Asian Social Work and Policy Review最新文献

The current study aimed to examine the direct and indirect linkages between economic pressure and adolescent depression. A total of 971 adolescents completed the questionnaires regarding economic pressure, loneliness, school connectedness, and depression. Path analysis was conducted to examine the hypothesized model. Findings revealed that economic pressure significantly predicts adolescents' loneliness, which exacerbates their depressive symptoms. School connectedness moderated the direct and indirect associations between economic pressure and adolescents' depression. The results suggested that future preventive and intervention programs should consider psychological-based techniques and prevent adolescents from being influenced by economic pressure.

This study aims to examine the life experiences of people who simultaneously possess disability and queer identity in Korea and to provide related policy recommendations. To confirm this, we sampled individuals who self-identify as queer and have been diagnosed with disabilities. A total of nine research participants were interviewed in the summer of 2024, and based on the in-depth interview content, thematic analysis was conducted utilizing a generic qualitative research method. The analysis results showed that regardless of which identity, the identification process was a confusing process, and the hateful social atmosphere operated as a powerful pressure, which made them constantly doubt themselves. To respond to this, research participants either resisted by revealing their existence or created safe spaces through solidarity with others. The results of this study argue for the necessity of a comprehensive anti-discrimination law that can embrace everyone as a fundamental countermeasure for the protection of minorities and the eradication of the reproduction of hate, and present the need for extensive improvement of Korean social policies based on this.

Previous studies find limited evidence about public opinion towards social welfare attitudes (SWAs) in developing countries. This paper attempts to reveal the international positioning and associating factors of the SWA in China. The data come from both the “International Social Survey Program” (ISSP, 2016) and an empirical investigation in Mainland China (2022); 2411 Chinese respondents from four provinces were investigated. This study reached three significant conclusions. First, respondents in Mainland China possess a positive SWA, considering that the government has the responsibility to ensure socioeconomic security. Second, the degree of economic development dominates SWA, while the East Asian welfare regime has an auxiliary effect. Third, SWA in Mainland China is deeply influenced by individuals' self-interests; whether they can profit from the welfare system has a deep impact on their SWA. This study finds that Chinese respondents have a unique SWA compared with people in rich democracies, which not only is related to the collectivism and self-reliance concepts influenced by Confucianism in East Asia but also originates from the inadequate welfare supply in China's social welfare system.

This study seeks to explore and synthesize recent studies on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) interventions for fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) in breast cancer survivors (BCS) and evaluate the information to determine potential implications for future research and innovative interventions. An integrative review of studies published between 2019 and 2024 was conducted using five electronic databases, focusing on CBT-based intervention for FCR among BCS. Thirty-two studies met inclusion criteria, with randomized controlled trials comprising the majority (n = 20). The included studies employed a range of CBT approaches, from traditional to third-wave and integrative forms, with variation in delivery method, frequency, and duration. All included studies reported significant reductions in FCR over time and complied with quality assessment guidelines, receiving good or fair ratings. This study confirms recent trends and the effectiveness of CBT interventions in reducing FCR among BCS. Future research should develop tailored interventions that reflect the diverse needs of survivors and ensure rigorous methodology with high-quality appraisal.

The COVID-19 restrictions led to a shadow pandemic, disproportionately affecting women through increased violence. Lifestyle changes imposed by local governments to combat the pandemic exacerbated domestic violence, coining the term “Shadow Pandemic” by UN Women. This study explores the experiences of violence faced by married women in Kerala during the COVID-19 lockdown. A phenomenological approach was used to examine narratives from 35 women victims of domestic violence. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify significant themes. The findings reveal a spectrum of abuse, categorized into key themes: marital disharmony, constant surveillance, entrapment in fear, denial of freedom, challenges due to lockdown, and coping mechanisms. These themes highlight the profound distress and how women responded to the adversity. The lockdown-induced shadow pandemic has deeply affected women, illustrating the intersection of a global health crisis and a surge in gender-based violence. This study emphasizes the urgent need for comprehensive societal action. Prioritizing the well-being and empowerment of women is critical to ensuring their inclusion in the recovery process post-pandemic.

Motherhood is not only highly revered but adequately protected by patriarchal norms in Indian society. However, labor migration due to livelihood emergencies exposes women to a harsh and unusual reality. The current study attempts to capture the subjective experiences of women undergoing motherhood in a migrant situation. The research design for the current study was explorative; thus, the researcher used an unstructured interview schedule to collect qualitative data from 14 women regarding their pregnancy and childcare experiences. The respondents were selected using a purposive sampling method. The study highlights a blend of traditional as well as some overlooked policy gaps. Inadequate healthcare access, overengagement in work, pathetic living conditions, and absence of childcare facilities are some of the conventional policy challenges, while absence of family members, mental distress due to isolation, and frequent commuting between workplace and home are nonconventional challenges.

The purpose of this study is to examine the predictors of prejudice of South Korean adults toward four minority groups: people with disabilities, foreign immigrants/workers, sexual minorities, and North Korean refugees, drawing on social identity, scapegoat, and realistic conflict theories of prejudice. In the initial stage, a secondary cross-sectional dataset comprising responses from 8072 South Korean adults was used to perform latent profile analysis. Subsequently, a multinomial logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the predictors of prejudice. The findings revealed five distinct prejudice profiles in Korean society. Additionally, realistic conflict factors, such as antipathy to additional tax payment and social mobility expectation, were identified as significant predictors of prejudice, alongside the scapegoat and social identity determinants. Based on these findings, the study concluded that prejudice toward social minority groups in South Korea is associated not solely with personal attributes or psychological characteristics but also with broader national and socio-institutional contexts. The results may contribute to the broader discourse on intergroup relations, presenting actionable insights for policy, educational initiatives, and subsequent scholarly inquiry.

Social work is a helping profession that promotes the autonomy and empowerment of service recipients. It encourages individuals to recognize their needs and actively involves stakeholders in the design and implementation of services. This article explores the practice of professional social work within social services in Bangladesh. Through qualitative approaches, the study found that social work values serve as the foundational philosophy for public sector social service programs in Bangladesh. However, social work methods and strategies have been somewhat overlooked over time. Most services focus on addressing immediate needs, while efforts to empower clients and foster self-reliance are often neglected. Additionally, very few services address psychosocial issues, and service recipients are rarely consulted in designing and implementing these services. The article advocates for establishing a professional body and seeks official recognition to enhance social work practice in Bangladesh.