Schools Of Social Work Research Articles

Social work at the crossroads. Dissident social work and changes in education for the field of social work in Poland

The critical debate on the current condition of social work in assistance systems is reflected not only in Poland, but also internationally, and it concerns the issue of the role of social work in societies affected by various crises. The article discusses the assumptions resulting from Paul Garret’s concept of dissident social work, referring some assumptions of the concept to several problems related to the scientific and professional condition of Polish social work and the needs and barriers to developing such forms of education for social work that correspond to changing social and market needs.Reviewing the educational offers of universities in Poland in the field of education for social work and comparing the popularity and possibilities of education for social work with the situation from a dozen or so years ago, the author of the text notes new educational opportunities, as well as a decrease in both the number of universities offering education in this field and the number of applicants for studies. Analysing the changes, she also draws attention to the dilemmas and the role of the Polish Association of Social Work Schools, which for over thirty years has been participating in the development of research, education and practice of social work in Poland and the integration of schools educating for social work, connecting three generations of researchers, teachers and social work practitioners.

The Awareness of Depression Among School Teachers at Smka Al-Mashoor Perempuan, Penang Island

This study aims to explore the awareness of teachers at SMKA Al-Mashoor Perempuan, Penang Island, regarding the issue of depression. Additionally, it investigates the coping strategies practiced by teachers to address depression. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 3.8% of the population is estimated to grapple with depression, encompassing 5% of adults (with a breakdown of 4% among men and 6% among women). Moreover, 5.7% of adults aged over 60 years are affected by depression. Depression is also said to have an impact on other health problems, whether chronic diseases or the increasing suicide rate in a country. Out of 22,000 depression patients treated at the psychiatric clinic in Universiti Malaya Medical Centre, 10% of them are reported to be teachers.Previous studies have indicated a lack of public knowledge about depression. Therefore, this study focuses on the knowledge of teachers regarding depression. To address the research objectives, an in-depth interview method was employed. The findings of this study were analyzed thematically. The results show that teachers are aware of the issue of depression. The coping strategies applied by teachers to address depression include social support and religious aspects. The study also suggests intervention methods to address depression, such as seeking treatment from experts and the importance of counseling sessions. The findings highlight the need for social workers in schools to address the increasing prevalence of depression among teachers, in addition to raising awareness about depression among educators. Keywords: Coping Strategies, Depression, Mental Health, School Teacher, Social Work in School.

HIV/AIDS Education among Young Adolescent for Better Quality of Life: Health Belief Model

HIV remains a significant global public health challenge, having caused the loss of 40.1 million lives to date, with ongoing transmission in all countries worldwide (World Health Organization, 2023). By the end of 2021, there were approximately 38.4 million people living with HIV/AIDS (World Health Organization, 2023). HIV/AIDS education targeted at young individuals plays a crucial role in ending the AIDS epidemic on a global scale. In Malaysia, by the end of 2021, an estimated 81,942 people were living with HIV (PLHIV) (Ministry of Health, 2022). 600 Penang students between the ages of 15 and 17 participated in the study, which had three sessions total—a pre-test, an intervention, and a post-test. The findings were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 software. The results revealed a positive change in the respondents' knowledge following the implementation of the intervention process. This study demonstrates that early health education can effectively reduce the risk behaviors associated with HIV/AIDS among young adolescents. The aim is to ensure that they lead a better quality of life and maintain their overall well-being. Keywords: Health Belief Model, HIV/AIDS Education, Public Health Education, Quality of life, Social Work in School.

EVIDENCE-BASED SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK AND INCREASING PSYCHOSOCIAL RESILIENCE IN PUPILS

School social work has a long history internationally, being the oldest subspecialisation in the field, and for over 20 years, emphasis has been placed on evidence-based practice. The recent events humanity has faced highlight the necessity for students to be prepared for major traumatic situations. In many countries, efforts have been made to facilitate practitioners' access to the latest research to enhance intervention effectiveness. The main purpose of this work is to highlight the most effective evidence-based intervention methods that school social workers need to use when working with students dealing with depression, age-specific anxieties, phobias, frustration intolerance, the parents' divorce, homelessness, anger, aggression, suicidal thoughts, or attempts. We present the PREPaRE Model, an effective response to school crisis situations, and an effective way to enhance psychosocial resilience in students, The Window of Empowerment and Resilience (Șoitu, 2012). Evidence-based school social work is founded on the proven-effective research for addressing emotional management, stress, and anger in (pre)adolescent students.

The underdeveloped role of social work in schools: a localised perspective within a Peri-Urban setting

ABSTRACT The role of social work in schools remains underdeveloped as there appears to be a lack of nuanced understanding of social work practice in the education system. In providing a localized perspective of the Illawarra region, which consists of a socio-economically diverse demographic, this research strives to contribute to the literature accounting for the understanding of social work in schools by school staff across a region. A qualitative study design was applied to this study and the data collection included online semi-structured interviews with school staff. Participants with experience in areas independent, public, and catholic school systems were included in the sample. A manual thematic analysis was conducted using the interview transcripts and audio-visual recordings. Findings indicate that the role of social work remains underdeveloped due to the lack of understanding by school staff as to what social work practice is and, in some cases, uncertain due to the lack of priority on student wellbeing. The recommendation of this study is that a collaborative approach, including all key stakeholders promoting education on social work practices in schools is needed in the Illawarra region and could be most effective in addressing the underdeveloped nature of school-based social work.

When the outside penetrates the inside: the relationship between Palestinian Israeli and Jewish Israeli social workers in mixed cities during the events of May 2021

ABSTRACT The violent national events that occurred in Israel in May 2021 heightened the sense of anxiety and insecurity for Palestinian and Jewish citizens alike, particularly in mixed cities. This study examines the dynamics, emotions, and perceptions of Palestinian-Israeli and Jewish-Israeli social workers in mixed cities against the backdrop of these events. The study included in-depth interviews with 25 Palestinian-Israeli and Jewish-Israeli social workers in welfare departments in six mixed cities in Israel. The analysis was encoded inductively, informed by the principles of content analysis. Two themes emerged: (1) overt and hidden conflicts between social workers of both nationalities; and (2) challenges to cooperation against the background of the conflict. The research findings enable a deep and broad understanding of the complexity of the personal, national, and professional identities of Palestinian-Israeli and Jewish-Israeli social workers in Israel, reflected in their relationships with colleagues of the other nationality. Raising awareness of these aspects will facilitate developing appropriate tools for intervention programs and a direct and sensitive reference to these issues within the curricula of social work schools in Israel.

EXAMINING THE PREVALENCE OF BULLYING IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THE ROLE OF SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK IN ADDRESSING THE ISSUE

Bullying in schools can have detrimental effects on students' physical and psychological well-being, often resulting in long-lasting emotional scars. Addressing this issue is crucial in ensuring that school education remains a positive and nurturing environment for all students. Objectives of this study were to identify the prevalence of bullying in public schools, and to assess the prospects of school social work to solve the problem of bullying. The methodology of the study was based on convergent parallel design of mixed method approach. 47 male and 53 female students of grades 6 and 10 of public schools of Tehsil City, district Lahore were selected for quantitative research by using proportional stratified random sampling technique. Quantitative data was collected from the students and qualitative responses were gathered from the parents and teachers. Criteria for inclusion was poor grades and poor attendance of the students. Among a sample of 100 students, 36% indicated prevalence of bullying as a lot, while 43% reported that such behavior occurs sometimes. Of the surveyed students, 37% expressed fear of being bullying as a lot, while 35% disclosed that they experienced such fear sometimes. Binary logistic regression analysis indicates that students who face bullying in school has 1.31 times more chances to dropout from school as compared to those who do not face bullying. This study proposes that education policy needs to acknowledge challenges faced by children and introduce school social work to help address these challenges.

‘We Taught You How to Teach Us’: An Autoethnography of Decolonising of Social Work Education in a Programme for Bedouin-Arab Social Workers in Israel

Abstract The need to decolonise social work education has become prominent in curricula developed over the past years. The curriculum in social work schools defines and shapes ways of knowing largely in terms of privileged Western knowledge. It is therefore necessary to change it and adopt pedagogical approaches more suitable for populations from different cultures. This article presents a study on a dedicated training programme for Bedouin-Arab social workers in Israel. Its pedagogies are informed by decolonised and culturally adapted social work education. This qualitative study was conducted in a teacher-researcher reflexive autoethnography approach, based on documentation of thirty-six lessons and reflections by the programme lecturers and on a thematic analysis of their experiences as social work educators. The findings present several pedagogies in terms of ‘bridge’: the pedagogic, the cultural sensitivity, the theory–practice and the safe space bridge. These expand the knowledge base in social work education beyond Western knowledge, demonstrating how knowledge practices unique to different cultures and identities may be adopted and adapted within it. Based on these findings, it is suggested to transform and enrich social work education by decolonising it to include new knowledge from diverse populations.

The Relationships Between Family Attachment, Family Commitment and School Attachment among High School Students

The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationships between family attachment, family commitment and school attachment of High school Students in Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Data was collected from January to June, 2023. The study was conducted on a total of 914 high school students, grade 10, grade 11 and grade 12 in Dong Thap Province, Mekong Delta, Viet Nam. The study sample was randomly selected for convenience with the permission of the leaders of school, students and parents. Three professors were used to examine the validity of the questionnaire. Correlation analysis was conducted for construct validity, and reliability was measured using Cronbach's α. Data collection was conducted through the use of Questionnaire that modified by the investigator. The data was analyzed by the SPSS 22.0 program using Descriptive statistics and Correlation. This research analyzed the relationships among the family commitment – family attachment, family attachment – school attachment, family commitment – school attachment. Results showed that Family commitment and Family attachment have a statistically significant linear relationship. School attachment and Family attachment have a statistically significant linear relationship. School attachment and Family commitment have a statistically significant linear relationship. Therefore, students will ask questions about the importance of being attached to school from teachers and school social workers. This study has applied attachment theory, explaining attachment to school and attachment to family. The research results can be used as a reference for further research and contribute positive value to school and social work education. When exploring the relationship of family commitment, family attachment and school attachment, this research found that family commitment and family attachment are more significant and it is vital important to build strategy to build up school attachment for teachers, school social worker in high school in Vietnamese context.

BUILDING THE RESEARCH PRACTICE PARTNERSHIP TO PROMOTE CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT IN ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES

Abstract Maryland’s Department of Human Services, Office of Adult Services developed a multiyear plan to strengthen Adult Protective Services. This plan included the development of a partnership between OAS and the University of Maryland School of Social Work to develop, implement and sustain a Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) review process for Adult Services Programs (APS) to improve outcomes for vulnerable, elderly, and disabled adults. This paper focuses on partnership development between state government and university researchers to engage collaboratively in continuous quality improvement and intervention efficacy evaluation. Challenges and strategies for building logic models, developing performance measurement strategies, translating existing administrative data into research ready formats, and engaging stakeholders at the state level and in local departments of social services will be discussed. Key challenges included, staffing issues, technology, access to administrative data, and inadequate system resources to engage in research. Strategies for overcoming these challenges will be discussed.

VISUALIZING AGING EQUITY: CROSS-SECTORAL PARTNERSHIPS TO CREATE MAPPING TOOLS FOR SOCIAL CHANGE

Abstract This symposium will feature ways in which gerontologists are advancing the development of online, interactive mapping tools on aging. Utilizing GIS mapping technology and leveraging cross-sectoral partnerships, the speakers will present case illustrations of efforts to develop aging-focused mapping tools that aggregate data sources at the municipal, state, and national levels to advance a spatial awareness of supports for older adults across diverse communities. First, as an example from the nonprofit sector, the New York Academy of Medicine will present on IMAGE:NYC, The Interactive Map of Aging. This presentation will describe the utility of this tool for policymakers, planners, researchers, and social service providers. Representing work from within the academic sector, the Rutgers School of Social Work will describe an academic-public sector partnership to adapt the IMAGE:NYC map for two counties in New Jersey. Next, presenters from the University of North Texas will describe their partnership with the City of San Antonio to develop an intelligent demand responsive transportation system for older adults and individuals with disabilities. This project involves the use of GIS mapping tools and qualitative research methods to identify place-based transportation gaps and strategies for improvement. Focusing on the national level, the National Council on Aging will describe its work developing mapping tools, including a map that displays area-level rates in eligibility gaps for three federal benefit programs. With an orientation to aging equity, these tools hold promise for fostering inclusive and healthy communities where older adults of diverse intersectional socio-spatial positions can age well. This is an Environmental Gerontology Interest Group Sponsored Symposium.

Assessing the imperative for school social workers: insights from principals and circuit managers in Mankweng circuit, South Africa

This research study investigated the critical role of school social workers within the educational landscape of Mankweng Circuit, South Africa. School social workers play a pivotal role in addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by students, their families, and school communities. Through a qualitative research approach, we conducted in-depth interviews with principals and circuit managers to explore their perspectives on the role of school social workers in promoting holistic student development, improving school climate, and addressing socio-emotional barriers to learning. The findings uncover the multifaceted challenges faced by school social workers, including limited resources, high caseloads, and the need for ongoing professional development. The implications of this research are significant, shedding light on the critical need for recognising and investing in the roles of school social workers in South African education. The insights gained from this study can inform policymakers, educators, and stakeholders in the field of education on the imperative of integrating school social workers into the educational system as vital contributors to the overall success and well-being of students. Ultimately, this research contributes to the ongoing discourse on strengthening the educational support system in South Africa and beyond.

Adolescents’ perspectives on SSWs’ counselling practice in Swedish elementary schools: “plumb the depths and navigate to shore”

PurposeThis study aims to gain a comprehensive understanding of adolescent’s experiences of individual school social work counselling in Swedish elementary schools.Design/methodology/approachThe study encompasses interviews with 16 adolescents about their experiences of individual counselling with school social workers (SSWs). The data was analysed using conventional content analysis.FindingsThe main result was the adolescents’ desire “to navigate to shore” to speak freely about their whole lives with a professional SSW and find a “ safe haven,” […] where a trusting professional cared for and comforted them in counselling. The counselling contact contributed to increased knowledge about oneself. The results reveal the importance of the SSWs paying attention and listening to the adolescents’ narratives. The creation of a coherent life narrative enables to finally end counselling and “Cast off.”Originality/valueThe results highlight the importance of Swedish SSWs focusing on individual counselling sessions with adolescents to provide a setting for growth.

Discursive Constructions of Boys in the Field of School Social Work in German Elementary Schools

Abstract This article analyzes the discursive constructions of boys and strategies for working with them in the field of school social work. Building upon a subjectivation theoretical framework, these discourses are reconstructed based on interviews with social workers at German elementary schools by the SKAD (sociology of knowledge approach to discourse) research program. Three subject positionings were identified: Boys were positioned as (1) caught up in aggression; (2) naturally deviating from school rules; or (3) sitting on the sidelines. Overall, it was observed that school social work primarily focused on norm deviations and transgressions, while a general orientation towards masculinity norms was rarely challenged. This analysis offers insights into the inherent ambivalence of subject discourses on boys in the field of school social work.

Remote field placements during the pandemic: Lessons learned at the University of British Columbia School of Social Work

COVID-19 and the global pandemic significantly shifted social work field education and required innovations in how practicum experiences could simultaneously meet experiential learning objectives and maintain safety. Remote practicums where students were connected to an agency/organization but completed all their learning/service delivery and supervision virtually was one of these innovations. As a quality assurance exercise, the Chair of the Field Education Program at the University of British Columbia (UBC) School of Social Work interviewed four MSW students about their experiences in remote practicums. This article describes some of the benefits and challenges outlined by the students and illustrates possible practices and policies that the UBC School of Social Work field team can make to harness the learning from these experiences.

A Qualitative Study of School Social Workers’ Practice and Case Management Process in Preparatory Schools in Erbil City

This study investigated the status of school social workers in preparatory schools in Erbil city in managing students’ problems, as a case management process. It is also focused on the school social workers in empowering, strengthening, and solving the daily problems in which students face. Additionally, the level of student’s trust and reliance on the capacity and skills of the school social workers were illustrated in overcoming their problems. The study looked at the reasons behind the lack of school social workers and the supervision procedures by the Ministry of Education for school social workers. Furthermore, discussing prepared guidelines for school social workers to rely on by Ministry of Education. Methodologically, semi-structured Interviews have been used with school social workers as a tool to obtain the necessary information and data. interview has been referred to as a “conversation with a purpose. Aside from interviews, focus group FGD tool applied with students to obtain in-depth and accurate data. The conclusion of the study was that school social workers have no knowledge of the case management process and procedure. and most of the school social workers are graduates of sociology; a small number of graduates were from psychology, and some schools have social workers who have graduated from different specialties.

Association between friendship quality and subjective wellbeing in adolescents: a cross-sectional observational study

BackgroundFriendships play a vital role in the social lives of teenagers, and friendship quality can substantially impact the adolescents’ overall health and wellbeing. This study aimed to investigate the association between friendship quality and subjective wellbeing in Northern Irish adolescents. MethodsIn this cross-sectional observational study, we used data from the second wave of the Wellbeing in Schools Survey, conducted in Northern Ireland from April 2 to May 31, 2018. This survey used a clustering sampling method and included students aged 15–19 years. The survey was approved by the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work's Research Ethics Committee, with pupil opt-in and parental opt-out consents. Participants from the survey's initial wave in 2016 were considered eligible. Data on friendship quality and classroom friendships were gathered. Subjective wellbeing was assessed using the 7-item Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale. Metrics for psychological wellbeing (6 items), mood (7 items), and friendship quality (6 items) were taken from the KIDSCREEN-52 questionnaire. All items were rated on a 1–5 point Likert scale. We examined the association between friendship network quality and subjective wellbeing outcomes through social network analysis and network autocorrelation modelling. FindingsOf 1542 students invited, 1189 (77%) from 83 schools responded to the friendship network queries. Slightly more than half of these participants were female (609 [51%] girls and 580 [49%] boys), and the median age was 16 years (range 14–19, IQR 16–16). The median overall friendship score stood at 20 (IQR 18–26, with possible scores ranging from 6 to 30). Adjusted network autocorrelation models indicated that higher friendship quality scores were significantly associated with improved psychological wellbeing (β=0·3448, p<0·0001), subjective wellbeing (β=0·3075, p<0·0001), and a reduction in negative mood (β=–0·1934, p<0·0001). InterpretationThe study found that friendship quality had a significant association with mood, psychological wellbeing, and subjective wellbeing in adolescents. The results emphasise the value of fostering positive social relationships among adolescents, with a particular focus on the quality of their friendships. Next stages of this research include longitudinal analysis to test these associations more robustly. FundingTaibah University.

Parent-adolescent conflict: an exploration from the perspective of Vietnamese adolescents.

This research investigates parent-adolescent conflicts from the viewpoint of Vietnamese adolescents. Employing a mixed-method approach, the study conducted in-depth interviews and a questionnaire survey with 706 high-school students. The findings highlight that conflicts between Vietnamese parents and adolescents commonly arise regarding internet usage for entertainment and academic purposes. Furthermore, adolescents reported having more conflicts with their mothers than with their fathers. Although instances of parental aggression were identified, most adolescents perceived their parents' conflict resolution as supportive. However, Vietnamese adolescents tended to display passive behavioral responses during conflicts. The research also identified certain emotional responses as warning signs of mental health issues, including suicidal thoughts, among some adolescents. Moreover, a higher frequency of conflicts with parents was significantly associated with increased peer connections. The study emphasizes the importance of professionals, such as school social workers or counselors, prioritizing the understanding of parent-child conflicts' impact on adolescents' emotions and mental health. Additionally, it underscores the significance of examining parenting patterns and parent-child communication within contemporary Vietnamese families.

School health professionals’ understanding of culture: a scoping review protocol

IntroductionCulture is highlighted in previous research as important in encounters where health professionals and children do not share a language or culture. In these encounters, culture is described as mainly...

Internalization of and advocacy for social work professional ethics through microfilm: a progressive teaching reform for MSW ethics curriculum

ABSTRACT Social work ethics is vital to social work education and professional development. However, traditional didactic teaching does not always translate to internalization of social work ethics, and few visual teaching tools measure the extent to which the students have truly internalized professional ethics. Using the perspective of action research, the present study introduced a progressive teaching reform to a Master of Social Work (MSW)-level social work ethics curriculum at a social work school in China. The progressive reform went through two action cycles. In the first cycle, a preliminary attempt, the instructor redesigned the course structure and applied student-generated microfilms as a final assignment. In the second cycle, educators from China and the United States collaborated in class to revise the course in response to issues raised in the first cycle and explore refined and more effective pathways to help MSW students internalize and advocate for professional ethics through filmmaking. The present study examined successes and failures throughout the reform process, providing practical lessons and evidence for social work educators interested in adopting filmmaking as an experiential teaching tool in MSW educational practices.