Social workers in generic practice are often uncertain about which social work method is most appropriate for a given case. This article suggests that evaluating role discrepancies can help practitioners determine whether to work toward personal or situational changes with clients. (Author)

Conducted interviews with 27 clinical social workers who worked in psychiatric inpatient units. Found that inpatient social workers were struggling to create ways to meet increased workload demands and were questioning effectiveness of short-term hospital treatment. Respondents reported personal and professional losses as well as challenges caused…

Examines the Barclay report--the result of the British government's 1980 inquiry into the personal social services--for its implications for the United States. Concludes that it is possible to conceptualize and provide social care planning while enhancing and expanding advocacy roles. (LLL)

Notes that, during sentencing phase of capital trial, social worker can have potentially powerful influence on proceedings by presenting comprehensive, reliable social history, and expert opinion based on accepted theory and research regarding human behavior in social environment. Reviews social worker's role as expert witness, ethical issues,…

Notes that, although occupational social workers routinely assist employees with alcohol- or drug-related problems, workers with disabling problems such as back pain, paralysis, and cancer have not received much attention. Presents analysis of issues confronting workers with disabilities and their employers and provides information about…

Little has been written on the subject of female homosexuality, and the research that does exist is frequently biased and founded on myths that are sexist in nature. The authors present preliminary findings of a study based on a nonclinical sample group of lesbians. (Author)

Assessed perceptions of male and female roles held by undergraduate social work students. Perception of the Ideal Woman as wife and mother was compared with extrafamily values, i.e., perception of the Ideal Woman as career oriented. Students had perceptions of women's and men's roles that basically were not stereotypical. (Author)

The efficient management of social service agencies is in part dependent on a clear understanding among board members, executive directors, and staff of their own and one another's role expectations and functions. Concludes that agency personnel showed only a moderate degree of clarity. (Author)

Notes that mediation as problem-solving intervention in social work became widely used in child custody and divorce cases, child-parent conflicts, and family disputes. Argues that mediator role is inherent in social work, and examines context for and assumptions underlying it. Discusses nature of conflicts, issue of neutrality within social work…

Examined principals' (n=32) and special education teachers' (n=98) perceptions of actual and ideal performance of school social work tasks. Those services seen as provided most frequently were directed toward individuals. Although they wanted those individual services to continue, respondents also wanted more group work services. Study contained…

To counteract society's hostility toward homosexuality, effective social work with lesbian couples and families must include cultural as well as clinical work. This article suggests a multilevel approach, including self-exploration on the part of the worker, acquisition of specific clinical tools, and assumption of an advocacy stance with lesbian…

This article describes three consciousness-raising groups for obese women which met to explore what it is like to be fat in a thin-oriented society, to enhance their self-esteem, and to help the women recognize that being fat is one of many choices a person may legitimately make for herself. (Author/EJT)

Using the Minnesota corrections ombudsman as an example, this article discusses the role of an ombudsman, how credibility is established and implications for ombudsman programs in general. (EJT)

Poor communication with clients, role clashes with cottage youth leaders, and excessive limitations imposed by institution administrators characterized problems of an institution for juveniles which caused disillusionment of social workers. Nevertheless, some social workers succeeded in establishing rapport with clients and developing programs…

Identification of the boundaries between lay and professional advocacy in working with families with handicapped children is aided by an understanding of the key variables that characterize these families. Professional clarity about differing advocacy roles and the potential of social exchange leads to a new model of advocacy in working with…