Review of \u3cem\u3eSocial Work and Social Development: Theories and Skills for Developmental Social Work.\u3c/em\u3e James Midgley & Amy Conley, Eds. Reviewed by Margaret Lombe.

Book review of James Midgley & Amy Conley (Eds.), Social Work and Social Development: Theories and Skills for Developmental Social Work. New York: Oxford University Press (2010). $45.00 (hardcover)

Effects of Participating in an Asset-Building Intervention on Social Inclusion

The United States is arguably one of the richest countries in the world. However, poverty is still an issue of great concern. This observation suggests the need for more innovative interventions to reduce severe need and create terms for meaningful participation of vulnerable individuals in economic, political, and social exchange. Using a sample of IDA program participants (N=840), who were randomly assigned to a control and experimental group, this study explores the relationship between an asset-building intervention and social inclusion from the human capabilities perspective. Results reveal a significant relationship between participating in an IDA program and social inclusion. Although modest, these results provide a useful framework for examining factors that may affect an individual’s capacity to move from vulnerability into enhanced economic, political and social participation. They also point to a role for policy and asset-building programs in effort to empower vulnerable individuals and groups

Impact of Asset Ownership on Social Inclusion

Persistent poverty and social exclusion suggest the need for more innovative interventions to reduce severe need and create terms for meaningful participation of vulnerable individuals in economic, political, and social exchange. One such innovation is asset ownership. This study explores the relationship between asset ownership and social inclusion using the human capabilities approach. Findings indicate a significant relationship, suggesting a role for asset-based policy and programs in interventions to foster social inclusion

The Role of Informal Social Networks in Micro-Savings Mobilization

The influence of informal institutions on economic outcomes for low income individuals and households has received little attention in the United States. Yet, drawing on social capital theory and existing studies from developing countries where informal institutions have been widely used in promoting economic opportunities offamilies in poverty, one would expect these institutions to have positive effects on the economic outcomes of low income individuals in the context of an IDA program. Using a sample of 840 respondents who were enrolled in a community action program, this study assesses the effects of informal networks of social support on performance in a matched savings program. Results show partial support for the hypothesized relationship. Specifically, an increase in the amount of help a respondent gives to members of her community is inversely related to performance in an IDA program. This may imply that although informal networks have mutual benefits for both the individual and community, economically these benefits may be mixed. Among low income individuals saving in an IDA program, participating in such networks may constrain the economic resources available to them or their households; hence impacting their performance negatively

Exploring Factors Associated with Citizens’ Perception of Their Political Environment: Evidence from Palestine

This study explores factors associated with citizens’ perception of their political environment in Palestine (N = 1270). Understanding these factors in this context has potential to enhance knowledge in relation to features that may be associated with dissatisfaction and civil unrest. This knowledge may help inform development of policies with greater potential to improve welfare. Overall, results of this study suggested that gender, government anti-corruption initiatives, and the country’s economic condition are important in explaining appraisal of the political environment as stable or unstable. Implications for welfare and scholarship are discussed

Assessing social engagement practices in unstable environments: An examination of collective action and community participation in Mexico

El estudio que se presenta utiliza la teoría de Capital Social, explora los efectos del capital social, la violencia, y el compromiso político en dos observables: acción colectiva y voluntad de ayuda a la comunidad en México. Se utiliza una encuesta recabada en 2011 (N=7,416) y procedimientos estadísticos (correlaciones y análisis de regresión usando mínimos cuadrados ordinarios (MCO) con modelos anidados). Los resultados muestran que los factores contextuales y políticos, particularmente el miedo y la violencia, influyen en la mobillización en acción colectiva. Se indican algunas implicaciones para las interacciones sociales en escenarios de conflicto prolongado e inestabilidad, en particular, para México

Self-efficacy, religiosity, and crime: profiles of African American youth in urban housing communities

Youth reporting independently elevated levels of religiosity and self-efficacy tend to abstain from externalizing behavior. However, little is known about the ways in which religiosity and self-efficacy interrelate to impact youth externalizing. Drawing from a sample of African American youth from public housing communities (N = 236), we use latent profile analysis to identify subtypes of youth based on self-reported religiosity and self-efficacy and, in turn, examine links with crime. Compared to youth in other subgroups, those classified as both highly religious and highly self-efficacious reported less involvement in minor and severe delinquency, but not violence.R25 DA030310 - National Institute on Drug Abuse; R25 DA030310 - National Institutes of Healt

The Effects of Individual Development Account Programs: Perceptions of Participants

In the United States, Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) are a social development strategy for increasing economic participation and long-term economic security. This article uses cross-sectional survey data (N=298) to describe perceived IDA effects: psychological, economic, social, and civic. Future research can inform the effects of specific program characteristics, such as financial education, as well as the applicability of IDAs worldwide

Using Individual Development Accounts for Microenterprise Development

This study examines whether there is a role for microenterprise development as an anti-poverty strategy in the United States. This question is important because skeptical views exist regarding whether, generally, poor Americans would have the enthusiasm to undertake the risk of dealing with small-businesses, especially given that the United States has a public welfare system to take care of the poor and “abundant jobs” for those with the skills—compared to most developing countries where the only alternative open for a family investing in a small-business may be starvation. Using data from 14 community-based programs promoting small-business investment through Individual Development Accounts (IDAs), this study finds that overall there is a considerable level of interest in saving for and investing in small-businesses among poor Americans, including those who are less advantaged in terms of income poverty and employment. Policy makers should thus consider promoting IDAs/subsidized savings for small-businesses development as a potentially viable strategy to address income poverty and inequality in the United States

Exploring Barriers to Inclusion of Widowed and Abandoned Women through Microcredit Self-Help Groups: The Case of Rural South India

Microcredit programs have been applauded as the magic bullet for the poor, especially women with limited financial resources. Building on previous research, this study examines effects of a microcredit self-help group (SHG) program on perceptions of social exclusion among widowed and abandoned women who participated in groups established after the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami in Tamil Nadu, India (N=109). Data were collected on key aspects of the program such as loan amount and investment patterns, group experience, demographics, and perceived barriers to inclusion. Results indicate that investment patterns and group experience impacted the women\u27s perception of barriers to social inclusion. In addition, older or abandoned women were more likely to perceive barriers to inclusion. Implications for designing and developing self-help groups to empower women who are challenged by barriers to full participation in activities that are key to functioning are discussed