Researching the history of social work: exposition of a history of the present approach

This paper provides an exposition of Michel Foucault's ‘history of the present’ in order to make the case for its relevance to the study of social work history. It sets out the general principles underpinning this practice and considers its application to a particular research question relating to history of child welfare and protection social work in the Republic of Ireland. The paper seeks to highlight the challenges involved in its use and illuminate its potential value as an approach for researching the history of social work. It is concluded that this exposition offers one appropriate approach that could be employed within the growing field of social work history research across Europe.     

积极老龄化框架下老年社会参与的难点及对策

通过对三种老龄观的比较,揭示了积极老龄化的内涵、特点以及实现该战略所需的前提条件,在此基础上,从目前社会发展状况和老年人自身主观状态两个方面分析了我国在推进积极老龄化战略方面的难点,并在认可发展经济是第一推动力的同时提出了两点解决问题的对策,以期能够将积极老龄化战略付诸于社会实践。     

Socioeconomic evaluation of a correctional programme in Sweden—long-term effects Samhällsekonomisk utvärdering av ett kriminalvårdsprogram i Sverige—långsiktiga effekter

The present article focuses on the long-term socioeconomic outcome of a correctional programme in Sweden, called KrAmi (n=62), using a systematic comparison with a control group of probation clients (n=51). The evaluation, which had a quasi-experimental design, was based on actual costs for each client (n=113) for a period of five years, from 1995 to 1999. The follow-up period was two years, during which the socioeconomic costs decreased step-wise for both groups, probation groups more so than programme groups. The deteriorations were 70–80% compared to the period before treatment. Rehabilitation to labour market, measured in pension points, was more successful for programme groups than for control groups. Thanks to this, as well as lower costs during the treatment period, the programme groups’ socioeconomic profitability, measured with a 15-year cost–benefit analysis (CBA), was greater than that of the control groups. The cost–effectiveness analysis (CEA) shows that the KrAmi groups are better off in work rehabilitation, depreciation time (one year compared with two and a half years for probation groups) and repayment ratio (14 SEK compared to 6 SEK for probation groups) although cost savings are greater for probation groups.     

Marital disruption and economic well-being: a comparative analysis

Summary.  Though there is a considerable literature concerned with the economic consequences of marital breakdown, there is still substantial disagreement in terms of its magnitude. One of the major problems underlying this debate is how economic well-being is defined. We implement several measures of well-being of monetary and multidimensional nature by using data from the European Community Household Panel. Another issue in this literature concerns selection bias of divorcing couples. We tackle this issue by using a propensity score matching technique combined with a difference-in-differences estimator. Results confirm the importance of the definition of well-being. We find a strong gender bias when using monetary measures but a considerably lower bias, and for some countries non-existent, when using non-monetary indices.     

Organizational-level interventions to reduce occupational stressors

Occupational stress research continues to grow, and is increasingly being used to inform national policy on worker health and well-being. Most models of occupational stress emphasize notions of person-environment fit. Two approaches for intervention to minimize adverse consequences of occupational stress follow from such models. One emphasizes the strengthening and enhancement of indwiduals and their resources, the other emphasizes the reduction ofcommon workplace-based sources ofoccupational stress. This paper reviews 10 organizational-level interventions to reduce stress at work which have been examined in various field studies. These interventions were generally found to have positive effects, and, given the limited success of individual-level interventions in addressing occupational sources of stress, should be encouraged.     

An analysis of variables affecting length of stay in foster care

The purpose of this paper was to find out whether the relationship between type of contact with agency and/or child in foster care and average number of contacts over time makes any difference in length of stay in foster care. Four types of contacts were examined: Family—Agency, Family Initiated—Agency, Social Worker—Initiated, and Family—Child. Results indicated that there were critical numbers for each contact type found to be statistically significant that would tend to reduce the length of the child's stay in foster care. The importance of contact during the first month of placement was emphasized.     

Relationships between leadership and professionals' job attitudes and perceptions: Comparison of two leadership models

The aim of this study was to investigate the power of the Average Leadership Style (ALS) and Vertical Dyad Linkage (VDL) models of leadership in explaining relationships between leader's initiating structure behaviour and consideration behaviour, and subordinates' attitudes and perceptions. The considered dependent variables were five facets of job satisfaction, two role stress variables (role conflict and ambiguity), one role strain indicator (job tension), and four dimensions of workteam climate. The relationships were investigated in two occupational samples comprising 127 family physicians and 155 nurses working in 28 Primary Health Care Teams. Within and between analysis (WABA) and contextual analysis were applied in order to determine the appropriate level of analysis (group as expected from ALS or individual as expected from VDL) for studying the relationships between leader consideration and initiating structure behaviours and the dependent variables. The results obtained showed the prevalence of the VDL model in most of the cases, although two of the relationships studied fitted the ALS model.     

乌鲁木齐市养老机构中存在的问题与对策分析

文章从系统论的角度出发，通过对乌鲁木齐市养老机构的调查，分析了养老机构在资金投入不足、优惠政策较难落实、管理体制不灵活及工作人员素质较低、设施不完善、服务质量不高等方面存在的问题。针对以上问题提出养老机构要增强服务意识，实现管理民主化，并且可以通过引入社会工作，使服务更加专业化。     

综合治理:解决城市流浪儿童问题的根本途径——基于江西南昌市救助管理站的调查

目前我国城市流浪儿童救助保护工作已进入一个新的发展阶段,本文通过实地调查,分析了当前城市流浪儿童救助过程中存在的问题,探讨了解决城市流浪儿童问题综合治理模式。这一模式将政府和民间组织、教育机构、医疗部门、公安交通、社区等纳入流浪儿童救助保护体系,形成政府统一领导、各部门协调工作、民间组织和社区共同参与的局面,本文同时提出了实施综合治理的途径和方法。