Social Work Strategies Research Articles

Development of Social Work Strategies for School-linked services - Based on Latent Class Growth Analysis of Delinquent Behaviors in adolescence -

Development of Social Work Strategies for School-linked services - Based on Latent Class Growth Analysis of Delinquent Behaviors in adolescence -

Advances and Challenges in Developing Research Capacity in Social Work

Significant improvements in research capacity have been realized in social work in the past two decades. Investments by federal entities such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and concentrated efforts by deans, directors, and faculty members have led to important advances in research infrastructure and capacity in many social work programs. These developments have contributed to historic improvements in the scope and quality of social work research. Despite recent accomplishments, however, considerable variation exists in infrastructure support and research capacity across social work programs. For example, whereas some schools and universities have developed impressive internal supports for faculty research, other programs have struggled to simply create the culture necessary to address deficiencies in research capacity. Demands for new knowledge about the etiology, prevention, and treatment of individual and social problems as well as growing interest in evidence-based policy and practice suggest that the time has come to evaluate recent advances and identify the persistent challenges associated with enhancing infrastructure support and research capacity in social work. ADVANCES IN RESEARCH CAPACITY Research and knowledge development activities vary considerably across the continuum of social work undergraduate and graduate education. On one hand, well-established graduate programs located in research-oriented universities generally value research and strongly encourage faculty members to pursue external funding. Conversely, many undergraduate and graduate social work programs recognize the importance of research but place greater emphasis on the teaching and practice missions associated with the profession. Regardless of where a program might fall in this continuum, most educators would agree that nearly all schools of social work have increased their attention to topics of research capacity. A variety of approaches have been used in the past two decades to increase infrastructure supports and research capacity in social work. For example, some schools have pursued an ambitious program of federal research sponsorship through entities such as NIH, the National Institute of Justice, the Department of Health and Human Services, and others. NIH has been particularly responsive to social work as evidenced by the creation and funding of eight social work research centers in the 1990s. In recent years, NIH has continued its commitment to the field by developing and disseminating a social work research agenda (NIH, 2003) and by issuing a call for proposals to investigate the effects of theoretically and empirically based social work practice on health outcomes for people experiencing medical and behavioral problems (NIH, 2005). Released in 2005, Research on Social Work Practice and Concepts in Health (PA-06-081) is important because it publicly acknowledges the contribution of social work practice to the enhancement and efficacy of interventions targeting health problems. Significantly, the language in the PA goes beyond the proposition that social work strategies are mere enhancements to existing medical services and interventions. The existence of a social work knowledge base that offers unique and significant clinical expertise to interdisciplinary intervention efforts with client groups across multiple systems of care is clearly recognized in this announcement. Advances in federally funded social work research are perhaps best measured by the number of NIH awards made to social work investigators. It is important to note that 621 grants have been awarded to social work researchers since 1993 (Corvo, Zlotnik, & Chen, 2008; Institute for the Advancement of SocialWork Research [IASWR], 2008). Awards have ranged from a low of 18 in 1993 to more than 60 funded grants in 1998. Reflecting current economic constraints at the federal level, only 24 grants were funded in 2007. …

Political activism as a social work strategy in Africa

English Africa faces many social, economic and political problems: unemployment, poverty, inequality, illiteracy, homelessness, diseases, human rights abuses, official corruption and civil conflicts. These are structural problems, created through political processes. To prevent or resolve them, African social workers must participate in the political processes determining the life circumstances of their clients. French L'Afrique est aux prises avec d'innombrables problèmes sociaux, économiques et politiques tels que le chômage, la pauvreté, les inégalités, l'analphabétisme, le manque de logements, la maladie, la corruption officielle et les conflits civils. Il s'agit de problèmes structurels qui découlent de processus politiques. Afin de prévenir, d'alléger ou de résoudre ce genre de problèmes, les travailleurs sociaux africains doivent prendre part aux processus politiques qui déterminent les conditions de vie de leurs clients. Spanish> África se encuentra ante una serie de conflictos: problemas sociales, económicos y políticos, desempleo, pobreza, desigualdad, analfabetismo, falta de vivienda, mala salud, corrupción oficial y conflictos civiles. Estos son problemas estructurales creados a través de procesos políticos. Para prevenir, aliviar o resolver tales problemas, los trabajadores sociales en África deben participar en los procesos políticos que determinan las circunstancias de vida de sus clientes

Abnormal Justice

Abnormal Justice

A Call for Social Work Research from the National Institutes of Health

Previous editorials in this journal have noted the importance of expanding the capacity and improving the quality of social work research. Topics discussed in these editorials have addressed the nature and rigor of social work research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and research infrastructure in schools of social work (Fortune, 1999; Jenson, 2005; Proctor, 2002, 2003). Although improvements have occurred in each of these areas, considerable work remains in the quest to increase the impact and status of social work research. A new development in meeting this goal emerged recently with the release of a program announcement from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) aimed at advancing social work research (see http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-081.html). NIH SEEKS PROPOSALS FOR EMPIRICAL RESEARCH ON SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE In December 2005, the NIH Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR) released a program announcement (PA) with three award mechanisms targeting social work research. Research on Social Work Practice and Concepts in Health is a call for proposals to investigate the effects of theoretically and empirically based social work practice on health outcomes for people experiencing medical and behavioral problems (PA-06-081). The PA is the product of efforts led by the Social Work Research Working Group, a team composed of representatives from NIH Institutes and Centers charged by Congress to develop a social work research agenda across NIH. In NIH Plan for Social Work Research (NIH, 2003), the group identified nine recommendations to enhance social work research. One proposed a new initiative by NIH to solicit empirical studies examining the effects of social work services and interventions on medical and behavioral outcomes for people receiving assistance in health care and nonspecialty health care settings (in schools, social services agencies, or correctional facilities, for example).The Research on Social Work Practice and Concepts in Health announcement is an outcome of this recommendation. This new NIH announcement is important for several reasons. The PA publicly acknowledges the contribution of social work practice to the enhancement and efficacy of medical interventions targeting health problems. Significantly, the language in the PA goes beyond the proposition that social work strategies are mere enhancements to existing services and interventions. The existence of a social work knowledge base that offers unique and significant clinical expertise to interdisciplinary intervention efforts with client groups across multiple systems of care is clearly recognized. Specifically, the PA calls for investigations that apply empirically derived knowledge of efficacious interdisciplinary and coordinated intervention strategies aimed at improving health outcomes. Finally, the initiative seeks to advance sound scientific studies that will develop and test innovative social work approaches to ameliorating adverse health conditions. The need for at least four types of social work investigations are highlighted in the announcement: (1) studies that assess the effectiveness of existing social work services and interventions on health outcomes; (2) investigations to develop and test the effects of innovative social work interventions on client functioning; (3) proposals that aim to improve health outcomes through interventions delivered in nontraditional health care settings; and (4) studies that examine effective program implementation strategies in communities. The initiative emphasizes collaborative and interdisciplinary projects based on a public health framework. The standard R01, R03, and R21 NIH award mechanisms are identified in the PA. OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES The NIH Research on Social Work Practice and Concepts in Health PA gives long-overdue recognition to the unique and shared strengths of social work intervention. …

The Social Construction of Concealment Among Chinese Women in Abusive Marriages in Hong Kong

This article presents the findings of a qualitative study of 15 Chinese women in Hong Kong who experienced marital conflict and family violence. Adopting a narrative approach, the authors found that the women had gradually developed a culture of concealment through a process of social construction. Individual, environmental, and cultural factors had combined to develop and reinforce their tendency to conceal their situation and to remain silent. This culture of concealment was highly oppressive and had a negative impact on the women’s personal, interpersonal, and social well-being. Social work strategies to break this pattern of behavior and to liberate the women from the culture of concealment are explored.

The practice of community family therapy.

This paper presents a summary of the basic theories and methods of Community Family Therapy (CFT), a relatively new therapeutic approach developed in response to the need for effective intervention in treating low-income, urban families. CFT operates outside of the traditional therapeutic box, successfully combining family therapy techniques with developmental and motivational theories, community mental health, social work, economic development, and community mobilization strategies. CFT utilizes a dualistic approach in which both client and therapist become involved with the same three levels of engagement. Specifically, the client strives for: (a) personal and family change and growth-level 1, (b) accessing community resources-level 2, and (c) leadership development and civic action-level 3. Also, CFT calls upon therapists to strive for: (a) personal growth and maturation-level 1, (b) collaboration with community resources for professional support-level 2, and (c) operation as a "citizen therapist," through civic action and volunteer services-level 3.

Social Work Strategies and Tactics in the Workplace

Abstract Those social workers who offer employment services can frame job development and placement as a process of workplace socialization in which they facilitate the inclusion of people with disabilities in mainstream work settings. This paper examines the construct of workplace socialization and offers five specific strategies and related tactics for its facilitation in the context of social work practice in disability and rehabilitation.

Rural women's perceptions of community prenatal care systems: an empowerment strategy.

Rural U.S. women often experience many barriers to prenatal care involving health care provider shortages, distance to health care, and less health insurance coverage as compared to urban women. Fewer community planning and consumer resources as well as less transportation also often decrease opportunities for rural women to participate in community health planning and assessment. The purpose of this article is to describe social work strategies for empowering rural women in their assessment of community prenatal care systems. A case study of a rural demonstration project addressing prenatal care barriers is presented as well as implications for social work practice.

Empowerment evaluation as a social work strategy.

This article explores the application of empowerment strategies to program evaluation within a community health setting and presents a case study to examine the policy, direct practice, and research issues associated with the plan to evaluate a community-based HIV-prevention program. Empowerment evaluation strategies were used to develop an innovative street outreach intervention that can be measured and evaluated, to transfer evaluation knowledge from the researcher-expert to the program stakeholders, and to help overcome evaluation implementation obstacles. The article addresses the benefits and risks inherent in an empowerment approach to the evaluative research process.

Public Schools and the Revitalization of Impoverished Communities: School-Linked, Family Resource Centers

To revitalize the impoverished inner cities, the children in these communities must receive an adequate education. Unfortunately, schools often have been part of the problem rather than part of the solution, as evidenced by deteriorating buildings and disproportionately high dropout rates. Fortunately, there is a growing recognition that the problems plaguing severely distressed communities have a profound impact on children's school performance. Children must receive the full range of services they need to be ready to learn and be successful in school, and parents must receive the assistance they need to support their child's education, health, growth, and development. Communities are designing programs that link a number of services to schools through school-linked, family resource centers. This article discusses the rationale behind this movement, describes several exemplary programs already developed, and discusses the promise this movement holds for being a major social work strategy for revitalizing impoverished communities.

An ecological approach to social work with children and families

This paper examines research into the social ecology of parents and children, with particular reference to the effects of social support on family functioning and outcomes for children. The historical failure of social work in the UK to successfully apply the findings from this area of research to mainstream work with children and families is considered in the light of the prevailing child protection discourse. Challenges to this discourse are now beginning to emerge from developments in both research and practice. The implications of these developments for the construction of a new discourse, which recognizes the wider social and political factors that shape the family environment, are discussed. It is argued that there is sufficient research evidence available to demonstrate the potential of community social work strategies, which enhance the social support networks of families, to significantly reduce the incidence of child abuse. A number of successful action‐research projects of this nature are considered.

Gender Differences in Drug Addiction and Treatment: Implications for Social Work Intervention with Substance-Abusing Women

This article draws on current addiction research to describe the unique characteristics and treatment needs of chemically dependent women and how they differ from those of chemically dependent men. It explores similarities between women who are drug addicted and all women who experience gender-based oppression. The authors suggest that drug use is a coping strategy that some women adopt to manage this oppression. Finally, the article looks at traditional drug treatment programs, which have been designed to treat male addicts and fail to address the treatment needs of women. The authors offer an alternative treatment model designed to meet those needs. Parallels between characteristics of this alternative treatment model and social work practice are drawn, and opportunities and strategies for social workers to intervene with female addicts are identified.

Responding to the Sexual Concerns of Persons with Disabilities

Sexual messages bombard us daily, yet in professional settings the topic of sexuality is often ignored or is a cause for discomfort. Illness or disability can cause people to feel unattractive and sexually undesirable, but social workers can be instrumental in helping patients and clients by affirming their sexuality. This paper addresses sexual issues facing persons with disabilities and illness and discusses strategies for social workers to assist these clients with their sexual concerns.

Social Work, Disenfranchised Communities, and the Natural Environment

Minority and lower socioeconomic communities face disproportionate exposure to the growing threat from natural environment hazards such as toxic waste. The author places an expanding field of social work practice in the context of the profession’s historic commitment to social welfare, justice, and equity. She describes specialized knowledge, the application of social work skills, ethical issues, and strategies for integrating environmental equity into practica training in a framework for field education. In addition, she examines opportunities for social work educators and students to contribute to the resolution of environmental hazard, across multiple intervention levels, for foundation and concentration practica.

Who Helps Working Women Care for the Young and the Old?

Women continue to be overburdened by the conflicting demands of work and family responsibilities, even though some employers are introducing "family-friendly" policies and the rhetoric of social policy is profamily. This article examines the issue of dependent care as a workplace concern from a feminist perspective and critiques current governmental and employer policies and program initiatives, citing trends in Wisconsin as illustrations. It also proposes realistic strategies for social workers to help women gain more control over their work, home, and family lives.

Child sexual abuse: An introductory review of social work considerations and strategies

Abstract This article is based on a conference paper delivered at the 1988 Annual Study Conference organized by the South West Wales Branch of the British Association of Social Workers and the Centre for Applied Social Studies, University College Swansea. It sets out to present an introductory overview of the ideological bases which presently influence social work responses to child sexual abuse. Some of the implications of these approaches are discussed, together with a separate review of general practice issues. The article ends with some suggested response strategies to child sexual abuse which social work practitioners might consider in conjunction with other community groups and interests.

Crime Victim and Offender Mediation as a Social Work Strategy

Juvenile offenders and their victims are brought together to discuss the offense/victimization and to negotiate a mutually satisfactory restitution plan. One hundred sixty-five offenders participated in the first 2 years. One hundred sixty-two victims were involved in the offenses and 54 percent (87) decided to meet their offenders. One hundred twenty-eight agreements were negotiated involving 99 offenders and 84 victims. Seventy-nine percent of the agreements were successfully closed. Crime victim and offender mediation will be useful for social workers; mediation provides an opportunity for both victims and offenders to participate actively in decision making and challenge stereotypes through a process of communication. From a policy perspective the practice provides a mechanism to respond to victim interest in participating in the justice system and provides a dispute settlement procedure to replace other responses to property offenders. A growing body of research indicates that mediation is feasible and acceptable to both victims and the general public and that the public supports replacing prison and jail with restitution, community service, and mediation as a response to property offenders.

Family planning utilization by black and white women: public health social work implications.

Black infant mortality is one of the most serious and long-standing public health problems in the United States. This article reports the findings of a study of the family planning records of 1143 residents of a city with one of the highest black infant mortality rates. The importance of increased social work involvement in the federally funded family planning system and specific social work strategies are discussed as methods to reduce black infant mortality.

Marketing of social services gains prominence in practice.

The author reviews the growth and development of social marketing practice as a social work strategy and describes how the different categories of marketing correspond to administrative, planning, and community organization practice. She illustrates the similarity between the social planning process and the market planning process in an effort to demonstrate that social marketing is a useful addition to decision making and planning in social service agencies. Social marketing theory, diffusion theory, and exchange theory provide the theoretical frameworks for the argument developed. Drawing upon these theories, the paper draws attention to the fact that marketing is rapidly gaining acceptance as a viable strategy in macro practice designed to attract and retain consumers of services, develop resources, and inform service providers and practitioners of practice issues and innovations.