Social Work Profession Research Articles

A cross-sectional evaluation of knowledge and attitudes of medical interns regarding social service practices in healthcare institutions

Abstract Interprofessional collaboration is essential for holistic healthcare, yet social work remains under-integrated in medical curricula, particularly in Türkiye. Neoliberal policies have weakened community-based services, increasing the need to address gaps in medical education regarding social work’s role in addressing social determinants of health. This is especially critical given Türkiye’s demographic shifts, such as an aging population and rising social inequalities. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes of intern doctors at a university in Izmir, Türkiye, regarding social work practices in healthcare and to identify associated factors. A sample of 181 was selected through simple random sampling. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, t-test, Spearman correlation, and factor analyses. The Cronbach’s alpha for the attitude scale was 0.87. A significant portion (34.8 percent) had not heard of the social work profession, and 56.4 percent were unaware of social workers in their institution. Female students and those encountering underserved patients showed higher knowledge scores. There was a weak positive correlation between knowledge and attitudes. Factors influencing attitudes included gender, familiarity with social work, encountering underserved patients and financial status. Changes in medical education are needed to enhance interprofessional collaboration, with further research recommended on gender roles and attitudes towards social work.

The Paradoxical Development of Liberal Governance: International Adoption Policy and Professional Social Work in Authoritarian South Korea, 1953–1976

Abstract This article explores the development of international adoption policy in post-liberation South Korea, emphasizing the roles of American and Korean professional social workers. By analyzing the orphan registry and a pivotal international adoption law, it reveals how international adoption in South Korea presents a unique opportunity to observe the formation of modern social policy in a newly liberated nation during the Cold War. The study argues that adoption policy served as a crucial locus of transnational governance, where American and Korean social workers pursued their liberal ideals of professional social work within the context of the authoritarian policies of the South Korean state. However, their quest for scientific professionalism, standardized procedures, and public oversight led to a paradoxical evolution of adoption policy, diverging sharply from the trajectory seen in Western liberal democracies where social work significantly contributed to the consolidation and expansion of the welfare state. In South Korea, embedded transnationality and ideological mismatch resulted in the state’s further withdrawal and the creation of policy workarounds that undermined the core social work principle of the child’s best interests. This case highlights the complexities and blurred moral boundaries in the shaping of modern governance and the broader journey toward modernity under postcolonial, Cold War conditions.

Examining traditional methods of handling domestic violence in a Southeastern Nigerian state: the imperative for social workers’ involvement

ABSTRACT This study investigates the conventional methods used to combat domestic violence within cultural contexts in a local council in Nigeria’s Southeastern state. The study aims first to promote the use of traditional methods of resolving domestic violence that aim at ensuring family unity and second, the need for social workers’ engagement in conventional means of resolving domestic violence. A qualitative study methodology was employed, using in-depth interviews to elicit data from twelve adult Nigerians residing in a local council of a southeastern state. Thematic analysis was adopted to analyze the data. The study discovered significant factors, including poverty, anger, and patriarchal structures, as predictors of domestic violence with substantial repercussions on family cohesion and the mental health of those affected. The findings revealed that people in the study area are well-versed in traditional methods for handling domestic violence, with family elders and traditional and religious leaders playing a crucial role. The study reveals that people are unaware of social work professionals’ involvement in domestic violence management, mainly due to the relatively new and emerging nature of formal social work practice. We suggest the inclusion of social workers for effective and efficient use of traditional approaches in handling domestic violence. Their engagement becomes essential in propagating awareness about better system trust to encourage the use of conventional methods to ensure family protection, preservation, and reunification, unlike the formal legal system. The study, however, indicated that effective collaboration among social workers, policymakers, and community stakeholders is essential to develop comprehensive policies that effectively tackle the issue of domestic violence. Overall, the study recommends a collaborative effort by social workers and community stakeholders to develop strategies and identify adequate linkages to prevent possible social injustice resulting from patriarchal norms within the cultural context that may affect their intervention.

Relationship between Burnout and Type A Behavior Pattern in Spanish Social Workers.

The aims of this study were to establish the prevalence of burnout and type A behavior pattern (TABP) among social workers in Spain and to examine their relationship with sociodemographic variables in a sample of 442 members of professional social workers' associations in Spain. The Spanish version of the Jenkins Activity Survey, form H (JASE-H) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory were used as instruments to measure TABP and burnout, respectively. Bivariate correlation test, analysis of variance, and logistic regression were carried out to analyze the data. The results showed that variables associated with TABP (competitiveness, hostility, impatience, and workload) increase the risk of burnout, with hostility and workload being identified as predictive risk factors. Gender differences impacted burnout, with women experiencing greater emotional exhaustion, while age and time in the job influenced type A behavior, with older age associated with heightened hostility and decreased workload, and longer time in the job linked to reduced competitiveness. Conducting this study was crucial to determine whether there are aspects of TABP that impact the development of burnout, in order to design interventions and prevention strategies that promote the health and well-being of affected individuals.

Exploring women’s lived experiences of substance use and social work to inform social work education and practice, an Irish perspective

ABSTRACT Mothers dealing with substance use face increased stigma when interacting with the health and social systems, putting them under pressure. Contemporary Irish social work policies emphasize Hidden Harm, which prioritizes the well-being of the child. Though this is necessary to an extent to protect children in social care situations, the needs of parents are often unconsidered. Likewise, their perspectives on social work are underrepresented within the field’s discourse. This study explores the perspectives of Irish women in substance use treatment on their experiences within the social work system. A semi-structured group discussion methodology was utilized. All women who were engaged with services at Agency One and Two, two women-only substance use treatment facilities, were invited to participate. Nine discussion groups were formed across the two services. A total of n = 47 women participated in the study. The participants reported a lack of support and transparency from social work professionals and overwhelmingly negative experiences in the care system. Experiences of intergenerational pathways to entering the care system were strongly present. The experiences of the participants were largely negative and contradicted Ireland’s social work policies. Continued perspectives from this population, along with social work professionals, are necessary.

A Representative Profile of MSW Graduates in the United States.

As the United States faces burgeoning behavioral health needs and a growing recognition of the inextricable link between social conditions and health outcomes and quality-of-life indicators, a current representative profile of the MSW workforce with respect to sociodemographic and employment characteristics can provide a reference point for ongoing assessments of that workforce. The profile also can establish a baseline by which efforts to bolster the diversity and strength of the MSW workforce can be grounded. The core aim of the current study was to generate a nationally representative, descriptive profile of MSW graduates in the United States using a sample of 1,028 MSW graduates (representing a subpopulation of 691,061 individuals) from the 2021 National Survey of College Graduates. Weighted univariate and bivariate analyses were conducted to generate a descriptive profile of MSW graduates with respect to sociodemographic, education, and employment characteristics. Study findings can help employers, health services researchers, policymakers, and practitioners understand the context of the MSW workforce as it relates to diversity, labor workforce projection data, and student loan and salary considerations. This information can guide future policy and training goals to support the future vitality of the social work profession.

The Ecological Map of Adolescent Athletes: Examining Integrative Care Approaches

This qualitative study explores the importance of an integrated care approach for adolescent athletes living with physical illness. The researcher used a phenomenological approach to provide this population with a platform to share their stories and to make meaning of their lived experiences. Using snowball sampling, the researcher gathered nine participants, ages 18-35, who resided within the United States. The researcher interviewed the participants via an online platform and analyzed their scripts using an interpretive phenomenological analysis approach. Through their exploration and sharing of consciousness, several important implications and contributions were unveiled to the social work profession. Their stories highlight the impact illness has on their psychological, psychosocial, physical, and overall functioning. Through the lens of the ecological systems theory, the study emphasizes the need for integrated and collaborative care between those who are directly or indirectly involved in the adolescent’s treatment. Ultimately, this preliminary study serves as a framework for clinical social workers as well as those who are involved in research, policy, and community-based work like schools and medical facilities. Through these stories, social workers and other helping professionals learn the power of connection and the importance of safeguarding the dignity and worth of the adolescent athlete.

Dreaming a better future: irreverent beings who say what we cannot

ABSTRACT This paper/visual art/puppet show is about the more-than-human entities who help me include my whole self in my teaching and other research. It is about how generative it is to be our whole, sacred, profane, glorious selves. This art reminds us of the importance of dreaming beyond what we have been told is possible. It demonstrates how irreverent, gleeful, binary-challenging art makes oppression more visible, so that we can challenge it. This work is about interrupting hegemony/the status quo/the idea that some of us are ‘normal’ and the rest should be pecked to death. It is about resistance strategies for poking fun at power, especially our own (so we don’t become someone who attacks difference). The puppet collaboration aspect came from shared frustration with the Non-Profit Industrial Complex. This collaboration is part of our ongoing, decades-long experimentation. This paper includes art that I shared as a participant in dichotomy-challenging research, which uplifted the voices of Mad social workers. This art makes fun of my profession of social work. I was encouraged to have space to express my feelings, without being constrained by mere words. I invite you to share the dream of being our whole selves, beyond and within the confines of universities, professions, classrooms, societies and research. By continuing to play in unsafe circumstances, I am keeping myself, connection, dreaming beyond binary, and art as resistance. What are you fighting for? How are you making fun of yourself?

Mental health and job satisfaction among social workers a quantitative study an analysis of workplace well-being in the social work profession

Mental health and job satisfaction among social workers a quantitative study an analysis of workplace well-being in the social work profession

Reclaiming Social Justice

Abstract: A central tenet of the social work profession is its commitment to social justice. This commitment is outlined by the major governing bodies across social work education and practice, intra- and internationally. However, clinical social work has historically been influenced by the evidence-based movement and broadly adopted medicalized models of practice by focusing on treatment model adherence and symptom reduction. Consequently, clinical practitioners have been criticized for not adequately addressing systemic oppression and social injustices affecting vulnerable and historically marginalized populations. The absence of a social justice orientation to clinical practice not only lacks alignment with social work's core values but, in the current socio-political environment, may further perpetuate oppression. Clinical supervision, a staple in developing professional skills for graduate students and novice clinicians, offers an ideal pedagogical space for developing the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral skills and competencies needed to engage in social justice-focused practice. The aim of this article is to offer a supervisory framework, the Critical Relational Model (CRM), grounded in a metatheory that integrates principles from critical theory, critical pedagogy, and anti-oppressive and decolonizing frameworks, applied through a relational lens. A second aim is to demonstrate how the CRM can be immediately applied to practice with novice clinicians, graduate students, and any other clinical practitioner wishing to enhance their effectiveness and participation in creating a more equitable and just society for all.

Exploring the professional discourse on environmental social work: a descriptive content analysis of selected publications from Germany and the US

Climate change and its disproportionate impacts on vulnerable groups have prompted the social work profession to become increasingly involved in environmental justice issues. Academic discourse on environmental social work has surged in the last decade, but limited studies examine its implementation by practitioners or information dissemination by professional organisations. Translational research highlights the crucial role of professional associations in informing practitioners of new scientific discoveries and practice paradigms. This qualitative content analysis compares a small selection of articles and podcast episodes published through the professional associations of social workers in the US (the National Association of Social Workers) and Germany (the Deutscher Berufsverband für Soziale Arbeit e.V.), respectively, focusing on environmental social work and its implications for the social work profession. The findings suggest that publications from both countries use similar arguments for proving the relevance of climate change issues for the profession but diverge considerably in their focus on how environmental social work should be applied.

Living with Dementia: exploring the challenges and needs of informal Dementia caregivers in Portugal

Abstract Background Dementia profoundly impacts not only those diagnosed but also their informal caregivers. The Nova Center for Global Health at NOVA-IMS, in collaboration with the Alzheimer Portugal Association, embarked on a comprehensive study to explore the various aspects of daily life that affect informal caregivers of people with dementia in Portugal. Understanding these impacts is important for developing targeted interventions that address the caregivers’ needs effectively, particularly given the current lack of research on informal dementia caregivers. Methods The study utilized a crafted survey developed through initial scripting on key topics identified by informal caregivers and validated by experts on dementia. This phase was followed by a series of in-depth interviews with professionals in neurology, psychology, and social work, as well as with the caregivers themselves. The final survey was distributed among members of the Alzheimer Portugal Association and other volunteers, resulting in 305 valid responses. Results Preliminary findings reveal significant emotional, physical, and financial challenges faced by caregivers, underlining the diverse needs across 14 key areas of their lives. The study highlights specific areas where support is lacking, providing a grounded basis for developing more effective support mechanisms. Conclusions The ‘Living with Dementia’ project underscores the complex reality faced by informal caregivers. It calls for innovative, practical solutions that can alleviate the burden on these caregivers and improve their quality of life. By addressing the specific needs identified through this research, policy-makers and support organizations can better tailor their interventions to help those at the front lines of caregiving in dementia. Key messages • Informal caregivers of people with dementia face challenges that necessitate a comprehensive understanding to tailor effective support systems. • Interventions are needed that address the emotional, physical, and financial hardships caregivers face, improving their overall well-being and capacity to care.

Social work + just design = practice 2.0

ABSTRACT Social work as a profession is an opportune leader for a global vision that encompasses collective futures for all. This vision is one of a 2nd-century social work profession advancing practice 2.0 to align with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Social work practice 2.0 begins in the classroom, centering human rights alongside the discipline of design, and extends into practice settings. Design, for the purposes of this article, refers generally to human-centered design, design thinking, and service design. The vision of social work 2nd century links the purpose and principles of social work with those of design. Social work and design both incorporate systems thinking while emphasizing place-based interventions that contextualize service delivery. Practice 2.0 links all levels in social work’s ubiquitous multi-level micro-mezzo-macro- intervention framework and does so through design justice. Design justice is design through an equity lens, which advances innovation to improve the service user, or client, experience. A human rights approach is critical for operationalizing the vision of social work 2nd century—and it begins with teaching human rights in social work education.

Are we advancing the quality of social work research?: An assessment of quantitative research published in social work journals

Summary Social work has grappled with quality of its knowledge base for over a hundred years. In the tradition of critical self-examination, this study was conducted to describe the methods employed in quantitative studies published in social work journals and to assess the extent to which they conform to widely accepted standards of quality. A random sample of 120 articles published in the top thirteen social work journals from 2010 to 2015 were reviewed to identify indicators of quality and rigor. Additional data on citations per year were collected through July 2022. Findings Most studies were cross-sectional and descriptive in nature (62%). While the majority of articles addressed the limitations of the study, only 40% contained reference to theory and 15% described how missing data were handled. Citations per year averaged 4.82, and citations per year exhibited a small, statistically significant positive association with quality indicators and reviewer global evaluations, but not with journal impact factor. Results did underscore the role of doctoral programs in promoting quality research. Applications Social work education programs should continue emphasizing quality social work research methodologies, particularly given the move toward postpositivism as a profession. We note a cycle of disincentivization may be occurring, where social work researchers take their best work to higher impact factor, non-social work journals. We also suggest lack of traditional indicators of rigor may be the result of “concerted resistance” to borrowed epistemologies; we call for consensus-based measures of rigor that reflect the realities of the social work profession.

Social work practice in complex emergencies: A study of Northwest Syria

Summary Existing scholarship discusses social work during war and conflict, but less social work scholarship specifically names and focuses on the reality of complex emergencies. This article discusses perspectives on “good” social work practice in complex emergencies by drawing upon a study of Northwest Syria which included 29 interviews with international and Syrian practitioners. Findings This study found that although Syria did not have a formal social work profession before the emergency, the crisis created a need for social work practice to bolster and help reactivate Syrian families and communities’ supportive nature. Participants perceived “good” social work practices as a range of practices, that are suitable to the community, which helped to reactivate the family and community's supportive role. Practitioners described how “good” social work practices incorporated Syrian culture and were best performed by practitioners with certain characteristics. Ultimately, this article argues social work practice should aim to reactivate rather than replace these important and existing culturally embedded forms of support. Applications During complex emergencies, “good” social work practice considers and incorporates cultural aspects such as spirituality and stigma. A range of social work practices, which are suitable to the community, can help to restore family and community supports. Practitioners who know the community, are trustworthy, and have a relevant background can best perform what are regarded as “good” social work practices.

Generative AI is already widespread in the public sector: evidence from a survey of UK public sector professionals

Generative AI has the potential to transform how public services are delivered by enhancing productivity and reducing time spent on bureaucracy. But to what extent is the technology already in use? Our survey of UK public service professionals (in education, health, social work, and emergency services) seeks to answer this question. We find that use of generative AI is widespread: 45% of respondents were aware of colleagues using generative AI, while 22% use it themselves. Respondents were positive about its potential to enhance their efficiency and reduce their bureaucratic workload. For example, those working in the health service thought that time spent on bureaucracy could drop by the equivalent of one day per week, an enormous potential impact. Our survey also found a high amount of trust (61%) in generative AI and a low fear of replacement (16%). However, only a minority of respondents (32%) felt like there was clear guidance on generative AI usage in their workplaces. In other words, it is clear that generative AI is already coming into the public sector, but uptake is happening in a disorganised fashion without clear guidelines. The UK’s public sector urgently needs to develop more systematic methods for taking advantage of the technology.

METHODOLOGICAL JUSTIFICATION OF THE GERONTOLOGICAL CARE PRACTICE IN SOCIAL WORK: SOCIOLOGICAL AND DIDACTIC ASPECTS

The article reveals methodological approaches to the scientific study of the content of gerontological assistance to clients of social services as a direction of professional social work and a segment of university social education. A conceptual justification is given for the synthesis of sociological and didactic aspects of understanding gerontological social work in modern society. A theoretical and methodological analysis of socio-cultural factors of gerontological assistance to clients of social services and controversial issues of training future social workers in universities in technologies of gerontological assistance to the population is carried out.

‘Two sides of the one coin’: using reflection to examine co-production of human rights education within higher institutions in Ireland

ABSTRACT Encompassing human rights-based approaches within mental health service delivery is essential to supporting the recovery of service users, their family members/carers/supporters. This is being increasingly led by social workers due to their role in responding to psychosocial challenges. This is seen in today’s mental health services through their work in safeguarding service users and addressing familial concerns regarding all aspects of life. It is also evidenced in their openness to the concept of personal recovery—a movement aimed at defending and improving human rights for service users and their family members/carers/supporters through the recognition of international legislation. Recent debates within social work education have explored whether our critical and radical roots are declining or absent in practice. One argument for this has been the increasing pressures coming from neoliberal policies. This paper describes how both authors approached several co-produced sessions with social work students at an Irish university regarding mental health recovery and social work. The authors provide insight into this approach, including a description and exploration of a model of reflexivity used during this process which can be used by other educators, students, and practitioners [CS is an Assistant Professor of Social Work,MJN is a Consumer Academic].

The Roles and Responsibilities of School Social Workers in the African Context: A Scoping Review

The profession of school social work has been acknowledged as being of critical importance on a global scale. However, little is known about the practice of school social work in the African context, specifically the roles and responsibilities of practitioners. This scoping review aimed to synthesize empirical studies conducted in the African continent on the roles and responsibilities of school social workers. Using Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) five-step framework, the search for articles was completed on six electronic databases: Sabinet African Journals, Scopus, ProQuest Central, CINAHL, SocIndex, Medline, and Education Research Complete. Eight articles met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings indicate that school social workers or social workers servicing schools are responsible for providing psychosocial support to learners experiencing social challenges; facilitating group work sessions focused on socialization and life skills; training and guiding teachers on ways to better support learners, developing and implementing school programs addressing issues such as bullying and teenage pregnancy; and forming partnerships with other professionals and organizations to support learners. This review concludes that there is a dearth of research dedicated to school social work or social work services in African schools. Future research on school social work should focus on unique challenges, best practices, and the impact of social work services in African schools. Governments and educational institutions should prioritize the integration of social work services within school systems. The review highlights the multifaceted roles practitioners play in creating supportive educational environments in African contexts. Keywords: School Social Work, Africa, Roles, Responsibilities, Learners

The Evaluation of a Mindful Coaching Programme to Reduce Burnout in Social Workers in Hong Kong-A Pilot Study.

Social work professionals experience high levels of burnout, emotional exhaustion, and secondary traumatic stress (STS). This paper reports the findings of a pilot test of the Burn-Not-Out programme that aimed to reduce social workers' burnout, STS, and depressive symptoms and to enhance compassion satisfaction (CS), using the mixed methods evaluation methodology. Hong Kong social workers participated in the programme between December 2023 and March 2024 and completed pre- and post-programme self-administered online surveys including the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), healthy alongside self-constructed questions on boundary setting, and post-programme online focus group discussions. The results from 94 paired surveys revealed a concerning mental health profile of the participants at baseline, and, after programme participation, there were statistically significant reductions in burnout (Cohen's d = 0.73) and depressive symptoms (Cohen's d = 0.57) among the participants. The participants in the focus group reported that they valued the programme's emphasis on healthy boundaries, one-on-one coaching, and the sense of being cared for, which contributed to their mental health improvement. This study highlights the urgent need for more research on the role of psychological capital in social workers' resilience and calls for more empirical systemic interventions that can promote social workers' mental wellness, with sustainable policies that ensure manageable workloads and adequate workplace support.