Pam Criss's article in the Journal of Social Work Education, titled Effects of Client Violence on Social Work Students: A National Study shows results on the effects of direct and indirect client violence against a random sample of MSW and BSW students from the National Association of Social Works in the United State. This study looks at how workplace violence is a concern for social work students entering their field placement. These types of violence may be a major factor in the student’s choice of decreased commitment to the occupation. One act of violence can lead the student to fear more acts of violence. In addition, it looks at how a social worker can be affected vicariously by hearing of colleagues being harmed or threatened. Furthermore, a relationship between violence in the work place and the social worker deciding to leave the workplace because of decreased effective organizational commitment due to the negative effects of stress and burnout is also shown (Criss, 2010) More than two dozen studies have already reported violence occurring to social workers in their work place. National rates shows 65% to 86% of social workers have faced violence by clients during their career, and 47% of social workers have concerns for their safety. Every type of violence except direct physical assault is included in this study. Violence was labeled as intentional property damage, threats, verbal abuse, and physical harm whether attempted or actual. In addition threats of lawsuits against social workers by clients past or present is included as they can cause immense stress. The hypotheses used a work stress theory of the effects of client violence toward social workers and the relationship between experiencing violence, fear of futu... ... middle of paper ... ...hs in this article. Statistical findings are something that most people can easily read and understand. In addition another strength was in which the author went into such detail as to the methods, measures and clearly stated the variables within her study. On the other hand, a weakness of the article was the language used to explain the results could become confusing. Another weakness would have to be the over repetition of many of facts. As I read the article and summarized it I found many time the explanations of types of violence and commitments were re-addressed in depth over and over, which made for a longer reading and writing process. Works Cited Criss, P. (2010). Effects of client violence on social work students: A national study. Journal of Social Work Education, 46(3), 371-390. Retrieved October 11, 2011, from Academic Search Complete database.
Morales, A., Sheafor, B. W., & Scott, M. E. (2012). Social work: a profession of many faces. (12th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
The social safety net has grown to include and protect a diverse group of people of all ages. Social workers have become vital to older persons who need long term care, persons struggling with addictions, and communities that are devastated by natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and violent tragedies
Social workers deal with intense situations daily. It is important that social workers are aware of how they are affected by these interactions. Priscilla Dass-Brailsford explains in her book, that countertransference, vicarious trauma (VT), secondary traumatic stress, compassion fatigue and satisfaction, and burnout are all different ways that counselors can be affected (Dass-Brailsford, 2007). This is where it is important for social workers to have a plan of self-care and stress management resources to use.
The impact of aggression and violence in mental health units is substantial. Effects that have been documented include physical injury, emotional and psychological harm, compromised patient care, and financial expense to the organization. In a review of literature, physical injury to inpatient mental health staff is high and poses a strong threat to staff and other patients (Foster, Bowers, & Nijman, 2006). Although the rates of victimization that occur between patients are low, it is an increasing concern. In these acts of aggression, both verbal and physical violence can occur.
Social workers specialize in treating all types of clients. Regardless of their specialty, all social workers have common tasks. When they get new clients, social workers, both in the military and...
The issue of workplace violence in nursing was brought into the light after several studies were performed focused on this topic. A chart shown in the United States Department of Labor, 2004, showed the increasing rates of ...
Another aspect of interest is to create a better intervention other than an Order of Protection for women who are victims of domestic violence. As such, pursuing graduate studies in Social work is integral in accomplishing this goal. Thus, I strongly believe that my career goals are a compatible match for what the prestigious Masters of Social work program at Simmons School of Social
Social work burnout is an issue for many people; burnout does not just affect the social worker though. If a social work is experiencing burn out then they are less likely going to be able to preform at their best capacities, accordingly the client will suffer from this. Social work burnout is more common than expected. The NASW did a survey and found that roughly 65% of social are experiencing fatigue, 37% are experiencing Psychological problems, and 23% are experiencing sleep disorders. (Arrington, P. 2008) These statistics show that there is an issue with social work burnout. If a social worker is feeling fatigue or did not get enough sleep, their work with their clients will suffer. Nonetheless if a
Silver, Eric and Brent Teasdale. 2005. “Mental Disorder and Violence: An Examination of Stressful Life Events and Impaired Social Support.” Social Problems 52(1):62-78.
“The social work profession has exerted considerable influence in the shaping of U.S. criminal justice policy and practice, including key involvement in the development of reformatories and prisons,” says Roberts, Ivanoff, Tripodi, and Gilmer (2013, pg. 96). Social workers have a large impact on these prisons and sometimes how the prisons themselves are
The consequences of abuse within therapy are devastating. Victims of abuse by mental health practitioners suffer at a minimum, from anguish, isolation, shame, unfocused anger, self-blame, and self-doubt. Most victims also experience a loss of trust in others and themselves, alienation from support systems, and a decreased ability to form and sustain healthy relationships. Some are unable to work, struggle with a sense of desperation, develop eating disorders, and have suicidal thoughts that sometimes become actions. The victim’s world is turned upside down, and the ability to discern reality from myth becomes severely compromised. When this happens, resources needed to help victims right their worlds and heal may include, but must not be limited to, subsequent therapy.
Social workers play a major role in their day to day functions as the work that they do impacts the lives of many individuals. If they weren’t to take their jobs seriously then it would be very detrimental to the health of the many people that they counsel. It is up to them to work with other people to aid them with any type of concern that they may have. Of course, there will always be some sort of work related issue that could occur and according to Zastrow, there are 3 major problems that can be involved in a work setting.
Social Work is a profession that prides itself on the ability to cultivate positive relationships with people who may be very different from us. There may be differences in age, race, personality, gender, socioeconomic status, health, sexual orientation, rank, power, and privilege, as well as beliefs regarding religion and politics. The experience of these differences can cause a Social Worker to feel emotionally and cognitively disturbed. The ability to become aware of and consciously attend to these internal disturbances can positively affect the quality of relationship we are able to
However, the research was very weak in regard to methods, procedures, and documentation. From the information provided this study could not be duplicated. Some of the data collection methods seemed sloppy and time was definitely a contributing factor. While the content was thought provoking, intriguing, and worthwhile, the methods would need to be cleaned up to be able to cite this source as valid.
The social work profession is defined as “a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people (ISFW, ‘Global Definition of Social Work’, 2016).” The definition may be true about the profession but it is more in depth than just that. To me, the profession’s primary focus is to help others through life as much as we can while letting them make their own choices and guiding them. In society, social workers are utilized in many different nonprofit and government roles. They serve the community in many different ways from monitoring parent visits to helping people through mental illnesses. Human beings are so complex and things that happen