Asian Social Work and Policy Review最新文献

Generally, this study aims to scientifically evaluate the effectiveness of psychoeducation as an intervention for reducing depressive symptoms among parents around Kuala Lumpur. It also examines the relationship between the socio-demographic factors and the severity of depression among parents as well as the numerous factors associated with depression among the studied population. This study convoluted two phases of intervention which were pre and post, and for the intervention group, a modified version of the family module intervention was given to test the efficacy of the psychoeducation intervention. A total of 61 participants were recruited from four Peoples' Housing Project in Kuala Lumpur. Thirty of them were randomly assigned to the control group and another 31 were assigned to the intervention group. Based on the analysis, there was a mere difference between the mean score of depression and daily hassle due to parenting between both groups during the post-intervention. Overall findings clearly denote that the family module intervention is an effective intervention in reducing depressive symptoms and parenting daily hassles among the parents in two phases as well as improving mental health literacy among parents.

Globally, the COVID-19 epidemic had significantly influenced people's lives. In Vietnam, during the pandemic, we had implemented various safeguards to protect our lives. This article explores student's experiences in the COVID-19 epidemic in Binh Duong, Vietnam. Eight students were recruited, and they enrolled in the same social work class. By using photovoice as a participatory method, 13 images were collected and illustrated their lives during COVID-19. Research findings show that Vietnamese students faced many difficulties. These included Online learning experiences: Insufficient educational equipment; volunteer engagement for the community; memorable experiences when participants were in the “three on the spot”; increasing trauma in life; and returning to normal as a new life. This study sheds light on the multifaceted impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on student life, emphasizing the importance of adaptive learning strategies, support systems, and the value of resilience and community engagement in overcoming challenges.

Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are a pressing public health concern in India, leading to a rise in injury-related deaths, hospitalizations, and disabilities. India accounts for a significant portion of the world's fatal traffic accidents, with two-wheelers being involved in the majority of these accidents. The impact of non-fatal injuries on individuals extends beyond the bodily consequences of the injury and includes both the physical and psychological dimensions of the injury. The literature indicates the need for policy cascades and implementation framework for the prevention of road traffic injury. This study aimed to investigate the post-RTI experiences and challenges faced by college students who experienced road traffic injury during their college life by using a qualitative research approach in Madurai district, Tamil Nadu, India. The study found that college students who experienced RTIs faced a wide range of physical, emotional, and social difficulties. The study highlights the need for a more comprehensive and holistic approach to RTI prevention that takes into account the complex interplay of individual, environmental, and societal factors that contribute to RTIs. The study also underscores the urgent need to improve the quality and availability of healthcare and rehabilitation services for RTI survivors.

Due to limited access to affordable financial products and services, many people with disabilities experience social exclusion and struggle to secure their financial well-being. While microfinance has been widely used in Bangladesh for more than three decades as a tool to reduce poverty and empower people living in poverty, few people with disabilities have had access to microfinance services. Therefore, the aim of this research is to identify the barriers and challenges that people with disabilities experience to access microfinance in Bangladesh. Drawing on a qualitative case study approach, the findings of a thematic analysis show that people with disabilities experience significant barriers in accessing microfinance such as stigma against people with disabilities, stringent credit conditions, negative staff attitudes, insufficient training, and the absence of an integrated approach. The research suggests that inclusive policies and their effective implementation are vital to ensure that people with disabilities have access to financial resources so that they could work to enjoy greater socio-economic independence and contribute equally to society with others.

This study investigates whether deliberate “matching” of older volunteers with agencies, based on their skill sets and organizational needs, leads to increased volunteer satisfaction, commitment, and role identity compared to placements made without such considerations. Utilizing data from the Center for Excellence in Aging Services and Community Wellness (CEASCW) in 2019, a subset of 140 older adult volunteers from upstate New York was analyzed. Various statistical methods, including frequency analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, correlation analysis, and structural equation modeling, were employed using SPSS 26.0 and AMOS 23.0. This research introduces the concept of a prolonged transition into retirement and explores how aligning skill sets with specific volunteer opportunities can better cater to the needs of older adults, resulting not only in increased satisfaction but also in a more stable role identity and ultimately a heightened sense of well-being during later life transitions.

In this qualitative study, we examine the experiences of nine South Korean individuals impacted by the humidifier disinfectant scandal, a significant social disaster that resulted in the loss or health deterioration of their pets. Although humidifier disinfectants were marketed since 1994, it was not until 2011 that the South Korean government acknowledged their detrimental effects and proposed a ban. This study fills a research gap by focusing on pet owners, a substantial yet understudied demographic affected by this disaster. Our analysis reveals that the prevailing legal culture, demanding victims to substantiate their eligibility for compensation, not only intensified their trauma but also prolonged their grieving process, contributing to complex bereavement. The initial ambiguity regarding their pets' deaths fostered feelings of regret, which, upon realizing the true cause, transformed into profound guilt akin to moral injury. Based on these findings, the study offers policy recommendations to address such complex emotional repercussions in social disaster contexts.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on both classroom instruction and practical learning within Social Work Departments in Bangladesh. This research took two state universities in Bangladesh as case studies, using a qualitative methodology. Researchers conducted 10 Key Informant Interviews, with professors and field supervisors, 20 in-depth interviews with Master of Social Sciences (MSS) students and two Focus Group Discussions with MSS students. During the pandemic, University faculty experimented with virtual classrooms, pre-recorded lectures, and online chat forums to interact with postgraduate students. However, these approaches were not completely successful due to the limitations of digital infrastructure at the Universities and at students' residences. Shortcomings in virtual education included technological barriers, insufficient access to educational resources, and an unusual mental health situation for many students. Student practica were difficult to organize, due to technological barriers, restricted field placement opportunities, disruption in client interaction, and community outreach, interruptions in fieldwork and data collection, as well as insufficient faculty supervision and support. Universities ought to take proactive measures to integrate technology into teaching and learning in normal times so that both can continue during public health emergencies without adding educational crisis to the general state of emergency.

Unemployment is widely recognized to cause a variety of psychosocial problems that might have a harmful impact on mental health. The study looks into the psychological well-being of youth and their personal experiences with the unemployment. This article draws on primary sources to provide an in-depth understanding of the effects unemployment among youth in Anantnag, Kashmir. The primary data include narratives, which are a qualitative approach that specifically emphasizes the stories of those who were unemployed. To collect the data, a demographic form and an interview guide were used. An unstructured interview schedule was employed with 25 youths with ages ranging from 21 to 32 years. Data were collected from July to August 2023. Participants were selected using the snowball sampling method. All of the participants were from Anantnag, the district in Jammu and Kashmir. As per the findings of the study, unemployment causes youth to feel worthless, lose self-identity, feel shame, and experience stress. Given the possible detrimental effects of youth unemployment, efforts should be made to increase psychological support for unemployed youth to address mental health issues.

There is a growing concern towards the risk of cyber violence among young digital natives. This study tested the applicability of routine activity theory in the cyber domain using a national sample of 2228 South Korean adolescents. Latent profile analysis was used to identify the conditions of the motivated offender, suitable target, and capable guardian within the online context. Low-risk, detached norm, and comprehensive-risk profiles emerged. Binary logistic regression indicated that adolescents in the comprehensive-risk profile were most likely to experience cyber violence, compared to other profiles. The risk of perpetration was greater for the low-risk profile than the detached norm profile. This study identified the contexts of youth that heighten the risk of cyber violence and suggested important points of intervention.

According to the Indonesian Child Protection Law, Number 35/2014, the group of children that should receive special protection are minorities and isolated children; this includes Indigenous children who mostly live in remote areas. Under this law, Indigenous children gain special protection, including facilities to share their cultural practices, practice their beliefs, and use their language. This article aimed to describe how Indigenous children have been represented in selected policies in Indonesia. The first step of a policy analysis approach known as “What's the problem represented to be” (WPR), introduced by Carol Bacchi in her book “Analysing policy: What's the problem represented to be?” in 2009, was applied to examine how Indigenous children in Indonesia are represented in six significant policies. Findings from the analysis indicate that the government of Indonesia acknowledges Indigenous rights. However, the policies describe Indigenous children as vulnerable and linked to social welfare problems. Social work core values state that respect for the dignity and worth of all human beings, promotion of welfare or well-being, and social justice should be extended to Indigenous children. To promote well-being, it is argued that social workers must be given more opportunities to be involved in policymaking and advocacy for implementing Indigenous children's policies in Indonesia.