Journal of evidence-based social work (2019)最新文献

Purpose: The primary objective of this study was to identify patterns in users' naturalistic expressions on student loans on two social media platforms. The secondary objective was to examine how these patterns, sentiments, and emotions associated with student loans differ in user posts indicating mental illness.

Material and method: Data for this study were collected from Reddit and Twitter (2009-2020, n = 85,664) using certain key terms of student loans along with first-person pronouns as a triangulating measure of posts by individuals. Unsupervised and supervised machine learning models were used to analyze the text data.

Results: Results suggested 50 topics in reddit finance and 40 each in reddit mental health communities and Twitter. Statistically significant associations were found between mental illness statuses and sentiments and emotions. Posts expressing mental illness showed more negative sentiments and were more likely to express sadness and fear.

Discussion and conclusion: Patterns in social media discussions indicate both academic and non-academic consequences of having student debt, including users' desire to know more about their debts. Interventions should address the skill and information gaps between what is desired by the borrowers and what is offered to them in understanding and managing their debts. Cognitive burden created by student debts manifest itself on social media and can be used as an important marker to develop a nuanced understanding of people's expressions on a variety of socioeconomic issues. Higher volumes of negative sentiments and emotions of sadness, fear, and anger warrant immediate attention of policymakers and practitioners to reduce the cognitive burden of student debts.

Purpose: This research explores the views of probation specialists working with young offenders about their professional process, professional problems, and the evidence-based practice approach.

Method: The qualitative method was used in the research and the phenomenology pattern forms the basis of the research. The data deciphered and conceptualized with descriptive analysis by the organizing and senior researcher.

Results: According to data from in-depth interviews, due to the dual structure of the probation system, which includes both execution and rehabilitation, professional staff experience role conflict. Professional problems such as excessive workload, inadequate physical conditions, not separating the job descriptions of probation specialists according to their fields of expertise, job dissatisfaction, and burnout are common. In addition, there are no scientific tools to measure the effectiveness of the intervention programs and monitoring process in the probation system.

Discussion: There is a need for developing the effectiveness of intervention programs in the probation system and an evidence-based intervention system. At the end of the article, some suggestions on effective social work practices in the probation system are presented from the perspective of evidence-based practice.

Purpose: This paper explores how neoliberal ideologies inform both social and political agendas that influence how social workers can provide support to trans and gender diverse people attempting to access gender-affirming healthcare, using an analysis of social workers' experiences working in mental health in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Method: Qualitative semi-structured interviews provide a perspective of the experiences of social workers in Nova Scotia and how their ability to provide mental health services to trans and gender diverse people is impacted by neoliberalism.

Results: Most social workers attributed the structural context of working within a bio-medical system as contributing to social workers being disempowered, undermined, and not able to practice according to the values of their profession thus limiting their ability to provide affirming mental health supports to trans and gender diverse people in ways that align with their social work professional ethics and values.

Discussion: Through examining how neoliberal ideologies create notions of ideal social citizens by controlling the body, the paper explores how lived experience of neoliberal practices in mental health social work reinforce transnormativity. This paper highlights the necessity for social workers to resist dominant neoliberal and medicalized discourses which serve as mechanisms of power and control.

Conclusion: The paper concludes with recommendations for social work practice with trans and gender diverse populations.

Purpose: The purpose of this scoping review was to document the state of the literature regarding the challenges experienced by rural informal caregivers of older adults in the United States.

Method: We reviewed peer-reviewed academic articles published through December 1, 2021, based on Arksey and O'Malley's framework.

Results: The initial search resulted in 1,255 articles, of which 12 studies were included for the final review. Thematic content analysis was utilized to identify emerging themes of challenges experienced by rural informal caregivers of older adults. The identified challenges include a lack of knowledge regarding resources, financial difficulties, health-related challenges, and barriers related to geographic distance.

Discussion and conclusion: The implications of these challenges are used to shape recommendations for social work, service planning, and policy changes that can improve caregiving experiences for rural families.

Purpose: This scoping review investigates the state of mentorship for marginalized Social Work doctoral students.

Method: A three member scoping review was performed to identify critical features and benefits of mentorship for marginalized Social Work doctoral students.

Results: A thorough review found eight articles discussing mentorship of marginalized Social Work doctoral students across different universities in the United States, with perspectives that prioritized comprehensive mentorship that addresses academic and personal goals. Themes were identified around the definitions of mentorship, applied theories of mentorship, and how mentorship is beneficial in the recruitment, retention, and success of Social Work doctoral students.

Discussion: There is limited research on the perspectives of Social Work doctoral students on their mentorship experiences and the capacity for faculty and institutions to provide positive mentoring experiences. Mentorship is crucial to the success of marginalized Social Work doctoral students. Marginalized doctoral students in Social Work, who may require additional support throughout the recruitment and retention processes, have limited opportunities for strong mentorship experiences. Further research and focus on mentorship for marginalized Social Work students is required.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between emotions and concerns stemming from COVID-19 and the academic engagement of social work students, taking into account the mediating role played by resilience.

Method: We carried out a cross-cutting quantitative study by means of an online questionnaire. The participants comprised a total of 474 students currently enrolled on the Degree in Social Work at the University of Valencia (Spain).

Results: The results show that the effects of emotions and concerns stemming from COVID-19 on student engagement were fully mediated by resilience. Indeed, positive emotions and concerns about the future had a positive impact on student engagement through resilience.

Discussion: Resilience stands as a potential protective factor against the social and academic challenges generated by COVID-19. The pandemic could therefore be seen as a real opportunity for sweeping change in the teaching and practice of social work.

Purpose: Informed by prior research and influenced by concerns that the COVID-19 pandemic heightened social isolation, this project examined the impact of a 12-month long letter writing project on levels of loneliness.

Method: Through partnerships with local anti-poverty agencies, pen pals were paired between MSW students and community members who utilize services at these organizations. Participants completed the UCLA Loneliness Scale before and after the intervention.

Results: We found a mean decrease in loneliness at the end of the intervention.

Discussion: Letter writing was a successful way to attend to loneliness due to its accessibility to the participants. Our letter writing intervention is different in many ways from e-mail and texting. Participants noted that the waiting process between letter gave them time to think more deeply about their response as well as event to look forward to (e.g. getting mail). We found that the low-tech aspects of the project might have been helpful to some participants.

Conclusion: Letter writing is an easily replicable, low-cost, low-tech activity for use by practitioners, which may be useful in a variety of social work settings to reduce loneliness.

Purpose: This study assessed the relationship of spirituality, social support, and sense of mastery to life satisfaction and quality of life to identify viable psychosocial coping resources among American Indian (AI) women cancer survivors.

Method: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 73 AI women cancer survivors residing in South Dakota. A series of multivariate hierarchical regression analyses was conducted.

Results: Findings indicated that lower self-rated physical health was consistently associated with lower levels of life satisfaction and quality of life. Spirituality was found to be the most influential predictor for life satisfaction, while social support and sense of mastery were two significant predictors for quality of life.

Discussion: Our data underscored the importance of spirituality, social support, and sense of mastery to the well-being of AI women cancer survivors and as effective coping strategies to mitigate life stressors. Implications of this evidence for the design of cancer preventions and interventions are discussed.

Purpose: Epidemiological studies show that depressive and substance use disorders are salient risk factors for suicidal behavior. In residential centers in Mexico City, 75.72% of the patients are diagnosed with comorbidity of substance use and psychiatric disorders; however, the specific prevalence of depression and suicidal behavior in this population has not been reported. This study aims to inform the comorbidity of depression and suicidal behavior in crystal users in residential centers in the state of Aguascalientes, Mexico.

Method: A brief survey was applied to measure substance use patterns, suicidal behavior, and depression symptoms using the Depression Scale of the Center of Epidemiological Studies (CES-D-R). The sample included 343 participants.

Results: The results show that of the 23.3% of participants who reported depressive symptoms, 65% showed suicidal ideation, 46% suicide planning, and 43% suicidal attempt.

Discussions: These results show the importance of implementing components that address depression and suicidal behavior in interventions for substance use.

Conclusions: Currently, no specialized interventions are developed to treat substance use disorders with crystal methamphetamine and, at the same time, treat others mental problems like depression and suicidal behavior. We conclude that the development of this intervention is necessary and urgent.

Purpose: This study identified the nature of social work practice in primary health care and described the reported patient outcomes, benefits, challenges, and enablers of social work in general practice [GP] settings.

Method: A systematic literature review applying the Prisma framework was conducted.

Results: A total of 26 studies met the inclusion criteria. Social work practice in GP assists in delivering positive health outcomes for patients, improved patient care, offers value for money, and supports interdisciplinary teams. Identified challenges include funding impediments, organizational barriers, and a lack of understanding of and undervaluing the social work role.

Discussion and conclusions: The review outlined the benefits of social work practice in GP practices; however, these must be further evidenced. Funding for social workers in primary health care was identified as a challenge when it was lacking, and as an enabler when it was available. Further research to evidence the patient outcomes and overall benefits, the fiscal value of social work and funding pathways in primary health care is recommended.