Showing papers in "International Social Work in 2016"
TL;DR: In this paper, social work faculty and students from a university in the southeastern US participated in a 21-day exchange program with a University in Mexico, which involved 10 days of language and cultural immersion, concurrent exposure to social service agencies, and an additional week of visits to regional social work campuses.
Abstract: Social work faculty and students from a university in the southeastern US participated in a 21-day exchange program with a university in Mexico. The experience involved 10 days of language and cultural immersion, concurrent exposure to social service agencies, and an additional week of visits to regional social work campuses. Goals included developing bilingual, culturally competent social workers. Objective measures for cultural competence showed gains in scores which were supported by qualitative data gathered through the use of journals. Results indicated gains in cultural competence with many gains for future efforts.
89 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors identify and understand the challenges, risks, and challenges of resettling approximately 50,000 refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Abstract: By 2019, the United States plans to resettle approximately 50,000 refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The purpose of this study was to identify and understand the challenges, risks,...
50 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used a purposive sampling design to add to current understanding of the constituents of well-being among Palestinian helpers working in war-like conditions using 23 semi-structured in-depth interviews with health professionals in two Palestinian cities.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to add to current understanding of the constituents of well-being amongst Palestinian helpers working in war-like conditions. Using a purposive sampling design, 23 semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with health professionals in two Palestinian cities. Quantitative Textual Analysis was carried out, adopting content-pattern analysis via cluster methods. Two ‘macro’ dimensions emerged: specifically, a first dimension termed personal well-being and a second termed political well-being. Our investigation into the complex construct of quality of life illustrates that contextually based evidence does indeed help to identify bunched structures containing local cultural values defining well-being.
32 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most widely used and effective therapeutic modalities for devout Muslims, however, outcomes may be enhanced by modifying traditional...
Abstract: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most widely used and effective therapeutic modalities. When utilized with devout Muslims, however, outcomes may be enhanced by modifying traditional...
27 citations
TL;DR: This article explored the idea of returning home to the South to practise social work and examined how we are implicated in the tensions that surround social work practice and research as efforts to internationalize continue to grow, and explored the following themes: the neo-managerial underpinnings of the internationalization of social work; neocolonialism embedded in occupying the role of the reluctant expert; and what we carry with us to help us negotiate the tensions in navigating our practices across borders.
Abstract: This article explores the idea of returning home to the South to practise social work. Through our experiences as members of diasporic communities living in the North, we examine how we are implicated in the tensions that surround social work practice and research as efforts to internationalize continue to grow. Specifically, we explore the following themes: the neo-managerial underpinnings of the internationalization of social work; neocolonialism embedded in occupying the role of the reluctant expert; and what we carry with us to help us negotiate the tensions that we experience in navigating our practices across borders.
24 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine how the social studies of childhood can inform social work research and illustrate the extent to which childhood scholarship has been used within the discipline of social work and illustrate this point by drawing upon recent empirical contributions to the foster care literature in the UK.
Abstract: This article examines how the social studies of childhood can inform social work research. The first half of the article considers how notions of ‘childhood’ as a social construction diverge from normative, uniform and universal ideas of what might otherwise constitute ‘the child’. The second half then considers this discussion in regards to social work research. It considers the extent to which childhood scholarship has been used within the discipline of social work and illustrates this point by drawing upon recent empirical contributions to the foster care literature in the UK.
22 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explore the situation of forced eviction from homes in Bangladesh and its implications in undermining poverty eradication, and argue that it should be considered in the future.
Abstract: The objective of this article is to explore the situation of forced eviction from homes in Bangladesh and its implications in undermining poverty eradication. We argue that it should be considered ...
21 citations
TL;DR: The authors examines the significant role of the mosque in the Muslim community and provides educational, political welfare, and conflict resolution, in addition to being a place of prayer, the mosque provides educational and political welfare.
Abstract: This article examines the significant role of the mosque in the Muslim community. In addition to being a place of prayer, the mosque provides educational, political welfare, and conflict resolution...
21 citations
TL;DR: For social workers in the Muslim world, authentization of social work implied the integration of Islamic religious knowledge with current practice theories as mentioned in this paper. But the latter, still clinging to a 19th...
Abstract: For social workers in the Muslim world, authentization of social work implied the integration of Islamic religious knowledge with current practice theories. But the latter, still clinging to a 19th...
21 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors go beyond critiques of the current trauma paradigm and offer new theoretical tenets whereby multiple local contexts could be better incorporated into trauma discourse and practice, and propose a renewed trauma paradigm aiming to have a role in the global health arena, it should be informed locally and globally.
Abstract: Although Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is only one of the identifiable responses to trauma, it has become the main focus of trauma research, writing, and clinical interventions. The unquestioned use worldwide of PTSD, however, presents the risk of oversimplifying human responses to traumatic events. This article goes beyond critiques of the current trauma paradigm and intends to offer new theoretical tenets whereby multiple local contexts could be better incorporated into trauma discourse and practice. If a renewed trauma paradigm aims to have a role in the global health arena, it should be informed locally and globally.
20 citations
TL;DR: A study conducted with 24 women who left violent domestic relationships in Lebanon as mentioned in this paper revealed that women make and carry out their decision to leave: focusing on saving the marriage, facing a moment of truth that helps them re-evaluate their experiences within the marriage and leaving without losing face.
Abstract: This article reports on the findings of a study conducted with 24 women who left violent domestic relationships in Lebanon. The study sought to understand the process of making the decision to leave within the particularities of the Lebanese sociocultural context. Findings elucidate a three-step process by which women make and carry out their decision to leave: 1) focusing on saving the marriage, 2) facing a moment of truth that helps them re-evaluate their experiences within the marriage, and 3) leaving without ‘losing face’. Implications of these findings for research and practice are presented.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined prevalence and correlates of spousal physical or sexual violence against married women in Nepal using a nationally representative sample of 3,373 women and found that about 23 percent had exp...
Abstract: This study examined prevalence and correlates of spousal physical or sexual violence against married women in Nepal using a nationally representative sample of 3,373 women. About 23 percent had exp...
TL;DR: This paper argued that by taking indigenization as an interactive and non-linear process that helps cultivate a multicultural social work practice within a society, importing Western social work practices and indigenisation are compatible.
Abstract: Serious debate about the indigenization of social work has transpired recently. This article argues that by taking indigenization as an interactive and non-linear process that helps cultivate a multicultural social work practice within a society, importing Western social work practice and indigenization are compatible. In particular, this article attempts to illustrate the compatibility by analyzing how political activists employ Western values and practice, the universal human rights discourse, and mainstreaming, to fight for the rights of Hong Kong ethnic minorities, which may consequently lead to the development of a multicultural social work practice.
TL;DR: The results from the first two waves of the study indicate that CDAs have the potential to begin to help negate the effects of past gender inequalities and to help provide a path for young girls to move forward.
Abstract: This study explores an innovative intervention for orphaned children in Uganda. It combines standard health care with an economic empowerment component. We refer to this combination as a family asset-based intervention, which provides each child with a child development account (CDA), a matched savings account for secondary schooling; financial education; and a mentor. This article examines the educational outcomes of the girls in this study. The results from the first two waves of the study indicate that CDAs have the potential to begin to help negate the effects of past gender inequalities and to help provide a path for young girls to move forward.
TL;DR: The findings suggest that even with cultural and type of disaster experience differences, children’s responses to disasters are similar across cultures and that mental health services are needed to support recovery.
Abstract: Improved understanding of the psychological impact on children following natural disasters is needed to assist with psychological recovery. The purpose of this exploratory study was to compare the disaster experiences and psychological symptoms of children, ages 8 to 17, following the Chilean earthquake and tsunami, and Hurricane Katrina. Over one-third of all students (N = 827) met the symptom cut-off for mental health referral. Two one-sided test (TOST) procedures revealed similar symptom levels among the Chilean and Hurricane Katrina samples and similar numbers of reported disaster experiences. Interestingly, the Chilean earthquake and tsunami sample reported more direct disaster related losses and the Hurricane Katrina sample reported more recovery related issues. The findings suggest that even with cultural and type of disaster experience differences, children’s responses to disasters are similar across cultures and that mental health services are needed to support recovery.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors analyze forces influencing female migration from three countries to the United States and posit a theoretical framework of how migration of vulnerable women can result in their entrapment within networks of human trafficking.
Abstract: The authors analyze forces influencing female migration from three countries to the United States. A principal factor for women from two southern countries involves the necessity of working in the United States so that women can remit money to their families, while migration for women in the northern case involves the search for a more liberal culture in which they can fulfill aspirations, achieve social mobility, and enjoy a better status than what they experienced in their home countries. The authors posit a theoretical framework of how migration of vulnerable women can result in their entrapment within networks of human trafficking.
TL;DR: The choices made by Nelson Mandela for forgiveness, peaceful reconciliation and democracy contributed to a remarkable political transition in South Africa, which have important lessons for social work as mentioned in this paper. Unfortunately, Mandela's ethical political leadership remains an exception rather than the rule.
Abstract: The choices made by Nelson Mandela for forgiveness, peaceful reconciliation and democracy contributed to a remarkable political transition in South Africa, which have important lessons for social work. Unfortunately, Mandela’s ethical political leadership remains an exception rather than the rule. While social work does have its shadow side, it has always had an emancipatory thrust, with a commitment to doing no harm, social justice and human rights. By making the being for the Other principle the normative in social work, the profession can contribute to an ethical politics and be constructed as politics with soul.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors bring to light multiple manifestations of colonial power relations and the interplay of religion and indigenous culture by analysing Sami women's experiences of empowerment and sub-compensation.
Abstract: This article brings to light multiple manifestations of colonial power relations and the interplay of religion and indigenous culture by analysing Sami women’s experiences of empowerment and subjec...
TL;DR: In this article, the development of professional social work in Sami areas in Norway after World War II coincides with the creation of the welfare state, and the integration of the Sami into the welfare system is an argument for why a decolonizing Sami approach should build on the aim of post-colonialism in recognizing historical injustice.
Abstract: This article focuses on the development of professional social work in Sami areas in Norway after World War II, which coincides with the development of the welfare state. Labour immigration in the 1970s made Norway visible as a multicultural society and welfare professions adopted culturally sensitive methodology, which was also reflected in Sami social work. Today’s criticism of multiculturalism requires new answers. The integration of the Sami into the welfare system is an argument for why a decolonizing Sami approach should build on the aim of post-colonialism in recognizing historical injustice and the emphasis in critical indigenous philosophy on dialogue.
TL;DR: The authors assesses the interaction between international and local influences in South African child welfare practice and education between 2001 and 2010, and finds that the primary mechanism for international exchange occurred through funding.
Abstract: This article assesses the interaction between international and local influences in South African child welfare practice and education between 2001 and 2010. Based on a mixed methods study, it finds that the primary mechanism for international exchange occurred through funding. Professional imperialism continued to be evidenced in the domination of Northern agendas in local curricula and the lack of critical interrogation of external practices. A disjuncture between research and practice priorities was found with some areas of intersection. The article provides insight into the local/global nexus in child welfare and recommends further investigation into more authentic and egalitarian international relationships of exchange.
TL;DR: Kim et al. as discussed by the authors used secondary data from a sample of 1630 employed women from the 2008 Korean Longitudinal Survey of Women and Families to examine the moderating roles of perceived gender discrimination on the relationships between family leave provisions and work-family conflict.
Abstract: Family leave policies are among the approaches used by employers across the globe to ease work–family strains among employed women, and enhance employee engagement and productivity. Yet some research suggests a critical dilemma facing some women: taking advantage of family leave may improve their ability to maintain both job and family, while lessening their status as valued employees in the eyes of employers that discriminate. This study utilizes secondary data from a sample of 1630 employed women from the 2008 Korean Longitudinal Survey of Women and Families to examine the moderating roles of perceived gender discrimination on the relationships between family leave provisions and work–family conflict; and the moderating role of housework responsibilities on the relationships between family leave provisions and work–family conflict of women employees. The results suggest that the availability of leave policies is more strongly associated with decreased work–family conflict for women employees who report ...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined welfare services and social work and their role in sustaining the language and culture of the Sami in Finland as an indigenous people and concluded that well-functioning services may offer indigenous people an opportunity and environment for using their mother tongue.
Abstract: Language takes on heightened importance when working with a cultural and linguistic minority. The article examines welfare services and social work and their role in sustaining the language and culture of the Sami in Finland as an indigenous people. The inquiry also analyses the current situation of and language use in the provision of services. The research contributes a theoretical discussion of linguistic codes in social work and of the importance of language use in promoting Sami culture. It concludes that well-functioning services may offer indigenous people an opportunity and environment for using their mother tongue.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explored issues pertinent to culturally sensitive social work and the care of older persons in Muslim communities in the context of population ageing, and examined kinship care in Islam and its incorporation into institutional social work services.
Abstract: This article explores issues pertinent to culturally sensitive social work and the care of older persons in Muslim communities in the context of population ageing. In particular, it examines kinship care in Islam and its incorporation into institutional social work services as part of multicultural practice with older Muslim clients. The aim of the article is to assess the nature of kinship care systems as informal support networks among Muslim communities and their role in supporting the well-being of older persons in the family. These networks play a pivotal role in Muslim family life and need to be considered in social work policies and practice so that service provision can be consistent with the lived realities of Muslim clients in their diverse environments.
TL;DR: Although Hong Kong has developed into a Westernized city, many widows still feel the strong pull of cultural demands in coping with the loss of their husbands as mentioned in this paper, and the purpose of this study was to expl...
Abstract: Although Hong Kong has developed into a Westernized city, many widows still feel the strong pull of cultural demands in coping with the loss of their husbands. The purpose of this study was to expl...
TL;DR: Conditions in the Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon are difficult, with poverty rates high, educational attainment low, and opportunities few as mentioned in this paper, and of concern to policy-makers is "Ayn al-Hilweh, the...
Abstract: Conditions in the Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon are difficult, with poverty rates high, educational attainment low, and opportunities few. Of concern to policy-makers is ‘Ayn al-Hilweh, the ...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a paper on International Social Work, vol 59, issue 5 (2016), issue 5.1177/0020872816646815
Abstract: Manuscript. Published version available in International Social Work, vol 59, issue 5 (2016), doi: 10.1177/0020872816646815
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors propose a synergistic approach to analyse the ways in which the multi-layered facets of abuse interact to reinforce each other and argue that these understandings can generate multi-level activities (conceptual, material, structural) that together might produce effects that are greater than their individual components.
Abstract: This article reports from a Caribbean study on the sexual victimization of children. The authors proposes a synergistic approach to analysing the ways in which the multi-layered facets of abuse interact to reinforce each other and argues that these understandings can generate multi-level activities (conceptual, material, structural) that together might produce effects that are greater than their individual components. For example, a sex offender treatment programme that is developed alongside a public health oriented education and prevention programme, and in which both address the status of children and gender socialization, may be more effective in combination than as separate interventions.
TL;DR: The authors reported on one aspect of research into the experiences of international social workers in London (UK), namely, the perceptions of the managers who supervise them, with regards to their preparedness, induction and support needs.
Abstract: International labour mobility is occurring in social work and isolated studies are beginning to research this topic This article reports on one aspect of research into the experiences of ‘international social workers’ (ISWs) in London (UK), namely, the perceptions of the managers who supervise them, with regards to their preparedness, induction and support needs
TL;DR: Coping strategies and their relationships with various domains of quality of life (QOL) were assessed among 97 HIV-infected individuals in Pune, India to help decide appropriate care and support strategies and psycho-social interventions for HIV- Infected individuals.
Abstract: Quality of life including the domains of physical health and mental health are influenced by HIV infection. Coping strategies and their relationships with various domains of quality of life (QOL) were assessed among 97 HIV-infected individuals in Pune, India. Most of the infected individuals adopted emotion-focused strategies through cognitive reframing and acceptance of their HIV status. One-third adopted problem-focused coping and sought health care, scientific information and social support. Significant associations of coping strategies were observed with marital status and work and earning domains of the QOL questionnaire. Findings can help decide appropriate care and support strategies and psycho-social interventions for HIV-infected individuals.
TL;DR: This paper found that young children from three institutions in St Petersburg (Russian Federation) who were transitioned to intercountry (USA) adoption or to various domestic families in Russia did not differ in birth weight, length, head circumference, and rated condition at birth, nor did they differ upon departure from the institutions with respect to physical growth and behavioral development.
Abstract: Young children (N = 381) from three institutions in St Petersburg (Russian Federation) who were transitioned to intercountry (USA) adoption or to various domestic families in Russia did not differ in birth weight, length, head circumference, and rated condition at birth, nor did they differ upon departure from the institutions with respect to physical growth and behavioral development. These results provide little support to the occasional allegation for the possibility that intercountry adopted children are selected to be developmentally more (or less) advanced, or that outcomes for children in alternative family placements simply may be associated with pre-placement developmental differences. The generality of these results to other institutions and countries is unknown.