‘Just what is there now,that is what there is’—the effects of theater improvisation training on clinical social workers’ perceptions and interventions

Flexibility, Therapeutic Presence (TP), and collaborative tendency are core capacities in clinical social work as well as in theater improvisation. This mixed-methods pilot study studied the effects of theater improvisation training on 35 graduate-level social work students, who participated in an experiential, semester-long ‘theater improvisation skills for clinicians’ course, compared to a control group of a similar cohort. These variables were measured before, after, and at a three-month follow-up to the course. Additionally, Follow-up semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 course graduates. Quantitative results showed a significant increase in flexibility and TP immediately following the course compared to the controls, which was not maintained at the three-month follow-up. The qualitative findings indicated an increase in flexibility, open-mindedness, TP, and self-awareness following the training. Triangulation of both sets of data suggests that improvisation training contributed to changes in participants’ general attitudes and perceptions regarding their clinical work. However, longer training is needed in order for these skills to effectively impact their clinical work. The findings suggest that improvisation skills can help clinical social workers increase their flexibility and TP, as well as other important alliance abilities. Implications for teaching and research are discussed.     

On Becoming a Stepparent

Data derived from a qualitative study with 32 remar- ried couples (N = 64), were analyzed to assess factors related to the adoption of alternative stepparenting styles. Five stepparent styles were found: the biological parent, the "super good" stepmother, the detached, the uncertain, and the friendship style. The choice of styles was influenced bv the various expectations and behaviors of the step- parent, stepchild,-spouse, and nonresidential parent. Implications fbr familv education and counseling approaches with stepfamilies are discuked.     

The Structure of Empathy in Social Work Practice

This article presents a detailed theoretical framework demonstrating how empathy is used in the practice of social work. This consists of affective, cognitive, and behavioral dimensions of empathy and delineates six latent constructs that make up these dimensions. These constructs are (1) caring, (2) congruence, (3) interpersonal sensitivity, (4) perspective taking, (5) altruism, and (6) the therapeutic relationship. Evolutionary, sociological, and neuroscience theories are used to describe empathy's origins as a historically adaptive and interactional process, and social work theories emphasize empathy as an interpersonal helping strategy and organizing principle essential to the practice of social work.     

Effects of a Therapeutic Community on Korean Substance Abusers in Prison

ABSTRACT. This study tested the effectiveness of a therapeutic community (TC) intervention on imprisoned Korean substance abusers. Volunteer participants from 2 Korean prisons were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n = 24) with the TC intervention or a control group (n = 24) with optional supportive sessions. Pretest and posttest data were collected on measures of abstinence self-efficacy and problem-solving skills. Participants in the TC intervention showed significant increases in abstinence self-efficacy and problem-solving skills, whereas those in the control group did not. The differences in abstinence self-efficacy for the TC were found for 2 of 3 subscales: Problem-Solving Confidence and Approach-Avoidance Style but not Self-Control. Further study is needed to replicate these findings with larger Korean prison populations and to establish the relationship between these skill dimensions and subsequent drug use and criminal recidivism for this population. Nevertheless, the findings suggest potential benefits of using a TC intervention with imprisoned Korean substance abusers.     

Understanding Cultural Sway: An Essential Component for Competent Practice

Power has a great deal of sway in the therapeutic arena, especially when variant cultures are involved. Social workers have a responsibility when formulating assessments as well as developing and carrying out treatment plans to understand their clients’ unique cultural gestalt. This article will discuss how clients’ variant cultural components impact and influence clinical work by analyzing two interacting forces: the practitioner’s awareness of self and the new concept, cultural sway (culture with the interwoven dynamic of power). A discussion of the presence of awareness and cultural sway in the therapeutic process (assessment and intervention) will follow.     

为什么农民无法从“公司+农户”中受益

为了探究以“公司+农户”为主体的农业产业化经营蓬勃发展与农民增收乏力之间的矛盾,文章以江西省部分农业龙头企业和农户的调查资料为基础,从家庭经营规模、利益联结机制和龙头企业实力三个方面分析了导致目前农民无法受益的原因:以妇女和老人为农业生产主体的农村“空心化”现状使得参与农业产业化经营的农户家庭经营规模偏小;农民和公司的主体地位不对称,农民难以参与农产品加工、销售环节的利润分配,农户和公司之间是松散型利益联结机制;农业龙头企业普遍是小企业,生存的压力已经令其自顾不暇,即使有心也无力让为数众多的农户参与到有限利润的分配中来.     

The Common Factors Model: Its Place in Clinical Practice and Research

The common factors model advances the view that client, relationship, and clinician factors account for a greater proportion of therapeutic change than do specific techniques or types of therapy. In this era of evidence-based practice, in which specific techniques are heavily emphasized, this updated review of the common factors model focuses attention on other components of therapeutic change, including the client's contribution, the therapeutic alliance, and clinician factors. The common factors model has recent and long-standing research support of several kinds. The model affirms many widely used therapeutic practices and has led to the development of several procedures to enhance therapeutic outcomes. This article explores the origins and development of the common factors model; its current research support; and its implications for practice, research, and education.     

美国军方视阈中的美日同盟关系——基于《美日行政协定》草拟过程的分析

《美日行政协定》是构成战后美日同盟关系及决定走向的重要文本,无论是协定内容中的每一项规定,还是协定草拟过程中的每一个阶段,都反映出美国决策机构关于“美军驻日条件”的认知及美日同盟关系的定位。尽管处于“美军驻日条件”界定主导地位的美国军方,始终将日本看作是一个被征服的国家,没有作为一个对等盟国来看待,体现出战胜国对战败国应享有的绝对优越驻留条件。但是,在日本着力实施亲美的协调主义外交的强大攻势下,迫于来自美国国务院的压力,基于远东冷战局势的变化,从美日“良好政治关系”维护视角考量,美国军方不得不从坚决反对日方关于“美军驻日条件”的修改意见,转而做出让步。迄今,该协定维系着美日同盟关系,但“美军驻日条件”始终使日本处于“非正常国家”地位,制约了日本作为主权国家所应享有的对驻日美军的控制性权利。     

略论我国经济学与哲学的联盟

经济学和哲学作为两门独立的学科 ,可谓“泾渭分明”。日新月异的经济实践需要我国的经济学寻求哲学的支持 ;作为“时代精神的精华”的哲学 ,则要面对最现实的经济改革的大背景。两者的联盟意义重大