Pub Date : 2025-04-15DOI: 10.1177/10497315251334150
Brandy R. Maynard
Research synthesis plays a vital role in advancing knowledge, informing policy and practice, and shaping future research in social work. However, the proliferation of poorly designed and methodologically weak reviews threatens to dilute the evidence base, undermine decision-making, and slow progress. This paper calls for stronger adherence to high standards in research synthesis, emphasizing the need for thoughtful, well-executed reviews that add value and address important questions. It examines four key synthesis methods—systematic reviews, overviews of reviews, scoping reviews, and evidence and gap maps—clarifying their appropriate applications and highlighting methodological standards. In addition to providing guidance to help authors conduct higher quality reviews, it calls on journal editors and peer reviewers to uphold higher publication standards. Research synthesis can serve as a reliable foundation for evidence-informed practice and decision-making, but only if the syntheses are of high quality and address important questions.
{"title":"Research Synthesis Methods: A Guide for Conducting Rigorous and Relevant Reviews","authors":"Brandy R. Maynard","doi":"10.1177/10497315251334150","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10497315251334150","url":null,"abstract":"Research synthesis plays a vital role in advancing knowledge, informing policy and practice, and shaping future research in social work. However, the proliferation of poorly designed and methodologically weak reviews threatens to dilute the evidence base, undermine decision-making, and slow progress. This paper calls for stronger adherence to high standards in research synthesis, emphasizing the need for thoughtful, well-executed reviews that add value and address important questions. It examines four key synthesis methods—systematic reviews, overviews of reviews, scoping reviews, and evidence and gap maps—clarifying their appropriate applications and highlighting methodological standards. In addition to providing guidance to help authors conduct higher quality reviews, it calls on journal editors and peer reviewers to uphold higher publication standards. Research synthesis can serve as a reliable foundation for evidence-informed practice and decision-making, but only if the syntheses are of high quality and address important questions.","PeriodicalId":47993,"journal":{"name":"Research on Social Work Practice","volume":"62 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143836656","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-04-14DOI: 10.1177/10497315251333373
Joy J. Kim, Michael M. Joo
Purpose: We examined the effect of race and ethnicity on first-time passage of the ASWB Clinical exam using a person-in-environment conceptual framework. Method: We conducted descriptive and regression analyses using the 2018–2022 Clinical exam data ( N = 88,678), merged with zip code-level income data from the US Census Bureau and institutional characteristics data from the US Department of Education. Results: Results indicated that if examinees from minoritized groups had individual, institutional, and community characteristics similar to those of White examinees, the Black-White disparity in exam pass rates could decline by approximately 20%, and the Hispanic-White disparity by around 27%. With 58% of Black examinees interacting with lowest-income areas, their outcomes were influenced more by socioeconomic status. However, Hispanic examinees’ outcomes were affected more by their educational backgrounds. Conclusion: Findings call for further research that explores the crucial determinants of exam outcomes not included in this study due to data constraints.
{"title":"Effect of Race/Ethnicity on the 2018–2022 Social Work Clinical License Exam Outcomes","authors":"Joy J. Kim, Michael M. Joo","doi":"10.1177/10497315251333373","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10497315251333373","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose: We examined the effect of race and ethnicity on first-time passage of the ASWB Clinical exam using a person-in-environment conceptual framework. Method: We conducted descriptive and regression analyses using the 2018–2022 Clinical exam data ( <jats:italic>N</jats:italic> = 88,678), merged with zip code-level income data from the US Census Bureau and institutional characteristics data from the US Department of Education. Results: Results indicated that if examinees from minoritized groups had individual, institutional, and community characteristics similar to those of White examinees, the Black-White disparity in exam pass rates could decline by approximately 20%, and the Hispanic-White disparity by around 27%. With 58% of Black examinees interacting with lowest-income areas, their outcomes were influenced more by socioeconomic status. However, Hispanic examinees’ outcomes were affected more by their educational backgrounds. Conclusion: Findings call for further research that explores the crucial determinants of exam outcomes not included in this study due to data constraints.","PeriodicalId":47993,"journal":{"name":"Research on Social Work Practice","volume":"6 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143827667","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-04-11DOI: 10.1177/10497315251331847
Othelia EunKyoung Lee, Sojeong Baek, Junsik Lee, Do-Hyung Park
Purpose: Socially assistive robots (SARs) have been associated with positive emotional support outcomes. This study further examines the types of support sought by older adults from SARs before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: A total of 188 participants were recruited, with 101 individuals in the Pre-Pandemic cohort and 87 in the During-Pandemic cohort. Usage data from SARs was collected over 240 days through web-monitoring systems, and face-to-face interviews were conducted. Results: Before the pandemic, content delivery by SARs was the predominant form of engagement. During the pandemic, older adults increasingly sought interactive emotional support from SARs. While both cohorts demonstrated a significant reduction in depressive symptoms, Pre-Pandemic represented larger reduction with a mean decrease of 7.14 points. Discussion: The findings highlight the potential of well-designed SARs to provide emotional support and mitigate depressive symptoms. Further research is recommended to optimize SAR functionalities for diverse emotional and social needs.
目的：社交辅助机器人（SAR）与积极的情感支持结果有关。本研究进一步探讨了在 COVID-19 大流行之前和期间，老年人从 SAR 寻求支持的类型。研究方法共招募了 188 名参与者，其中 101 人属于大流行前队列，87 人属于大流行期间队列。在 240 天内，通过网络监控系统收集了特区的使用数据，并进行了面对面的访谈。研究结果在大流行之前，SARs 提供的内容是最主要的参与形式。在大流行期间，老年人越来越多地寻求特区的互动情感支持。虽然两个组群的抑郁症状都有显著减少，但大流行前的减少幅度更大，平均减少了 7.14 个点。讨论研究结果凸显了设计良好的 SAR 在提供情感支持和减轻抑郁症状方面的潜力。建议进一步开展研究，以优化 SAR 的功能，满足不同的情感和社交需求。
{"title":"Impact of Socially Assistive Robots on Geriatric Depression: A Comparative Study of Pre- and During-Pandemic Cohorts","authors":"Othelia EunKyoung Lee, Sojeong Baek, Junsik Lee, Do-Hyung Park","doi":"10.1177/10497315251331847","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10497315251331847","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose: Socially assistive robots (SARs) have been associated with positive emotional support outcomes. This study further examines the types of support sought by older adults from SARs before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: A total of 188 participants were recruited, with 101 individuals in the Pre-Pandemic cohort and 87 in the During-Pandemic cohort. Usage data from SARs was collected over 240 days through web-monitoring systems, and face-to-face interviews were conducted. Results: Before the pandemic, content delivery by SARs was the predominant form of engagement. During the pandemic, older adults increasingly sought interactive emotional support from SARs. While both cohorts demonstrated a significant reduction in depressive symptoms, Pre-Pandemic represented larger reduction with a mean decrease of 7.14 points. Discussion: The findings highlight the potential of well-designed SARs to provide emotional support and mitigate depressive symptoms. Further research is recommended to optimize SAR functionalities for diverse emotional and social needs.","PeriodicalId":47993,"journal":{"name":"Research on Social Work Practice","volume":"38 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143822659","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-04-11DOI: 10.1177/10497315251330818
Fajar Kurniasih, Suci Rokhimah
{"title":"Book Review: Social Work for Women Poverty-Alleviation by Cuie Zhang and Yunsu Du ZhangCuieDuYunsu. Social Work for Women Poverty-Alleviation","authors":"Fajar Kurniasih, Suci Rokhimah","doi":"10.1177/10497315251330818","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10497315251330818","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":47993,"journal":{"name":"Research on Social Work Practice","volume":"27 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143822657","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-04-11DOI: 10.1177/10497315251332864
Indriani H Ismail, Imam Ismail, Muhammad Nursa’ban
{"title":"Book Review: The Routledge Handbook of Social Work Field Education in the Global South by Baikady R., S.M., S., Nadesan, V., & Islam, M.R. BaikadyR.S.M.S.NadesanV.IslamM.R. (Eds.). (2022). The Routledge Handbook of Social Work Field Education in the Global South (1st ed.). Routledge. 2022. 454 pp. £37.39 (paperback). ISBN9781032192611.","authors":"Indriani H Ismail, Imam Ismail, Muhammad Nursa’ban","doi":"10.1177/10497315251332864","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10497315251332864","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":47993,"journal":{"name":"Research on Social Work Practice","volume":"17 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143822663","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-04-10DOI: 10.1177/10497315251333635
Amasa Smith, Phyllis Solomon, Lily A. Brown
Objective: This study investigated the extent to which subjective norms, attitudes, knowledge, and behavioral control explained social workers’ intention to employ exposure and response prevention (ERP) in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder in the United States. Methods: Social workers ( N = 168) completed measures through Qualtrics. We hypothesized clinicians who endorsed greater behavioral control, social norms, and attitudes would have higher behavioral intentions of using ERP. Regression analysis tested this hypothesis. We further hypothesized clinicians with prior behavioral intent and greater knowledge would have more influential factors and current behavioral intention. These were tested with t -tests. Results: Greater behavioral control, attitudes, and social norms significantly increased behavioral intention to use ERP. Social norms produced a large effect (β = 0.50), attitudes a medium effect (β = 0.35), and behavioral control a small effect (β = 0.25) on behavioral intention. Prior behavioral intent significantly increased these factors. Discussion: Attitudes, behavioral control, and social norms significantly impact behavioral intention to use ERP.
{"title":"Intentions of Clinical Social Workers for Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder","authors":"Amasa Smith, Phyllis Solomon, Lily A. Brown","doi":"10.1177/10497315251333635","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10497315251333635","url":null,"abstract":"Objective: This study investigated the extent to which subjective norms, attitudes, knowledge, and behavioral control explained social workers’ intention to employ exposure and response prevention (ERP) in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder in the United States. Methods: Social workers ( <jats:italic>N </jats:italic> = 168) completed measures through Qualtrics. We hypothesized clinicians who endorsed greater behavioral control, social norms, and attitudes would have higher behavioral intentions of using ERP. Regression analysis tested this hypothesis. We further hypothesized clinicians with prior behavioral intent and greater knowledge would have more influential factors and current behavioral intention. These were tested with <jats:italic>t</jats:italic> -tests. Results: Greater behavioral control, attitudes, and social norms significantly increased behavioral intention to use ERP. Social norms produced a large effect (β = 0.50), attitudes a medium effect (β = 0.35), and behavioral control a small effect (β = 0.25) on behavioral intention. Prior behavioral intent significantly increased these factors. Discussion: Attitudes, behavioral control, and social norms significantly impact behavioral intention to use ERP.","PeriodicalId":47993,"journal":{"name":"Research on Social Work Practice","volume":"26 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143819212","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-04-10DOI: 10.1177/10497315251330869
Alexandra Tamiolaki, Argyroula Kalaitzaki, Emmanouil Benioudakis
Purpose: The study examined the psychometric properties of the Greek posttraumatic growth inventory (PTGI) among healthcare workers and general population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The Greek versions of the PTGI, the Brief COPE, and the Brief Resilience scale were administered to 2163 participants from the general population and 1837 healthcare workers. Results: The five-factor structure was tested separately in the two samples and presented a comparable good fit to the data. Then it was tested in the combined sample against the single-factor structure and the five-factor structure showed a slightly better fit to the data. The PTGI showed good reliability (Cronbach's alpha, composite reliability, inter-item correlations, corrected item-total correlations, and scale-total correlations), convergent validity (AVE values and interscale correlations), discriminant validity (HTMT), and concurrent validity (correlation between PTGI-Spiritual Change and COPE Religion). Discussion: The Greek version of the PTGI appears to be a psychometrically sound instrument for measuring PTG during COVID-19 among Greeks.
{"title":"Psychometric Evaluation of the Greek Version of the PTGI During COVID-19 Pandemic","authors":"Alexandra Tamiolaki, Argyroula Kalaitzaki, Emmanouil Benioudakis","doi":"10.1177/10497315251330869","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10497315251330869","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose: The study examined the psychometric properties of the Greek posttraumatic growth inventory (PTGI) among healthcare workers and general population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The Greek versions of the PTGI, the Brief COPE, and the Brief Resilience scale were administered to 2163 participants from the general population and 1837 healthcare workers. Results: The five-factor structure was tested separately in the two samples and presented a comparable good fit to the data. Then it was tested in the combined sample against the single-factor structure and the five-factor structure showed a slightly better fit to the data. The PTGI showed good reliability (Cronbach's alpha, composite reliability, inter-item correlations, corrected item-total correlations, and scale-total correlations), convergent validity (AVE values and interscale correlations), discriminant validity (HTMT), and concurrent validity (correlation between PTGI-Spiritual Change and COPE Religion). Discussion: The Greek version of the PTGI appears to be a psychometrically sound instrument for measuring PTG during COVID-19 among Greeks.","PeriodicalId":47993,"journal":{"name":"Research on Social Work Practice","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143819210","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-04-03DOI: 10.1177/10497315251333329
Suci Rokhimah, Fajar Kurniasih, Galung Triko
{"title":"Book Review: Social Work, Mental Health, and Public Policy in Diverse Contexts by Sheying Chen ChenSheying, Social Work, Mental Health, and Public Policy in Diverse Contexts, Switzerland: Springer Cham, 2023. 232 pp., EUR 139.09, ISBN 978-3-031-36311-5","authors":"Suci Rokhimah, Fajar Kurniasih, Galung Triko","doi":"10.1177/10497315251333329","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10497315251333329","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":47993,"journal":{"name":"Research on Social Work Practice","volume":"23 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143775362","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-04-01DOI: 10.1177/10497315251331034
Nilan Yu, Carole Zufferey, Chris Horsell, Jane Cowie, Trang Mai Le
Purpose: This article reports on a scoping review that synthesized literature over the last 15 years on the use of simulations in social work education and training with the aim of identifying trends and important considerations for teaching and learning. Method: This scoping review covering a total of 44 articles examined the characteristics of publications, the purposes for the use of simulations, the simulated roles, the targets of simulations, the theories referred to and key findings/assertions. Results: The scoping review found a heavy North American concentration. Live actor simulations were mostly used for the teaching of practice competencies covering a range of practice skills and settings, with a notable focus on clinical skills and minimal engagement with theory. Discussion: It is argued that the use of simulation-based learning should be informed by a range of practical, theoretical, and philosophical considerations, including the purpose of social work and social work education.
{"title":"Use of Actors in Simulations for Social Work Education: A Scoping Review","authors":"Nilan Yu, Carole Zufferey, Chris Horsell, Jane Cowie, Trang Mai Le","doi":"10.1177/10497315251331034","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10497315251331034","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose: This article reports on a scoping review that synthesized literature over the last 15 years on the use of simulations in social work education and training with the aim of identifying trends and important considerations for teaching and learning. Method: This scoping review covering a total of 44 articles examined the characteristics of publications, the purposes for the use of simulations, the simulated roles, the targets of simulations, the theories referred to and key findings/assertions. Results: The scoping review found a heavy North American concentration. Live actor simulations were mostly used for the teaching of practice competencies covering a range of practice skills and settings, with a notable focus on clinical skills and minimal engagement with theory. Discussion: It is argued that the use of simulation-based learning should be informed by a range of practical, theoretical, and philosophical considerations, including the purpose of social work and social work education.","PeriodicalId":47993,"journal":{"name":"Research on Social Work Practice","volume":"13 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143757732","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-04-01DOI: 10.1177/10497315251329985
Evelia Murcia-Álvarez, Francisco Javier Aguiar-Fernández, Antonio González-Fernández, Yolanda Rodríguez-Castro
Purpose: to examine the validation of the Spanish version of the Human Rights Engagement in Social Work (CDHTS-25) Scale, and to develop an abbreviated version (CDHTS-8) that may be useful in research situations in which social work practitioners have little time due to work and bureaucratic overload and to include in large surveys or longitudinal designs. Method: An online survey was used to collect data from a sample of 481 licensed Spanish social workers from different intervention areas. Results: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses support the validity of the CDHTS-25, with adequate fit indexes and reliability. The validation of the CDHTS-8 exhibited internal consistency, good test–retest reliability, and the scale was significantly related to measures of social justice and human values. Discussion: The CDHTS-25 and the CDHTS-8 have direct applicability to social work practice and allows to measure the level of engagement with human rights in social workers.
{"title":"Human Rights Engagement in Social Work: Validating an Eight-Item Spanish-Language Scale","authors":"Evelia Murcia-Álvarez, Francisco Javier Aguiar-Fernández, Antonio González-Fernández, Yolanda Rodríguez-Castro","doi":"10.1177/10497315251329985","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10497315251329985","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose: to examine the validation of the Spanish version of the Human Rights Engagement in Social Work (CDHTS-25) Scale, and to develop an abbreviated version (CDHTS-8) that may be useful in research situations in which social work practitioners have little time due to work and bureaucratic overload and to include in large surveys or longitudinal designs. Method: An online survey was used to collect data from a sample of 481 licensed Spanish social workers from different intervention areas. Results: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses support the validity of the CDHTS-25, with adequate fit indexes and reliability. The validation of the CDHTS-8 exhibited internal consistency, good test–retest reliability, and the scale was significantly related to measures of social justice and human values. Discussion: The CDHTS-25 and the CDHTS-8 have direct applicability to social work practice and allows to measure the level of engagement with human rights in social workers.","PeriodicalId":47993,"journal":{"name":"Research on Social Work Practice","volume":"38 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143757736","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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