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The spirituality discourse within social work has been developing for several decades, albeit more in the USA than in the states of the EU. Europe or the countries of the EU were characterised as an exceptional case because of their secularity. Social work in Europe is also typically secular. Nevertheless, the spirituality discourse within social work is slowly developing also in Europe. In social services, chaplains, pastoral workers and assistants, and similar professions are often more responsible for spiritual care than social workers. Should social workers approach spiritual issues from the client's point of view or from a theological stance or rather just from the social work perspective? What reasons and arguments can we formulate and express? This text will discuss both these questions and their context as well as the possible answers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social work practitioners, including both current Master of Social Work (MSW) students and MSWs experienced in clinical practice, possess significant potential as clinical researchers. Merging clinical practice and research not only bolsters the foundation for evidence-based interventions but also advances social work's scientific standing. Over time, discussions have underscored social work's promise to enrich the practice evidence-base through rigorous research. This article serves as a practical guide, offering clear direction toward research career paths. Recommendations are provided for MSW students, encouraging them to engage in research and learning opportunities that enhance their education. For MSW graduates, the focus shifts to building networks, active program participation, and considering PhD programs that build on clinical foundations. By delineating a roadmap for both MSW students and graduates, this article may open the door for more clinically-focused MSWs to consider a research career path. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over half of all social work educators in the United States are adjunct or part-time instructors. Social workers who take on adjunct teaching roles value the experience, which offers personal and professional rewards. As administrators in social work programs, both authors have hired and trained social workers to serve as adjuncts in bachelor's and master's social work programs in different geographical areas of the U.S. However, in these roles, we have noted that many social workers interested in becoming adjunct instructors often do not know how to start the process or what is needed. This article aims to provide practical information for social work practitioners about how to become and serve as adjunct instructors for a social work education program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose : Despite the increasing number of elder abuse and self-neglect (EASN) cases, many older adults are reluctant to engage with formal support services, such as Adult Protective Services (APS). This study examined the use of motivational interviewing (MI) by advocates, as a component of a larger EASN intervention, RISE (Repair Harm, Inspire Change, Support Connection, Empower Choice), implemented in partnership with APS. Advocates applied MI as part of RISE to help clients explore and resolve ambivalence around pursuing change and ultimately enhance service engagement. Methods: This study conducted qualitative interviews and a focus group with all RISE advocates (n = 4) to understand how MI is applied in the context of an EASN intervention with older adult clients. A descriptive phenomenological approach involving two independent assessors was used to code verbatim transcripts into themes. Results: Three domains were identified: (1) therapeutic relationship, which describes the importance of foundational relationship building in MI to support older adults who have experienced EASN; (2) techniques, which refers to MI strategies advocates apply and adapt in the context of EASN intervention; and (3) implementation challenges, which reflects the difficulties advocates encounter when using MI in cases of EASN. Conclusions: The experiences of advocates suggest MI is a beneficial and amenable approach to help older adults who have experienced EASN navigate issues of ambivalence and explore their motivation for change. This study represents the first in-depth exploration of MI in the context of EASN intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic thrust the world's population into a crisis. Social workers and other professionals working with youth have been front-line witnesses to the accentuated negative impact of this public health emergency on youth and their families as well as to the creative adaptive strategies of youth and their families. Purpose: Because youth workers are often the first to identify and respond to the needs and desires of children and youth, it is critical to better understand the ways in which youth workers adapted, coped, and intervened within the context of this global health, social, and economic crisis. Youth workers play a central role in the lives of children and youth. Their perspective is key to recognizing both practice innovation and organizational impediments. Method: 31 youth workers in mental health, housing, primary care, and child protection participated in focus groups discussing the impact of the pandemic during waves 1 and 2 on the youth and families they work with and, consequently, on their own practice. Results: include two central domains that organize findings around adapting professional practice to crisis situations: (1) the first-person experience of working with youth during the pandemic; (2) the changing needs and risks faced by youth and their families. Discussion: These domains include discussions around participant emotions and feelings of isolation, helplessness, and fear as well as adaptability. The article concludes with recommendations to support youth workers and adapt organizational structures to help protect youth from increased risk and vulnerability during a pandemic or other crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rates of mental health challenges among children and youth are on the rise. Physical activity has been identified as a promising intervention to improve mental health outcomes for youth. Objective: This study aimed to investigate how mental health clinicians perceive and utilize physical activity as a mental health intervention for children and adolescents. Methods: Seventy-four Ontario mental health clinicians (psychologists, psychotherapists, and social workers) were surveyed about their perspectives and practices related to physical activity as part of mental health care for children and adolescents using a mixed-methods approach. Survey respondents were also asked about barriers to including physical activity in care. Results: Although 100% of clinicians agreed that physical activity was beneficial to their own and to their clients' mental health, only 61% reported prescribing physical activity to their clients. Barriers to prescribing physical activity as a treatment option included lack of training, time, and resources. Clinicians who were more physically active themselves were more likely to view physical activity as beneficial for mental health and were less likely to view time as a barrier to discussing and prescribing physical activity in their practice. Many clinicians expressed a need for more training, knowledge, and resources. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that with improved access to training and resources, clinicians will be well-positioned to leverage the benefits of physical activity for mental health in their practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Domestic violence (DV) shelters are an essential service for survivors and their children. While research has demonstrated global increases in DV during COVID-19, little is known about the experiences of DV shelter staff. This study aimed to understand DV shelter staff's experiences and how they navigated the early stages of the pandemic. Methods: Researchers disseminated a cross-sectional online survey, first to state DV coalitions and then directly to DV shelters. Univariate and bivariate analyses were used for multiple-choice items, and patterns were identified using thematic analysis for open-ended responses. Results: Survey participants included 368 DV staff (180 leadership, 167 direct services, and 21 other roles) from 48 states. They reported little change to their schedules and mixed feelings of shelter preparedness for the pandemic. Participants described shelter methods for preventing the spread of COVID-19, changes in shelter policies and satisfaction with such policies, and the impacts of the pandemic on themselves and survivors. Balancing survivor autonomy with the health and safety of staff and other residents proved to be one of the most consistently challenging tasks. Participants also described how programs adapted to changing regulations and continued to serve survivors throughout this challenging time. Conclusion: Several innovative practices were implemented by staff throughout the pandemic, including expansions in technology use and non-residential services. Most reported feeling prepared for a similar crisis in the future. We offer five recommendations for DV shelters and their funders, including increased mental health support for staff and greater transparency in policies for both shelter residents and staff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexuality is a valuable part of people's lives, including people with intellectual disabilities (ID). Parents and social services personnel are significant parties for promoting the autonomy of people with ID regarding sexuality, although evidence reveals their actions tend to be in the opposite direction. Sexual attitudes do not emerge solely as personal or individual but evolve from interactions with others in a particular sociocultural environment. To explore the sexuality of people with ID, this study set out to understand the dynamic of people with ID, parents and social services personnel within the cultural context of Hong Kong. In total, 19 participants including people with mild ID, parents and social services personnel were recruited. Individual interviews were conducted, and the data were analyzed applying Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and dramaturgy. Findings revealed the participants' experiences, obstacles, and underlying feelings regarding the sexuality of people with ID, and the phenomenon, "not taking action" formed by all the groups. Chinese Confucian culture was revealed as the factor influencing the dynamic on the issues of sexuality. With respect to cultural expectations, government and social services agency leadership should take the lead to adopt an evidence-based sex education protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is growing interest in the role of Social Prescribing (SP) to help promote mental well-being and support individuals with mental health difficulties. Yet, implementation of SP to children and young people (CYP) has proved slow and underdeveloped compared with adult populations. Understanding the barriers and facilitators will help key stakeholders to better embed SP for CYP into practice. Using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), a comprehensive, theoretical-led framework, underpinned by 33 behaviour change theories and 128 constructs, perceived barriers and facilitators to SP were investigated. The sample comprised of 11 Link Workers and 9 individuals involved in facilitating SP with CYP, who took part in semi-structured interviews. Transcripts were analysed using a deductive thematic analysis, and themes were coded under each theoretical domain. Overall, 33 barriers and facilitators for SP were identified across 12 domains of the TDF. Under capability, barriers and facilitators were found for knowledge, skills, memory/attention/decision making processes, and behavioural regulation. For opportunity, barriers and facilitators were found for social/professional influences, as well as environmental context and resources. Finally, for motivation, domains covered included: beliefs about consequences, beliefs about capabilities, optimism, motivations/goals, reinforcement, and emotions. Findings suggest that a wide range of barriers and facilitators affect the implementation of CYP SP to improve mental health and well-being. Interventions which target different domains related to capability, opportunity and motivation should be developed to better facilitate CYP SP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peer support workers have lived experiences of the challenges their clients face. While research has shown peer work can benefit recovery, the negative consequences have not been clearly addressed. This study aimed to explore the experiences of compassion fatigue amongst peer support workers in homelessness services, and the coping strategies used. An explorative qualitative design was adopted. Six peer support workers, in homelessness services, were recruited via snowball sampling. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. Five themes were identified: relentless nature of working in homelessness services, change, making meaning of past experiences, organisational support, and personal coping strategies. There were two novel findings: (1) multiple clients recounting traumatic experiences, and (2) being unfairly blamed for lack of progress, exacerbating compassion fatigue. The findings of this study furthers limited research on compassion fatigue and can be used to develop protocols and practices for organisations that utilise peer support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evidence for the potential of mindfulness-based programmes (MBPs) to support improved stress coping and feelings of burnout in social workers is growing. MBPs which are specifically designed for social workers might help to enhance social work practice, whilst simultaneously supporting reductions in stress, burnout, and attrition in the profession. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the experience of twelve social workers who completed the Mindfulness-based social work and self-care programme (MBSWSC). Thematic data analysis resulted in six key themes being identified: professional motivation, mindfulness practice challenges and facilitators, benefits of increased self-awareness, impact professionally, use of mindfulness practices in direct work, the importance of having a social work tailored programme. This study provides further promising evidence of the acceptability and effectiveness of MBSWSC as a social work self-care and reflective practice programme. It is becoming increasingly clear that social workers are more likely to enrol in and fully engage with MBPs, which are specifically designed to support their social work practice and stress processing skills, if they are offered by their organisation. The increased access to MBPs of this nature is likely to lead to reduced burnout, and retention issues within the social work profession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A clear definition of clinical social work [CSW] remains necessary to guide education, to inform the public, and to orient funders and regulators. Yet, from its earliest origins, clinical social work has defied simple definition. With varying definitions, we wondered how contemporary clinical practitioners viewed their work, whether they affirmed these definitions, or included other aspects of practice, knowledge, skill, and practice focus. This qualitative study explored how 40 contemporary clinical social workers across the United States define CSW, theories, and skill sets that support its practice. Thematic analysis revealed that CSW practice has a person in environment focus, systems perspective and an emphasis on social justice. Findings also affirmed the view that CSW is a value and purpose driven practice that emphasizes the treatment relationship that utilizes the person-in-environment framework in relation to understanding, assessing, and treating psychosocial problems with unique perspectives and skills while addressing social justice concerns. Implications for social work education and practice included strengthening monitoring and evaluation since this was scarcely mentioned as tasks of CSW as well as identifying theoretical frames that align with the social work code of ethics and the profession's overall identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The perspective of key players such as caseworkers and community facilitators on the reasons for the overrepresentation of Black youth in child welfare is little known. This study explores the reasons why Black youth are overrepresented in child welfare in Ontario (Canada) through the perspectives of caseworkers and community facilitators. We analyzed four focus groups: two with child welfare caseworkers from a Children's Aid Society (CAS) and two with community facilitators. We used a general inductive method for the content analysis of the focus groups with N-Vivo, without being guided by prior assumptions or hypotheses. This study highlighted seven reasons why Black youth are overrepresented in child welfare, according to CAS caseworkers and community facilitators: lack of diversity among CAS caseworkers, disciplinary practices, mental health, insufficient community support networks, poverty, racism, and culture. These findings support implications for policies and practices to reduce and eliminate the overrepresentation of Black children in child welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limited access to sexual health information is a significant problem faced by young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In a survey of family members and school-based professionals, we assessed which sexual health topics are covered by whom, as well as from whom survey respondents believe young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities should be getting information. Participants report providing some sexual health information but that more information should be provided, especially on topics such as sexual orientation and gender identity. Results demonstrate medical providers are being expected to provide more sexual health information, and that the internet is a non-preferred source of education. These findings should inform recommendations about who should be providing sexual health education for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Historically, most research looking to improve services for domestic violence (DV) survivors has been designed based on the existing state of services, rather than using direct input from survivors. Building on this research gap, this study seeks to understand what "success" looks like for a broader and diverse population of survivors and service providers. Specifically, this study explored how survivors of DV, and service providers define "success" for survivors of DV. The researchers purposefully chose to keep the definition of success vague to allow participants to define what success is for themselves. This methodology aligns with the field shifting toward a survivor centered lens. Research questions guiding the study were: (1) How do survivors of DV define success? (2) Do themes for survivor-defined success align with service provider-defined program success? Methods: Interviews and focus groups were conducted with 53 DV survivors and 13 service providers in a Midwestern state. Our study was informed by the Appreciative Inquiry methodology. Data analysis was conducted using constant comparative analysis. Results: Seven themes emerged from the data: (1) acknowledging the process, (2) safety, (3) recognizing abuse, (4) therapeutic outcomes, (5) identity, (6) healing, and (7) achievement. Our findings indicate that survivors and service providers agreed on the major themes that were discussed related to defining success for survivors. Conclusion: These findings can inform programs and services of the outcomes that survivors find truly meaningful and explore how those align with current service provider expectations. The outcomes identified can also be used to develop measures that can assess the impact that programs have on survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The therapeutic relationship (TR), including its therapeutic frame, is the foundation of the therapeutic endeavor. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the rapid transition to videoconferencing for therapeutic encounters, we employed a cross-sectional exploratory survey with 1490 respondents to understand how practitioners adapted to the changes. In this secondary analysis focused on the TR, we analyze the clinicians' (N = 448) spontaneous narratives about facets of the TR. Temporally, we focused on how these adaptations occurred during the initial part of the pandemic before vaccination was available and while the TR was still adapting to teletherapy videoconferencing under the duress of pandemic crises. We find three broad themes: (1) It is a "much more remote relationship"; (2) The "connection...remains surprisingly strong"; and (3) It is "energetically taxing." Each reflects clinicians' views of the TR as altered, but surprisingly resilient. Although grateful for the safety of virtual therapeutic encounters, clinicians mourned the loss of an embodied encounter, experienced depletion of energy beyond Zoom fatigue, and nonetheless recognized their clients' and their own abilities to adapt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP) is increasingly being stressed as a responsibility of social work practitioners and social work educators. Clinical social work practitioners have been encouraged to use EBP to guide practice decision making, relying not only on research, but also considering the client's preferences and the professional expertise of the practitioner. Despite this momentum, not every social worker utilizes EBP as a part of their work, citing barriers including lack of understanding, limited access to resources, and concerns about specific EBPs interfering with the therapeutic process. This article adds to the literature by describing results from research which examined differences in familiarity and attitudes about the implementation of EBP among three classes of social workers: social work graduate students, social work educators, and practitioners. Results indicated a statistically significant difference between groups in familiarity with EBP; graduate students reported significantly less familiarity with implementing EBP when compared to educators and practitioners. Additionally, graduate students and educators reported significantly more positive attitudes about using EBP when compared to practitioners. The field of social work and social work education needs to support social work students as they transition from the classroom to the workforce by providing ongoing education, support, and supervision around the implementation of EBP, while also encouraging social workers to learn skills to address any barriers. Recommended strategies for supporting the use of EBP in the field are shared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented to the special issue, which focuses on social workers while they are working with topics, including Latinx cultural values, supporting students following a suicide and trauma experienced by urban youth of color.

Conventions safeguarding children such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Children require that every child has a right to live with their biological parents. However, in Ghana, different factors such as poverty, HIV/AIDS, parental and child disability, often lead to children becoming separated from their parents. As part of the current childcare reform, the system is focusing on preventing the institutionalization of children through family support services. However, there is little research evidence on the provision of family support services in Ghana and other lower-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Using a qualitative design, I interviewed 12 social workers to explore the benefits of family support services and challenges that inhibit the gains from the services. The findings of the study suggest that the provision of family support builds up the capacity of vulnerable families to care for children, promotes children's wellbeing and academic outcomes. Challenges that inhibit the impact of the family support services include inadequate funding, clients' attitudes and poor interagency collaboration. Implications of the findings for practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early marriages (EM) adversely affect women's physical and mental health, education, and social status. The current study aimed to analyze effects of EM through the thoughts, experiences, and suggestions of women who were married under the age of eighteen in Istanbul, Turkey, and the key informants (e.g., social worker, psychologist, obstetrician) who have encountered EM. In-depth interviews were conducted with fifteen women who were married before age 18, recruited from psychiatry outpatient department and eleven key informants. Thematic analysis was used. Low educated, poor family environment with domestic violence and neglect of children, loss of parents, lack of access to education, and traditional social structure were stated as causes for EM. Families' attitudes about EM were characterized as their daughter's reputation would be tarnished which implied the daughter's premarital relationships would be perceived as immoral by community. All women experienced traditional, aggressive rituals for the first night of marriage, husbands were mostly insensitive, and coercive resulting a traumatic experience. Women were subjected to physical, sexual, psychological, and emotional violence; most of them were socially isolated after marriage with restrictions imposed by their spouses and spouses' family that limited communication with their loved ones. The women generally felt unprepared for adult sexual life and motherhood. In order to prevent EM, raising parents' awareness about EM, supporting girls' education, and enforcing legitimate regulations were recommended. Early marriages violate human rights, cause negative consequences for health both physically and mentally, and deepen social inequality for women. All the participants suggested a better functioning legislative arrangement. The male dominated society that legitimizes child marriages and other harmful traditional practices should be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many foster youth demonstrate poor outcomes in multiple domains of functioning, including behavioral, cognitive, physical and psychosocial. Because child well-being is a central aim of the child welfare system (with safety and permanency), it is critical to better understand well-being in order to properly measure, promote and intervene to secure the well-being of children in care. Child welfare professionals play a central role in the experience of children and families in care, thus their perspective on well-being is key to its conceptualization. Twenty-nine child welfare professionals participated in in-depth interviews to discuss their understandings of well-being, as well as barriers and facilitators to well-being in their practice experience. After iterative coding of the entire data set, data related to defining well-being was analyzed using phenomenology in a qualitative secondary data analysis. Results include two central domains that organize findings about the essence of well-being in child welfare: (1) a practice approach for professionals and (2) the lived experience of well-being for children. Across both domains were shared clusters of meaning identified as humanization, fulfilling connections with a responsive adult, and a long-term, hopeful future orientation. The article concludes with discussion of implications for practice, policy and future research, particularly the role of this new understanding in improving child well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spirituality seems to represent a relevant domain in the person-centred care planning and outcome assessment for persons with intellectual disability and low-functioning autism spectrum disorder. Despite this, the impact of spirituality on subjective well-being and quality of life (QoL) has been scarcely investigated. The aim of the present study was to map the international scientific literature in order to identify the reasons of such misconsideration and the key points for future research and practice implementation. The relationship between spirituality and QoL depends on a complexity of factors, ranging from QoL theoretical models to services' organisation. Personal attitude, family members, health and social-care personnel, training, faith and life communities, and even different religions seem to deserve an in-depth analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The proportion of self-employed people in the workforce is growing. However, most research on work participation among cancer survivors has focused on salaried workers. We aimed to explore how self-employed people experience work during and after cancer treatment. Methods In this qualitative study, we conducted semi-structured interviews with seven self-employed people who had been treated for cancer. To provide a variety of perspectives on work-related aspects of self-employed cancer survivors we also interviewed seven counselors in the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV) who had long experience in supporting self-employed people and cancer patients around work participation. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis was undertaken. Results Five themes related to owning a business during and after cancer treatment emerged: entrepreneurship and engagement; cancer treatment and late-effects; business-related worries; shame; and support. Because of high job engagement and high autonomy the self-employed survivors often worked during treatment. While working could provide a sense of normalcy and a distraction from cancer, it was also essential to keep the business running. Survivors struggled with several work-related issues (e.g. high work demands, low work ability), but financial issues related to running their business caused particular worry. Getting cancer and, consequently, struggling with financial problems elicited a sense of shame that was closely connected to their strong identity as (successful) self-employed business (wo)men. Conclusion To support self-employed cancer survivors to retain work following a cancer diagnosis it is necessary to focus on the specific challenges faced by this group of workers, particularly related to financial issues and keeping the business afloat. Support measures to secure production and thus prevent loss of customers and bankruptcy are needed. It is important for health and social care personnel to be aware that self-employed cancer survivors may suffer from shame related to the cancer, low work ability and financial struggles, but that they may have difficulties talking about this shame. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the promise of self-care in dealing with employee challenges, there is nominal research related to this topic, in general, and among the clinical social work workforce, specifically. This exploratory study examines self-compassion, self-care, and the predictive relationship between the two among a sample (N = 831) of clinical social workers practicing in one southeastern state. In so doing, this paper uniquely addresses several limitations in the current literature. Findings suggest that social work clinicians in this sample engaged in moderate amounts of self-compassion and self-care, respectively. As well, self-compassion proved to be a unique and significant predictor of both personal and professional self-care, respectively. Findings from this study suggest the need to more deftly support clinicians in engaging in self-compassion and self-care, which includes ongoing training, education, and skill development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Work with clients who have trauma-related problems is reported to lead to a constellation of reactions including vicarious traumatization, compassion fatigue, and burnout. Traumatic experiences are ubiquitous in the lives of homeless people, stemming from multiple life events prior to, and as a result of, experiencing homelessness. While most studies examine either burnout and vicarious traumatization or potential PTSD in people who work with those who are traumatized, they generally do not look at the possible co-existence of all three factors. They also do not explore if these factors indicate the extent to which burnout or vicarious traumatization may lead to PTSD symptoms or that the existence of PTSD symptoms may precipitate greater rates of burnout. In addition, there are no existing studies that provide a quantitative view of the characteristics of frontline workers in homeless services. In this study, we surveyed 472 individuals who work in frontline positions in homeless shelters in 23 different organizations. We found rates of burnout, vicarious traumatization and compassion satisfaction, comparable to workers in other social services organizations but found rates of PTSD symptoms to be at 33% of the total population. This higher incidence of PTSD symptoms suggests that workers under-report traumatic stress when it is described as vicarious traumatization, that they specifically attribute this to client contact, and that vicarious traumatization is traumatic stress specifically attributed to job-related events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study explored the perceptions of workers who provide intimate partner violence (IPV) services regarding child welfare workers' IPV assessment and referral processes. Data from four focus groups was interrogated to find common themes. A total of 27 individuals participated in the focus groups, working in the community, shelters, and prisons/jails. Participants primarily expressed concerns regarding child welfare workers' practices. IPV providers perceived child welfare workers as incompetent in performing IPV assessments and making referrals. IPV workers also perceived that some child welfare workers engaged in dismissive, manipulative, or coercive behaviors when working with IPV victims. While the present findings are not generalizable, they speak to the tension frequently noted between victim services and child welfare. Child welfare agencies should consider ongoing, trauma-informed training for IPV assessment to help increase worker self-efficacy in performing these tasks. Local, interdisciplinary trainings including both IPV and child welfare providers may be particularly useful to promote better understanding of each provider's role in cases with co-occurring IPV and child maltreatment concerns, which may help to reduce tensions between the intersecting service systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although social justice is a central professional value of social work articulated in ethics codes, clinical social workers have been long criticized for not clearly incorporating this professed commitment into practice. Supervision is an optimal space within which clinicians can develop knowledge and skills to attend to the issues related to social justice in their practice. A growing body of literature emphasizes social justice in the delivery of clinical services, yet there is a death of literature on how clinical supervision can promote social justice seeking clinical work. In this paper, we draw from existing literature to identify key elements involved in social justice seeking clinical supervision. Using Goodyear’s (Clin Superv 33:82-99, 2014) learning mechanisms of clinical supervision, which consists of modeling, feedback, direct instruction, and self-directed learning, we discuss a case composite to illustrate ways in which clinical supervision can serve as a pedagogical space to advance clinical social workers’ commitment to social justice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Empirical evidence about the relevance of religion/spirituality for children and adolescents contrasts with the limited number of studies inquiring about the role of religion/spirituality when working with this population. In response to this lack of knowledge, this study explored the professional attitudes, experiences, and practice behaviors of social workers and social service workers working with youth and determined the predictive factors for using spiritually-derived interventions. A cross-sectional survey design, with proportionate stratified sampling, was used to gather data from 307 Canadian social workers and social service workers working with youth in Ontario (response rate was 40%, with 5.06% margin of error). Respondents reported favorable views toward the role of religion/spirituality in social work practice, in general. They also reported positive attitudes about the relevancy of religion/spirituality for this population and somewhat frequent encounters with religious/spiritual abuse and neglect. They used a wide variety of spiritually-derived interventions; however, over two-thirds (69%) reported their formal education “never” or “rarely” included content on the topic. Barriers to using spiritually-derived interventions included: lack of knowledge/experience, concern about presenting one's own bias, disapproval from caregivers, and lack of agency/supervisor support. Multiple regression analysis revealed two assessment variables, two attitudinal variables, one education/training variable, and one personal religious/spiritual variable predictive of the use of spiritually-derived interventions, accounting for 55% of the variance. Findings suggest a need for emphasizing spiritually-sensitive practice guidelines and for social work education and continuing education to include content about religious/spiritual diversity as well as content about spiritual development that includes spirituality in childhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to understand social workers' roles in meeting the sexual and relational health needs of children (aged 3-11) with disabilities. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 12 social workers from a range of practice settings. A phenomenological lens privileged the perspectives of social workers in their definitions of disability and sought to convey the meaning they assigned to their experiences of working with children in practice concerning matters related to sexual and relational health. Social workers enacted a broad definition of disability and often came to work with youth in contexts labeled as sexually problematic. In the provision of sexual health services, social workers embodied commonly adhered to roles including as practitioners, enablers, advocates, brokers, and managers. Services are needed that promote positive sexuality and relational health among children with disabilities. It is important that social workers be proactive advocates for the full inclusion of people with disabilities as equal sexual citizens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a between-subject 3 × 3 design of an experimentally manipulated realistic case vignette of Black, White, and Hispanic youth in a survey mailed to 1540 experienced psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers, the authors examined if clinicians alter their judgments about treatment for antisocially behaving youth based on the symptom's social context (e.g., life circumstances) and the youth's race or ethnicity, even among youth who are otherwise identical in terms of behavioral symptoms. Vignettes describe behaviors meeting DSM-IV criteria for conduct disorder, but contain contextual information suggesting either internal dysfunction (ID) or a normal response to a difficult environment [i.e., environmental-reaction (ER)]. Comparison was symptom-only (SO). Judgments of effectiveness of 14 treatments for youth exhibiting antisocial behavior were examined. Frequencies and median scores of perceived effectiveness level (1-9, Likert) were compared in bivariate analyses, stratifying context and youth's race or ethnicity. The context of the behavior was associated significantly with differences in effectiveness judgments in 13 of 14 treatments. Within ID and ER contexts, clinicians judged three different treatments as effective (median ≥ 7 of 9). In the SO condition, clinicians were less selective, judging six as effective. In the ID context, psychiatric medications, systems oriented family therapy, and residential care were judged more effective for White than for Black or Hispanic youth. Evidence-based practice research may be hampered by inattention to the social context of behavioral symptoms. Context may activate implicit racial assumptions about treatment effectiveness. Implications are for clinical training to improve service delivery, and future clinical research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aftercare services have been suggested to improve the outcomes of youth who depart group homes. The purpose of this study was to collect views from social service agency leaders about the aftercare supports they believed were most important for youth departing group homes. This project used a survey method and gathered views from 38 agency leaders who were 28-66 years of age, with an average of 21 years of experience working with residential care programs in 23 states across the United States. Participants ranked seven support domains (i.e., family, education, mental health, relationships, physical health, safety, and independent living) and rated 56 specific aftercare supports based on importance for youth who were departing group homes and returning to their homes/schools prior to high school graduation. Results suggested family, safety, and mental health supports were the most important domains of support for aftercare. Specific aftercare items that were rated critically important included support for self-harm/suicidal thoughts, accessing mental health services, coping with trauma, and managing medication for behavior/mental health. Tables are provided for the complete list of 56 specific support ratings. The findings are summarized and limitations are discussed. Also included are the implications the findings could have regarding future research on the design of aftercare services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The caseworkers in public insurance systems possess considerable discretion in terms of making decisions. This creates scope for preferences and attitudes to reflect on initiatives taken during sick leave and on individuals' return to work. This paper utilizes a unique caseworker-individual data set in the public sickness insurance (SI) in Sweden to analyze the impact of caseworkers' attitudes towards SI rules and rehabilitation programs promoting individuals' return to work. We find that a positive attitude towards SI rules increased return to work by 3 %, or 3.5 days, after comparing the 25 % most positive caseworkers with the 25 % least positive. Also, a positive attitude towards existing rehabilitation methods reduced return to work by about 2.5 %, or 3 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maltreatment and disability often coexist in the lives of young children, as children who are maltreated are at a higher risk for developing a disability, and, conversely, children with a disability are at a higher risk of being maltreated. Despite being supported by multiple service systems, young children with disabilities who have experienced maltreatment are often not optimally supported by these service systems. We utilized a mixed methods design to explore how early intervention and child welfare collaborate to support young children with disabilities who have experienced maltreatment. Implications and future directions for research, policy and practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conditions how people will spend their very last moments are an increasingly debated topic in Turkey. This study is planned to learn the opinions of Social Workers in Turkey on 'Principles of a good death.' The results of this study reveal that social workers in Turkey agree with principles of a good death in general. The degree of support for some specific principles changes by the sex and age of the participants. Despite the significant support given to principles by social workers, majority of them do not think that these principles are currently followed in medical and care institutions in Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Legal socialization is the process through which young people develop beliefs in the legitimacy of the law and legal system. Research has examined how perceptions of interactions with authority figures influence beliefs regarding the legitimacy of laws and legal system, thereby shaping compliance with the law (Fagan and Tyler in Soc Justice Res 18:217-242, ). Child welfare caseworkers play an integral role in children and youths' experiences in the child welfare system. However, limited research exists examining the relationship between youths' perceptions of caseworkers and outcomes such as delinquency. Objective: The goal of this study is to address how perceptions of a youth's child welfare caseworker influence legal socialization and whether it is related to self-reports of delinquency. Methods: The sample ( n = 113) is from youth in two juvenile justice residential facilities. Least trimmed square regressions examine the relationship between perceptions of child welfare caseworkers and legal socialization as a composite measure and its components. The overall measure and individual components are then regressed on self-reports of delinquency. Results: Results indicate youth with more negative perceptions of caseworkers view the legal system as less legitimate and exhibit lower overall legal socialization. Legal socialization is significantly related to delinquency. Conclusion: Findings suggest that, similar to other authority figures, perceptions of child welfare caseworkers are linked to young people's legal socialization and that legal socialization is related to delinquent behavior. Thus, professionals should be aware of the important role of their relationships when working with children and youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using an ethnographic approach, the aim of this study was to explore how social workers learn and make sense of experiences in their daily practices. Five events that took place during an ordinary day of child investigation work are described and serve as the basis for the analysis. The findings imply that investigation work is largely a social rationalization process and that the interaction between different actors in work is a strategy to enhance the level of knowledge and contribute to learning among the professionals. Thus, learning is embedded in daily activities, for example, consulting colleagues, framing problems and building relationships. Furthermore, the findings suggest the possibility of assuming a contextualized view of reasoning, a so-called contextual rationality, which maintains that practitioners need to make judgments in a way that is sensitive to and relevant for their own contextualized settings. Contextual rationality is a reasonable strategy to deal with complex problems in daily practices that cannot be completely analysed or solved. Contextual rationality is thus not about accuracy; rather, it engages individuals to find meaning and order in the complexity of modern organizations where norms, values and expectations provide frameworks for explanations. Besides offering an explanation for the basis of practice, the study identifies a variety of learning opportunities in everyday practice that could potentially be used in efforts to organize a more reflective practice to facilitate improved workplace learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this qualitative study was to learn about social workers' experience of the therapeutic encounter with victims and perpetrators of elder abuse and neglect and its implications for their personal and professional lives. Participants were 17 experienced women social workers, who worked with abused and neglected older adults in Israel. Data were collected by in-depth semi-structured interviews, which were later transcribed and content analyzed. Four main themes were revealed: (1) The Complexity of the Experience of the Therapeutic Encounter; (2) Circles Echoing Between the Professional and the Personal; (3) Between Growth and Attrition; and (4) Experiencing the Mission and its Meaning. As time is running out for older adults, the 'now or never' perspective shapes social workers' encounter with elder abuse opening a unique kind of dialogue. Implications for practice and further research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses how the way the therapist relates to his or her personal responses to client material during the session contributes to making the relationship with the client an effective tool for treatment. Ideas from third wave behavior therapy are used to describe aspects of therapist involvement in the relationship and modes of therapist awareness of inner responses. In two vignettes, negative client reactions to an intervention bring problematic therapist material to the fore. Both cases highlight how the stories the therapists spun about themselves as professionals and persons could easily have limited their effectiveness in responding to the material. The vignettes also illustrate how clinicians can overcome personal meanings and judgments to access a more productive mode of interacting with the feelings a critical incident in the relationship evokes in them. It is argued that observing their own content from a psychological distance makes it possible for clinicians to use their feelings without getting caught up in them. These same feelings may then help the therapist perceive how the incident relates to the client's daily life problems. The therapist's engagement in a sense of self-as-context is described as a therapeutic stance that provides the psychological distance needed to help overcome alliance ruptures and other potential gridlocks and which may transform the therapist's inner response to client content into a tool for addressing important client issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intimate partner abuse is defined as threatened or actual physical, sexual, or psychological abuse by a current or former partner. The present study examined responses of 212 social workers, who were randomly assigned one of four case vignettes describing intimate partner abuse. Vignettes varied by age of perpetrator and victim (elderly vs. young) and type of abuse (emotional vs. physical). Social workers tended to define intimate partner abuse against an elderly woman as non-abusive, in contrast to intimate partner abuse against a young woman. As a rule, social workers tended to favor therapeutic interventions more than legal interventions. However, in the case of intimate partner abuse against an elderly woman, social workers tended to prefer legal interventions. Specific training designed to help social workers to better understand their own ageist attitudes (i.e., age related discrimination) should supplement the training of social workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social workers and psychologists working in post-conflict societies are quite often confronted with trauma in their daily working routine. Trauma might emerge during the exhumation of mass graves, in counselling victims of war, or within supervisory case work and has to be dealt with in this professional, but non-clinical setting. The article explores theoretically, and with the help of a case study, difficulties and possibilities of understanding complex trauma in supervision, focusing on how to transform empathy into emotion-based understanding, and thus opening up new perspectives for solving conflicts. It is stressed, however, that the understanding of trauma must be grounded in a sound knowledge of clinical trauma theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports on a study of social workers' engagement in self-disclosure. Consistent with theory and research, participants limited their use of personal self-disclosure but were more willing to be transparent with clients. Yet, the social workers in this study did not always feel prepared by their education to appropriately engage in self-disclosure nor did they believe their use of this skill was grounded in theory or research. Many of the participants also didn't feel comfortable talking about self-disclosure in supervision or with colleagues. Findings suggest that more attention should be devoted to teaching social work students about appropriate use of self-disclosure, particularly its different manifestations and its indications and contraindications. The findings also underscore the need for more open and direct discussion of this set of skills in supervision and consultation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the process of change in attitudes of male social workers' towards themselves and towards their clients who are male perpetrators of partner violence (PV). The process reveals a reconstruction of the therapist's beliefs concerning key elements in their work related being, such as masculinity, aggression, perception of their clients and their own male identities. The sample includes 15 male social workers that worked with battering men in social services. Data collection was performed through semi-structured interviews. The therapists' process of questioning the popular and accepted demonization of violent men clarifies what differentiates them from their clients, but also opens an authentic pathway to examining similarities they share as men, without the need to be politically correct or to conform. The implications for practitioners working in batterers' intervention programs are addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]