Social Service Users Research Articles

Should social work become a registered profession? An examination of the views of 15 Australian social workers

AbstractIn contrast to most Western jurisdictions, social work in Australia is not currently a registered profession. However, in late 2021, the South Australian Parliament passed a Bill to register social workers in that state. This follows a long‐standing but previously unsuccessful campaign by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) to attain social work registration at a national level. Yet, to date, there has been no empirical research on the views of social workers—whether members or the AASW or not—concerning the merits of registration. This paper presents the findings of a qualitative study of the views of 15 social workers regarding registration. The findings suggest that the profession holds diverse views concerning the potential benefits or harms emanating from registration. Some conclusions are drawn regarding priorities for future research including particularly the impact of registration on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social workers and service users.

Qualitative evaluation of an intervention to reduce energy poverty: Effects perceived by participants according to typologies of social vulnerability

Energy poverty (EP) is a systemic problem associated with various health effects. The city council of Barcelona carried out an intervention to reduce EP among social services users. The aim of our study was to assess the effects of the intervention perceived by participants and to identify typologies of social vulnerability that could affect these effects. A qualitative methodology was used within a grounded theory framework with a critical theory approach. Twenty-one interviews and 11 discussion groups were conducted among 89 participants in the intervention. Six typologies of social vulnerability were defined: single mothers, older people, migrants, tenants, people living in dwellings in poor conditions and people with chronic health problems. The results show that the overall effects of the program included economic savings, improved thermal comfort, increased perception of social support, enhanced knowledge of energy efficiency and rights to basic supplies, and greater energy security. These factors improved well-being and reduced stress and anxiety related to not being able to use energy supplies. The effects of the intervention might vary according to housing conditions, the perceived priority of social problems and the type of social vulnerability among participants. Importantly, a single individual could experience different axes of social inequality simultaneously. A typologies approach to interventions can provide a deeper understanding for the design of equitable policies to reduce EP.

The predictive role of tourist-generated content on travel intentions: emotional mechanisms as mediators

ABSTRACT On the basic of Stimulus-Organism-Response model, this study aims to uncover emotional mechanisms behind the travel intention of social networking service users when they engage with tourist-generated content on the platform “WeChat Moments.” Data were collected from 465 respondents in mainland China via online questionnaire. All analysis was conducted by using PLS-SEM. The study results indicated that joviality positively mediates the relationship between perceived enjoyment and travel intention, and relative deprivation fully mediated the relationship between perceived conspicuousness and travel envy. This study clarifies the importance of emotional mechanisms on tourist-generated content regarding travel intention and distinguishing emotions in tourism marketing and social networking services.

Estimating the Best Time to View Cherry Blossoms Using Time-Series Forecasting Method

In recent years, tourist information collection using the internet has become common. Tourists are increasingly using internet resources to obtain tourist information. Social network service (SNS) users share tourist information of various kinds. Twitter, one SNS, has been used for many studies. We are pursuing research supporting a method using Twitter to help tourists obtain information: estimates of the best time to view cherry blossoms. Earlier studies have proposed a low-cost moving average method using geotagged tweets related to location information. Geotagged tweets are helpful as social sensors for real-time estimation and for the acquisition of local tourist information because the information can reflect real-world situations. Earlier studies have used weighted moving averages, indicating that a person can estimate the best time to view cherry blossoms in each prefecture. This study proposes a time-series prediction method using SNS data and machine learning as a new method for estimating the best times for viewing for a certain period. Combining the time-series forecasting method and the low-cost moving average method yields an estimate of the best time to view cherry blossoms. This report describes results confirming the usefulness of the proposed method by experimentation with estimation of the best time to view beautiful cherry blossoms in each prefecture and municipality.

The ethical performance of access and consent in ethnographic research on social work encounters with migrant-background service users

In this article, we contribute to an emerging body of literature concerning the often-overlooked topics of access and consent in research. We posit our understanding of access and consent as continuous ethical reflection and negotiation, conceptualised here as ethical performance, which is particularly valuable in research in institutional contexts defined by numerous power asymmetries. We draw empirically from research on street-level institutional encounters between social work practitioners and migrant-background service users in the Helsinki capital region. Access in this research was a multi-stage process including various stage-related negotiations, and the previous stages always influenced the stages that followed. Nevertheless, access and consent were always erratic and subject to revision. We describe how the need for ethical reflexivity arises in various concrete, often unpredictable, situations, and argue for the importance of paying explicit analytical attention to negotiations regarding access and consent.

Challenging the Constraints of Neoliberalism and Biomedicalism: Repositioning Social Work in Mental Health.

This article explores the impact of neoliberalism and biomedicalism on social work mental health care practice through presenting the results of a Canadian provincial study which illustrates the experiences of social work service users, providers, and supervisors. While Canada has a universal health care program, the intensification of the free-market approach is evident in the shifts from public sector support to growing rationalization and marked cutbacks to the provision of social welfare services. The specific impact of neoliberal economic restraint on social justice in mental health services has pressured practitioners to adopt medicalized, short-term strategies, under efficiency-based models. The participants in this study reported significant co-occurring concerns with the state of mental health service delivery, and results suggest social work is increasingly co-opted by the conservative individualizing, pathologizing, and contextualizing dominant biomedical framework in the provision of mental health social services and lack of professional practice autonomy.

Health promotion for the oldest seniors in the social sector. Examples of policies and programmes from Poland and the Czech Republic


 The article identifies health promotion activities for the oldest people, who often become users of social services due to loss of capabilities, solitude and raising care needs related to worsening health status. The analysis is based on the literature overview, experts’ consultations and interviews on the role of the social sector institutions in health promotion in selected countries. Examples of best practices in health promotion for older people in the social sector are presented. These include programmes of health information and campaigns on health risks avoidance, stimulation of physical activity, healthy eating for the oldest seniors, promotion of mental health and support of cognitive abilities, primary prevention activities and stimulation of social and cultural participation. The article concludes that health promotion activities for the oldest population, although on the side of main activities of the social sector, are an important element of activities of public and non-public institutions in providing care to dependent populations. Good practices identified typically involve numerous health promotion activities and require cooperation at the national – policy setting – level and within community.
 
 The article identifies health promotion activities for the oldest people, who often become users of social services due to loss of capabilities, solitude and raising care needs related to worsening health status. The analysis is based on the literature overview, experts’ consultations and interviews on the role of the social sector institutions in health promotion in selected countries. Examples of best practices in health promotion for older people in the social sector are presented. These include programmes of health information and campaigns on health risks avoidance, stimulation of physical activity, healthy eating for the oldest seniors, promotion of mental health and support of cognitive abilities, primary prevention activities and stimulation of social and cultural participation. The article concludes that health promotion activities for the oldest population, although on the side of main activities of the social sector, are an important element of activities of public and non-public institutions in providing care to dependent populations. Good practices identified typically involve numerous health promotion activities and require cooperation at the national – policy setting – level and within community. 
 

Personality traits and mental health of social networking service users: A cross-sectional exploratory study among Japanese undergraduates

In this study, we investigated personality and mental health variables for users of three popular social networking services (SNS): Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, among Japanese undergraduate students (N = 1030). Compared to non-users, Twitter users scored significantly lower in extraversion, conscientiousness, openness, and self-esteem, and higher in neuroticism, behavioral inhibition system (BIS) sensitivity, and social comparison orientation. Instagram users scored significantly higher in extraversion, behavioral approach system (BAS) -drive, BAS-reward responsiveness, BAS-fun seeking, narcissism, self-esteem, and subjective happiness, and lower in neuroticism, anxiety, and to a marginal extent, depression. Facebook users scored significantly higher in extraversion, openness, BAS-fun seeking, self-esteem, and to a marginal extent, narcissism. Within SNS users, extraversion, agreeableness, and self-esteem were negatively associated with negative mental health variables, and positively associated with positive mental health variables. Neuroticism was positively associated with negative mental health variables, and negatively associated with positive mental health variables. Further, some associations were found within specific SNS users. Differences in personality and mental health were discussed based on the characteristics of each SNS platform.

The Development of a New International Generic Measure (EQ-HWB): Face Validity and Psychometric Stages in Argentina

ObjectivesThis study aimed to present the face validity and psychometric stages performed in Spanish in Argentina, the only Spanish-speaking country of an international collaboration that undertook the construction of a new measure that can be used in economic evaluation across health, social care, and public health, the EQ EQ-HWB (EQ Health and Wellbeing). We also explored the relationship among 3-level version EQ-5D (EQ-5D-3L), 5-level version EQ-5D (EQ-5D-5L), and EQ-HWB. MethodsFace validity was based on semistructured face to face interviews of a purposive sample to explore translatability of language and concepts of 97 candidate items, translated into Argentina Spanish. The psychometric evaluation using an online panel assessed the psychometric properties of 64 items that were carried forward (floor and ceiling effects, item correlations, known-group differences in relevant prespecified subgroups by the international and local teams, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and item response theory). EQ-5D-3L, EQ-5D-5L, and EQ-HWB correlations were explored. ResultsIn the face validity stage, 24 interviews with carers, general public, patients, and users of social services were included. Most items showed adequate face validity. In the psychometric assessment, 497 participants were recruited (64% reporting a long-term health condition). Most of the items showed adequate psychometrics in an Argentinian context. EQ-5D-3L and EQ-5D-5L had strong correlations, and EQ-HWB was moderately correlated to EQ visual analog scale. The Argentina team recommended 23 of the final 25 items. ConclusionsThe assessment of Spanish items contributed to the overall development of EQ-HWB and helped inform the design of an internationally relevant 25-item and a short 9-item measure intended to be used in economic evaluations.

Professional Boundaries that Promote Dignity and Rights in Social Work Practice

ABSTRACT In this essay I present some of my thoughts on the issue of boundaries in the professional relationship between service users and social workers. As a graduate student of social work, I had an opportunity to discuss ethical dilemmas in an international perspective in one of my courses. A guest professor, who provided international perspectives, was Prof. Kim Strom from UNC at Chapel Hill in North Carolina, USA. The lectures offered a fresh perspective that raised many questions about thick and thin boundaries in social work – especially when approaching social work by following prevailing guidelines for social work in Slovenia requiring us to co-create solutions through dialogue with service users, keeping in mind that service users are actually the ones who are the experts from experience. In this way, the working relationship seeks to foster a sense of partnership between social workers and service users. In this essay I would like to challenge the idea of rigid boundaries in social work and explore the possibility of fluid boundaries, keeping in mind that boundaries should reflect their main purpose, which I believe is to protect human dignity.

Do individuals disclose or withhold information following the same logic: a configurational perspective of information disclosure in social media

PurposeThis paper aimed to explain why individuals still tend to disclose their privacy information even when privacy risks are high and whether individuals disclose or withhold information following the same logic.Design/methodology/approachThis study develops a configurational decision tree model (CDTM) for precisely understanding individuals' decision-making process of privacy disclosure. A survey of location-based social network service (LBSNS) users was conducted to collect data, and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) was adopted to validate the hypotheses.FindingsThis paper identified two configurations for high and low disclosure, respectively, and found that the benefits and the risks did not function independently but interdependently, and the justice would play a crucial role when both the benefits and the risks were high. Furthermore, the authors found that there were asymmetric mechanisms for high disclosure and low disclosure, and males focused more on perceived usefulness, while females concerned more about perceived enjoyment, privacy risks and perceived justice.Originality/valueThis paper further extends privacy calculus model (PCM) and deepens the understanding of the privacy calculus process from a configurational perspective. In addition, this study also provides guidance for future research on how to adopt the configurational approach with qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) to revise and improve relevant theories for information systems (IS) behavioral research.

Characteristics and patterns of health and social service use by families with babies and toddlers in Germany

ObjectivesIn the field of family health, cross-sectoral collaboration is promoted to reach vulnerable groups and overcome the prevention dilemma. To understand the extent to which these measures counteract the effects of social inequality with respect to health and social service uptake, we aim to identify socio-economic, health-related and psychosocial characteristics and patterns that are associated with the (non-)use of services. Study designThis was a German representative cross-sectional study of 6860 mothers with a child younger than 48 months who answered the written questionnaire during child developmental examinations at paediatric practices in 2015. MethodsAssociations were measured using logistic regression, and characteristics of user patterns were analysed using latent class analysis. ResultsMothers using universal services were less likely to report psychosocial stress and had more likely more socio-economic resources than mothers who did not use these services. The selective services pregnancy counselling (18.2%) were predominantly used by mothers who considered abortion during pregnancy (Odds Ratio [OR] = 3.9), mothers who received social welfare benefits (OR = 2.4), single parents (OR = 1.6) and mothers without social support (OR = 1.5). Four patterns of service use were identified: multi-service users (5.6%), low-service users (22.5%), medical service users (30.5%) and medical and social service users (41.6%). Families with less socio-economic resources were found in both the low-service group and the multi-service group; multi-users were more likely to have children with adverse perinatal characteristics and parenting stress. ConclusionWe discuss whether low-service users are hard to reach, whereas multi-users are difficult to supply. Overall, there is a need to strengthen early psychosocial support.

Simulating the interaction of social internet services actors using irregular attractors

The high level of popularity of social Internet services has led to new threats to national security due to information operations in the information space of services. The consequences of manipulating the public opinion of social Internet services users may influence social and political processes in the state, disseminating inter-ethnic ideas and interreligious discord, calls for separatism. As a result of the realization of threats to State information security, the interaction of actors in social Internet services may shift to chaotic dynamics. At the same time, chaotic dynamics can be transformed from social Internet services into real life, which will lead to the fueling of public protests, riots, and other events. The development of effective measures to counter such threats to information security by suppressing chaotic dynamics is based on simulations of virtual communities’ interaction in social Internet services. The paper proposes to formalize the interaction of actors in virtual communities as a system of non-linear differential equations that move to chaotic dynamics, using the Rössler model. Modeling of the interaction of actors in social Internet services under the influence of threats to information security has been carried out, and the conditions for their qualitative change have been defined. Bifurcation diagrams have been constructed to identify critical states of the virtual community of actors in which there are uncertainties regarding the choice of an evolutionary trajectory (attractor). The simulation results made it possible to make recommendations on the system’s operating parameters of differential equations. A reduction of the chaotic dynamics is achieved, and the desired parameters of the state of the information space of service are established.

ФОРМЫ ОРГАНИЗАЦИИ ДОСУГА И ОЗДОРОВЛЕНИЯ ПОЖИЛЫХ ЛЮДЕЙ В УСЛОВИЯХ СТАЦИОНАРНОГО УЧРЕЖДЕНИЯ

The article analyzes the concrete experience of the work of the Cherkizovsky psycho-neurological care home in organizing the leisure and health improvement for people suffering from chronic mental illnesses, which to some extent affect their legal capacity. Among the leisure forms that help the social adaptation of those living in the care home, the following are shown: conducting classes in arts and crafts; freestyle motocross with experienced instructors; carrying out excursions and tourist trips; rehabilitation of patients with the help of specially trained dogs. The program “Active Longevity in Cherkizovo” opened a new opportunities for organizing and spending leisure time. Among the healing practices, the author point out: the use of a dry carbonic bath and halotherapy; Nordic walking classes with elements of breathing exercises; application of cryotherapy, hirudotherapy, pressotherapy and cryosauna. The Cherkizovsky care home constantly monitors the effectiveness of leisure and health-improving methods for bettering the social well-being of the social services users. The author concludes that the sensitive, attentive attitude of the administration and staff towards the elderly and the disabled, as well as the use of advanced methods of organizing leisure and recreation, contribute to the maximum preservation and development of their individual abilities.

New Social World: The Great Power of the Network

At the early beginning of the 21st century, it was impossible to imagine how fast the Internet would develop. It was also not obvious that the worldwide network would actually become available in all parts of the planet, and the network itself would become the basis for the birth and development of new global products - social networks, communications, and services. According to the International Telecommunication Union, the Internet and new digital products along twenty years have almost completely absorbed the population of developed countries (87%) and are growing rapidly in developing countries (47%)[1]. The affordable cost of communication for the majority of the population together with free communication services create the basis for the emergence of not only new products but also a constant increase in the number of digital services, which quite recently could only be obtained offline. Together with large digital government services, commercial networks, communicators, and services are creating a new social structure capable of independent machine learning and development. The work aims to show that much faster than it was supposed new digital products will intertwine with each other, forming a new social platform, which is called a New Social World. The analysis of sociological works on this topic together with an analysis of practical research on the Internet and new digital products confirms this assumption. Despite strict user agreements, global online monitoring, constant online control and full access to the data of each user, more and more people become users of social networks and services, and most social network users become loyal users of other new products and services, easily switching on digital consumption and consumption of real products and services provided online. The new social reality, generated by the powerful interweaving of the world's digital products and services will forever change the sociocultural and media world. An urgent and constant study of this phenomenon is necessary since the ways of its further development are unpredictable both in relation to the existence of traditional, social, national identification and with the existence of traditional state institutions and states.

Strengths-Based Approaches in Social Work and Social Care: Reviewing the Evidence

<strong>Context:</strong> There is substantial policy support for strengths-based approaches to social work and social care. These new models of care promote the deployment of ‘strengths’ including personal, social and community resources to empower individuals to achieve their desired outcomes. Although a number of strengths-based models have been developed it is not known whether and how they work, or which model works best for whom and in what circumstances. <strong>Objectives:</strong> A scoping review of evidence was conducted between July and September 2019. Its primary aim was to explore the nature and extent of evidence in relationship to strengths-based approaches in social work and social care for adults; also how these approaches impact on practice and on outcomes for social care service users and their families. <strong>Methods:</strong> A database search was conducted for the period 2009 to 2019 to identify peer-reviewed and grey literature publications on the use of strengths (or asset) based approaches in social work and social care. A total of 72 items were included. <strong>Findings:</strong> Strengths-based approaches are being embraced by policy makers and practitioners but questions remain about: their definition (how they are distinct from other approaches, and how they should be conceptualised); their effectiveness and feasibility (including their intersection with local authority eligibility thresholds); and how they should/can be evaluated. Specific research needs to be done to evaluate the precise nature of strengths-based approaches in social work and social care, their impact on users and carers quality of life and well being and the outcomes achieved. <strong>Limitations:</strong> The review may be limited by the lack of evidence in a relatively under-researched area of practice. Study designs were varied and included a number of qualitative case studies but very few quantitative or RCT based studies. <strong>Implications:</strong> This review has brought evidence together, extended understanding about strengths-based approaches in social work and social care for adults and offered us a platform upon which to develop models of evaluation.

A conceptualisation of equitable social work practice with transgender and gender diverse communities

AbstractAlthough the experiences of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people are increasingly recognised as relevant sites of inquiry in social work scholarship, empirically substantiated insights on equitable approaches to social work practice with TGD communities remain scant. In this qualitative study, we draw on semi-structured virtual interviews with TGD social service users in a Canadian province (n = 20), along with social workers in the same jurisdiction (n = 10), to generate knowledge on equitable social work practice with TGD populations. We rely on critical ecosystemic and intersectional lenses as guiding theoretical frameworks, together with constructivist approaches to grounded theory, to inform our analytical process. Our findings highlight that equitable social work practice with TGD communities may involve the following constituents: (1) accounting for social and historical context; (2) practising allyship by way of humility and reflexivity; (3) challenging cisnormativity interpersonally and organisationally and (4) promoting structural measures of trans inclusion to transform social work and social services. Drawing on our findings, we call on social work scholars, educators and practitioners to adopt various reflexive, relational, organisational and structural measures that promise to enhance social work’s contribution to greater equity and social justice for TGD communities.

Interoperability of online loyalty and offline loyalty in omnichannel retailing service: seeking innovation in retail industry

ABSTRACT To stay competitive, retail companies have introduced innovative retailing strategies for enhancing the consumer experience. Among these, omnichannel retailing services are one of the most critical services. However, studies on the loyalty required to secure the market using omnichannel strategies are limited. Instead of arbitrarily selecting key factors for users’ loyalty based on previous research data used by users in social networking services were evaluated in this study, and the validity of the selection of variables was verified through network analysis. A structural equation model based on the results of network analysis and the factors influencing online loyalty and offline loyalty were analysed using the model. Therefore, independent variables except for perceived usability exhibited a positive effect on user satisfaction, and user satisfaction had a positive effect on loyalty. Furthermore, offline user satisfaction exhibited a positive effect on online loyalty, but online user satisfaction did not. Suggestions for future research and corporate strategy were provided.

Patient and public involvement in stroke research: a scoping review protocol

Background: Growing consensus supports public and patient involvement (PPI) in research as the lived experience of patients, family carers and users of health and social care services bring unique insights to healthcare research. The impact and burden of stroke present ongoing challenges for those living with its consequences and could potentially limit PPI activity. This review aims to explore PPI in published stroke research to identify and describe the extent, nature and design of PPI activities, the type/s of studies involved and the profile of PPI participants engaged in stroke research. Methods: This systematic scoping review, guided by the Arksey &amp; O’Malley five step framework, will be reported according to the PRISMA-ScR reporting guidelines. PPI is embedded at each stage of this proposed scoping review from conceptualisation, participation, contribution and collaboration. The Population, Concept, Context (PCC) structure defines the research question which asks - How is PPI in stroke research currently being conducted and how do the study authors report their PPI activities and its impact? A comprehensive range of electronic databases including PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsychINFO and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews will generate a broad range of studies. Grey literature (e.g. OpenGrey, Leanus) and internationally recognised stroke organisation websites will be searched for additional research reports. Data extraction will adhere to the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines, with results collated and mapped to the research cycle stage/s. Conclusions: The outlined scoping review protocol will comprehensively identify and map the existing scientific literature that reports PPI in stroke research. Findings will be presented in relation to PPI conceptualisation, participant profiles and activities in stroke research, volume, type and range of approaches. Knowledge gaps and future priorities for PPI in stroke research will be identified.

The “Undeserving” Narrative in Child and Family Social Work and How It Is Perpetuated by “Progressive Neoliberalism”: Ideas for Social Work Education

“Progressive neoliberalism” is the current hegemonic approach to understanding social justice in Western liberal democracies. “Progressive neoliberalism” also resurrects the “deserving” vs. “undeserving” narrative that can lead to punitive and pathologising approaches to poor and unemployed people—the demographic comprising the majority of child and family social work service users. Indeed, research suggests that social workers’ attitudes towards families in poverty are strikingly congruent with “progressive neoliberalism.” This article suggests that generational changes and the particular form of group-based identity, postmodern social justice ideology often taught in social work education have unwittingly conspired to create this concerning picture. This article suggests that the resurrection of radical social work, with attention to economic inequality, is one way to counteract this trend.