Measuring Ecology in Social Work Supervision: The Relationship Between Work and Treatment Environments and the Quality of Supervision in Israeli Public Welfare Agencies

This study measures the interaction between work and treatment environments in public welfare agencies and social work supervision. One hundred and twenty-four social work students enrolled in B.S.W. studies at two Israeli universities, who were doing field work in these agencies, were randomly sampled. The work and treatment environments were measured utilizing an adapted version of a scale developed by Rudolf H. Moos. The student\u27s evaluation of supervision was measured using a revised version of Carlton Munson\u27s questionnaire. Supervisory variables such as administrative capability, effective use of time, and relationships were positively correlated with work environment variables such as order and organization, clarity, cohesiveness and support, and with treatment environment variables such as innovation, spontaneity, anger -and aggression. Conflicts in the supervisory relationship were correlated with a controlling and unsupportive work environment. The use of technology was perceived as limiting the clients\u27 autonomy. While some logical influences were drawn concerning the direction of these correlations and the possible paths these create, further research is needed in order to address the direction of these correlations. Some practice implications of the findings were discussed briefly

Coping Strategies for Youth Suffering from Online Interpersonal Rejection

The Internet and social media have rapidly changed our lives, and are profoundly affecting the social lives of adolescents, expanding and enriching their communication options. At the same time, they often operate as a platform that amplifies the real-world phenomenon of interpersonal rejection – a harsh and excruciating experience. In this study, we will examine, youth\u27s coping methods with online social rejection from a psycho-social perspective. To achieve this objective, a data-based heuristic model was developed, based on in-depth interviews with 19 adolescents from Israel who experienced online rejection. The findings show several coping strategies ranging from adaptive to maladaptive online and offline used interchangeably

Beyond professionalism: The child and youth care worker as craftsman

ABSTRACT: In an effort to move the professionalization dialogue in child and youth care toward greater concern with the quality of client service and toward move conceptually-based consideration of the content of the work, the authors propose that the field be viewed as a craft. An initial approximation of such a conceptualization as it might look through the eyes of most current workers is followed by a discussion of possible implications for progress in significant areas of concern in the field. KEY WORDS: craft model of child and youth care work; professionalization of child and youth care work; youthwork; youth development

Doing treatment: Batterers' experience of intervention

This paper provides an existential analysis of male batterers' perceptions of the interventions they received. The data was collected from qualitative interviews with batterers in a series of studies, in a variety of settings in Israel. These include probation departments, community-based domestic violence units, a residential hostel for court-mandated batterers and a therapeutic community for batterers in the prison system. The analysis focused on the batterers' understanding of the intervention experienced, as reflecting their existential struggle around meaning and being in the world. The intervention forced batterers to examine their relationship towards self, others and their values, in a world that is perceived as hostile and lacking in significant meaning. It therefore focused on attempts to regain a sense of meaning and coherence. Batterers perceived their spouses as dangerous; as powerful agents that threaten their meaning system. In light of this, therapy is focused on the struggle between relinquishing or regaining control over meaning of self in the world. This process is associated with rediscovery of shame, loss and fear and thus involves much anxiety. The complexities and paradoxes emerging from the men's narratives of therapy are analyzed and discussed. Some principles of existential therapy with batterers are suggested.