Contemporary Field Social Work: Integrating Field and Classroom Experience

This comprehensive and interactive text rooted in contemporary social work practice provides a lively guide through the curriculum for social work practice learning. Written by three respected social workers with significant teaching, practical, and writing experience, it bridges the gap by offering learning activities that can be worked in both classroom and field settings. Helpful teaching and learning materials for students, field instructors, faculty and staff supervisors can be found throughout, and pointers through the book are useful for group learning as well as for one to one supervision. Topics include ethical dilemmas, multi-cultural practice, evidence and knowledge, making assessments in partnership, making priorities in interventions, working in and with groups and law-informed practice.https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/facbooks/1053/thumbnail.jp

Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour to Explain Use of Traditional Chinese Medicine among Hong Kong Chinese in Britain

The UK Chinese are known for their underutilisation of western healthcare services. Reasons for this underutilisation are complex. The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) is a widely used model of social cognition, which in the present study is being applied to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) utilisation and satisfaction with TCM services. Two hundred and seventy-two UK Chinese aged between 15 and 91 years (M = 46.55; SD = 18.53) enrolled in the study. TCM utilisation was associated with gender, age, cultural attachment, and subjective norms. TCM users were more likely to be female and older and have a strong attachment to Chinese culture, and be influenced by the views of important others. Findings highlight the potential of the TPB in exploring TCM utilisation, whilst also throwing light on other factors influential in the use of TCM and satisfaction with TCM service provision among Chinese in the UK

Health, functioning and social engagement among the UK Chinese

The present study examines factors associated with health, functioning and social engagement among Chinese in the UK. A total of 211 Chinese men and women aged between 15 and 79 years were recruited through a selection of Chinese social organisations across the UK. Data was collected using a self-completion questionnaire, which included domains examining health and functioning and social functioning; among others. Poor health and functioning was associated with levels of social support. Social engagement was associated with high levels of social support, network size, and contribution to others, emphasising the importance of meaningful social engagement. Those individuals with good cognitive and physical functioning felt more of a sense of social cohesion and inclusion and respect from others than individuals with poorer functioning. Findings emphasise the UK Chinese community's reliance on informal support networks rather than the utilisation of formal networks, which may go some way to explain the reported underutilisation of formal health and social support services among this community