Critical reflection in social work: a response to globalisation?1

This article presents a reflective theoretical deconstruction of my practice with disempowered human service workers. Specifically, it presents a case study of how critical reflection was fostered amongst a group of practitioners in Geelong, a regional Victorian town in Australia. This models how a critical postmodern analysis provided a framework for overcoming entrenched power dynamics and structural barriers in a particular context and at a particular point in time. It describes and analyses the content of this work in terms of its significance and implications for responding to the impact of globalisation on this group, which was undermining the effectiveness of their social work practice.     

Linking Community Context to Quality of Parenting: A Study of Rural Families1

Abstract Virtually all past studies of the effect of community context on families and children have focused on large metropolitan communities. Using a sample of divorced women living in small, Midwestern communities, the present study tests a model of the processes whereby community structure influences parenting practices. Results obtained through structural equation modeling supported the hypotheses. High concentrations of disadvantaged people within a community were indirectly related to parenting through community social disorganization. Community social disorganization had a direct effect on quality of parenting, as well as indirect effects through negative events, access to social support, and depressed mood. The various methodological and theoretical implications of these findings are considered.     

Improving Educational Opportunities for Students With Disabilities Who Are Homeless

Students who are homeless constitute a unique subset within today's school population; those who also have disabilities face even greater challenges. This article highlights the uniaue needs of students with disabilities who are homeless, legislative mandates for serving these students (the McKinney Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), and promising practices for overcoming educational and institutional obstacles to service delivery. Suggestions will focus on developing collaborative relationships at multiple levels, creating responsive systems through staff development and procedural revisions, and providing students with the social and instructional support they need to be successful.     

On the Integration of Science and Practice in College Health

Abstract

College health professionals want to assure the unique healthcare and health education needs of college students will continue to be met under national and state healthcare reform. This may be an “all or nothing” proposition. Either colleges and universities will have exclusive control of healthcare delivery for the college student population or else college health will not be a major force in healthcare reform. If college health is to play a meaningful role in future government-controlled health insurance programs, it must first demonstrate that current health services and insurance financing programs meet minimum quality standards. This proposal calls for expanding existing federal laws to create qualified student health plans and integrating the college health model into a reform package based on employer-sponsored health insurance. The concept of qualified student health plans allows for a high degree of flexibility that can be integrated into the majority of state and federal healthcare reform proposals, including the plan proposed by President Clinton, that are not based on a single-payer system. Ultimately, the authors suggest, their proposed plan would eliminate the current situation, in which large numbers of college students are uninsured or underinsured.     

Health Information-Seeking in the Digital Age

Abstract

Objective: The authors examined the sources of health information among first-year university students and whether the predictors of information-seeking varied by information source. Participants: First-year students in a required course at a midwestern public university were eligible to participate, and 82% (n = 1,060) completed the study. Methods: Students completed a survey questionnaire regarding information-seeking behaviors and Internet uses in domains including health. The authors used regression analyses to examine predictors of source-specific health information-seeking. Results: Young women are much more likely than young men to seek health information. The characteristics associated with looking online for health information are different than those for using other information sources, and students who look online for health information also report greater use of other information sources. Conclusions: Although the Internet is an important source of health information for students, health professionals should be aware that not all students equally utilize this resource.