School of Social Work

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https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14078/30

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Assessing capacity in the complex patient: RCAT's unique evaluation and consultation model
(2007) Pachet, Arlin; Newberry-Koroluk, Andrea; Erskine, Leslie
This paper describes the development of a unique multidisciplinary patient capacity assessment team, the Regional Capacity Assessment Team (RCAT), which operates in the Calgary Health Region of Alberta. The goals of this paper are to provide a brief review of seminal models that influenced RCAT's development, discuss its ethical and theoretical underpinnings, and provide an overview of the RCAT approach to the completion of complex capacity assessments. The overview of the RCAT model will elucidate our multidisciplinary assessment algorithm, our consultation model, and describe our specialized assessment tools. This paper will be of interest to health care practitioners and administrators looking for a cost-effective, efficient, and clinically sound model for complex capacity assessments.
Social development: environmental sustainability and social well-being
(2007) Vareed, Baiju
Significant changes have taken place in the discussion and direction of development during the last two decades. A major shift which occurred, as a result of various dialogues, was towards the noneconomic spheres of development. The international conventions on various themes convened by the UN have shed light on human, social and existential dimensions of development. The less developed nations have had an influential role in bringing in the non-economic factors in the discussions of development. Sustainability as well as social well being have been established as norms in development policies and practices. But the latter, it seems, has not been adequately absorbed into the whole discussion. An amalgamation of sustainability and social well being is essential in devising an appropriate strategy of development that ensures the existence of the environment and decent living of all for the present and future generations.
An innovative framework for psychosocial assessment in complex mental capacity evaluations
(2008) Newberry-Koroluk, Andrea; Pachet, Arlin
This study describes an innovative tool developed by the Regional Capacity Assessment Team (RCAT) to assess unique psychosocial factors related to capacity evaluations. Capacity is a socio-legal construct entailing the ability to understand choices, appreciate consequences and follow through (or direct a surrogate) with chosen options. RCAT's targeted psychosocial assessment includes medico-legal factors, social history and supports, coping skills, religious/cultural factors and risk of abuse. RCAT completes the psychosocial assessment to determine whether a full capacity assessment is required (referral disposition) and to determine the impact of an adult's social functioning on their decision-making capacity (capacity determination). RCAT's psychosocial assessment protocol was developed after a comprehensive literature review of capacity assessment and incorporates recommended practices in geriatric social work and psychology. This study will synthesise the pertinent literature, discuss cultural interviewing processes significant to capacity, caregiver assessment and describe the tool itself. Suggestions for future research and appropriate implementation of this tool are provided.
Experiences of newly qualified Canadian social worker
(2011) Newberry-Koroluk, Andrea
The article focuses on the experiences of newly qualified social workers in order to develop recommendations for social work educators, researchers, employers, and new social workers. It mentions that the social workers includes several social work methods including micro skills such as interviewing, giving feedback, and working with hostile clients.
Social work and hermeneutic phenomenology
(2012) Newberry-Koroluk, Andrea
In this article, I discuss the connections between social work practice and interpretive approaches to knowledge building, introduce and situate hermeneutic phenomenology for novice social work researchers, and explore the fit between hermeneutic phenomenology and social work. In this paper, I also present a historical, methodological, and philosophical overview of the roots of hermeneutic/interpretive phenomenology from Augustine to Sartre. I advocate for the congruence between an hermeneutic approach and social work research due to its focus on inquiry as application, emphasis on the situated nature of human experiences, concept of attention to the unspoken or undisclosed, idea of the hermeneutic circle as a link between individual experiences and larger structures, fusion of horizons, and inclusion of the practitioner identity in research activities.
Aligning perspectives of subjective well-being: comparing spouse and colleague perceptions of social worker happiness
(2014) Graham, John; Shier, Micheal; Newberry-Koroluk, Andrea; Esina, Elena
Social workers experience higher rates of burnout and attrition when compared to other health related occupational groups. Previous research on the well being of social workers has tended to focus on the social workers themselves. But the development of well-being is dynamic and is fostered through relationships and interactions with others. In the case of social workers, these relationships include workplace, professional, and personal life interactions. This research sought to better understand the level of congruence between a social worker’s perspective of well-being and perspectives held by significant people in their workplace and at home. Utilizing qualitative methods we interviewed colleagues and spouses (n=10) of social workers that were found to have high levels of work-related subjective well-being. The findings support previous conclusions on the positive subjective well-being (SWB) of practicing social workers, but also indicate a lack of a deeper understanding of the nuances that contribute to social worker SWB. These findings are particularly useful for social workers trying to enhance their SWB, and have direct applicability in education and professional development settings that seek to enhance social worker self-care.
Hitting the ground running: neo-conservatism and first year Canadian social workers
(2014) Newberry-Koroluk, Andrea
This paper explores how the popular use of the expression “hitting the ground running” in reference to beginning social work practice draws upon military imagery and reflects neoconservative expectations of first-year social workers. Discussion of the international and Canadian definitions of social work, key social work values, the neo-conservative paradigm, and the role of language in understanding human experiences provides context to this analysis. Ultimately, it is argued that it is in the best interests of the social work profession for the phrase hitting the ground running to be abandoned (or used critically) when making reference to first-year social workers, and a new metaphor is suggested that could take its place in the social work lexicon.
Chercheurs de « l’entre-deux » - Travailleurs sociaux dans le rôle de chercheurs : proximité et distance d’une ethnographie interpretative
(2014) Ouedraogo, Valerie
Le présent article porte sur les réflexions de terrain menées au Burkina Faso dans le cadre d’une étude doctorale qui a porté sur le retour forcé de travailleurs migrants burkinabè. Il interpelle à la fois les chercheurs de « l’entre-deux » et les chercheurs en travail social qui se trouvent pris à porter des chapeaux parfois en tension en tant que personne appartenant à la société étudiée, praticiens et chercheurs. L’objectif de notre article se resserre à cet effet autour des deux points c’est-à-dire chercheuse de l’entre-deux et travailleuse sociale placée dans le rôle de chercheuse avec le terrain.
Understanding workplace experiences of first-year Canadian social workers: a hermeneutic phenomenological study
(2014) Newberry-Koroluk, Andrea
There is limited global research addressing the experiences of first-year social workers in general, and a dearth of scholarship specific to the Canadian context. In 2012–2013, I conducted in-depth interviews with nine early-career (0.6–3.7 years post-Bachelor of Social Work/BSW), young adult (aged 23.9¬–32.9) social workers in Alberta, Canada to answer the question: how do young adult, early-career Alberta social workers understand subjective feelings towards their work experiences in their first year of practice following completion of the BSW? My research method was hermeneutic phenomenology, an interpretive approach to understanding the meaning of lived experiences. Symbolic interactionism provided the theoretical foundation for my research, facilitating dual attention to structural factors and the dynamics of individual interpretation and agency. My findings relate to the intersection of age and gender in the structure and meaning of the experiences of first-year social workers; institutional hierarchy and internalized marginalization of the social work role; first-year social workers’ fears of committing a cataclysmic error in practice; the meaning of encountering one’s own privilege and marginalization; and disappointments in early practice and individual narratives of transformation and idealism renegotiated. The literature review and findings suggest that three interconnected areas influence the subjective experiences of new social workers: institutional structures, social positionality, and lived experience. Through the interplay of these three areas, subjective workplace experiences are made understandable and meaningful to early-career social workers. From a broad inter-disciplinary perspective, this work is a substantial contribution to scholarship on gender relations and the workplace. Implications for social work education include challenging internalized oppression that reflects gendered norms in caregiving work; teaching multiple ways of evaluating practice rather than relying exclusively on post-positivist epistemologies and methodologies; encouraging reflexivity about practitioner social location; and disrupting narratives that presuppose a single “social work perspective” operating in agencies. In the realm of social work practice, applications include actively challenging the devaluation of young women workers and advocating for better working conditions. Future research in social work could explore gender in the early-career period across the life course and gender identity continuum.
Ageism and future cohorts of elderly: implications for social work
(2014) Azulai, Anna
In the field of prejudice and discrimination studies, an emphasis has been on racism and sexism, with comparatively little attention to understanding of ageism. This fact is alarming, particularly in the context of the growing population of older adults around the globe. This article provides a review of evidence of ageism among members of helping professions. The author expresses concern and develops an argument that ageism will increase as Baby Boomers reach retirement years. Implications for social work are then discussed.
Screening for geriatric depression in residential care facilities: a systematic narrative review
(2015) Azulai, Anna; Walsh, Christine A.
Studies in residential care facilities suggest that routine screening can assist in the early detection of geriatric depression. However, the effectiveness of screening instruments in residential care in the US and Canada has not been adequately evaluated. We conducted a systematic narrative review of the English-language literature published between 2000 and 2010 on screening instruments used for depression detection in older adults living in residential care facilities. The review yielded nine scales and their modifications tested in residential care, which we evaluated. We provide specific recommendations for the use of effective scales and discuss implications for practice, policy and research.
Transformative impacts: trafficking survivors for sexual exploitation and their involvement in an emancipatory study in Nepal
(2016) Dhungel, Rita
Trafficking of girls and women for sexual exploitations and their reintegration have become serious social issues in the world, particularly in Nepal, drawing the attention of local and international communities, including United Nations, government, academia, practitioners and activists. Nevertheless, the paucity of research on reintegration of trafficking survivors in the Nepalese context exhibits the need for further research. For example, in previous studies, the experiences of trafficking survivors in their reintegration have been examined and some strategies have been proposed through a qualitative approach. However, no studies have been conducted from social justice and feminist paradigms, and therefore the study was designed to bridge the gaps identified in academic investigations. Through the use of Participatory Action Research (PAR), the purpose for this study is to promote transformational/experiential learning opportunities to trafficking survivors and measure its transformative change. By using a number of PAR tools, eight trafficking survivors as co-researchers have examined under researched experiences of survivors on transformational learning opportunities and its implications to transformative impacts. For the purpose of the study, the survivors were significantly involved in analyzing data, mainly in categorizing and coding, however, a praxis (action-reflection-action) encouraging participants to engage in meaningful dialogues and actions, was executed as emancipatory research and liberatory educational tools throughout the study period. The results demonstrate that personal and social transformations were achieved, grounded in experiential evidence in personal narratives. Implications of the study are discussed in the conclusion.
Social exclusion and mental well-being of older people in rural China
(2016) Tong, Hongmei; Lai, Daniel W. L.; Guo, Aimei
The growth of the aging population in China is an important reality facing professionals and policy makers working with older adults. Challenges and needs related to the mental health of older adults, particularly those in rural areas in China, have been understudied. This cross-sectional study involved 499 older adults randomly selected from four rural counties in Jiangsu Province, China. Social exclusion was measured according to material resources, housing conditions, social relations, civic participation, and basic services. Mental health indicators included depression, happiness, and worry. Hierarchical binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the association between social exclusion and mental health variables. Exclusion related to material resources, housing conditions, social relations, participation, and basic community services were found to be negatively associated with mental health outcomes. Social policies and programs to reduce various forms of social exclusion should be developed in order to enhance the mental health of older Chinese in rural areas.
Reporting results back in Health and demographic surveillance systems (HDSS) : an ethical requirement and a strategy for improving health behaviours
(2016) Mondain, Nathalie; Delaunay, Valérie; Ouedraogo, Valerie
This paper addresses the issue of reporting results back in Health and demographic surveillance systems (HDSS). In these particular research platforms, populations are constantly solicited through the longitudinal demographic follow-up and additional surveys. Therefore, reporting results back directly to participants should be considered as a strong ethical requirement. However, like in most health oriented research, results are mostly disseminated among decision makers and local authorities. Therefore, HDSS residents increasingly question the objectives of these studies. Using a participatory approach, 3 days were organized in 2015 to report back findings based on 50 years of research on population, health and environment in the Niakhar HDSS in Senegal. Drawing from the evaluation conducted among a sample of participants to the event, we show that beyond the ethical dimension, such activities may also contribute to change populations’ attitudes to research practices and further influence individuals’ health behaviors at the local level.
Exploring barriers refugees and refugee claimants experience accessing reproductive health care services in Toronto
(2017) Gateri, Hellen; Richards, Donna
Studies conducted in Canada and other countries with similar health care systems, such as Britain, Australia, and the Netherlands, demonstrate that refugees and refugee claimants experience barriers in accessing reproductive health care services, such as pre- and postnatal care and cervical cancer screening. These studies further indicate that the barriers that refugees and refugee claimants experience are largely due to racism and discrimination, culture, language, and/or communication. However, these studies rarely consider the broader political, economic, historical, and social contexts from which these women are attempting to access reproductive health care services. For example, they rarely consider the effects of neoliberal immigration policies and health care cut backs resulting from Canada’s adoption of a neoliberal ideology that supports minimal government intervention in the economy. Many of the studies reviewed emphasise cultural barriers, that is, the researchers assume that a woman’s culture is the most important determinant of their participation in reproductive health care services. When culture is viewed as the main problem attention is deflected from systemic racism and discrimination and other factors that impede access to reproductive health care services. These studies also fail to capture the unique gendered and racialised experiences of women refugees and refugee claimants and how these affect their access to reproductive health care services. To improve accessibility, most of these studies recommend culturally sensitive service delivery or increased awareness of racialised cultures among health professionals. Culturally sensitive or cross-cultural care, informed and shaped by neoliberal and multicultural policies, are popular approaches to addressing the needs of ethnic minority populations, or “multicultural others,” and managing ethnic or cultural diversity within the Canadian health care system. Guided by antiracist theories and postcolonial feminist theories, this paper argues that neoliberal ideology and multicultural discourse have effectively moved attention away from racism and other systemic barriers in Canadian society and attributed the problem of unequal access primarily to the cultures of women refugees and refugee claimants. In the multicultural paradigm, the structural and material differences or inequities among populations are reduced to the issue of ethnic and cultural diversity. The discourse of diversity overlooks power differences by explaining inequities in cultural terms that construct culture, along with ethnicity and community, as static and independent of social, historical, economic, and structural forces. As such new research is required to explore whether and to what extent women refugees and refugee claimants underutilise reproductive health care services, such as pre- and postnatal care and cervical cancer screening, taking into account not just culture but also the social, economic, political, and historical context from which the women are seeking health care services.
A transformative approach to social work education
(2017) Dhungel, Rita; Lorenzetti, Liza; Lorenzetti, Diane; Oshchepkova, Tatiana; Haile, Lemlem
The paper presents an overview of “The Journey Guides Program” - a mentorship and experiential learning framework developed by the Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary in Canada. This program was implemented in an Advanced Graduate Seminar, a preparatory course for graduate Social Work students prior to entering their field placements. The purpose of this program is to advance practice-based knowledge in transformative learning. This article begins by discussing critical pedagogy, the theoretical framework that underpinned “The Journey Guides Program”, followed by a description of the eight-step process the authors adopted to implement this program. This paper concludes by presenting our evaluation plan and subsequent steps.
West meets east: on how Gandhian ethics works across culture
(2017) Vareed, Baiju
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, popularly called Mahatma ("Great Soul") and known as the Father of the Nation of India, was a visionary and determined individual who dared to challenge and triumph over the imperial power of Britain using his principles of nonviolence. His life and message gave a new impetus to a peaceful and humane means of approaching social and political issues of humankind. Gandhi influenced great leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr, and Nelson Mandela in their pursuit of freedom, and his teachings continue to influence new generations on building peace at both individual and community realms. It is no wonder that many found his life and ideals close so inspiring; indeed, Albert Einstein famously said, on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi's seventieth birthday, "Generations to come, it may well be, will scarce believe that such a man as this one ever in flesh and blood walked upon this Earth."
Doctoral student mentorship in social work education: a Canadian example
(2018) Fulton, Amy; Walsh, Christine A.; Gulbrandsen, Carolyn; Tong, Hongmei; Azulai, Anna
Purpose This paper aims to present a thematic analysis investigating the experiences and reflections of doctoral students in social work at a Canadian university who were mentored in the development of teaching expertise, including course design, delivery and evaluation, by a senior faculty member. Recommendations to others who are considering engaging in doctoral student teaching mentorship are presented. Design/methodology/approach The paper examines the authors’ reflections on their experiences of doctoral student mentorship through their involvement in collaboratively designing, teaching and evaluating an online undergraduate course. The inquiry used a qualitative approach grounded in Schon’s concept of reflexive learning. Findings Based on the results of the thematic analysis of the mentees’ reflections, this paper presents the collaborative teaching mentorship model and discusses how receiving mentorship in teaching facilitated the mentees’ development as social work educators. Originality/value Although quality guidelines in social work education recommend that doctoral students should be adequately prepared for future teaching opportunities, there is limited discussion about doctoral student development as educators within the academic literature, especially from the perspective of doctoral students. There is also limited articulation of specific models of doctoral student mentorship in developing teaching expertise. The authors hope that sharing their reflections on their experiences and describing the collaborative teaching mentorship model will serve to deepen understandings and promote further exploration and development of doctoral student mentorship in teaching.
Community managed alcohol programs in Canada: overview of key dimensions and implementation
(2018) Pauly, Bernie; Vallance, Kate; Wettlaufer, Ashley; Chow, Clifton; Brown, Randi; Evans, Joshua; Gray, Erin; Krysowaty, Bonnie; Ivsins, Andrew; Schiff, Rebecca; Stockwell, Tim
Introduction and Aims: People with severe alcohol dependence and unstable housing are vulnerable to multiple harms related to drinking and homelessness. Managed Alcohol Programs (MAP) aim to reduce harms of severe alcohol use without expecting cessation of use. There is promising evidence that MAPs reduce acute and social harms associated with alcohol dependence. The aim of this paper is to describe MAPs in Canada including key dimensions and implementation issues. Design and Methods: Thirteen Canadian MAPs were identified through the Canadian Managed Alcohol Program Study. Nine key informant interviews were conducted and analyzed alongside program documents and reports to create individual case reports. Inductive content analysis and cross case comparisons were employed to identify six key dimensions of MAPs. Results: Community based MAPs have a common goal of preserving dignity and reducing harms of drinking while increasing access to housing, health and social services. MAPs are offered as both residential and day programs with differences in six key dimensions including program goals and eligibility, food and accommodation, alcohol dispensing and administration, funding and money management, primary care services and clinical monitoring, and social and cultural connections. Discussion and Conclusions: MAPs consist of four pillars with the alcohol intervention provided alongside housing interventions, primary care services, social and cultural interventions. Availability of permanent housing and re-establishing social and cultural connections are central to recovery and healing goals of MAPs. Additional research regarding Indigenous and gendered approaches to program development as well as outcomes related to chronic harms and differences in alcohol management are needed.
The effects of intersectional stigma and discrimination on the mental well-being of Black, LBQ, female youth 18–25 years old
(2018) Richards, Donna; Gateri, Hellen; Massaquoi, Notisha
This chapter focuses on Black, lesbian, bisexual, and queer female youth and the effects of intersectional stigma on their mental well-being. Labels such as "lesbian", "bisexual", and "queer" are used to refer to women who have same-sex desires. Few studies addresses the intersectional stigma that Black, lesbian, bisexual, and queer (LBQ) female youth face in a society where racism, sexual orientation, and homophobia intersect with other social inequities. Throughout the chapter, in addition to LBQ, the acronyms LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) and LGBQ are used because much of the literature reviewed concerns the larger LGBTQ community. It found that this group not only experiences discrimination in society in general, but may also face discrimination within the LGBTQ communities. Oftentimes, they also face rejection or pressure to remain closeted in their own racial/ethnic communities because of heteronormative cultural pressures. It purposely excludes transgendered populations as one's social work practice experiences have been primarily with the LBQ population. Transgender is an umbrella term used to refer to identities such as transgender and intersex.

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