Professional Mistakes and Variables Associated with them in Clinical Social Work Practice

Author(s):  
Hend Al-Ma’seb

Abstract Professional errors that clinical social workers make in their practice can affect not only the helping process, but also the social workers themselves and their clients. This study aims to explore the variables associated with professional errors in clinical social work practice. The sample (N = 198) used in the study consisted of social workers in Kuwait. The findings of the study revealed a significant relationship between the participants’ nationality and the theoretical knowledge errors component. In addition, a significant relationship was found between social work workshops and theoretical knowledge and ethics & values error components. A significant relationship was also found between familiarity with the latest empirical studies in social work and six types of professional errors, excepting terminations errors. However, the findings of the study showed that there are no significant relationships between variables like gender, age, and years of experience of the social workers and all types of professional errors. Keywords: professional errors, clinical social workers, social work, mistakes

10.18060/209 ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Marie McLaughlin

Advocacy activities provide an avenue for all social workers to connect their practice with the profession’s aim of social justice. In fact, it is this social justice connection to the advocacy role that may distinguish social work from other professions. Yet advocacy remains a controversial practice for many clinical social workers. This study reports on one aspect of a larger study (McLaughlin, 2006), which examined how clinical social workers in mental health conceptualized social justice as part of their work. The data revealed a strong relationship exists between clinical social work practice, social justice and advocacy. The concept of advocacy that emerged from the data was multi-dimensional and included strategies that were instrumental, educational, and practical.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wanda Wagler-Martin

This paper explores the integration of spirituality in clinical social work practice. Social Work’s history with respect to spirituality and practice, and the tensions that have existed, are reviewed. Further, the paper outlines a rationale for the importance of this integration, while also looking at obstacles to including spirituality in practice that some social workers encounter. Interventions are posed as a possible means to facilitate the integration of spirituality and clinical social work practice.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 557-575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian A Droubay ◽  
Robert P Butters

Summary The effects of pornography have received increased scrutiny in the digital age. Several U.S. states have recently passed resolutions declaring pornography a public health crisis, and clients are increasingly seeking help for related concerns. Given the pornography debate encompasses micro and macro arenas, social workers have reason to be engaged. But there is a dearth of literature examining social workers' views on these issues. Given values play an integral role in informing attitudes about sexuality, we sought to better understand the role of religiosity in shaping social work students’ views on pornography via a web-based survey ( n = 136). Findings Results from a path analysis suggest highly religious students are more likely to believe pornography is a serious public health issue, and this relationship is mediated through their perception of pornography’s addictiveness. Applications That highly religious social work students are more likely to pathologize pornography has implications for policy advocacy and clinical social work practice. If highly religious social workers are more likely to rate pornography as addictive, they may be more likely to pathologize their clients' use of it. This is significant in that addiction is a heavy label that may harm clients. Our findings further speak to the importance of educating social work students and practitioners about reflexivity, not only in the context of individual practice but also in the macro practice arena. We argue that staying cognizant of their biases and utilizing a biopsychosocial perspective, social workers can bring a valuable perspective to the pornography debate.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 239-255
Author(s):  
Dianna Cooper-Bolinskey

U.S. regulation of social work began in the 1940s. By the mid-1990s, all jurisdictions within the United States regulated the profession through licensure. One purpose of licensure is to protect the public and the profession; however, legislation defining social work varies vastly among jurisdictions. The variation exists not only between jurisdictions, but also within licensure categories. The disparity within clinical social work continues without resolve. This qualitative study explored the barriers encountered and solutions used in three states as they secured laws allowing licensed clinical social workers to independently provide mental health services. Grounded theory research, based on information from 12 historians, is used to develop a theory to aid advocates in jurisdictions not yet achieving fully independent practice of clinical social work. The emerging theory offers a complex-systems approach to using a strategic framework to overcome barriers when attempting policy change. The primary purpose of the research is to develop strategies that aid in securing changes in clinical social work regulation. The emerging theory may serve a broader purpose by supporting the Association of Social Work Board’s (ASWB) goal of practice mobility and license portability. As advocates in various jurisdictions attempt to align regulations with the Model Social Work Practice Act from ASWB, they may experience barriers. This emerging theory could guide efforts to change clinical social work regulation.


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