Social workers are assigned a variety of roles in resolving adversity in diverse contexts but are committed to serving the most vulnerable and promoting social well-being. Public health social work offers an overarching framework that touches many different locations and fields in which social workers operate. This review was conducted to explore and synthesize the literature of Public Health Social Work (PHSW) roles and is derived from a broader scoping study aiming to identify and describe public health social work interventions. Electronic databases were searched to identify eligible studies with varying methods published between January 2010 and December 2023. Twelve studies were included in the review. Guided by ecological systems theory, the roles were organized into the micro level, meso level, or macro level. Findings demonstrate that the roles are mainly performed at the micro and meso levels, in which tertiary prevention distinguishes itself as the predominant domain of effort. All the included studies originated from somatic health contexts. The minimal variation of studied contexts provides an inaccurate picture of PHSW’s achievement in diverse arenas and levels. This underscores the need for research representing the variety of contexts, the diversity of preventive social work, and at various levels.

IntroductionRecovery from complex conditions such as gambling disorders (GD) often entail considerable change and require a range of adaptable interventions in the health care system. Outcomes from such avenues to change are influenced by multifarious contextual factors, which are less frequently considered in treatment outcome studies. Accordingly, this scoping review aims to map the level of evidence and explore how contextual factors influence the provision and outcomes of GD interventions.MethodsA systematic search in selected health and social science research databases yielded a total of 2.464 unique references. The results were screened in three selection steps—titles (n = 2.464), abstracts (n = 284) and full-text (n = 104). The scoping approach was applied to provide a narrative account of the final included references (n = 34).Results and discussionFindings suggest that the research on GD treatment is in the early stages of development. Additionally, studies on GD interventions are characterized by cultural biases (Region and ethnicity and Gender perspectives), while three key elements are described as successful avenues to recover from GD (Competence, Perception and Utilization). In line with these findings, proposals for future research and treatment designs are made.

Several psychosocial factors have been suggested as facilitators of change among inpatients treated for substance use disorder (SUD). Research suggests that staff members are also influenced by the practice in which they are involved, and by contextual psychosocial factors at their treatment facilities. This cross-sectional questionnaire survey study was conducted to investigate the role of recovery-orientated interventions in describing work-related satisfaction among clinicians at inpatient SUD treatment facilities. The respondents (n = 407) rated items indicating work-related satisfaction and the degree of recovery orientation at their treatment facilities. The main findings of two block regression analyses indicated that clinicians' work-related satisfaction was positively influenced by inpatients' opportunities to pursue their goals and choices, and negatively influenced by inpatient involvement. The change in clinicians' work-related satisfaction could not be described by the degree of individually tailored and varied interventions at the treatment facility. Clinicians should be supported and involved in the process of implementing measures to increase inpatient involvement in the treatment programmes, and treatment measures that enable inpatients to pursue their goals and choices should be enhanced. The findings of this and previous studies indicate that a recovery-oriented framework promotes clinicians' work-related satisfaction and has an enabling influence on both inpatients and clinicians.

Aim: There is limited knowledge about how inpatients anticipate factors that facilitate the transition between specialised inpatient treatment for substance use disorder (SUD) and the post-discharge period. This study explores factors that inpatients anticipated would facilitate such a transition period. Method: A focus group study, consisting of four group interviews with individuals in inpatient SUD treatment, was conducted to explore their expectations for the transition and post-discharge period ahead of them. The transcribed interview material was analysed using thematic analysis. Findings: The analytical process led to three themes: “Belonging”, “Intrapersonal processes” and “Predictability”. Correspondence between inpatients’ expectations and the services they are offered in the transition and post-discharge period may serve as proper support for inpatients ahead of a vulnerable phase, such as the transition and post-discharge period. Conclusions: Findings from the current study highlight overarching elements that inpatients envisioned to be facilitating, such as social support, motivation, self-efficacy, self-awareness and predictability in basic elements such as employment, housing and personal finances. Findings from this study and previous ones imply that certain factors appear to facilitate in vulnerable phases, such as service level transitions. These facilitating factors should be taken into consideration and used as steppingstones through the transition and post-discharge period after inpatient SUD treatment.

IntroductionMuch is known about factors associated with coping with abstinence from substance use. The planned systematic review aims to summarise available studies exploring the change in psychosocial factors associated with coping after long-term (≥3 months) inpatient treatment for substance use disorder (SUD). Examples ofpsychosocial factorsof interest are social support, housing, activity (eg, employment and education) mental health and quality of life.Coping behaviourcan be understood as responses or actions taken in a stressful situation, particularly how psychosocial factors affect a person’s coping behaviour with abstinence from substances in everyday life (characterised as a stressful situation).Methods and analysisA set of text words were developed based on the population (people with SUD), exposure (long-term inpatient SUD treatment), outcome (psychosocial factors) and study design (prospective cohort studies) of interest. A systematic search will be conducted in eight electronic databases: Campbell Collaboration Library, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Epistemonikos, Medline, PsychINFO, Social Sciences Citation Index and SocINDEX. The titles and abstracts will be screened for relevance before a pre-piloted data collection form will be used to evaluate eligibility and extract data from the search results. The planned review will include peer-reviewed study reports published in English or Scandinavian language.Ethics and disseminationThe target group, people with SUD, might be considered as vulnerable. Based on this, the population will be the group of interest in the planned systematic review of studies that have already been conducted. Patients and the general public will not be involved in the development of this systematic review. The results will be summarised in a study report and submitted to a peer-reviewed international journal. Additionally, results will be disseminated in the mass media and at international research conferences.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018087408.

Introduction Much is known about factors associated with coping with abstinence from substance use. The planned systematic review aims to summarise available studies exploring the change in psychosocial factors associated with coping after long-term (≥3 months) inpatient treatment for substance use disorder (SUD). Examples of psychosocial factors of interest are social support, housing, activity (eg, employment and education) mental health and quality of life. Coping behaviour can be understood as responses or actions taken in a stressful situation, particularly how psychosocial factors affect a person’s coping behaviour with abstinence from substances in everyday life (characterised as a stressful situation). Methods and analysis A set of text words were developed based on the population (people with SUD), exposure (long-term inpatient SUD treatment), outcome (psychosocial factors) and study design (prospective cohort studies) of interest. A systematic search will be conducted in eight electronic databases: Campbell Collaboration Library, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Epistemonikos, Medline, PsychINFO, Social Sciences Citation Index and SocINDEX. The titles and abstracts will be screened for relevance before a pre-piloted data collection form will be used to evaluate eligibility and extract data from the search results. The planned review will include peer-reviewed study reports published in English or Scandinavian language. Ethics and dissemination The target group, people with SUD, might be considered as vulnerable. Based on this, the population will be the group of interest in the planned systematic review of studies that have already been conducted. Patients and the general public will not be involved in the development of this systematic review. The results will be summarised in a study report and submitted to a peer-reviewed international journal. Additionally, results will be disseminated in the mass media and at international research conferences. PROSPERO registration number CRD42018087408.

Purpose This paper aims to help managers gain greater insight into issues relating to employees’ sense of mastery to contribute to improved employee performance. Design/methodology/approach Conceptual generalization was applied in this paper. Findings An analytical model consisting of seven elements that can be applied as a management tool for promoting a sense of mastery among employees was developed. Research limitations/implications Managers have little insight into issues relating to employees’ sense of mastery, which can inhibit productivity. Practical implications Effective managers focus on the personal strengths of their employees. Managers select and surround themselves with the right people. Successful managers see and understand employees’ need to work on things that they are passionate about. Originality/value This paper used cybernetics and systemic thinking to solve mastery issues.

The phenomenon under investigation is the transition from an industrial society to a society that is based to a larger extent on knowledge resources. The question the authors are investigating is: What are the key value creation processes in a knowledge-based organization? The objective of the article is to understand and explain the social mechanisms that influence the development of knowledge-based organizations. The method used is conceptual generalization. The findings are linked to a new emphasis on information structure (infostructure), and a new way of organizing (front line focus), the modulization of work processes, and global competence clusters.

Purpose - This paper aims to develop a methodology for teaching moral courage.Design/methodology/approach - Conceptual generalization. Findings - This study uses a five-step method for teaching moral courage, together with a seven-level sliding scale for developing attitudes related to moral courage.Research limitations/implications - This paper is an aspect of systemic education for pupils and students.Practical implications - This study builds aspects of a methodology for education of active bystanders in moral conflict situations.Social implications - This study builds aspects of a systemic methodology for education of moral issues.Originality/value - Beers viable model (Figure 1) has been used to visualize a model for teaching moral courage.

Issue: The number of knowledge workers continues to grow, but we know little about what factors will promote knowledge workers’ productivity. Problem for discussion: How can managers promote knowledge workers’ productivity? Purpose: To develop aspects of a theory to promote knowledge workers’ productivity. Method: Conceptual generalization. Findings: Seven propositions (a mini-theory) for knowledge workers’ productivity. Keywords: knowledge worker, productivity, theory. JEL Classification: M1

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to improve the theoretical understanding of the communicative processes in social systems. Design/methodology/approach Conceptual generalisation. Findings Aspects of a communications theory with three assumptions and ten propositions. Originality/value The method used and the findings.