Narrative resistance in social work research and practice: Counter-storying in the pursuit of social justice

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne McKenzie-Mohr ◽  
Michelle N Lafrance
Keyword(s):  
Social Justice ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Master Narratives ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Social Work Research ◽  
Counter Narratives ◽  
Practical Guidance

In this article, we propose ‘narrative resistance’ as a potent and useful concept for both social work research and practice. A concept that attends to power and oppression, narrative resistance provides a platform for tangible applications to support people’s efforts to resist harmful storyings of their lives. The aim of this article is to provide practical guidance for how social workers can attend to and support people’s acts of narrative resistance. This is achieved by introducing the functions of narrative in people’s lives and its inextricable links to power; discussing ‘master narratives’ and their potential for harm; and exploring narrative resistance by articulating the role of ‘counter narratives’ as a means to ‘talk back’ to injurious master narratives. The remainder of the article outlines considerations, skills and tools required to enhance counter-storying efforts in the service of emancipatory change. We spotlight examples of narrative resistance in the literature to illustrate the pragmatic mobilization of this work.

The Helpful Brain? Translations of Neuroscience into Social Work

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret F Gibson
Keyword(s):  
Social Justice ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Social Difference ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Social Work Research ◽  
Critical Social Work ◽  
The Many ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Do So

Abstract What do the many translations of ‘the brain’ from the domain of neuroscience offer to social work researchers? Drawing upon disability studies and critical social work, this article examines trends and tensions across ‘neuro’ writing in social work journals and summarises some commonly recommended practices. Neuroscientific discourse has undeniable cultural influence and offers distinctive forms of evidence to social workers. Social work scholars have strategically translated neuroscience findings to access greater disciplinary status, to counter neo-liberal onslaughts on public services, to communicate on inter-disciplinary teams and to address calls for ‘new’ scholarship. At the same time, many writers readily acknowledge that they use neuroscience to justify or even revive well-established social work practices and theories. A unidirectional strategy of translation across disciplines comes with inherent risks of reinforcing hierarchy, ignoring social difference and undermining the value of social work research and practice. Neurodiversity discourse offers one example of ‘neuro’ argumentation where social justice and neuroscience have intertwined and may present an opportunity for a different type of social work translation. Social workers should be prepared to engage with neuroscience but must do so in ways that consistently reinforce social justice commitments and include a wide array of perspectives.

scholarly journals Emotional intelligence as a part of critical reflection in social work practice and research

2021 ◽  
pp. 147332502110247
Author(s):  
Mari D Herland
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Intelligence ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Critical Reflection ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Emotional Reactions ◽  
Social Work Research ◽  
Emotional Aspects

Social workers often experience higher levels of burnout compared with other healthcare professionals. The capacity to manage one’s own emotional reactions efficiently, frequently in complex care settings, is central to the role of social workers. This article highlights the complexity of emotions in social work research and practice by exploring the perspective of emotional intelligence. The article is both theoretical and empirical, based on reflections from a qualitative longitudinal study interviewing fathers with behavioural and criminal backgrounds, all in their 40 s. The analysis contains an exploration of the researcher position that illuminates the reflective, emotional aspects that took place within this interview process. Three overall themes emerged – first: Recognising emotional complexity; second: Reflecting on emotional themes; and third: Exploring my own prejudices and preconceptions. The findings apply to both theoretical and practical social work, addressing the need to understand emotions as a central part of critical reflection and reflexivity. The argument is that emotions have the potential to expand awareness of one’s own preconceptions, related to normative societal views. This form of analytical awareness entails identifying and paying attention to one’s own, sometimes embodied, emotional triggers.

Rethinking Social Justice: A Contemporary Challenge for Social Good

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 186-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lia Levin
Keyword(s):  
Social Justice ◽  
Social Work ◽  
International Institutions ◽  
Special Relationship ◽  
Social Good ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Social Work Research ◽  
The Social

Social justice’s special relationship with the social work profession has recently been confirmed by new definitions of social good that identify the promotion of social justice as a primary goal of social work research and practice. This contemporary use of the ideas and ideals of social justice creates an opportunity to reexamine it in the context of modern societies and postmodern knowledge. This article presents four steps for reassessing existing definitions of social justice, as reflected by three cases documented by international institutions that define themselves as promoters of social justice. Through this reassessment, this article seeks to contribute to the regeneration and advancement of interdisciplinary debate over the contents and nature of social justice, under the presumption that any effort toward social good aimed at enhancing social justice should first identify or discuss to what sort of social justice it aspires.

Does Feminism Convince Us

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 512-514 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clio Belle Weisman
Keyword(s):  
Social Justice ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Scientific Inquiry ◽  
Feminist Perspective ◽  
Human Suffering ◽  
Full Understanding ◽  
Feminist Standpoint ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Social Work Research ◽  
Standpoint Epistemology

A response to the critique of where social work research currently stands, as put forth by Garrow and Hasenfeld, and their position that social work research should be undertaken from a feminist perspective. It is important to remember the origins and foundation of feminist thought and to approach research and practice with a full understanding of what both empiricist epistemology and feminist standpoint epistemology actually means. Maintaining a balanced perspective and recognizing the value in varied approaches to scientific inquiry will keep the field of social work moving toward its ultimate goal of reducing the plight of marginalized and oppressed peoples. Social work research and practice has always claimed itself to be committed to furthering social justice and equality and to building a society with a minimum of human suffering. In order to remain focused on these goals, perhaps a shift in perspective is necessary.

scholarly journals A Critical Review of Theory in Social Work Journals: A Replication Study

10.18060/132 ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn S. Gentle-Genitty ◽  
Virgil Gregory ◽  
Corey Pfahler ◽  
Misty Thomas ◽  
Lisa Lewis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Critical Review ◽  
Theory Development ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Social Work Research ◽  
Quality Ratings ◽  
Quality Scale

The purpose of this paper is multifold.Key aspects discussed include exploring the extent of theory discussion and progression in social work journals for the year 2004; discussing the necessity of theory in social work research and practice; reviewing previous research literature regarding evaluation of theory discussion and progression; proposing criteria for defining theory in social work journals; and presenting findings from the current study concerning theory discussion and progression in social work journals. Results: Of the 1,168 articles reviewed from 37 journals, 71 (approximately 6%) met the criteria for theory development with empirical base. Thus, a minimal number of articles (3 out of 71 or 4.2%) evaluated, based on the criteria in the theory quality scale (Table 1), received high quality ratings. Conclusion: Based on the results yielded by the analysis, we assert that social workers need to make a conscious effort to include theory in practice decisions.

scholarly journals Restorative Justice: A Systematic Review of the Social Work Literature

2009 ◽  
Vol 90 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward J. Gumz ◽  
Cynthia L. Grant
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Social Justice ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Restorative Justice ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
The Social ◽  
Distribution Of Resources

Restorative justice is an alternative paradigm for dealing with the effects of crime and wrongdoing that seeks to bring healing to victims, offenders, and the community. Although a key element of social work's ethical code is the obligation to work toward social justice, this has been viewed primarily as efforts to ensure a fair distribution of resources and opportunities. Yet justice is also restorative in nature–-seeking to restore and enhance victims, offenders, and communities to fuller functioning. This article systematically reviews 80 social work peer-reviewed articles dealing with restorative justice. The role of social workers in restorative justice programs remains largely unknown. Suggestions are made for enhancing social work practice in the restorative justice arena.

The capability approach in social work research: A scoping review of research addressing practical social work

2020 ◽  
pp. 002087281989684
Author(s):  
Inger Kjellberg ◽  
Birgitta Jansson
Keyword(s):  
Social Justice ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Capability Approach ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Structural Level ◽  
Social Work Research ◽  
The Capability Approach

This study reports the findings from a scoping review of the use of the capability approach in social work research. We identified 17 peer-reviewed journal articles which actively used the capability approach and addressed social work practice. The purpose was to examine how the use of the capability approach was linked to policies, practices and social justice approaches in social work research. The merits and challenges of the capability approach in social work research are discussed. Four main applications of the capability approach were found: as a tool for social workers in practice, to explore the subjective sense of well-being, to address social inequalities on a structural level, and as a way of evaluating social practices. The capability approach was framed as congruent with the aims of social work, and as a call for action for social workers to promote social justice, human dignity and well-being. Another finding was that empowerment, mostly viewed as a tool for social workers to promote strength in individuals, was closely connected to using a capability approach. The contradictory use of empowerment in social work may carry some lessons for future development of a capability approach in social work. The review indicates that the capability approach is used in a range of different ways and acknowledged as a valuable tool for research in social work.

Sociological social work: a case example

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Shaw
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Sociological Research ◽  
Underlying Assumption ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Social Work Research

This chapter discusses social work in relation to other fields and disciplines. The underlying assumption is that social work research and practice have much to gain by welcoming their relationship to other bordering fields — particularly sociology. First, the chapter outlines the scope and nature of what sociological social work might encompass. Second, it looks at how sociologists and social workers have understood their relationship. The heart of this section is an introduction to a series of sociologists who are doing work that treats social work as of sociological interest. Finally, the chapter outlines a case about how the methods of inquiry that are associated with qualitative sociological research are open to ‘translation’ such that they may become a form of practice.

The Workplace, Social Work, and Social Justice: Framing an Emerging Research and Practice Agenda

Social Work ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 293-300
Author(s):  
Erika L Sabbath
Keyword(s):  
Social Justice ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Workplace Issues ◽  
Call To Action ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Social Work Research ◽  
The Social ◽  
Multiple Levels ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract Protecting the health and well-being of workers naturally aligns with the social work mission to advance human dignity. The workplace can both create and perpetuate health disparities by shaping health and well-being at multiple levels and in socially patterned ways. Yet workplace issues are rarely on social work research and practice agendas. This article serves as a call to action for social work, as a discipline, to engage with the workplace as a means of advancing the field's core values. It first provides evidence for why engagement with workplaces is critical for advancing social justice. It then presents evidence for the ways in which workplace exposures and experiences, at multiple levels, shape worker health and well-being. Finally, it provides concrete steps for how the skills and values of the social work profession can be applied to the workplace through research, practice, education, and policy efforts, and by extension improve population health and well-being.

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