| Dissertation |
Thesis (D.Soc.Sc.) --NUI, 2011 at Department of Applied Social Sciences, UCC. |
| Summary |
This study was born out of my concern about the negative image of social work, coming both from within and outside the profession. This together with my own experience as a social worker and my encounters with social workers, especially in supervision sessions, led to the formulation of the hypothesis that “Social work is often described in negative terms, in academic literature, in the media and also by social workers. However, practitioners appear to be deeply committed to, and identify strongly with, the social work profession”. This thesis describes qualitative research with 42 social workers in Malta on their identification and dis-identification with the social work profession. The study uses focus groups and participants’ own writing to access stories about social work. The analysis of the data collected between January and June 2010 confirms the hypothesis and identifies a ‘love/hate’ relationship which participants have with their profession. The thesis draws a parallel between a ‘love story’ as it emerges in the lyrics of popular music and the identification process between the participants in the study and the profession of social work. It identifies the different stages of this identification process and the identification and dis-identification features and how they impact on social workers. The thesis concludes by recommending, amongst other things, that a number of positive aspects of the social work profession are acknowledged; that the supportive element of social work supervision is developed to enhance social workers’ subjective well-being and to allow them to develop their ‘professional story’; and that a forum similar to the focus groups held as part the research is developed as an on-going source of support for social workers, encouraging a more positive identification with the profession. |
| Subject |
Social service -- Vocational guidance.
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| Collection |
Theses Ph.D.
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Theses Applied Social Science Department
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| Description |
202 pages ; 30 cm. |
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