THE PREVALENCE OF CLIENT VIOLENCE AGAINST SOCIAL WORKERS IN SLOVAKIA - PILOT STUDY

Summary Client violence in social services is perceived as constantly increasing in Italy, raising deep concern. This article presents the results of the first online survey on the phenomenon. Involving 20,112 social workers, the aim was to determine the prevalence and forms of client violence towards social workers and to identify key factors associated with such events. Findings The results suggest that the vast majority of Italian social workers experience client violence during their careers. Verbal aggression and threats were most common forms of violence, followed by physical attacks and property damage. Young and less experienced social workers appeared more likely to be victims of violence, as well as those who more frequently work in isolation or without their colleagues’ support. Social workers in child protection services, services for adults and municipality services accessible to the entire population were found to be at higher risk of client violence. The social workers considered the quality of the client/professional relationship and communication skills to be critical in preventing and dealing with aggression by users. Unfulfilled clients’ expectation was considered to be one of the main factors contributing to frustration and the consequent hostile behaviour. Applications Violence against social workers is a ‘wake-up call’ that makes the weakening of welfare services, and therefore of professional social work, more visible. The first nationwide study on service user violence reported by this paper may significantly contribute to raising awareness about the phenomenon in Italy and to the devising of effective prevention programmes.

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Examining the moderating effects of social support on the relationship between client violence experience and stress among elderly social workers

Korean Journal of Local Government & Administration Studies ◽

10.18398/kjlgas.2015.29.4.325 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 29 (4) ◽

pp. 325-345 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

KIM JIN

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Social Workers ◽

Moderating Effects ◽

Client Violence ◽

The Relationship

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A Pilot Study of Medical Social Workers' Interdisciplinary Conferences. A Method for Studying the Elements in Medical Social Workers' Conferences with Another Professional Person About an Individual Patient

Social Work ◽

10.1093/sw/2.4.79 ◽

1957 ◽

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Social Workers ◽

Professional Person

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Safety Education: A Study of Undergraduate Social Work Programs

Journal of Baccalaureate Social Work ◽

10.18084/1084-7219.12.2.141 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 141-153 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Geraldine Faria ◽

Mary Agnes Kendra

Keyword(s):

Social Work ◽

Social Workers ◽

Academic Programs ◽

Safety Education ◽

Education Programs ◽

The Social ◽

Client Violence ◽

Work Programs ◽

Social Work Programs ◽

Work Education

The literature on client violence against social workers calls for social work education programs to teach students how to protect themselves and minimize the risk of verbal and physical harm. Although the social work literature cites examples of content that should be taught, there is little information on whether safety education is covered in academic programs and, if so, what exactly is taught. This study focused on nineteen baccalaureate programs and determined the extent to which they teach safety education. The study also identified the minimum safety education content that should be taught in baccalaureate social work programs.

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Prevalence and Risk Factors for Client Violence toward Social Workers

Families in Society The Journal of Contemporary Social Services ◽

10.1606/1044-3894.958 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 77 (8) ◽

pp. 488-495 ◽

Cited By ~ 46

Author(s):

Christina E. Newhill

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Social Workers ◽

National Association ◽

Client Violence ◽

Random Survey

The author reports findings from a random survey of National Association of Social Workers members from two states examining the prevalence, nature, and risk factors of client violence toward social workers. A majority of persons surveyed experienced client violence, with gender and setting as significant variables in determining risk. Implications for practice and policy are discussed.

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Social workers’ approaches to ethical dilemmas

Journal of Social Work ◽

10.1177/14680173211010251 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 146801732110102

Author(s):

Rogelio Gómez-García ◽

Jezabel Lucas-García ◽

Siro Bayón-Calvo

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Social Workers ◽

Professional Practice ◽

Latent Class ◽

Ethical Dilemmas ◽

Underlying Structure ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Study Objective ◽

Low Incidence ◽

Professional Interventions

Summary The study objective was the identification of social workers’ ethic profiles in their professional interventions. To conduct this pilot study, we used data from a national survey ( N = 1071) carried out in Spain. The information was collected through an online questionnaire. Findings Results show that social workers face a variety of ethical dilemmas in their professional practice. Through exploratory factor analysis, it was revealed that the underlying structure of the questionnaire consisted of three categories: direct service to individuals and families, design and implementation of social welfare policy and programmes and relationships among professional colleagues. Through latent class analysis, four unique social workers’ ethical profiles were identified: professionals with minimum incidence of experiencing ethical dilemmas, professionals with low incidence of experiencing ethical dilemmas, professionals with a notable incidence of experiencing ethical dilemmas and, finally, professionals with high incidence of experiencing ethical dilemmas. A third of the social workers in the sample showed a very low probability to be conflicted by ethical dilemmas. Applications The pilot study is expected to serve as a catalyst for discussion of social workers’ ethical conduct and professional practice, to promote professional ethics training and education and to support the development of professional guidelines.

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Coping and Mental Health of Iranian Social Workers: The Impact of Client Violence

Social Behavior and Personality An International Journal ◽

10.2224/sbp.2013.41.5.805 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 41 (5) ◽

pp. 805-814 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Mojgan Padyab ◽

Mehdi Ghazinour ◽

Jörg Richter

Keyword(s):

Health Outcomes ◽

Social Workers ◽

Psychological Health ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Active Coping ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Passive Coping ◽

Mediating Role ◽

Client Violence ◽

The Impact

Client violence towards social workers and its impact on their practice, and physical and psychological health, as well as the importance of coping as a factor in health outcomes, are well documented. However, there is a dearth of studies concerning these issues in Iran. We conducted a national survey of 390 social workers in Iran, and employed structural equation modeling to test the potential mediating role of coping strategies on the relationship between violence and health outcomes. Active coping was used more than passive coping and the use of active coping had a direct positive effect on health. Results indicate that the two coping behaviors are related and the success of each depends on the other. We discuss our findings with special regard to the context of social work in Iran.

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