Social work practitioners and subjective well-being: Personal factors that contribute to high levels of subjective well-being

2010 ◽  
Vol 53 (6) ◽  
pp. 757-772 ◽  
Author(s):  
John R. Graham ◽  
Micheal L. Shier
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Personal Factors ◽  
Social Work Practitioners ◽  
Canadian Survey

Based on interviews with social workers possessing the highest level of subjective well-being (SWB) from a 2006 Canadian survey, this research identifies personal factors, including personal behaviors, interpersonal relationships and manifestations of self beyond their workplace and identity as social workers, as positively influencing social work practitioners’ high levels of subjective well-being. The conclusion considers implications for social work practice, education, and research.

Beyond the Code of Ethics, Part II: Dual Relationships Revisited

2002 ◽  
Vol 83 (5) ◽  
pp. 483-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Freud ◽  
Stefan Krug
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Code Of Ethics ◽  
Legal Protection ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
The United States ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Dual Relationships ◽  
Social Work Educators ◽  
Social Work Practitioners

The authors, both social work educators, serve on an ethics call line committee that provides insights on how the provisions of the (United States) National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics (NASW, 1996) interface with the ethical dilemmas encountered by the social work community. In this paper, the authors highlight aspects of social work practice that they consider ethical, yet not easily accommodated by the provisions of the current Code. They also question the 1996 introduction of the concept of dual relationships into the Code and suggest that the Code adopt the less ambiguous term of boundary violations. Also recognized by the authors is the need for clear boundaries for the protection of clients against temptations that might arise in a fiduciary relationship, and for the legal protection of social workers. But, the authors argue, social work practitioners in certain settings, with particular populations, and in certain roles, inevitably face multiple relationships as an integral aspect of their work. The authors conclude that social work's adoption of the psychoanalytic constrains of anonymity, neutrality, and abstinence has detoured the profession from its original double focus on individuals and their society.

scholarly journals Degrowth for transformational alternatives as radical social work practice

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 417-433
Author(s):  
Meredith C.F. Powers ◽  
Komalsingh Rambaree ◽  
Jef Peeters
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Social Inequalities ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Modern Times ◽  
Ecological Justice ◽  
The World

Historically, and in modern times, social workers have been culpable in perpetuating the very systems of oppression that we seek to eliminate. This happens as we are part of cultures and economies that operate out of the growth ideology. Acting in accordance with the growth ideology does not lead to the outcomes that we strive for as professional social workers. Rather, the growth ideology results in growing social inequalities and increasing ecological injustices around the world. Social work can, instead, embrace an ecosocial lens and promote degrowth approaches for transformational alternatives. Rather than reinforcing the existing systems of injustice and oppression, radical social work can take an activist role and bring about urgent and radical changes to promote ecological justice through social and ecological well-being. Examples from radical social work in local and international communities demonstrate the possibility of degrowth for transformational alternatives as radical social work practice.

Is social work a green profession? An examination of environmental beliefs

2011 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry V Shaw
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Small Body ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional

• Summary: Social work has developed to meet the needs of an industrializing society. As environmental concerns have increased, national, and international social work organizations have called on social workers to incorporate issues of the environment into their professional practice. Although there is a small body of literature related to social work and the environment, the profession has not fully embraced the need to incorporate these issues into social work education or practice. This cross-sectional survey in the United States of a random sample of National Association of Social Workers (NASW) members ( n = 373) was designed to gauge the environmental knowledge and attitudes of social work professionals. • Findings: Though social work shares many of the same underlying tenets of groups interested in environmental justice, results suggest that social workers as a profession are no more, nor less, environmentally friendly than the general population. • Applications: By failing to incorporate ecological issues facing the United States and abroad, our current social policies are at best not sustainable, and at worst dangerous for our continued social well-being. Social workers can play a leading role through an understanding of the interrelationship that exists between people and the environment, the integration of environmental issues into their social work practice, and advocating for vulnerable populations.

scholarly journals Traditional medicine in social work practice

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Holoff
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Traditional Medicine ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Western Medicine ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Public Health Care ◽  
World Health

This partial grounded theory study explores the topic of Traditional medicine in social work practice in Toronto, Canada. Given the dearth of knowledge in this area, I wanted to explore the contrapuntal nature of two social workers’ practice who refer to Traditional Medicine, and to conceptualize further on this approach. Social work literature and practice has paid little attention to this topic despite the field’s purported commitment to equity and social justice. This is largely a reflection of how greatly we take for granted the bias towards Western medicine in our public health care system and in the social work referral system that is aligned with it. The World Health Organization defines Traditional medicine as: “Health practices, approaches, knowledge, and beliefs incorporating plant, animal, and mineral based medicines, spiritual therapies, manual techniques, and exercises, applied singularly or in combination to treat, diagnose, and prevent illnesses or maintain well-being” (Fokunang et al., 2011). Such approaches, which are based on Indigenous and non-Western ways of knowing are not covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), and thus remain largely inaccessible to the most financially marginalized. This is a problem for those who cannot afford to pay out of pocket for their health care. It is a grave disservice to those whose culture does not align with Western medicine; those whose health conditions have not been helped by Western medicine; and those who require a combination of Western and Traditional approaches to bring them to full health. This research explores the knowledge, experience, and processes of two social workers in Toronto who refer clients to Traditional medicine in spite of the structural bias towards Western medicine and its approaches. Key Words: Traditional medicine, social work practice, contrapuntal approach, decolonization, the Medicine Wheel, Toronto

Emotional Support Animals: An Overview of Practical and Legal Issues for Social Workers

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sur Ah Hahn ◽  
Jennifer Hinton ◽  
Ann Hallyburton
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Intrinsic Nature ◽  
Ethical Implications ◽  
Work Education ◽  
Client Assessment

Abstract Limited literature exists to guide social workers in the effective and ethical use of emotional support animals (ESAs) in practice. This article deals with practical issues these professionals face in dealing with requests for ESA authorization. The article provides an overview of relevant U.S. regulations (as of mid-2019) governing housing, travel, workplaces, and higher education; examines the uses, efficacy, and special concerns regarding ESAs; and presents recommendations for the use of ESAs in social work practice. Ethical implications for social workers dealing with client assessment and ESA authorization are discussed. The authors also address the intrinsic nature of human and ESA well-being and its relevance to client-centered social work practice. In addition, the authors discuss opportunities for incorporating ESAs into social work education.

scholarly journals Exploring mistakes and errors of professional judgement in social work in China and Italy: The impact of culture, organization and education

2020 ◽  
pp. 146801732091987
Author(s):  
Alessandro Sicora ◽  
Wei Lu ◽  
Jie Lei
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Mainland China ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Negative Outcomes ◽  
Social Work Practitioners ◽  
Open Discussion ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Professional Judgement

Summary This article reports the results of an exploratory comparative study that investigated errors made by social work practitioners. Two groups of social workers, one in Italy and one in Mainland China, answered questions about the causes and effects of mistakes, professional errors and reactions to errors committed by their colleagues, and the influence of intuition on the decision-making process that generates mistakes and errors of professional judgement. Findings The most salient differences between the Italian and Chinese respondents related to their willingness to talk about their mistakes and their confidence in the training received. A longer social work tradition in Italy helps practitioners in that country to feel stronger and to engage in a reflective learning process rather than defensive actions. As members of a new and not yet fully recognized profession, social workers in Mainland China are more likely to blame external circumstances for negative outcomes. Both groups shared the same positive consideration of intuition and the risk of losing service users’ trust. Applications The purpose of the article is to foster better understanding of errors and mistakes in social work, as well as more open discussion and reflection on social work practice and how to prevent negative outcomes.

scholarly journals ‘The Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name’: The Role of Compassion in Social Work Practice

2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 1688-1705
Author(s):  
Denise Tanner
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Education Practice ◽  
Cognitive Components

Abstract The concept of compassion has little prominence in social work literature or in social work curricula, in contrast with those of nursing. This is despite compassion being a valued attribute of social workers from the perspectives of service users. This article considers the meaning of compassion, possible reasons for its absence from social work parlance and its potential contribution to social work practice. Whereas empathy is seen as comprising affective and cognitive components, compassion is defined in terms of affective and behavioural elements. More specifically, compassion is perceived as comprising both of ‘feelings for’ the person who is suffering and a desire to act to relieve the suffering. The desire to act is distinct from the act itself. Focusing primarily on the ‘desire to act’ component of compassion, the article suggests that the emotional health and mental well-being of social workers may be enhanced, rather than jeopardised, by acknowledging, facilitating and nourishing compassionate relationships with service users. It proposes that the emotional risks to social workers emanate not from the toll of feeling compassion for those in distress, but rather from a thwarting of their desire to act to alleviate suffering. It is argued that organisations have an important role in facilitating compassionate practice and possible avenues are considered to bring compassion into the fold of social work education, practice and research.

scholarly journals Traditional medicine in social work practice

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Holoff
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Traditional Medicine ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Western Medicine ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Public Health Care ◽  
World Health

This partial grounded theory study explores the topic of Traditional medicine in social work practice in Toronto, Canada. Given the dearth of knowledge in this area, I wanted to explore the contrapuntal nature of two social workers’ practice who refer to Traditional Medicine, and to conceptualize further on this approach. Social work literature and practice has paid little attention to this topic despite the field’s purported commitment to equity and social justice. This is largely a reflection of how greatly we take for granted the bias towards Western medicine in our public health care system and in the social work referral system that is aligned with it. The World Health Organization defines Traditional medicine as: “Health practices, approaches, knowledge, and beliefs incorporating plant, animal, and mineral based medicines, spiritual therapies, manual techniques, and exercises, applied singularly or in combination to treat, diagnose, and prevent illnesses or maintain well-being” (Fokunang et al., 2011). Such approaches, which are based on Indigenous and non-Western ways of knowing are not covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), and thus remain largely inaccessible to the most financially marginalized. This is a problem for those who cannot afford to pay out of pocket for their health care. It is a grave disservice to those whose culture does not align with Western medicine; those whose health conditions have not been helped by Western medicine; and those who require a combination of Western and Traditional approaches to bring them to full health. This research explores the knowledge, experience, and processes of two social workers in Toronto who refer clients to Traditional medicine in spite of the structural bias towards Western medicine and its approaches. Key Words: Traditional medicine, social work practice, contrapuntal approach, decolonization, the Medicine Wheel, Toronto

Counselling Skills and Social Work Practice

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shabbeer Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Professional Service ◽  
The Social ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Interactive Relationship

The relationship between counselling and social work has always been complex and interactive. Relationship, one person interacting with another, is at the heart of all social work in health and social care settings. Social work emerged as profession in the 20th century and today it is profession charged with fulfilling the social mandate of promoting well being and quality of life.  Thus social work encompasses activities directed at improving human and social conditions and alleviating human distress and social problems. It is essential that social workers take responsibility for developing and improving those skills which enable them to build relationships. This enables them to provide a professional service for which they can be accountable. Social workers become involved with people needing support in a crisis, change, transition or loss; protection from self or others; help to deal with disadvantage or injustice; in fact any combination of life changing events depending on the particular circumstances (Seden and Katz 2003). The present paper attempts to focus on relationship between counselling skills and social work practice.

The Role of Education in Developing Students’ Professional Resilience for Social Work Practice: A Systematic Scoping Review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clarissa Hitchcock ◽  
Mark Hughes ◽  
Lynne McPherson ◽  
Louise Whitaker
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Contextual Influences ◽  
Educational Processes ◽  
Social Work Practitioners

Abstract Social work practitioners are called on to be resilient in an increasingly complex and challenging human service environment. This study presents the results of a systematic scoping review aimed at understanding the role of social work education in developing students’ professional resilience in preparation for their future social work practice. The application of a comprehensive search strategy resulted in the inclusion of thirty-two articles, published between 2008 and 2018. A descriptive thematic analysis highlighted the political and contextual influences on this recent and emerging body of literature, together with three key themes. These themes centred around education building resilience through screening social work applicants, targeted knowledge provision and inclusive educational processes. The findings draw attention to the emphasis on social workers being individually responsible and accountable for their professional resilience, with this potentially reinforced and facilitated through education processes. The findings identify the need for future research to investigate environmental influences on social workers’ resilience, including how educators support students to understand and shape them.

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