scholarly journals Animal assisted interventions in social work practices Sosyal çalışma uygulamalarında hayvan destekli müdahaleler

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 1874 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emel Yeşilkayalı ◽  
Aslı Ofluoğlu
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Team Work ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Victims Of Violence ◽  
Social Work Interventions ◽  
Animal Assisted Intervention

Animal-assisted intervention is an intervention method that is shaped on the basis of human-animal relationships and is defined as the use of animals to solve people's problems. The use of animal support, especially in integrated interventions, is becoming increasingly widespread throughout the world, with the effect of scientific evidence. This method can also be used as a social work intervention in disadvantaged groups such as victims of violence, children at risk, victims of trauma, prisoners, elderly people, and people with disabilities. However, there is no study on the use of this intervention in the field of social work in our country. Therefore, the aim of this study is to present a review of the use of animal-based interventions in social work practice, which has been proven in various studies to have positive effects in improving, developing and maintaining physical, psychological and social well-being. In order to reach this aim, the historical process, definition and benefits of animal-assisted therapy and animal-assisted intervention are emphasized. Later, the theoretical foundations of the animal-assisted interventions, their use in social work interventions and the role of social workers in these team work required interventions are revealed.  ÖzetHayvan destekli müdahale insan-hayvan ilişkisi temelinde şekillenen, insanların problemlerini çözme amacıyla hayvanların kullanımı olarak tanımlanan bir müdahale yöntemidir. Bilimsel kanıtların da etkisi ile özellikle bütüncül müdahalelerde hayvan desteğinden yararlanma, tüm dünyada giderek yaygınlaşmaktadır. Bu yöntem, şiddet mağdurları, risk altındaki çocuklar, travma mağdurları, mahkumlar, yaşlılar, engelliler gibi dezavantajlı gruplarda sosyal çalışma müdahalesi olarak da kullanılmaktadır.  Bununla birlikte ülkemizde sosyal çalışma alanında bu müdahale hakkında herhangi bir çalışma bulunmamaktadır. Bu nedenle bu çalışmanın amacı, fiziksel, psikolojik ve sosyal sağlığın iyileştirilmesi, geliştirilmesi ve korunmasında olumlu etkileri çeşitli araştırmalarla kanıtlanmış olan hayvan destekli müdahalenin sosyal çalışma uygulamalarında kullanımına ilişkin bir derleme sunmaktır. Bu amaca ulaşabilmek için, önce hayvan destekli tedavi ve hayvan destekli müdahalenin tarihsel süreci, tanımı ve yararları üzerinde durulmuştur. Daha sonra hayvan destekli müdahalelerin teorik çerçevesi, sosyal çalışma müdahalelerinde kullanımı ve ekip çalışması gerektiren bu müdahalelerde sosyal çalışmacıların rollerinin ne olduğu ortaya konmuştur.

Financial capabilities development: essential discourse in social work

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (10) ◽  
pp. 1234-1246
Author(s):  
Lambert K. Engelbrecht ◽  
Abigail Ornellas
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Financial Literacy ◽  
Community Education ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Vulnerable Households ◽  
Definition Of

Purpose Within a neoliberal environment, financial vulnerability of households has become an increasing challenge and there is a requirement of financial literacy education, a necessary activity to facilitate sustainable development and well-being. However, this is seldom a mainstream discourse in social work deliberations. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach First, introducing the neoliberal impact on financial well-being and capability for vulnerable households, the authors’ postulation is substantiated on a seven-point argument. The contexts of financially vulnerable households are sketched. Second, a conceptualisation of financial literacy is offered, and third, perspectives on and approaches to financial literacy as a fundamental capability are presented. This is followed by a theoretical foundation of community education as a practice model in social work to develop financial capabilities. In the fifth place, prevailing practices of Financial Capabilities Development (FCD) programmes are offered. Subsequently, the implications of a neoliberal environment for social work practice are examined. Findings The revised global definition of social work encourages the profession to understand and address the structural causes of social problems through collective interventions. As a response, it is argued that community education towards FCD of vulnerable households within a neoliberal environment should be an essential discourse in social development. Originality/value The authors reflect on the significance of FCD, highlighting its contribution towards human security and sustainable development. Although this paper draws on Southern African contexts, the discourse finds resonance in other contexts across the world.

Calling Social Work to the Movement for Educational Justice

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annahita Ball
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Valuable Insight ◽  
Educational Justice ◽  
Social Work Research ◽  
Conditions For Learning ◽  
History Of

Abstract The persistent and systemic inequities within the U.S. public education system have grave implications for children’s and youth’s outcomes, yet these inequities go far beyond academics. Marginalized and vulnerable students experience injustices across the educational system, including disproportionality in school discipline, unequal access to advanced courses, and poor conditions for learning. Social work has a solid history of addressing issues that intersect across families, schools, and communities, but the profession has had little engagement in the recent educational justice movement. As educational scholars advance a movement to address educational inequities, it will be increasingly important for social work researchers to provide valuable insight into the multiple components that make up youth development and support positive well-being for all individuals within a democratic society. This article encourages social work researchers to extend lines of inquiry that investigate educational justice issues by situating social work practice and research within educational justice and suggesting an agenda for future social work research that will advance equity for all students.

Participation in Child Welfare Services Through Information and Communication Technologies

2011 ◽  
pp. 73-90
Author(s):  
Susan Tregeagle
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Child Welfare ◽  
Case Management ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Social Work Interventions

Case management systems were designed to open the way for increased participation of young people and their families in child welfare interventions, and, their standardised format provides a valuable opportunity to use ICT in social work practice. Existing research is unclear about how effectively case management affects participation, nor, the impact of ICT on social work interventions. This paper describes the findings of qualitative research with service users about their experiences of case management and how ICT could further their involvement in critical decisions for families. Service users are keen to use ICT and this could help overcome the limitations of paper-based case management systems and exploit the communication potential of the internet and mobile phones. However, before ICT could be used, the complex ‘digital divide’ affecting disadvantaged families would need to be addressed and social workers’ understanding and current use of ICT would need to be explored.

scholarly journals Degrowth for transformational alternatives as radical social work practice

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

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

scholarly journals Data science for social work practice

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 205979911881439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oscar Cariceo ◽  
Murali Nair ◽  
Jay Lytton
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Data Science ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Machine Learning Techniques ◽  
Social Work Research ◽  
Data Driven Decisions ◽  
Social Work Interventions ◽  
Key Terms

Data science is merging of several techniques that include statistics, computer programming, hacking skills, and a solid expertise in specific fields, among others. This approach represents opportunities for social work research and intervention. Thus, practitioners can take advantage of data science methods and reach new standards for quality performances at different practice levels. This article addresses key terms of data science as a new set of methodologies, tools, and technologies, and discusses machine learning techniques in order to identify new skills and methodologies to support social work interventions and evidence-based practice. The challenge related to data sciences application on social work practice is the shift on the focus of interventions. Data science supports data-driven decisions to predict social issues, rather than providing an understanding of reasons for social problems. This can be both a limitation and an opportunity depending on context and needs of users and professionals.

scholarly journals An analysis of inclusion gaps in sustainable development themes: Findings from a review of recent social work literature

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 864-876 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah M Bexell ◽  
Jessica L Decker Sparks ◽  
Jacqueline Tejada ◽  
Andreas Rechkemmer
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Recent Literature ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Environmental Issues ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Human History ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Health And Well Being

Recently, humans have negatively altered ecosystems more rapidly and extensively than in any other time in human history, contributing to gains in well-being and economic development for some, while threatening the security of most, particularly oppressed populations. We comprehensively reviewed recent social work literature (2010–2015) to examine gaps in environmental sustainability themes relevant to social work practice. Peer-reviewed manuscripts, dissertations/theses and white papers were examined. A total of 71 papers (less than 1% of social work literature) met inclusion criteria. Although our call is to protect human health and well-being, recent literature does not account for sustainability even with evidence that environmental issues directly impact clients, hindering practice efficacy.

Fear of Crime, Racial Bias, and Gun Ownership

2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 241-248
Author(s):  
Michael C Gearhart ◽  
Kristen A Berg ◽  
Courtney Jones ◽  
Sharon D Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Fear Of Crime ◽  
Racial Bias ◽  
Implicit Bias ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Gun Ownership ◽  
Social Work Interventions

Abstract Firearm-related violence is a significant threat to public health and safety in America. However, research highlights a critical disparity in firearm-related deaths by race. Researchers often cite racial bias as a contributing factor for the racial disparity in firearm-related deaths. To provide a foundation for potential social work interventions, the present article discusses the results of an assessment of whether explicit racial biases toward four racial and ethnic groups (white, black, Asian, Hispanic/Latino), fear of crime, and the quantity and quality of interactions with neighbors of a different race are predictors of gun ownership. Findings suggest that explicit racial bias toward black, Asian, and Hispanic/Latino individuals is a significant predictor of gun ownership. Fear of crime and more frequent interactions with neighbors of a different race are also significant predictors of gun ownership. Taken as a whole, findings suggest that gun owners are more likely to be more vigilant toward people of color because of stereotypical assumptions that racial and ethnic minorities are more likely to be involved with crime. Social work practice and policy implications include developing interventions aimed at reducing implicit bias and identifying policies that are associated with lower levels of implicit bias among gun owners.

All Awareness and No Action: Can Social Work Leverage Creative Arts’ Potential?

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 708-720
Author(s):  
Raphael Travis
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Creative Arts ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Research Education ◽  
Social Work Research ◽  
The Arts ◽  
Explicit Recognition

Social work is grounded with an emphasis on promoting the well-being being of individuals and families with an explicit recognition of how the environment plays a significant role in the unfolding of well-being. Unfortunately, the profession’s commitment to maintaining the infrastructure for social work research, education, and practice that helps students and professionals focus on the environmental forces that create, contribute to, and address problems of the living sometimes feels superficial. These trends have made it difficult to realize the effectiveness and promise of integrating creative arts into social work practice. The present article discusses how social work efforts with creative arts will have limited influence if their context, underlying assumptions, and framing are misaligned with the experiential realities of clients; if gatekeeping is too rigid or biased to effectively grow the arts-based infrastructure; and if the underlying assumptions that define well-being outcomes are proportionately narrow, deficit oriented, and short-term focused.

scholarly journals A cross-cultural East-West appraisal of mental health curricula

2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 55-77
Author(s):  
Peter Szto ◽  
Sara Ashencaen Crabtree ◽  
He Xuesong ◽  
Karen Rolf
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Belief Systems ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Culturally Congruent ◽  
Schools Of Social Work ◽  
Psychiatric Social Work

This paper considers findings from a cross-cultural project comparing mental health curricula across three schools of social work located in both China, specifically Shanghai, Hong Kong; and finally, Omaha, USA. Chinese philosophies and belief systems are reviewed as they pertain to mental illness and well-being. Additionally, the influence of dominant discourses informing professional practice and the development of indigenous social work practice are considered. Findings indicate that in the Chinese universities mental health social work curricula appears to balance pedagogical approaches towards providing students with up-to-date knowledge on psychopathology and psychiatric social work, while offering significant weighting to traditional philosophies and belief systems. The discussion revolves around the issue of developing Chinese practitioners equipped to work within medicalised, health settings but with sufficient indigenous knowledge to offer culturally congruent practice to local populations.

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