Social workers and other health and human sciences professionals participate in planned, joint activities to serve clients and patients across many fields of practice (O'Hare, 2020; Rumping, Boendermaker, & de Ruyter, 2019). This study aimed to determine the validity of an interdisciplinary educational program developed based on existing literature (Khan & Wells, 2023) and concepts drawn from teamwork (Obiekwe, Obiekwe, & Oiku, 2023) and experiential learning theory (Seaman, Brown, & Quay, 2017). The program consisted of four stages: planning, education, training, and evaluation. 76 students representing 5 disciplines (social work, exercise science, nutrition, sports administration, and nursing) were randomly selected and divided into 2 groups: a control group (N=42) and a working group (N=34). The working group received educational materials on interdisciplinary knowledge and teamwork and participated in a joint experience in which teams of students from the five majors reviewed a case and developed a joint assessment and evaluation. An instrument comprising 18 items was developed to assess students' understanding of interdisciplinary concepts, joint assessment and intervention, and program evaluations. The instrument has an overall reliability (Alpha) of .79. The study results show significant differences between the two groups at the post-test in all four program sections, t = -5.92, p = .001. Finally, the study indicates a need to develop innovative and practical models to train students in these majors in interdisciplinary knowledge and practice.
Treatment for substance use and addiction is very complex and challenging. Clinical outcome data consistently demonstrates that this field has an ongoing problem with treatment dropout. The data for this research were gathered from an outpatient treatment facility over the course of approximately two years. The findings revealed that 60.6% of clients successfully completed outpatient level of care. Around 4 out of 10 clients did not complete treatment (most of these clients dropped out). Out of the clients that completed outpatient level of care, 61.3% continued on to aftercare services. Once in aftercare, survival analysis determined that there was a probability of .83 that women would return after one aftercare meeting and a probability of .81 that men would return. Survival trends further revealed that there was only a probability of .39 that women would make it past five aftercare meetings and a probability of .29 that men would make it past five meetings. Attendance probabilities further declined with each subsequent meeting. The outcome data from this study further highlights the ongoing need to better retain clients in outpatient treatment and aftercare. The findings from this study may be of practical use to clinical directors, alcohol and drug counselors, case managers, social workers, and psychotherapists working within the field of substance use and addiction.
Black students in K–12 educational settings experience grief in multifaceted ways that extend beyond the loss of loved ones and encompass racial trauma, community stressors, systemic oppression, and chronic disenfranchised losses. Yet, school-based mental health frameworks often fail to recognize or adequately address these culturally embedded grief experiences. This qualitative study examined how participation in the GRACE (Grief Resilient Affirming Care through Empowerment) training influenced Psychiatric Social Workers’ (PSWs) conceptualization of grief among Black students. Fifty-four (n=54) PSWs from the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Black Student Achievement Program (BSAP) completed a pre and post-training qualitative survey. Reflexive thematic analysis was employed to explore shifts in knowledge, cultural responsiveness, and clinical application. Four major themes emerged: (1) Expanded Understanding of Grief, highlighting recognition of the diverse forms of loss impacting Black youth, including racialized and systemic grief; (2) Culturally Grounded and Anti-Oppressive Practice, reflecting increased appreciation for the importance of cultural humility, historical awareness, and contextualized meaning-making; (3) Shifting from a Deficit Lens to an Honoring-Based Approach, illustrating greater ability to interpret students’ grief responses without pathologizing or minimizing their lived experiences; and (4) Enhanced Clinical Confidence and Utility, demonstrating that the GRACE framework equipped clinicians with practical tools, language, and interventions to better support Black students’ emotional well-being. Findings suggest that the GRACE Model framework is a promising culturally responsive intervention that strengthens clinicians’ capacity to provide affirming, healing-centered grief support. Implications include the need for continued professional development, integration of culturally attuned grief practices, and future research examining student-level outcomes.
Global refugee displacement has risen sharply in recent years, with children comprising nearly half of all refugees worldwide. In Australia, despite strong policy commitments to equity and multiculturalism, refugee-background students in secondary schools continue to face systemic barriers such as linguistic marginalization, deficit-based discourses, and cultural deindividualization.This study examines how deindividualization manifests within inclusive education practices and explores how learning with and from refugee students can foster more relational and transformative models of inclusion. This study addresses the research question: How can refugee-background students and educators collaboratively co-construct inclusive educational practices that resist deindividualization and cultivate relational, transformative learning?Using a systematic literature review guided by the PRISMA 2020 framework, eighteen peer-reviewed studies (2020–2025) were thematically analysed through the lenses of critical pedagogy, recognition theory, and transformative learning. Findings reveal ongoing tensions between inclusive policy rhetoric and classroom realities. Three interrelated themes emerged: (1) experiences of deindividualization and “othering,” (2) relational inclusion grounded in empathy, agency, and co-learning, and (3) transformative learning as a pedagogical and institutional process. Creative and embodied practices—such as arts-based learning and sport—were identified as powerful catalysts for belonging, identity affirmation, and social connection.The study concludes that genuine inclusion demands a systemic and ethical reorientation of education—from teaching refugees to learning with refugees. It calls for participatory, mixed-method research and culturally sustaining pedagogies that bridge policy and practice, positioning schools as transformative spaces of empathy, recognition, and shared humanity.
Social workers play a pivotal role in advancing inclusive education systems, particularly within special education settings. This paper provides a comprehensive comparative analysis of the professional rights, legal recognition, and institutional integration of social workers in special education across selected countries in Europe—the United Kingdom, Germany, and Sweden—as well as the United States. These countries demonstrate strong institutional frameworks that embed social work through policy design, professional certification, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Social workers are positioned as essential stakeholders in Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and multi-agency planning processes. By contrast, the Greek context reveals a substantial institutional void: the role of social workers in special education remains ambiguously defined, sporadically implemented, and legally unrecognized. Drawing upon international best practices, this study identifies key structural deficiencies in Greece—including legislative omissions, the absence of professional training pathways, and limited representation in education policymaking. Actionable policy proposals are offered, including formal legal recognition, integration into education systems, development of specialized academic programs, and enhanced advocacy strategies. The findings highlight an urgent imperative for Greece to align with global standards in order to advance educational equity and uphold the rights of students with disabilities.
This research study was conducted in February, 2025, at amongst Social Work students at Kaimosi Friends University. The goal of the study was to unearth the health-seeking behaviour of Kenyan youths using a case study of Social Work Students at Kaimosi Friends University. The explorative research design was deployed since it was a fact-finding mission aimed at unearthing health-seeking behaviours amongst Kenyan youths. From a sampling frame of 6,000 undergraduate students of diverse programmes, all the 130 first-year to fourth year Social Work students were purposively selected for the study. Primary data collection methods that were used are: observation; structured interviews; focus-group discussions; and key informant interviews. Secondary data relied on document content analysis of online journal articles and government reports. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used in data synthesis. The respondents who reported to rarely suffering minor ailments were the majority at 76.2 percent whereas those who often experienced minor ailments were 23.8 percent. The students who never sought treatment for minor issues were 11.5 percent; those who did so occasionally were 80 percent; while those who always treated minor ailments were 8.5 percent. Students who rarely suffered a major ailment were the overwhelming majority at 96.2 percent while those who often did so were a paltry 3.8 percent. The students who never sought treatment for a major issue were 15.4 percent; those who did so occasionally were 61.5 percent; whereas 23.1 percent always went for treatment. These findings suggest that there is need to intensify awareness campaigns on the need to reinforce regular hospital checkups and treatments regarding both minor and major ailments for overall wellbeing.
Comprehensive sexuality education is a critical reproductive health tool in helping adolescents take control of their bodies to overcome unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. However, Ghanaian culture, taboos, and myths continue to undermine its successful implementation, creating a knowledge gap in sexuality and reproductive health matters. The study examined the perspectives, attitudes, and knowledge of in-school adolescents about sex education and sexuality matters to enhance the importance of sex education in reducing adolescent pregnancy and improving reproductive health issues. A quantitative approach and descriptive research design were employed for the study. The study involved 144 adolescents aged 15 to 18 years from the Adaklu district of the Volta region in Ghana. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection, and the data were analyzed. The study's findings revealed that 86% of the students support sex education; 56% argue that it should start in secondary school, while 52% agree that it should begin at home. However, 48% were against sex education commencing in primary school. Moreover, 53% believe sex education prevents unwanted pregnancies, and 44% who had ever had sexual encounters feared pregnancy. The students lacked knowledge of sexuality and reproductive health issues and were negatively affected by the culture and taboos in their communities. Comprehensive sex education should begin from the upper primary, and parents should be trained to help educate their children at home.
In 2022, the author published an article about social work education and practice in the US and China. This article expands the essay into the internationalization of social work education and practice using the everyday teaching and practice modalities in the United States as a base. In turn, this essay expands the author’s original views and perceptions about the effectiveness of social work education and practice worldwide.Implication. The author discusses five crucial areas that social work scholars and social workers around the world could adopt: (1) Cultural Adaptation of Evidence-Based Practices, (2) International Collaboration and Knowledge, (3) Standardization vs. Localization, (4) Ethical Considerations and Power Dynamics, and (5) Digitalization future for social work education and practice.
The commercial exploration and exportation of oil and gas is the primary source of revenue to the Nigerian government. However, the Niger Delta region, which is abundant in oil and gas reserves in the country, remains in poor socioeconomic outlook. This study extends the literature of oil pollution by investigating the impact of oil spillage and gas flaring on public health in the Niger Delta. A descriptive-explorative design was selected to discuss the subject matter. Cross-sectional primary data were collected from 200 participants who were selected from four oil-producing communities in the region (in Delta and Ondo states). The data were collected with the aid of self-designed semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed with a mix of frequency counts, percentages and t-test. Findings showed that there is incessant outbreak of diseases within the sampled communities with a number of elderly residents being present with long-term illnesses. It was ascertained that the continuous, unchecked release of oil-related pollutants has deteriorated public health in the Niger Delta. Policymakers are therefore nudged to reconsider compensation and phasing-out schemes to restore healthy living to the people of oil-abundant communities.
Deviant behavior, while often viewed negatively, plays a crucial role in society. It reinforces norms, clarifies moral boundaries, and can even lead to positive social change. The deviant behavior of students has become a grave concern for universities across the world. Existing studies on factors contributing to deviant behavior has been mostly limited to individual and family-based predictors in developed countries. Few studies have examined the ‘cross-over’ students’ experiences of deviant behavior. This study addressed these limitations, it explores how students perceive self-experience of malpractice within the university settings and social workers-university partnership in the reduction of deviant behavior in non-Western cultures. Surveys were administered to 120 undergraduate students (65% female, 92% Christian) age 17 to 25, studying allied health science courses and affiliated degree programmes. The results revealed that examination malpractice and cheating have a positive influence on deviant behavior of students’ experiences in the University. Specifically, findings indicated student-related factors like desire for good grades, pressure to succeed and lack of preparation as well as fear of failure contributed to deviant behavior of students in malpractice. Regarding the study recommendations, we shared our thoughts as licensed and practicing social workers on the urgent needs for proper students counselling and social workers-university partnership in the reduction students’ deviant behavior. Implications for future research are discussed.
Defining a retiree as retired seems easier and harder than it appears. Persons can be considered to be retired or referred to as retirees if they say they are. The assertion appears harder because of retirees’ personal experience of work, health and earning after retirement. This study presents a qualitative insight of retired civil servants’ perspectives of what defines a ‘retiree’ in non-Western cultures. Purposeful sampling was applied in the study, and qualitative interviews were conducted involving two (2) focus group discussions with six (6) retirees as participants in each group, who are residents of Government Residential Area (G.R.A) Trans-Ekulu, Enugu State, Nigeria. Three themes emerged from the data, including (1) relationship, (2) happiness, and (3) gratitude to the divine. Results of the study offered a more relatively valid definition of a ‘retiree’ which is not solely based on age or length of service, instead the relationships retirees built during their working years, along with their level of happiness especially on economic satisfaction, family relations, and health self-rating in post-retirement served as key adjustment mechanisms and ultimately define their status as retirees. This study concluded with recommendations for civil servants emphasizing the importance of happiness and positive relationship in work place, and not negative perceptions about retirement as many retirees publicly commend their pre-retirement benefits, such as job security, reliable income and social connections, while privately contending with post-retirement challenges. Implications and areas for future research are also highlighted.
This study evaluated the effectiveness of CBT interventions including supportive presence and socialization for immigrant older participants who suffered from depression and anxiety and attended an Adult Health Care Center (ADHC) at Los Angeles, California. The evaluation strived to study patients at the ADHC who receive daytime health care service for at least a year consistently. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was utilized to measure and monitor the severity level of depressive symptoms. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) was also used to measure and monitor the severity level of anxiety symptoms. Of the eighty-five participants (N=85) were selected to be involved in this study, sixty-nine were women, and men account for sixteen. The findings support the hypothesis of this study which states that the CBT intervention of the Adult Day Health Care in L.A, CA will reduce symptoms of anxiety/depression among older immigrant clients. It appears that the comprehensive nature of the CBT intervention in the ADHC, which includes supportive presence and socialization, individual therapy, and case management, is effective at improving symptoms of anxiety and depression among the participants.
Traditionally, women's involvement in caregiving activities is considered the primary responsibility of their lives. This expected gender role is influenced by traditional social norms and values, religious beliefs, and cultural practices which have been changing based on present socio-economic conditions. In this study, the role of older women and working women in elderly caregiving settings has been explored through applying the case study method. Older women who are providing care, embrace traditional social norms and values and perform this task with less support and physical and mental sufferings. Involvement in higher education, income earning activities, migration trends, cost of living, and change of perception in social values and norms were found as responsible factors for the changing role of women in elderly caregiving settings. Consequently, working women are trying to adopt multiple strategies in providing care to maintain their professional growth, and they expect to provide quality care through utilizing institutional support. In these circumstances, developing an efficient and affordable formal elderly care setting is vital not only for providing required elderly care but also for supporting the women in contributing to the economy of the country by self-growth.
The rise in college enrollment of students with autism has highlighted unique academic, social, emotional, and executive functioning challenges. To address these needs, there is an urgent call for tailored support programs. Despite the demand for comprehensive support, a national shortage of autism-specific programs persists. This study, drawing upon empowerment theory, assesses the effectiveness of support systems empowering autistic students in higher education. This call-to-action paper emphasizes the necessity for federal intervention to establish training programs for college staff and academic support systems to facilitate the success of postsecondary students with autism. In addressing the keywords of higher education autism, college students with disabilities, autism support for adults, transition to adulthood, and accommodations, this paper advocates for vital changes to support this growing demographic.
In the pursuit of social justice and human well-being, two important forces drive societal change: social work and philanthropy. Both share a common goal of improving the lives of individuals and communities, yet their approaches, legal frameworks, and methods differ significantly. While social work is grounded in professional ethics and legal mandates, philanthropy is often seen as voluntary charitable giving or resource distribution. Understanding these differences is essential for both legal and social systems, as they shape the ways in which assistance is provided to those in need. This paper seeks to examine the legal distinctions between social work and philanthropy, analyzing how each operates within its legal framework and contributes to societal well-being. The overlap between these fields can create challenges in defining the boundaries of legal accountability, professional practice, and ethical responsibilities within these domains. give this abstract a title. By understanding these distinctions, the paper intends to clarify how each field functions legally and how they complement each other in promoting social welfare. This paper will examine the legal frameworks, regulatory bodies and professional standards that apply to social workers versus philanthropists, and explore the ethical responsibilities and legal accountability of both social work professionals and philanthropic organizations. It will also delve into the impact of these fields on social change and individual well-being from a legal perspective, providing recommendations for legal improvements to enhance the efficacy and accountability of both fields. This study will employ a comparative legal analysis, examining relevant laws, regulations, and professional codes of ethics for both social work and philanthropy. Secondary data, such as academic articles, legal texts, and reports from regulatory bodies, will be analyzed to support the discussion. By investigating these areas, this paper will contribute to a deeper understanding of how social work and philanthropy function within legal contexts and their respective roles in supporting vulnerable populations.
This study examines the activities of social workers in northern Nigeria, a region deeply affected by insurgencies, armed conflicts, and other forms of internal disturbances. Social workers play a crucial role in safeguarding the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict, providing assistance, promoting the application of international humanitarian law, and acting as neutral intermediaries between conflicting parties. While these are general functions of social workers globally, this research focuses on the specific roles they play in northern Nigeria. The study employs a doctrinal research methodology, which is particularly adequate and sufficient for this analysis due to its systematic and comprehensive focus on existing legal and academic resources. By relying on primary and secondary sources such as laws, textbooks, internet materials, periodicals, journals, and articles the doctrinal approach allows for a thorough and qualitative examination of documented data and perspectives on the contributions and challenges faced by social workers. This method is sufficient and was chosen because it provides the tools necessary to synthesize and critically analyze existing knowledge, highlighting patterns, identifying gaps, and drawing insights that may not require field-based or empirical investigation. Through the doctrinal method, the study identifies the extensive contributions of social workers in mitigating the impacts of internal strife and armed conflicts in northern Nigeria. It also illuminates the challenges they encounter and the strategies they use to overcome these obstacles. By relying on robust academic and professional literature, this method ensures a comprehensive understanding of the subject, making it an appropriate choice for the scope and objectives of the research.
This paper explores the critical intersection of social work and Islam, focusing on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region amidst historical and ongoing conflicts. The study examines how Western-oriented social work education often clashes with the realities faced by Muslim populations who interpret the world through an Islamic lens. The impact of colonialism, modernization, and globalization on social work practices in the MENA region is emphasized, highlighting the enduring effects of these forces on local knowledge and the marginalization of indigenous Islamic wisdom. The study advocates for a paradigm shift toward authentization—developing social work approaches grounded in the local cultural and religious contexts of Muslim populations. It discusses the integration of Islamic practices and values into social work and psychotherapy, emphasizing the therapeutic benefits of Islamic rituals, spirituality, and community-oriented practices. The paper also underscores the need for culturally relevant social work education that reflects the diverse realities of Muslim clients. By promoting a more inclusive and culturally sensitive approach, the article aims to bridge the gap between Western social work practices and the needs of Muslim communities, fostering better outcomes and enhanced well-being for those served.
Social work as a profession has the tools necessary to support and bring together not just communities but nations due to its ability to recognize and meet the needs of the people. The profession is relatively new to African countries, including Somaliland, with many of its current-day theories being borrowed from the West. We began our collaborative project in mid-2000, believing that social work in Somaliland can foster growth and nationwide capacity building. The project included the development of a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program that began in 2008 and a Master of Social Work (MSW) currently in the works. In addition to developing these programs, we have been conducting qualitative research and short surveys since 2020, focusing on the role of social work in Somaliland, the employment prospects for graduates and the benefits of indigenizing the education and expanding it to the MSW level. Our findings show the contribution of social work education and practice in addressing the specific issues related to poverty, religion, gender-related issues, disability rights, and caring for children or older adults and the need for a graduate level to address issues such as mental health and policy development. We also found that social work education and practice, despite the region's economic challenges and as a new and previously unknown discipline based on Western knowledge, contributed to the overall well-being and capacity building of the people in the area.
BACKGROUND: Opioid use is prevalent throughout prison populations worldwide. To date, opioid substitution treatment (OST) is considered as one of the most effective treatments for reducing drug-related harm associated with opioid dependence. Yet, large gaps prevail in the access and availability of OST in detention facilities in Germany. We investigated the views and attitudes of health professionals working in prisons in the federal state of Baden-Wuerttemberg towards OST and identified barriers and facilitators to the implementation of prison-based OST.METHODS: We conducted semi-structured expert interviews with nine physicians and one psychologist working in prisons in Baden-Wuerttemberg. The data was analyzed in MAXQDA using a qualitative content analysis approach. RESULTS: A majority of study participants (90%) held positive attitudes towards OST. Our findings suggest that concerns about OST medication diversion and the co-consumption of illegal drugs, insufficient staff capacity, and difficulties in ensuring continuity of care post-release posed barriers to prison-based OST. Additionally, the prison setting, an adequate personnel infrastructure, and the availability of technical equipment were perceived as facilitating the implementation of OST. The participants highlighted the need for an increase in medical personnel capacities and for improved transition management between intra- and extramural treatment settings. CONCLUSIONS: To improve drug using prisoners’ health, intramural OST needs to be adapted more to the particularities of the prison setting such as offering less-divertible medication options and ensuring continuity of care after imprisonment. Research is needed on the acceptance of new OST medications among incarcerated populations and actionable treatment approaches.
The private individuals share about 76% in total healthcare expenditure in Nigeria, in contrast to about 24% by other sources. This has attracted researchers to explore the determinants of private health expenditure in the country. However, little attention has been paid to the role of socio-economic characteristics of service users as drivers of users’ healthcare expenditure. This study was motivated to fill this knowledge gap by surveying the perspectives of service users on whether the level and changes in their socio-economic status may influence their propensities to spend on healthcare. The study has a descriptive design such that twenty (20) service users were recruited randomly from a general hospital in Ibadan, Nigeria with a semi-structured questionnaire and interview used as instruments of data collection. The collected data were analyzed using a mix of frequency counts, percentages and logistic regression. Findings revealed that users' income level, educational attainment and occupation are strong determinants (with high probability coefficients) of private healthcare expenditure. However, family size and proximity to health facility are weak determinants of private healthcare expenditure in Nigeria. It is therefore recommended that government should increase the minimum wage in the country in order to allow users to increase their spending on healthcare. Alternatively, the reach of available health insurance schemes in the country should be expanded so that more service users with low private funding are eligible to access healthcare. This is especially important given low public health expenditure and the current experience of rising inflation in Nigeria.
