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Abstract

Cardiac patients frequently experience anxiety and depression as major responses to a life-threatening event. Well-timed intervention by the social worker can assist in alleviating these responses and enhance psychological well-being by the use of counselling and other therapeutic techniques. Two case-studies are presented illustrating the range of work undertaken in a comprehensive approach to working with patients in both the acute and rehabilitation phases of cardiac crisis.     

Using a stress audit: The construction site manager experience in the UK

Abstract

The aim of this study was to conduct a stress audit among construction industry site managers in the UK as a precursor to a stress management intervention programme. Qualitative data were obtained from in-dept interviews with a total of 36 male middle and senior construction site managers; and aquantitative data were obtained by questionnaire. Based on the analysis of 561 postal quenstionnaires, eight stressor factors were identified, most significantly, ambiguity (i.e. role and task). Job satisfaction levels were low compared to a normative population and influenced by grade level. Measures of mental health were similar to the norm for males, but both grade of management and type of contract affected mental health. Anxiety levels were signficantly high, independent of managerial grade. The stress of work overload and role insecurity (fear of failure) were associated with reduced mental health and high anxiety, and the stress of the organizational culture and climate was the strongest predictor of job dissatisfaction. There was some cause for concern for the vulnerable high-risk groups, i.e. the extreme type A and those working overtime. Medical data from a small subset of managers (n = 78) revealed that this group evidenced a better quality of psychological health than the group in total; but a high percentage of personnel had high levels of triglycerides and cholesterol. Recommendations for action focused on the needs of specific subgroups, and guided the organization on the acceptability of possible interventions at individual, interpersonal and organizational levels.     

Using Students' Written Feedback on 'Race' Issues to Enhance Self-Regulated Learning

Encouraging students to self-regulate their learning in relationto ‘race’ issues would appear to be pertinent toa profession that promotes life-long learning and holds valuesof self-determination and respect for the individual at itscore. This study examined the written feedback students receivedin relation to key assignments in years two and three of a socialwork degree programme. The findings suggest that feedback isseldom used in a way that might enhance students understandingof ‘race’ issues. If students are developing anunderstanding of racism and anti-racist practice, then it doesnot appear to be a result of the written feedback from tutorsand practice teachers. Given the importance of feedback in helpingstudents to self-regulate and develop their learning, it maybe useful to adopt a more principled approach.     

Attachment issues and the cocaine exposed dyad

Through the theoretical lens of attachment theory, the relationship between substance abusing parents and their children exposed prenatally to drugs is explored. Attachment theory, the quality of attachment, attachment classifications, internal working models of attachment, and correlates of attachment classifications are discussed. Case studies of two schoolaged children exposed prenatally to cocaine are presented and interpreted in light of attachment theory set within a social-ecological perspective. Implications for practice and the use of federal policy for this population are explored.     

The formula funding controversy at the national endowment for the arts

This article explores how nonprofit organizations respond to proposed changes in the relationship between the government and the nonprofit sector using a case study of the “formula funding” controversy at the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The article shows how powerful notions of who should get to decide permeate and continually transform the funding debate, making public interest reforms of the process extremely difficult. The author concludes by suggesting that the victories the arts field can claim in defending the current practice of peer panel review at the NEA will turn out to be Pyrrhic victories, ultimately weakening the claim of the nonprofit arts on public resources.     

Solving the Recruitment Crisis in UK General Practice: Time to Consider Physician Assistants?

With large numbers of GPs due to retire by 2007, the recruitment and retention crisis in UK general practice is likely to get worse before it gets better. Urgent measures are now required. Policies such as offering doctors financial incentives to enter general practice or delay retirement, while increasing the number of medical school places, may, for a variety of reasons, be likely to enjoy only limited success. In this article, a more radical solution is proposed: the creation of an intermediate medical practitioner role, along the lines of the physician assistant in the USA. The establishment of such a role may go some way to resolving the workforce crisis that currently besets general practice and ensure that medical needs, especially in deprived areas, are adequately met. A number of specific occupational groups who may find the PA role attractive are identified. It is suggested that refugee doctors, unable to practise in the UK, may find PA training particularly attractive, especially if it could serve as a stepping-stone to GMC registration.     

Young Male Street Workers: Life Histories and Current Experiences

The current study aims to reveal the experiences of young malestreet prostitutes in Israel, providing a stage for the voiceof this marginal group to be heard, as we believe youth workersneed to know more about these young people’s lives beforewe can offer meaningful responses. The study was guided by twomain questions: (1) What accounts do young men who work as prostitutesprovide for their involvement in the sex industry? and (2) Whatare their experiences as young males engaged in prostitution?Using the life story interview and thematic analysis, four mainthemes were revealed: (a) a life-long path to prostitution;(b) entering prostitution; (c) interpersonal encounters whileengaging in prostitution; and (d) the consequences of workingin prostitution. The results highlight the lack of meaningfulinterpersonal relationships in the lives of these young men.Practical recommendations are made to better inform youth workersassisting this high-risk population.