Showing papers in "International Social Work in 2015"
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explored three main concepts regarding social issues after an earthquake in an Iranian context: social vulnerability, social uncertainty and confusion, and ignorance of local social capital.
Abstract: The physical impacts of a disaster are usually the most obvious impacts, and they are easily measured. However, there is not sufficient in-depth understanding of social issues arising after disasters. This qualitative study explored three main concepts regarding social issues after an earthquake in an Iranian context: social vulnerability, social uncertainty and confusion, and ignorance of local social capital. Negligence of social issues after disasters leads to delays in returning back to normal life. Policymakers are encouraged to take a comprehensive plan into account which considers these issues and facilitates the process of returning to normal life after earthquakes.
48 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the United Nations should include social workers more centrally within its humanitarian remit because social workers are professionally responsible for enhancing human well-being holistically, whether reducing risks, mitigating disaster, providing relief or long-term reconstruction, social workers have much to offer.
Abstract: Professional social workers’ positive contributions to humanitarian aid are seldom publicly acknowledged. If unaware of cultural sensitivities, locally defined needs and power relations, they are decried as oppressive. I use a research project to examine opportunities and challenges social workers have in developing empowering practices with victim–survivors of the 2004 tsunami in Sri Lanka. Whether reducing risks, mitigating disaster, providing relief or long-term reconstruction, social workers have much to offer. I suggest that the United Nations should include social workers more centrally within its humanitarian remit because social workers are professionally responsible for enhancing human well-being holistically.
44 citations
TL;DR: In a challenging address to the 18th Conference of the Parties (COP) in Doha in 2012, the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon urged the global community to respond with conscientious foresight.
Abstract: Climate change and environmental disasters are destabilising communities across the world. In a challenging address to the 18th Conference of the Parties (COP) in Doha in 2012, the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon urged the global community to respond with conscientious foresight. This article discusses how social work might respond to this challenge. It outlines the social implications, social work theorists’ reconceptualisation of the environmental space as a domain of practice and ways that the global social work community can act to address these significant global challenges.
42 citations
TL;DR: The authors explored the impact of an online program developed to educate Australian social work students about environmental sustainability, drawing on Hawkins' definition of global citizenship, online workshop activities are used to develop students' knowledge, concern and action about environmental degradation in a global context.
Abstract: This article explores the impact of an online programme developed to educate Australian social work students about environmental sustainability. Drawing on Hawkins’ definition of global citizenship, online workshop activities are used to develop students’ knowledge, concern and action about environmental degradation in a global context. A qualitative approach is used to gauge the value of the programme, and outcomes indicate benefits to student learning about social justice issues, particularly in relation to gender, carbon emissions and global impacts. Implications for social work education are discussed, and a framework for future curriculum development is presented.
35 citations
TL;DR: This article explored the association between coping strategies (problem-focused, emotion focused, and avoidance), internal resources (dispositional optimism and mastery), demographic and work characteristics, and secondary trauma symptoms among 160 social workers in public agencies treating clients who were victims of trauma.
Abstract: This study explores the association between coping strategies (problem-focused, emotion-focused, and avoidance), internal resources (dispositional optimism and mastery), demographic and work characteristics, and secondary trauma symptoms among 160 social workers in public agencies treating clients who were victims of trauma. A hierarchical regression analysis revealed that emotion-focused and avoidance coping strategies, previous history of exposure to a traumatic event, and high exposure to traumatic material through clients were associated with increased levels of secondary trauma, while dispositional optimism, mastery, and steady supervision on a weekly basis were associated with a reduction of those symptoms. Theoretical and clinical implications of the findings are discussed.
32 citations
TL;DR: The adoption policy and practice has to be culturally sensitive, that is, based on patterns and processes of family formation of the majority population group, namely black African citizens, to be successful as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Despite the efforts made in South Africa to develop an adoption model relevant to local conditions, national adoption rates are low. In order to ensure that children eligible for adoption are not unnecessarily uprooted from their ethnic, religious and cultural origins, efforts made to indigenize the adoption model require further attention. Adoption policy and practice has to be culturally sensitive, that is, based on patterns and processes of family formation of the majority population group, namely black African citizens, to be successful.
32 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the factors that may contribute to a young person becoming NEET and applied these to the demographics of a rural area in England, with the mental well-being of young people as a proposed underpinning mechanism.
Abstract: Young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) are a focus of government attention in the UK. For social service professionals the mechanisms underpinning the individual experience of NEET are critical to designing effective interventions. International comparisons point to similar experiences at the level of the individual family. This article examines the factors that may contribute to a young person becoming NEET and applies these to the demographics of a rural area in England. Poor educational attainment and low socio-economic status are key factors, with the mental well-being of young people as a proposed underpinning mechanism.
31 citations
TL;DR: The Rural-Urban Alliance as discussed by the authors is an action research project devoted to post-disaster community rebuilding, which not only restores local livelihoods but also creates sustainable economic development and examines the role of social workers in disaster intervention, the theoretical background of our new model and the history of the intervention itself.
Abstract: On 12 May 2008, a huge earthquake struck Wenchuan county in Sichuan province, China. Since that time, we have worked together with the local community, implementing an alternative model of community reconstruction. Our ‘rural–urban alliance’ is an action research project devoted to post-disaster community rebuilding, which not only restores local livelihoods but also creates sustainable economic development. This article examines the role of social workers in disaster intervention, the theoretical background of our new model and the history of the intervention itself.
31 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a study of New Zealand social workers' experiences of continuing professional education (CPE) during the first two years following the advent of limited statutory registration was conducted.
Abstract: This article draws on a study of New Zealand social workers’ experiences of continuing professional education (CPE) during the first two years following the advent of limited statutory registration...
30 citations
TL;DR: The arts-based method as an indirect form of communication is shown to be effective in changing stands of power holders and experts, enabling a dialogue that creates culturally sustainable aid.
Abstract: This article discusses the advantages of arts-based research specifically for high-context, culturally diverse, power-infused, and chaotic or diffuse research settings as often found in internation...
29 citations
TL;DR: It is reported that older Kurdish refugees and immigrants are experiencing multiple service needs yet they do not seek help to meet their service needs, which accentuate the need for the development and implementation of culturally competent services.
Abstract: This study explored service needs and service utilization among older Kurdish refugees and immigrants in the US. A sample of 70 older Kurds is included and descriptive statistics were utilized. The findings of this study reported that older Kurdish refugees and immigrants are experiencing multiple service needs yet they do not seek help to meet their service needs. This study also highlighted existing barriers to services among older Kurdish refugees and immigrants, which accentuate the need for the development and implementation of culturally competent services for this unique population.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors evaluate how and to what extent indigenization of social work profession and practice in Nigeria can occur, and there is a need to indigenize social work because of the shortcomings and i...
Abstract: This article evaluates how and to what extent indigenization of social work profession and practice in Nigeria can occur. There is a need to indigenize social work because of the shortcomings and i...
TL;DR: The relationship between political populism and social work has not been well investigated as discussed by the authors, and the results of research conducted by means of in-depth interviews and questionnaires on a sample of 90 social workers employed by municipalities governed by populist parties in Italy, where the phenomenon of xenophobic politics has recently grown to particularly worrying proportions.
Abstract: The relationship between the emergence of political populism and social work has not been well investigated. This article reports the results of research conducted by means of in-depth interviews and questionnaires on a sample of 90 social workers employed by municipalities governed by populist parties in Italy, where the phenomenon of xenophobic politics has recently grown to particularly worrying proportions. The article describes the effects of populist programmes on social work and highlights the different reactions of social workers in response to the new scenario.
TL;DR: A review of the relevant literature suggests that it is necessary to assist caregivers (including social workers) in understanding both the social significance associated with the illness and the concept of cultural competence as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: This article provides an overview of published studies on social representations of HIV/AIDS. It argues that, despite changes over time in the peripheral elements of negative social representations, such representations remain present within the health care field and continue to affect populations across various cultures. This underlines the importance of health care that accounts for cultural needs in interventions with people living with HIV/AIDS. A review of the relevant literature suggests that it is necessary to assist caregivers (including social workers) in understanding both the social significance associated with the illness and the concept of cultural competence.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss how people's religious practice can be used as a resource in international social work and conclude that from a post-modern view, social work will profit from opening up and seeing religion as a contextual factor.
Abstract: The focus of this article is how can people’s religious practice be a resource in international social work? The question will be discussed in relation to pre-modern, modern and postmodern societies. The article will contain a description of religious activity in two different cases and related to international social work. The article concludes that from a postmodern view, international social work will profit from opening up and seeing religion as a contextual factor. What needs to be discussed further is whether a reason for the relative absence of religion and religious practice in international social work textbooks might be the lack of distinction between acknowledgement and acceptance of religion.
TL;DR: In this paper, social workers in the field were interviewed to find out how they experience working with clients from diverse backgrounds, cultures and nationalities and how they respond to the challenges they are faced with.
Abstract: Social work in a multicultural society represents new and different challenges for practitioners. We have turned to social workers in the field to find out how they experience working with clients from diverse backgrounds, cultures and nationalities and how they respond to the challenges they are faced with. In the first part of the article, the answers given by the social workers will be presented; in the second part of the article we will focus upon the schools of social work and discuss how these institutions may prepare the students for their professional roles in a multicultural society.
TL;DR: The authors examined students' perceptions of international social work at three universities in the United States, United Kingdom, and Georgia and found that social work education needs to be globalized and tailored to students' needs, which will help them identify social work strongly as part of a profession and affect change across the globe.
Abstract: The field of social work worldwide has been increasingly influenced by globalization, migration, and other conditions that require professionals to be responsive and knowledgeable in addressing them. This collaborative project examined students’ perceptions of international social work at three universities in the United States, United Kingdom, and Georgia. Students’ responses indicated an overall strong interest and widespread agreement that there is a link between local and global social issues. The findings suggest that social work education needs to be globalized and tailored to students’ needs, which will help them identify social work strongly as part of a profession and affect change across the globe.
TL;DR: It is suggested that increased employment opportunities and increased number of micro-credit recipients may change women’s attitudes from avoidance coping strategies to help-seeking coping strategies.
Abstract: This article examines women's attitudes towards informal, formal social and formal legal support-seeking strategies against intimate partner violence (IPV). This study found that the majority of the participants were likely to seek help from informal, formal social and formal legal agents. Multivariate analyses revealed that women's attitudes significantly varied by women's age, women's working status, experience of violence, receipt of micro-credit, women's decision-making authority, husband's age, husband's education, family economic status and family type. We suggest that increased employment opportunities and increased number of micro-credit recipients may change women's attitudes from avoidance coping strategies to help-seeking coping strategies. Language: en
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present micro-level evidence on the gendered impact of increasing water stress and the innovative gendered local adaptive strategies in this region, and urge for the need to re-think on adaptation planning, basing it on local templates for greater sustainability.
Abstract: Water resources in India are projected to face severe climate-induced stress. In the North-Eastern Hill region, where lifestyles are closely connected to nature, this holds great implications for human development. While scientific knowledge regarding climate change and water is growing at global and regional scales, an equally diverse body of knowledge on the human dimensions of the same at local levels is weak. This article attempts to bridge this knowledge gap by presenting micro-level evidence on the gendered impact of increasing water stress and the innovative gendered local adaptive strategies in this region. It urges for the need to re-think on adaptation planning, basing it on local templates for greater sustainability.
TL;DR: The authors argue that social work response to challenging pro-torture rhetoric has been limited at best, and to effectively address the problem there must be an international response if social work is to adhere to its obligations under the IFSW Code of Ethics, and fulfil its role as a human rights profession.
Abstract: Whilst terrorism is not a new global phenomenon, the fallout from the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the US remain extensive and far reaching, including the sanctioning of harsher security measures and the denigration of human rights and civil liberties. Of particular concern is the move towards torture being an accepted practice for those deemed ‘terror suspects’ or captured ‘enemy’ combatants in countries where the so called ‘war on terror’ is still being played out. This article argues that the social work response, particularly in relation to challenging pro-torture rhetoric, has been limited at best, and to effectively address the problem there must be an international response if social work is to adhere to its obligations under the IFSW Code of Ethics, and fulfil its role as a human rights profession.
TL;DR: The authors examined the relationship between parents, friends and teacher attachment and career maturity for adolescents and reviewed the mediating role of self-efficacy in the relation between attachments and career development, and found that the effect of parent attachment, teacher attachment, and friend attachment on career maturity can be seen through the mediation effect of selfefficacy rather than through any direct influence.
Abstract: This article proposes to examine the relationship between parents, friends and teacher attachment and career maturity for adolescents and to review the mediating role of self-efficacy in the relationship between attachments and career maturity. The summary of the results is as follows. First, parent and friend attachments, self-efficacy and career maturity showed linear development over four years, but teacher attachment showed non-linear development. Second, the effect of parent attachment, teacher attachment and friend attachment on career maturity can clearly be seen through the mediation effect of self-efficacy rather than through any direct influence.
TL;DR: This article explored the challenges that marginalized minority parents face raising their children in England, Norway and the United States and found that there are similar patterns of challenges across the three countries, such as cultural differences, including lack of language proficiency and knowledge of the society and systems, which seem primarily to correspond to different systems of welfare aims and services.
Abstract: This article explores the challenges that marginalized minority parents face raising their children in England, Norway and the United States. While there are similar patterns of challenges across the three countries, such as cultural differences, including lack of language proficiency and knowledge of the society and systems, cross-country differences seem primarily to correspond to different systems of welfare aims and services. We discuss the implications of these findings on underprivileged minority children.
TL;DR: This paper explored the role of multicultural social work at community level in the context of national trauma, drawing on the records of South Africa's post-apartheid Truth and Reconciliation Co...
Abstract: This article explores the role of multicultural social work at community level in the context of national trauma. Drawing on the records of South Africa’s post-apartheid Truth and Reconciliation Co...
TL;DR: An evaluation of a community-based child protection project working with Palestinian refugees in southern Lebanon found children who received social work intervention were shown to have significant improvement in hope.
Abstract: Engendering hope with refugee children is an important role of those working in child protection. This article reports on one part of an evaluation of a community-based child protection project wor...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors offer reflections on work with rural peasant organizations in Haiti to build capacities to engage in participatory action research and sustainable community recovery and develop sustainable communities in Haiti.
Abstract: This article offers reflections on work with rural peasant organizations in Haiti to build capacities to engage in participatory action research (PAR) and sustainable community recovery and develop...
TL;DR: The authors examines the relationship between non-governmental organisations' socio-economic and training programs and their beneficiaries' coping capacity during natural disasters and concludes that the relationship is not only causal but also causal.
Abstract: This study examines the relationship between non-governmental organisations’ (NGOs) socio-economic and training programmes and their beneficiaries’ coping capacity during natural disasters. NGOs ar...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explored the reasons for the gap between theory and practice in social work in Kuwait, and the most significant reason for this gap was job challenges and requirements, followed by curriculum, job description, and self-development.
Abstract: The gap between theory and practice in social work has been the subject of considerable debate over recent years. This study aims at exploring the reasons for the gap between theory and practice in Kuwait, and the most significant reason for this gap. A convenient sample of 342 participated from different institutions. The results showed that the major reasons for the gap were job challenges and requirements, followed by curriculum, job description, and self-development. Results also showed significant differences between gender, type of university, major of the participants, and the institutions in which the participants work.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a case study to illustrate the complexities of financial abuse of older people by their family members and provide insights into why older people and social care professionals may not detect or define family member's behaviour as abuse or feel discomfort in talking about it.
Abstract: This article presents a case study to illustrate the complexities of financial abuse of older people by their family members. It provides insights into why older people and social care professionals may not detect or define family member’s behaviour as abuse or feel discomfort in talking about it. The authors argue case studies can lead to new understandings about financial abuse that move beyond operational definitions to theoretical explanations that consider practices and outcomes of ageism and gender relations.
TL;DR: The historical background and current situation of the child welfare system for children without parental care in Poland is described, which still has both parents, but are placed in out-of-home care as a protective measure.
Abstract: This article describes the historical background and current situation of the child welfare system for children without parental care in Poland. Nowadays in Poland, most children without parental care still have both parents, but are placed in out-of-home care as a protective measure. Multiple scenarios are possible for these children. Financial resources, however, are often not sufficient to provide the most desirable care. Despite reforms aimed at deinstitutionalization and a growing number of foster care placements in Poland, almost 20,000 children remain in institutional care. For some children without parental care domestic or international adoption is decided.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined how the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was modified to measure anxiety and depression among HIV-infected sex workers in India and found that the inability to remain calm is experienced as depression rather than anxiety, whereas functional impairment induces anxiety rather than depression.
Abstract: We examine how the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was modified to measure anxiety and depression among HIV-infected sex workers in India. Supervised by a community advisory group, HADS was translated and administered to 100 HIV-infected sex workers in Sonagachi, Kolkata, India. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to examine validity. Results indicate that the inability to remain calm is experienced as depression rather than anxiety, whereas functional impairment induces anxiety rather than depression. The cross-loadings were interpreted in the context of prevalent cultural norms. The modified instrument identified a high prevalence of depression (30%) and anxiety (44%).