Background Integrating digital technologies into social work practice has become increasingly significant, with new developments occurring in the artificial intelligence (AI) era, reshaping service delivery and interdisciplinary collaboration. This bibliometric-systematic review examines the scope and evolution of digital technologies in social work. This is a review that examines the body of knowledge as a whole, rather than focusing on the effectiveness of individual interventions. Specifically, the study addresses the following research questions: Which articles, journals, countries, and authors hold the most significant influence in the field? What research trends in this domain have been explored in the past decade? To what extent is digital social work a cohesive body of knowledge? What are the future directions for research in digital social work? Methods The study employed a bibliometric approach and analysed 767 articles from the Web of Science's Social Work category. It used CiteSpace for network analysis and visualisation. Results The findings reveal ten major research clusters, including foundational themes like the social worker–client relationship and emerging areas such as AI and telehealth. Implication The review highlights the potential for continuity and cohesiveness within the field while also identifying structural hurdles, the need for enhanced theorisation, the strategic importance of innovation, and the value of fostering cross-regional collaborations.
Summary: An important aspect of palliative care, advance care planning, and end-of-life healthcare is the necessity to ensure that all individuals, including those in the custody of the criminal justice system, receive compassionate and efficient care. While there has been an increase in studies related to inmates’ experiences in prison, a significant gap in the literature is the lack of synthesis gained from qualitative studies. To our knowledge, this is the first qualitative interpretive meta-synthesis of inmates’ experiences who are undergoing palliative care, advance care planning, and end-of-life in prison. Findings: The findings resulted in four overarching themes: (1) Inadequate access to health services, (2) lack of compassion toward the inmates, (3) distrust in the system, and (4) institutional control over inmates’ end-of-life decision making. By conducting a qualitative interpretative meta-synthesis, involving seven studies with 200 incarcerated participants, it was found that dignity, death, and dying experiences of inmates were significantly impeded by the prison settings. Application: The study indicates absence of adequate sensitive policies around healthcare in prison, especially end-of-life care. Social workers associated with the criminal justice system across the world must therefore be trained to provide psychosocial support to their clients and their families during this difficult time. Social workers must also advocate for their patients’ rights, and train prison staff to provide quality care until more efficient systems are institutionalized.
Summary Client documentation fulfills a variety of purposes in social work. As research on this topic has steadily increased, so has the need to take stock of what characterizes the literature in this area. This paper presents the results of a scoping review of 490 peer-reviewed articles published in English in this field, with a specific analysis of a subsample ( n = 95) that explicitly focuses on documentation as a research theme and relies on client documentation as a source of data. Findings While nearly half of the 490 articles analyzed mention documentation in at least four sections, only one-third posed research questions directly addressing it. This suggests that much of the peer-reviewed literature in English on documentation in social work treats documentation tangentially rather than as a central theme. The array of analyses performed also shows that documentation research is unevenly distributed across social work domains, and that Child Welfare and Protective Services (CWPS) is the domain that has thus far contributed the most to research in this area. In addition, this review highlights the key areas of inquiry that are addressed in research that uses client documentation as data and has research questions/aims on documentation. Applications This paper exposes some of the knowledge gaps that characterize social work research on client documentation and argues that investing in delineating a future research agenda for this topic would benefit not only social work scholarship but also practice.
Summary: Digital exclusion represents a multidimensional injustice embedded in broader structures of marginalization. Drawing on qualitative findings from a study in South Africa, this article explores how hybrid approaches can either exacerbate or mitigate social exclusion, particularly in resource-constrained contexts. The study used a nonprobability purposive sample of 22 social workers delivering in-person and technology-supported services. Data were analyzed thematically using Atlas.ti software for coding, clustering, and theme development. Fraser's dimensions of redistribution, recognition, and representation provided a critical lens to analyze systemic inequalities in digital service delivery. The article concludes by proposing actionable guidelines for a hybrid approach that offer a pathway toward a more inclusive and ethically grounded model of practice aligned with social justice principles. Findings: Key findings reveal that digital injustice in social work is primarily driven by three dynamics: unequal access to technology, limited cultural responsiveness, and exclusion from decision-making processes. These dynamics underscore the complex challenges of the digital divide and offer valuable, context-specific insights for developing inclusive guidelines for hybrid practice, particularly in environments facing significant resource constraints. Applications: This article contributes to the international discourse on digital social work by offering a theoretical foundation for policy development, practitioner training, and service innovation. It establishes digital inclusion as a social justice imperative, particularly relevant in the Global South, where the digital divide continues to severely limit equitable access. This contribution advances the field's capacity to engage with technology not as a neutral tool, but as a contested space requiring critical, justice-oriented engagement.
Summary This study examines the experiences and knowledge exchanged through international dialog among social work practitioners and other stakeholders in non-Western contexts. A participatory qualitative design was employed in three intensive online sessions conducted in 2025, involving 26 social work practitioners, researchers and additional participants from nine Asian countries. Oral data from the dialogs and question-and-answer segments were recorded and transcribed. The resulting transcripts were analyzed and interpreted collaboratively through thematic analysis. Findings The collaborative thematic analysis yielded two primary domains. The first domain, “Knowledge from local and international perspectives,” consists of the themes “Local/indigenous communities” and “International perspectives and exchanges.” The second domain, “Diverse practical knowledge and perspectives,” comprises the themes “Universal/Western-rooted social work,” “Local/indigenous social work and its challenges” and “Integration and transformation of approaches.” Applications The findings demonstrate that international exchange of experiences and ideas among social work stakeholders can deepen diverse social work knowledge through dialog and collaborative learning. Furthermore, the value and future potential of sustained online dialog sessions were emphasized.
Summary Disabled women experience disproportionately higher rates of gender-based violence than non-disabled women, including unique forms of violence related to caregiving relationships and abuse that targets their disabilities. However, there remains a paucity of research that seeks to understand these experiences in ways that can inform practice, which limits social workers’ ability to ensure that services and policies appropriately meet the needs of disabled women. To address this gap, this paper presents a qualitative meta-synthesis that brings together findings from 49 qualitative studies conducted across six continents. Findings Following a five-stage data synthesis process, four themes were identified from the meta-synthesis: (1) opening doors: the importance of accessibility; (2) community as a means of empowerment and overcoming adversity; (3) centering lived experience and survivors’ voices in all spaces; and (4) awareness as an essential step to change. Applications Despite including research from six continents and diverse global settings that varied by type of disability, form of violence, and qualitative research design, the meta-synthesis identified common themes illustrating the need to foster connection, center survivors’ experiences, improve accessibility to services, resources, and information, and strengthen collaboration across sectors and organizations. These findings offer actionable implications that social workers can implement to ensure improved service provision across sectors and to advocate for policy changes that address intersecting vulnerabilities of disabled women that transcend international borders.
A significant proportion of parents in the UK with a learning disability have their children removed, with many young people subsequently living away from home in formal care. This raises numerous ethical questions for social work, not least relating to the moral tension between requirements to maintain the rights of parents with a disability whilst also protecting children who are vulnerable. This article looks at the findings of interviews undertaken with professional social care employees in the Northwest England. It seeks to consider their responsibilities and experiences in their work with parents with a learning disability.Findings Following interviewing with 14 participants, we detail findings in relation to three core themes explored: including communication challenges; limited knowledge and training; and formal procedures followed by professionals alongside their engagement with the courts.Application Among other findings, we illustrate many challenges which parents with a disability and social workers face. The article also appraises the viability of bioethics and rights-based ethical frameworks in work with parents with a disability. Whilst offering potential, both these approaches are not without challenges.
Social workers are frequently exposed to verbal and physical aggression from service users, which can negatively impact their psychological well-being and professional functioning. This study investigated the relationship between aggression exposure, acute stress responses, and perceived competencies among Dutch social workers. An online survey of 431 practitioners assessed experiences with different forms of aggression (e.g., verbal threats, physical violence, anticipation), acute stress reactions, self-perceived competence in managing aggression, and access to relevant training.Findings Verbal aggression was most commonly reported, followed by physical violence and the fear of potential incidents. These experiences were strongly associated with acute stress responses. Although many respondents felt confident in their ability to manage aggression, stress symptoms often impaired emotional regulation and risk assessment. Notably, many participants had received limited or outdated formal training in aggression management, despite frequent exposure. These findings suggest that confidence alone does not equate to preparedness, and unmanaged stress responses may compromise safety and decision-making.Applications This study highlights the pressing need to support social workers in managing both the physiological and cognitive aspects of stress during aggressive encounters. Future research should not only evaluate the effectiveness of existing training but also investigate how aggression-related stress arises and affects professional performance. Such insights are crucial for developing more comprehensive training programs that move beyond technical de-escalation skills to include stress regulation, real-world simulations, and reflective practice, better aligning with the complex realities of contemporary social work.
Social workers face many uncertainties and challenges in providing quality services to clients. The aim of this study is to analyze what uncertainty is from the perspective of social workers, and how social workers reflect on its presence in their (moral) decision-making. Data collected through an online questionnaire, semi-structured interviews, and a focus group were analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings Conclusions were drawn regarding the diversity of conceptions and evaluations of uncertainty and its forms at the micro (individual), meso (organizational), and macro (supra-organizational) levels that permeate social workers' moral decision-making and actions. Applications We conclude by considering implications for education and practice to prepare students and practitioners for (moral) uncertainty and to develop strategies for coping with it.
Deinstitutionalization a globally recognized child protection reform, seeks to transition children from residential institutions to family and community-based care models that align with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Despite its noble intent, implementing deinstitutionalization in Zimbabwe remains in its formative stages, with significant gaps in policy and practice. Guided by the 7Cs Protocol Framework, this study explores the challenges and ambiguities hindering the process.Findings Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 practitioners, including social workers and evaluators from the Department of Social Development and private voluntary organizations. Data were analyzed using MAXQDA and 7Cs framework, revealing five significant themes: unstructured and inconsistent transition processes, skill deficiencies among Child Protection Officers, resistance from institutional staff, reluctance to explore alternative care strategies, and insufficient prereintegration preparation and support. The findings indicate that a lack of standardized reintegration guidelines, limited training, and systemic resistance undermines the effectiveness of deinstitutionalization efforts. Institutional caregivers often resist reforms due to fears of job loss and funding reductions, while social workers hesitate to explore alternative care strategies due to high workloads and resource constraints. Prereintegration preparation remains inadequate, leaving children and families vulnerable during transitions.Application Recommendations bar for a strengthening-gatekeeping mechanisms, aligning resource allocation with caseload demands, implementing awareness campaigns to shift societal attitudes, fostering partnerships for family support, and developing child-centered care plans. These measures, supported by interdisciplinary collaboration, are critical for refining Zimbabwe's deinstitutionalization efforts and ensuring sustainable reform.
This study investigates social workers' AI-related concerns by examining sociodemographic and professional factors shaping anxiety and testing predefined hypotheses on the predictive roles of ethical sensitivity and attitudes toward innovation. A quantitative approach using descriptive and correlational survey models was employed to gather data from 410 social workers across various regions in T & uuml;rkiye. Data were collected through the Artificial Intelligence Anxiety Scale, the Ethics Position Questionnaire, and the Innovative Behavior Inventory. Grounded in ethical sensitivity theory and innovation perspectives, the study applied descriptive statistics, correlation, regression, t-tests, and ANOVA to assess patterns and test predictions related to social workers' AI-related concerns.Findings A considerable portion of social workers expressed moderate to high levels of AI-related anxiety. Sociodemographic factors such as age, experience, and education influenced these concerns. Ethical idealism, a dimension of ethical sensitivity, was positively correlated with higher anxiety, while a positive attitude toward innovation was linked to lower levels of anxiety, suggesting that openness to technology could mitigate concerns.Applications The study underscores the need to address ethical considerations and promote positive attitudes toward technological innovation among social workers. It suggests that training programs enhancing ethical sensitivity and encouraging openness to innovation could effectively reduce AI-related anxiety. Additionally, the study recommends developing comprehensive policies with ethical guidelines and clear frameworks to ensure the safe integration of AI into social work practices. Such measures aim to build trust and facilitate the secure adoption of AI technologies in professional roles.
: Despite growing acknowledgement of the potential for strengths-based approaches to improve individuals' well-being and create effective preventative support, their implementation is hindered by a lack of adequate theoretical conceptualization. In response, this article utilizes a series of research projects into second-wave prevention to develop a four-stage model which explains the difference strengths-based prevention makes and enables the evidencing of their outcomes and impacts.Findings: Through capturing the unique characteristics of strengths-based approaches, the model creates a framework for analysis and evaluation. It moves away from deficits-based, linear approaches toward reflecting the cyclical contexts of people's lives and the multiplicity of challenges at individual, community and service system levels which can trigger the need for support. It provides a framework for understanding how tailored support across these three levels can prevent individuals falling through the gaps of existing support and insulate them against future challenges.Applications: The strength-based model provides an innovative framework for understanding and evaluating the impact of strength-based prevention programs. This model has already been piloted in work within a number of local authorities and different types of prevention activity.
This article describes and analyses an evaluation of a coaching service that was delivered to social workers in Northern Ireland. It begins with a review of the literature on coaching which reveals the complex, sometimes contradictory definitions and applications that are applied in these forms of professional support. The article then highlights the context for the evaluation and important factors about how Northern Ireland not only shares similarities but also differs in some aspects of social work policy, practice, and education, when compared to other countries of the United Kingdom.Findings The evaluation used a mixed method approach to ascertain the experiences of coachees (n = 20) who received the service and coaches (n = 2) who delivered the service. The results revealed a range of issues about coachees' perceptions and experiences of job satisfaction, motivation, goals, and concerns about stress, and the limits of organizational supports. Participants were then asked about their views of the coaching service. Coachees were generally positive about the service, helping them renew their enthusiasm for practice and coaches appeared valued in the way that they delivered the service. These findings were broadly mirrored in responses by coaches.Applications The article concludes with a recommendation that employees should consider coaching approaches to supplement existing support services and that wider structural contexts are important factors in understanding such professional stressors.
