Purpose: Skills used in the practice of family support workforce are implemented in different settings and frameworks. The conceptual assumptions and epistemological frameworks of diversity are a challenge. Various paradigms of intervention, different sectors, and disciplinary involvement indicate the need to systematize and clarify knowledge in the field. Method: Using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines, a systematic review was conducted, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method studies on skills in the practice of family support. Results: The literature was collected in an exhaustive search of several databases, where a set of 8,489 papers was selected. The workforce skills described were the qualities of the professionals, technical skills, and specific knowledge. Discussion: Most of the studies were literature reviews, did not define specific skills, had very small samples, and had issues with bias. We discuss implications for practice in social work as well as the gaps to be covered in further research of family support.
Abstract:The process of preparing young people for leaving alternative care is not sufficiently researched in Serbia. In order to define what support is necessary for their successful emancipation, this study of 150 young people in care aims to analyse both their preparedness for leaving alternative care, and whether the type of placement (kinship, foster, or residential) makes a difference to the level of preparedness. A mixed method approach was applied. Quantitatively, questionnaires assessing factors contributing to successful emancipation were administered. Qualitatively, transcripts of discussions from 5 focus groups, consisting of a total of 26 participants from all 3 types of placement, were analysed. Most of the youth in the sample indicated they have self-care and housekeeping skills, social skills to make friendships and connections, good grades in school, and aspirations for further schooling and starting a family. However, negative feelings such as disturbance, fear, and sorrow, and a sense of missing support and feeling insufficiently prepared for leaving care were also evident in their answers. Both the focus groups and surveys suggest that the biggest concern with the independence of young people leaving alternative care is financial stability. Several recommendations for ways to influence the system in order to improve outcomes for young people are made.
Introduced measures to deal with COVID-19 pandemic in Serbia affected everyday life of people. Media coverage during the pandemic played a significant role in providing verified information, protecting human health and well-being. In order to gain insight into the reactions of social work students on introduced measures and media coverage about these measures during the state of emergency in Republic of Serbia, an analysis of reflective journals is presented. Eighty reflective journals were analyzed, where students’ reactions on introduced measures and media coverage related to these measures are monitored and linked to the electronic archive of the public media service Radio Television of Serbia news. Students’ thoughts on several identified measures are presented and analyzed together with their reactions on media coverage about these measures. Findings indicate the important role of the content and ways of media repor1 Anita Burgund Isakov, professor, e.mail: anita.burgund@fpn.bg.ac.rs 2 Violeta Marković, teaching assistant, e.mail: violeta.markovic@fpn.bg.ac.rs 3 Sanja Polić Penavić, researcher , e.mail: sanja.polic@fpn.bg.ac.rs Anita Burgund Isakov1 orcid.org/0000-0002-4547-4934 Violeta Marković2 orcid.org/0000-0003-2618-0073 Sanja Polić Penavić3 orcid.org/0000-0002-4295-190X Faculty of Political Science University of Belgrade Received: December, 2021. Accepted: October, 2022. UDK: 364.62-057.87: 616-036.21 DOI: 10.3935/ljsr.v29i3.478 Keywords: reflective journals;social work; education; media coverage; COVID-19; mental health. Ljetopis socijalnog rada 2022., 29 (3), 521-544. 522 članci ting in creation of reflections, as well as the importance of using reflective journals in both education and preservation of mental health. Possible directions of mental health improvement through media coverage in crisis situations and recommendations for education of social workers are presented. Key words: reflective journals, social work, education, media coverage, COVID-19, mental health.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.