Some psychological themes in social work education: A black perspective

In this brief article, I have argued that little of the current psychological literature on issues of importance to Black people has been approached from an articulated theory-based Black perspective. Traditional principles and theories in psychology have not had sufficient explanatory power to account for the behaviour of Black people. Black psychologists have, therefore, presented alternative perspectives of black child development, black families, black education, and personality development. However, most of the psychological research on black children and black families has concentrated on Afro-American families. It may be some time before such perspectives are developed and articulated in Britain but, in the meantime, some understanding of present research and theory is needed. It must be stressed that a Black perspective is not totally incompatible with Euro-American psychology. It is concerned with redefining existing psychological principles and concepts, and developing models that will reveal the strengths of black people.

The ability to practice in an anti-discriminatory way is a fundamental theme running through CCETSW's statement of requirements for qualification in social work (CCETSW, 1991a). It therefore follows that explanations of Black behaviour which are alternative to White perspectives need to be developed in social work education. Black behaviour must be understood in its appropriate historical, social, cultural, political, and economic contexts.     

Putting technology to work: Users' perspective on integrating assistive technology into the workplace

This qualitative study examined the experiences of people with disabilities who use assistive technology in open employment. This study aims to describe and understand the factors the participants perceived as important in integrating technology into the workplace, as well as the barriers encountered in the process. Fifteen people with a range of acquired and congenital disabilities as well as their employers (8) or co-workers (4) were interviewed. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed. Nud*ist Version 4(R) was used for data management. Emergent themes related to the integration of assistive technology were software compatibility, Information Technology (IT) and product support, and the interaction between technology and the work environment. Participants also reported on the impact of technology on their performance and comfort at work, as well as dealing with people and processes in the workplace. By identifying the issues and support strategies for technology users in the workplace, appropriate measures can be implemented to ensure that the spirit of disability discrimination legislation is realized.     

Precarious work: A global perspective

Precarious work is universal, though its forms and consequences vary across countries due to institutional, cultural, and historical differences. This article reviews recent research on precarious work from a global perspective, emphasizing the comparative and interdisciplinary research needed for a comprehensive understanding of the structural transformations in contemporary capitalism that promote precarious work. The article has three foci. First, research that details the diverse forms of precarious work, which have become increasingly heterogeneous as national labor markets have been interwoven with global production networks. Second, research on precarious work that emphasizes its disparate impacts for women, youth, the elderly, racial and ethnic minority groups, and migrants, revealing an articulation of precarity and social cleavages. Third, research on the politics associated with precarious work and how some precarious workers have successfully organized and mobilized their interests, such as by unionizing and becoming involved in electoral politics. Still, questions remain regarding precarious work: how precarious workers differ from regular workers in representing their interests and demands and whether precarious workers are a new, independent social class or remain part of a changing working class. Finally, topics for future research on the global dimensions of precarious work are discussed.     

On the materiality of service work

This article argues that retail service work is characterised by engagement with material products. Retail sales assistants work to create the shop as a site of consumption, and to create the products for sale as desirable objects for consumption. This is more important than the customer service interactions that are often seen as characterising service work. In making the argument for the centrality of the material in retail work, the article takes issue with conceptions of the service sector that emphasise its difference from other economic sectors, and with research into service work that focuses on interaction to the exclusion of other elements of the labour process. It calls for a more nuanced, contextualised understanding of the service sector that acknowledges the difference between sub‐sectors.     

Treatment dilemma: a political science perspective

1. The hallmark of a free society is that adults are free to choose their own life plans. Those who are mentally ill with impaired rationality often experience a severe reduction in their freedom to act out personal life plans. 2. A paternalistic care environment in a liberal state will foster a treatment modality that promotes development of the ability to think, choose, and act in a rational manner and allows the recovering individual to practice the liberty to choose. 3. A common language and group consciousness must be developed, as well as a willingness of those involved to sacrifice some of their individual needs and desires to work toward providing a paternalistic care environment for the mentally ill as a common good.     

Practice wisdom: the art and science of social work

Practice wisdom is the foundation for effective practice and encompasses both the art and science of social work. The divide between practice and theory has existed since the profession emerged and practice wisdom is the bridge to this gap. The epistemology and ontology of practice wisdom highlights its importance for research, education and practice for the next generation of social workers. The work of Howard Goldstein is critical in the examination of the artistry of practice wisdom, which can be taught and measured by supporting the development of critical thinking and reflection skills of students. Capturing the essence of practice wisdom lays the foundation for developing a pedagogy that promotes its development in social work students.     

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A self psychological perspective

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, an illness with debilitating effects on both the body and mind, has received increased attention in the last several years. Yet there has been hardly any documentation of the psychotherapy of afflicted individuals. The author suggests that self psychology is a useful approach in such cases, not only in addressing the effects of the illness, but in facilitating the patient's maintenance of much needed selfobject ties and the ability to follow the complex and difficult medical treatment program. A case illustration demonstrates these dynamics. Self experience of such individuals is then explored with specific reference to nuclear vs. peripheral selves. The author catalogues disruptions in selfobject ties as a result of the illness and offers treatment recommendations.I wish to thank Susan Sands, Ph.D., and Karen Rogers, MFCC, for their support and editorial contributions.     

Creating ethical work climates: A socioeconomic perspective

In this essay, I introduce a theory of ethical work climates and describe how ethical climates can be created in business firms by applying a socioeconomic perspective to the process of organizational design. I begin by discussing moral climate in general—presenting the concept of a moral climate continuum and identifying the positive moral climate as one especially conducive to ethical behavior by agents of the firm. Next, I suggest a process for determining where a firm falls along the continuum by obtaining information about prevailing organizational norms. I then proceed to outline the theory itself, analyzing how management can move a firm from the negative to the positive end of the continuum. In this analysis, I argue that a socioeconomic management perspective provides a particularly strong foundation for establishing positive moral climate. I then propose a strategy for designing key organizational processes to transmit this perspective throughout the firm. The essay concludes with an agenda for future research.     

Autism spectrum disorder and the science of social work: A grand challenge for social work research

The social work profession has not yet taken a leadership role in addressing the myriad of challenges that individuals on the autism spectrum encounter across the lifespan. In this essay, we argue that social workers are well equipped to engage in research and practice aimed at promoting full and meaningful inclusion in society, as well as social and economic justice, for individuals on the autism spectrum. We highlight short- and long-term goals that provide the social work profession with a framework to engage in research, practice, education, and advocacy aimed at supporting individuals on the autism spectrum and their families.     

Returning to psychotherapy with the same therapist: A self psychological perspective

Terminations or interruptions of psychotherapy which have been followed by a patient's resuming therapy with the same therapist at a later time have often been viewed as premature with the implication that the initial therapy has been inadequate or deficient. This paper suggests, however, that a patient returns to the same therapist because the selfobject bond established in the initial treatment is still intact, and that the hiatus between treatments can be a time of further development and strengthening of self structure. Two clinical cases are described which illustrate these ideas.     

Marital status and psychological well-being: An individual-environment congruence perspective

The role of the individual's relationship to his environment has achieved central prominence in social science theory, but has not yet been adequately represented and measured through numerical methods. A variety of multivariate regression techniques have been proposed to incorporate individual and environmental level measures in a single regression equation. This article presents a special case of a contextual analysis model in which two sets of predictor variables are statistically treated to create a third set of predictor variables called congruence measures. Each of the three sets of predictor variables are then run separately in multiple regression equations against a fourth set of individual level outcome variables to determine the relative gain in predictive power of the congruence measures over the individual and environmental level variables when they are run alone. Martital status variables are used to illustrate and examine the model.     

Race and inequality at work: An occupational perspective

Recent research on racial inequality at work offers fruitful insights on the organizational conditions that reproduce racial segregation, racial disparities in wages, and racial hierarchies in the labor market and the workplace. Much less is known, however, about the specifically occupational influences that impinge on equitable work outcomes by race. In this paper, we explore three processes at the occupational level that relate to racial segregation, racialized access to resources, and status in one's line of work. We review research on racial inequality at work over the last 20 years to elucidate what is known, and remains to be seen, about these occupational processes. First, we review how occupational members get selected, and attempt to self-select, into occupations via recruitment, licensing, credentialing, or certifications. Second, we consider how occupational incumbents teach, govern and evaluate new entrants, and with what consequences for racial inclusion/exclusion and retention in careers. Third, we examine research on client- or service-based work, and highlight how workers navigate not only their roles, but also racial dynamics, vis-a-vis clients. We conclude with suggestions for how future research can harness occupational analysis to advance understanding of racial inequality at work.     

Towards a prospective technology assessment: challenges and requirements for technology assessment in the age of technoscience

The objective of this paper is to contribute to the expanding discourse on conceptual elements of TA. As a point of departure, it takes the recent transformation of the science, technology and innovation system (“technoscience”). We will show that the age of technoscience can be regarded as presenting not only a challenge, but also a chance and opportunity for TA. Embracing this opportunity, however, implies imposing several requirements on TA. In order to specify these requirements and to foster the ongoing discourse on the foundations of TA, this paper suggests a programmatic term: prospective technology assessment (ProTA). This term is intended mainly as a reflection framework, aimed at providing an extension and complement—and not a replacement—of well-established TA concepts. Three requirements for ProTA are sketched: (1) early stage orientation—the temporal dimension, (2) intention and potential orientation—the knowledge dimension, (3) shaping orientation—the power/actor dimension. Examples from fusion and nano research will illustrate the need for ProTA, as well as its specific focus. The paper concedes that ProTA is in its infancy and that there is a clear need for further clarification.     

Training for civil work in the probation service

Social work education is under constant pressure to give increased attention to various issues relating to practice. This is in large part a reflection of the nature of the social work task which is continuously evolving as it responds to shifts in social policy and changes in social work perspectives and practice. One such issue which is currently the focus of substantial change is the civil work role of the probation service. The author draws on the findings of a recent survey of probation officers which highlights a number of important questions about the adequacy of current training provision, both pre-entry and in-service, and which also raises fundamental issues about the relationship between theory and practice.     

e-Inclusion and e-Social work: new technologies at the service of social intervention

ABSTRACT

This paper defines the concept of e-inclusion in reference to programmes and projects that promote social inclusion through the use of new technologies. This concept is related to e-social work, defined as the use of ICTs in the field of social work and social services. To illustrate the implications of e-inclusion and e-social work, a case study is presented on a community involvement project using new technologies as a means and as an end. The SAREGUNE project for community use of new technologies was set up in Vitoria (Spain) in 2004. Ten years later, it gained recognition as a European e-inclusion scheme within the ‘Leonardo Da Vinci Multilateral Projects, Transfer of Innovation’ lifelong learning programme. This article explores the origins of the idea and its significance in the fight against the digital divide and in the processes of intercultural and social inclusion within the city's historic central district. A process of deconstruction, construction and reconstruction of the scheme is used to identify and describe the movements of rotation and revolution within the process of social inclusion, the levels of integration of e-social work at individual, group and community level, and the impact of the project in terms of e-inclusion.     

A study of a social work agency: the occupational routines and working practices of the education social work service

In this paper we will be examining the way in which the education social work service goes about its routine, everyday work with truants (which, for the purposes of this paper, will be seen as the service's major occupational task to resolve).¹ Such an analysis has, in our view, a twofold importance. Firstly, it adds to the extensive literature² on disaffection amongst school students; secondly, it contributes to juvenile justice studies³ which have highlighted the importance attached to truancy in the formal decision-making process; this in turn has led to the development of a range of administrative and judicial strategies to remedy the problem⁴. In addition, it is our view that the truancy problem is likely to increase in the light of the growing certainty of unemployment on leaving school for large sections of the youth population, coupled with fiscal cuts in the education budget: we have been able to show in our Sheffield-based research (which confirms trends indicated in earlier studies undertaken in this same city⁵ that there has been a statistically significant increase in non-attendance amongst fifth formers between 1976 and 1982 in the local comprehensive schools.⁶ The truancy issue has been perceived as a serious social problem for a number of years now⁷ and, on the same basis, we can expect that this will continue – indeed, as something of the moral panic that exists in the related social sphere of youth unemployment.⁸ Perhaps this is one of the reasons for the reference to the role of the service in the 1983 Conservative party manifesto:⁹‘we shall switch the emphasis in the education welfare service back to school attendance so as to reduce truancy'.