Linking family engagement with a rights perspective: macro factors influencing practice

While child welfare practitioners in many countries are struggling to develop methods of effective family engagement, they operate within different national and cultural contexts that influence, both positively and negatively, the ability to engage with families. Increasingly, international comparisons are necessary to further understanding of the development of social work practice. This is particularly necessary because most countries utilize international frameworks (such as the United National Convention on the Rights of the Child) to provide guidance in the development of policies, programs, and interventions. Each country (and locality) struggles to advance practice to be more effective and humane. Our paper offers a comparative analysis focused on family-oriented and rights-based frameworks of different countries. Based on a review of current national policies and a review of the literature regarding family-based practices, we examine similarities and differences among four countries: the United Kingdom, Sweden, the United States, and South Korea. These countries were selected because they have some similarities (advanced industrialized democracies, professional social work, and formal child protection systems) but have some differences in their social welfare systems (policies, specific practices, and socio-cultural context). These differences can be utilized to advance understanding regarding the promise and potential for family engagement strategies. We then discuss the utility of this comparison for theory-building in the arena of child-care practice and conclude by identifying the challenges and limitations of this work.     

Relearning to Live Life Without Substances: A Grounded Theory of the Impact of Group Physical Exercise on Sobriety

Research has found significant benefits in using exercise as an adjunct treatment for substance use. This study used a qualitative grounded theory approach to explore the role of group exercise on maintaining sobriety. Sixteen persons (13 White men and 3 White women, age M = 31.81, SD = 8.23), recruited from a substance use recovery group that meets at a gym in an urban area in the Southeast part of the United States, were individually interviewed. Data were analyzed using Charmaz’s (2006) constructivist grounded theory strategies. Central themes revealed a parallel process between the steps taken to seek sobriety and those taken to maintain sobriety. The driving forces of sobriety success in both was 12 steps and group exercise programming that included elements of mentorship, structure, accountability, and fellowship or community. This study supported the use of physical group exercise as an adjunct treatment option for substance use treatment.     

Transforming a municipal school sports programme through a critical communicative methodology: The role of the of advisory committee

This research applies a communicative methodology (CM) to the transformation and improvement of the Municipal Comprehensive School Sports Programme in Segovia, Spain (MCSSP), using egalitarian dialogue, based on validity rather than power claims to achieve intersubjectivity and arrive at consensus between all of the Programme’s stakeholders through the intervention of an advisory committee (AC). The AC is a body comprising representatives of all stakeholder groups involved in the programme. During the 2013–2014 academic year the programme’s AC met four times, operating as a communicative focus group (CFG). The meetings focused on: (1) excluding dimensions (barriers preventing transformation) and transforming dimensions (ways of overcoming barriers), (2) the programme’s strengths, (3) the programme’s weaknesses and specific actions to remedy them, and (4) the resulting conclusions which were then incorporated into the subsequent programme contract signed between the University and the Segovia Local Authority for 2014–2018. The key conclusions were: (1) the recommendations of the AC widen the range of perspectives and help the research team to make key decisions and (2) the use of CM to fully evaluate the programme and to reach a consensus on how to improve it proved very valuable.     

Immigration policies that include or exclude: a South African public opinion study of immigration policy preferences

South Africa is a regional hub for migration on the African continent and is home to a growing documented international migrant community. Foreigners in the country, however, often face violations of their established rights and are the victims of abuse. This paper examines public support for policies that would exclude international migrants from the country. Data from the 2013 South African Social Attitudes Survey, a nationally representative opinion poll (N = 2739) of all adults in the country, are used. This poll found that many South Africans favoured restrictive immigration policies and opposed granting foreigners the same rights as citizens. Multivariate analysis is employed to discern determinants of this opposition. Respondents’ perceptions of the population sizes of foreigners in their communities did not affect support for inclusion. It can be inferred, therefore, that the growth of the immigrant population has not provoked exclusionary attitudes in the country. Rather, results revealed, it is national pride (cultural versus political) and fears about the consequences of immigration that drive such attitudes. Programmes and policies designed to improve public perceptions of how foreigner impact society and the promotion of a nationalism characterised by inclusive multicultural civic patriotism may improve public support for the inclusion of international immigrants.     

Communication and representation of risk in health crises: the influence of framing and group identity / Comunicación en crisis sanitarias y representación del riesgo. La influencia del framing y la identidad grupal

Based on the Social Representations Theory (SRT) applied to the social construction of risk and the role played by group identities, this study examines the construction of risk created by the mass media in health epidemics. An experimental design with split-ballot questionnaire and 319 participants was used in which message framing (human interest vs. attribution of responsibility) and proximity (high vs. low) were manipulated for a high invulnerability identity (youth) vs. a low invulnerability identity (elderly) population. Results showed that the human interest framing increased the perception of risk, especially when the proximity of the epidemic was high; this effect was explained by people’s emotional response. Furthermore, youth projected the risk towards ‘the other’ in order to protect their invulnerability identity. Finally, we stress the importance of the SRT on a theoretical and applied level for risk communication in health crises.     

宋代相权的兴盛

宋初在权力结构的调整中对相权进行了分割,但考察宋代实际的权力运作,宋代的相权自始至终处于兴盛状态,对相权所采取的几项措施都没有对相权产生实质性的削弱作用。导致这一现象的主要原因在于宋代所奉行的基本国策是“以儒治国”,是君主与士大夫“共治天下”。同时,相权兴盛也是巩固政权的政治需要,亦是当时频繁的军事活动所需。     

追问盘古——盘古神话来源问题研究之一

盘古神话在先秦乃至秦汉时期的汉文古籍中均没有记载,直到三国时代才出现在徐整的《三五历纪》中。盘古神话源自何处?源自什么民族?这是近百年来学术界争论不休的一个问题。本文及以后将陆续发表的系列研究文章认为,盘古神话来源于华南珠江流域的两粤(广东、广西)地区,来源于华南珠江流域的原住民族——壮侗语民族。     

热点公共事件群体极化：表征、影响及其应对

作为舆情异化的热点公共事件群体极化,具有蔓延负面情绪、筑设思维壁垒、滋生集体暴力等系列表征,呈现模糊核心议题、消解协商机制、扭曲良性意识、诱发公共危机等负面效应。究其因由,可溯源至信息泛滥作祟、公众心理失衡、社会撕裂激发、政民关系滑坡等不同维度。防范和化解热点公共事件群体极化,须从国家、社会、公民三重视域着手,多管齐下、规制导引,以净化舆论生态、凝聚社会共识。     

建立激励机制优化学生干部队伍

学生干部队伍建设关系高校的稳定和发展。建设高校学生干部队伍,必须以人为本,搞好选拔工作,优化学生干部队伍结构。应以机制创新为动力,抓好日常教育和管理,充分调动和发挥学生干部的积极性、主动性和创造性。     

论高校社科学报特色栏目的策划与建设

分析了高校社科学报目前存在的诸多问题:一是数量多,刊名相似;二是特色趋同,影响小;三是办刊模式陈旧,市场意识缺乏。认为高校社科学报在市场竞争中生存下去的手段是开办特色栏目,并指出设置特色栏目的方法:找准特色,开发作者群,选择好学术带头人。