Social Justice Education: Impacts on Social Attitudes

Paramount to multicultural social work practice is acquiring a comprehensive understanding of oppressed and vulnerable populations who often lack access to healthcare and economic resources. A practitioner’s self-awareness of social attitudes can provide a foundation for developing cultural competency skills. Using a pretest posttest design, social attitudes of Master of Social Work (MSW) students enrolled in a required social justice course were examined (N=85). A repeated-measure MANOVA indicated significant main effects on: 1) within subject factor of time on students’ cognitive attitudes towards racial diversity, affective attitudes toward racial diversity, and women equity following students’ exposure to the social justice course, and 2) between subject on the racial diversity affective subscale. Implications for practice are discussed

Social Attitudes of Field Instructors

In both the classroom setting and field practicum, social work students begin to develop competence in practice with diverse populations. Field instructors play a critical role in educating students on diversity issues and preparing students to practice without bias. A cross-sectional study was conducted to better understand social attitudes of field instructors participating in a Seminar in Field Instructor (SIFI) training (N=88). The field instructors had generally positive attitudes. Results indicated that field instructors’ comfort level and demographic variables were predictors of social attitudes. Implications for social work field instruction are discussed

Constructing a Deconstruction: Reflections on Dismantling Racism

The article is a reflective narrative regarding the work I do as an ally for change and social justice as a white woman. In my class on Human Diversity and Social Justice, I often discuss how I can use my white privilege to advance social justice to address racism. Several students who have taken the class offer their own reflections on taking the class. Relevant information from the literature is provided to ground the discussion and includes cultural competence, racism, white privilege, and racial identity development. Strategies for deconstructing racism are discussed

Social Determinants and Depression in Later Life

The social determinants of health and mental health have come to the forefront as a global issue as a result of the World Health Organization\u27s (WHO) initiative to close the health equity gap. The aim of this study is to examine social determinants and the impact on depression over the life span utilizing Cumulative Disadvantage Theory. A secondary data analysis was conducted on the 2010 wave of data from the Health and Retirement Study. A path analysis was used to determine predictors of depression in later life. Findings indicated that age and neighborhood cohesion were predictors of perceived discrimination. Although total causal effects were small for predictors of depression, results indicate a possible protective factor provided by neighborhood cohesion and social support. Implications for social work research and practice are discussed for addressing service needs of the growing older adult population

Social Determinants and Depression in Later Life

The social determinants of health and mental health have come to the forefront as a global issue as a result of the World Health Organization\u27s (WHO) initiative to close the health equity gap. The aim of this study is to examine social determinants and the impact on depression over the life span utilizing Cumulative Disadvantage Theory. A secondary data analysis was conducted on the 2010 wave of data from the Health and Retirement Study. A path analysis was used to determine predictors of depression in later life. Findings indicated that age and neighborhood cohesion were predictors of perceived discrimination. Although total causal effects were small for predictors of depression, results indicate a possible protective factor provided by neighborhood cohesion and social support. Implications for social work research and practice are discussed for addressing service needs of the growing older adult population

Integrated Social Work Practice: An Overview

This chapter provides an introduction to the social work profession, its history, and the general frameworks used in achieving its goals. Theoretical frameworks discussed include person-in-environment, systems theory, and the micro-macro divide in social work

Integrated Social Work Practice: Bridging Micro, Mezzo, and Macro Level Practice

Featuring contributed chapters written by a variety of experts in the field, Integrated Social Work Practice: Bridging Micro, Mezzo, and Macro Level Practice presents vital and contemporary concepts within the discipline as an integrated whole, valuing and examining each topic at the micro through macro level.Section I introduces students to integrated practice, providing a brief history of social work and examining client systems at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. Section II focuses on the signature pedagogy of fieldwork and includes interprofessional collaboration, and self-care and wellbeing. In Section III, students explore the social work process—from engagement through termination—at all practice levels. Section IV focuses on social justice, including diversity, equity, and inclusion; anti-racism and multicultural competency; intersectionality; practice with aging and LGBTQ+ populations; and human rights. Students focus on topics related to global engagement in Section V. The final section encourages evaluation, self-reflection, and lifelong learning. Individual and group exercises, practice integration examples, In the Field features, and student narratives support the overall learning experience

Termination

This chapter provides some terminology, strategies, and challenges in the termination process. Evidence-based strategies and tools are reviewed. Clinical examples are given at each of the practice levels. This chapter also addresses challenges to the termination process including some current research about global health

The Roots of Social Work Practice

This chapter provides a brief history of social work welfare and social work. The history of social work and social welfare provides a context for the profession and its story for the challenges and changing trend

Lethality Assessment Protocol: Challenges and Barriers of Implementation for Domestic Violence Victim Advocates

This exploratory qualitative research study examined the attitudes and barriers domestic violence victim advocates identified in successful implementation of the lethality assessment protocol, a collaborative intervention between police departments and domestic violence advocacy agencies in the state of Connecticut. Focus groups were conducted at four domestic violence agencies to ascertain advocates’ perceptions of the lethality assessment protocol. Advocates (N = 24) were recruited through an individual contact at each agency. Responses to focus group questions indicated both system-wide and individual agency and police department collaboration barriers. Results showed advocates generally support the protocol and believe it has beneficial intent and purpose. Challenges identified included lack of victim cooperation, variations in law enforcement officer attitude, and deficiencies in training. Implementation barriers and advocates’ attitudes are also discussed. Lethality assessment protocol is a useful tool, yet all stakeholders must actively engage in cooperative training, tackle personal biases toward domestic violence victims, and gain a better understanding of victim psychology