature of transgender lived experience and who is permitted to have it. Ultimately, this project found that transgender lived experience within social work is a totalizing discourse centered on a wholly painful experience of othering that can only be ameliorated through medical intervention. While this experience can confer expertise upon some individuals, transnormativity and professionalization operate in concert with this discourse to situate TGD people as transgender in the first place, foreclosing any other subjectivity. Therefore, future inquiry into the experiences of TGD individuals in social work must be willing to embrace epistemic perspectives and methodologies that emphasize the nuance and diversity of individuals’ experiences and resist totalizing grand narratives.

An Intersection of Social Workers’ Practice in Community Resilience and Indigenous Support Systems in Kashmir

This qualitative study delves into the intersection of social workers’ practice in fostering community resilience and integrating indigenous support systems in Kashmir. Employing purposeful sampling, the objective is to explore these practices deeply. The results unveil two main themes with their sub-themes: firstly, the role of social workers in enhancing community resilience, and secondly, the integration of indigenous support systems. The findings highlight the pivotal role of social workers in facilitating conflict resolution practices, organizing cultural festivals, and initiating holistic well-being initiatives within Kashmiri communities. These strategies emerge as fundamental components in nurturing a resilient and adaptable community amidst challenging circumstances. The study concludes by underscoring the significance of these practices not only in fostering resilience within Kashmiri communities but also in offering valuable insights for informing social work practices globally. It emphasizes the importance of cultural preservation, community cohesion, and effective resilience-building strategies, thereby contributing to the broader discourse on social work interventions in diverse cultural contexts.

Correctional Social Work: Existence and Legal Intervention in the Juvenile Justice System in Indonesia

<span class="s5"><span class="bumpedFont15">Correctional social work is the process of helping and rehabilitating people who have problems violating the law.</span></span><span class="s5"><span class="bumpedFont15">This research investigates the important role of correctional social work in the context of the juvenile justice system in Indonesia. The main focus is on the existence and effectiveness of legal interventions carried out in efforts to rehabilitate and reintegrate children involved in legal violations. This research uses a qualitative approach with descriptive methods. The research results confirm that the existence and intervention of correctional social work in the juvenile justice system in Indonesia has a significant impact in supporting the rehabilitation and reintegration of juvenile criminals. The holistic and therapeutic corrective approach applied by social workers helps children understand their mistakes, develops adaptive skills, and motivates them for positive change. Serving as counselors, motivators, experts, therapists, brokers, educators, advocates, and mediators, correctional social workers facilitate children's access to rehabilitation, education, and training programs that meet their needs. By focusing on the interests and welfare of children as the main priority, the existence and intervention of this effectively ensures the protection and provides the necessary support for children involved in the juvenile justice system in Indonesia, guiding them towards positive behavioral changes and achieving a better future. Good.</span></span>