SWSD 2024

#0359 | Being Deaf in Bengkala : the Koloks’ Social Representations of Deafness

Jessica Breau ¹

1 - Université de Moncton.

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Summary

There has been a long-standing debate in Western societies when it comes to deafness on whether it should be represented as being a disability or if it should be represented as being a difference (Davis, 1995; Lane, 1995 ; Brueggemann, 1999). However, in a few isolated villages around the world where a high incidence of multi-generational genetic deafness has initiated a community-based approach to deafness which developed independently from the dominating Western ideas, this debate does not seem to have the same impact. Bengkala, a small farming village located in the mountainous region of northern Bali, Indonesia, is one of these exceptional villages. In Bengkala, the deaf residents, known locally as koloks, have been present in the village for over 200 years during which many community-based adaptations, notably the widespread use of the shared sign language, Kata kolok, have aimed to include the koloks in all village activities. To have a more in-depth understanding of just how well integrated the koloks are in their native community, this ethnographic research applied both participant observation and one on one interviews to document the koloks’ social representation of deafness. Social representations (SR) are frames of reference to which individuals are continuously referring themselves to identify objects, to determine the best actions to take in any given situation and to understand the world around them (Palmonari & Emiliani, 2017; Jodelet, 1994). By studying the koloks social representation of deafness and the d/Deaf identity, this research shows that by maintaining simultaneous membership to the kolok ingroup as well as the village ingroup, the koloks represent themselves as fully integrated members of Bengkala. Thus, this research highlights the positive outcomes of having an unadulterated perception of deafness through community-based adaptations as opposed to prescriptive beliefs of the d/Deaf persons social identity and social inclusion from the hearing society.

Keywords (separate with commas)

Social Representations, Social Identity, Deafness, Deaf Community

#0389 | Family resilience in the families with child with developmental disabilities

Gordana Berc ¹ ; Maja Rebrović Čančarević ²

1 - University of Zagreb Faculty of Law, Department of social work. 2 - Center for education.

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Summary

The birth of a child with developmental disabilities requires the family to make frequent adjustments to new situations arising from the child's growth and development. Their family resilience additionally depends on personal and family characteristics and different circumstances.The aim of research was to determine the connection between satisfaction with parenting and the impact of a child with developmental disabilities on the family with the family resilience depending on the characteristics of the child, the characteristics of the family and the characteristics of the parents. The sample was consisted of 479 parents.The data collection method is a survey. The questionnaire: general data, the Kansas Parental Satisfaction Scale, the Child Impact on the Family Questionnaire, the Family Social Support Scale, and the Family Resilience Assessment Scale. Data processing and analysis methods are factor analysis. The results showed that a significant relationship was established between the characteristics of the child, characteristics of the family, characteristics of mothers, and characteristics of fathers with the level of family resilience as a criterion variable. The values of the beta coefficients in the regression model showed relative importance for the variables: work status of the parents, perception of the child's influence on social life and perception of the child's influence on financial situation in the family. It was also found that a higher level of parents' education positively correlates with the level of family resilience; the work status of parents indicates a lower level of family resilience; the positive impact of a child with developmental disabilities on the social life of parents is one of the variables that positively affects the development of family resilience. Proposals for supportive programs for families with children with developmental disabilities to strengthen their resilience capacities will be presented in the paper.

Keywords (separate with commas)

child with developmental disabilities, family resilience, family, parents

#0692 | The impact of social work education on students’ knowledge of and attitudes towards disability:An international comparison

Jo Redcliffe ¹

1 - University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

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#1045 | Promoting Inclusion and Diversity with Universal Design for Learning in Social Work Education

Ami Goulden ¹ ; Rose Singh ¹

1 - Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador.

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Summary

Universal design for learning (UDL) is a framework that encompasses specific principles and guidelines intended to increase access and opportunities for student learning. UDL promotes a shift from individual interventions based on deficit learning models to holistic learning models that are student-centred, accessible, collaborative, and inclusive. Students with disabilities frequently report social and organizational barriers that make educational experiences difficult, and recent studies also report that these students experience ableism in their social work programs. Implementing UDL may decrease students’ need to self-disclose to obtain academic accommodations, as learner diversity and accessibility are intentionally incorporated into all aspects of the course design and delivery. Additionally, UDL fosters increased access to social work education for diverse student groups and reflects the values of equity and inclusion central to the social work profession. Educators can model and mirror social justice approaches essential to social work practice by adopting UDL principles into their teaching and learning. Despite the clear alignment between UDL and social work values and pedagogies, there has been limited uptake of UDL in social work education. This presentation will prepare new and seasoned social work educators to design and deliver social work courses that align with the UDL framework. By the end of the presentation, attendees will be able to identify UDL principles and guidelines and understand their benefits to social work education; learn practical approaches for applying UDL in face-to-face, hybrid, and online courses; and recognize how educators may model and mirror UDL approaches in social work education to promote social action in social work practice.

Keywords (separate with commas)

universal design for learning, inclusion, social work education, students with disabilities, inclusive pedagogy

#1005 | Promoting Inclusion through Foster Care for Children and Youth with Disabilities and Medical Fragility in Germany

Friedegard Foeltz ¹

1 - Theologische Hochschule Friedensau.

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Summary

The German child and youth welfare system can still be described as excluding, even with recent legal improvements. Thus children and youth affected by disability or medical fragility in foster care is a somewhat rare situation in Germany. Mostly these children, who are in need of Out-of-Home-Care, are cared for in residential homes. In the area of foster care for children and youth with disabilities, there is still sparse research and knowledge.\ The purpose of the study was to understand how caregivers manage their lives with a child or youth with extra needs and meet the challenges of assisting them adequately. It aimed at insights how Social Work contributes to good outcomes. A follow-up study explored how the families were doing after 9-18 years.\ The qualitative research design used the instrument of narrative inquiry through 19 in-depth interviews with caregivers. Within the framework of Grounded Theory, a theoretical structure of the strategies used for coping was developed. For the follow-up study, 58% of the sample of caregivers were revisited.\ Results show that caregivers deal with this new and often unpredictable situation by applying an Action-, Resource- or Reflection Strategy based on their own personal biographic experiences and their worldview. They also show that the families and dedicated persons build strong relationships with the children and youth in their care and among partners in the support net. Living their “new normal”, the relationships built with the children and youth in their care often last for a lifetime.Strong familial bonds and relationships reveal to have a great potential to support, protect, care and advocate for children affected by disability and medical fragility. Living human, inclusive values is time-consuming and requires a more of personal commitment, which foster families and the supporting environment provide on a daily basis.\

Keywords (separate with commas)

Foster Care, Children and Youth, Disability, Medical Fragility, Caregivers

#1266 | Experiences of Gender-Based Violence Among Disabled Women: A Qualitative Systematic Review and Meta-Synthesis

Ami Goulden ¹ ; Stephanie Baird ² ;

Sarah Norris ³

1 - Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador. 2 - King's University College, Western University. 3 - Dalhousie University.

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Summary

Women with disabilities encounter a high risk of violence, especially in Canada. Canadians with disabilities are twice as likely to experience violent victimization as non-disabled people and face a wider range of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. Yet, the lack of research attention focused on gender-based violence (GBV) and disability has contributed to the invisibility of the victimization of women with disabilities. This study aimed to provide a new and more comprehensive understanding of the lived experiences of GBV among disabled women to promote best practices by strengthening services and building community capacity. A qualitative meta-synthesis was carried out to examine and synthesize qualitative data exploring the experiences of GBV among disabled women. Forty-nine studies spanning over 45 countries met the inclusion criteria for this study. The findings suggest that GBV remains hidden behind a wall of silence despite its historical and cross-cultural prevalence. For disabled women, silence is an ongoing problem. Silence increases the difficulty in identifying GBV among disabled women and discourages women from seeking support and disclosing violence. Disabled women report that when they ask for help, there’s no one to help them. Moreover, many women describe how living with a disability significantly contributes to violence against them. Women report that being disabled aggravated the abuse they endured and limited their ability to escape or receive effective service responses. For instance, dependency and reliance on perpetrators shaped disabled women’s exposure to violence, prolonging a pattern of domestic abuse. GBV services must be accessible to disabled women. Disabled women report difficulty finding accessible services, as they sometimes encounter architectural and environmental barriers preventing them from accessing services, such as a lack of proper assistive technology, policies against service animals, and restrictions on children remaining in the facility. Additional policy and practice implications will be discussed.

Keywords (separate with commas)

gender-based violence, disability, qualitative research, meta-synthesis, accessibility, domestic violence

#1240 | Regardless of the political climate: We must provide services to our sexual and gender diverse youth!

Barbara F Turnage ¹ ; Justin Bucchio ² ;

Vickie Harden ¹

1 - Middle Tennessee State University. 2 - Fairleigh Dickinson University.

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#1278 | Relación entre el apego parental y las conductas de riesgo de los adolescentes en una muestra representativa puertorriqueña

Joyce Cabán-Reyes ¹ ; Margarita Moscoso-Alvarez ¹ ; Linnette Rodriguez-Figueroa ² ; Juan Carlos Reyes-Pulliza ² ; Colon Hector M ²

1 - Departmento de Medicina de Familia, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad Central del Caribe, Bayamón, Puerto Rico. 2 - Departmento de Bioestadística y Epidemiologia, Escuela Graduada de Salud Pública, Universidad de Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

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Summary

Las relaciones familiares saludables se han asociado con reducción en los comportamientos de riesgo, incluido el uso de sustancias, entre otros. Los contextos familiares pueden generar factores de riesgo que limitan el desarrollo saludable de los jóvenes; también pueden promover factores protectores que reduzcan las conductas de riesgo. Las relaciones cálidas, enriquecedoras y de apoyo entre padres e hijos se han asociado con niveles más bajos de comportamiento antisocial.Este estudio evaluó la asociación entre el apego con los padres y las conductas de riesgo de los adolescentes en el último año (uso de alcohol y marihuana, pensamientos suicidas y depresión) entre estudiantes adolescentes puertorriqueños por sexo. La muestra (n=6,294) en esta encuesta transversal de 2020-22 se seleccionó mediante un diseño de muestreo por conglomerados estratificado multietápico y fue representativa de todos los estudiantes de 7.º a 12.º grado en PR. Los datos se recopilaron mediante un cuestionario autoadministrado precodificado. Se realizaron pruebas de ji-cuadrado para evaluar las relaciones. Los análisis se realizaron sobre datos ponderados.Aproximadamente el 25.2% de los estudiantes reportó beber alcohol, el 4.8% usó marihuana, el 19.5% reporto síntomas de depresión considerados de necesidad clínica y el 6.5% indicó tener ideación suicida. Más estudiantes informaron estar muy cerca de sus madres que de sus padres (72.8% frente a 53.3%). Significativamente más estudiantes que no bebían alcohol sentirse bien apegados a sus padres que los que bebían; se encontraron resultados similares para el consumo de marihuana. También se encontró una relación significativa entre el apego con los padres y no reportar síntomas de depresión e ideación suicida. Los resultados no variaron según el sexo. Los resultados sugieren que los talleres para padres que refuerzan los estilos de crianza y las conversaciones significativas sobre los comportamientos conflictivos y de riesgo entre padres y jóvenes serían muy beneficiosos.

Keywords (separate with commas)

apego, conductas de riesgo, factores de protección, uso sustancias, jovenes, puertoriqueños,

#1281 | Experiencias de Aprendizaje en Servicio: modelo para el desarrollo de competencias en estudiantes de bachillerato en trabajo social

Mayra Nieves Agosto ¹ ;

Bangie Carrasquillo Casado ²

1 - Universidad Ana G. Méndez, Recinto de Cupey. 2 - Universidad Ana G. Mendez, Centro de Bayamón.

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Summary

El Aprendizaje en Servicio (ApS), es una estrategia metodológica y educativa “que combina procesos de aprendizaje y de servicio a la comunidad en un mismo proyecto,” permitiendo que los participantes trabajen con las necesidades reales que se identifican en el entorno y contribuyan a mejorar dichas situaciones (Puig et al., 2007, p. 20).\ Esta metodología permite fortalecer no tan solo las competencias profesionales, sino también las personales y sociales, sirviendo como estrategia fundamental para el desarrollo estudiantil.\ El Modelo de ApS fue incorporado como un proyecto piloto al componente curricular del Programa de Trabajo Social de la Universidad Ana G. Méndez (UAGM), Recinto de Cupey y sus localidades de Bayamón y Aguadilla, Puerto Rico desde 2017 al 2020.\ Esta modalidad partía del reconocimiento de la importancia de brindarle al estudiantado experiencias de aprendizaje reales desde el primer año de estudios, que redundaran en el desarrollo de proyectos de utilidad social y que, a su vez, propiciara el desarrollo de competencias profesionales e identificación con la profesión de trabajo social.\ El proyecto impactó alrededor de 50 estudiantes y sobre 28 organizaciones o programas sociales.\ El alcance de las experiencias de ApS obtenidas por el estudiantado de trabajo social de la UAGM, impactó diversas poblaciones. Entre estas: comunidades geográficas, adultos mayores, niñez, juventud, población con diversidad funcional, escuelas y personas sin hogar, entre otras.\ Esta presentación tiene el objetivo de exponer los resultados, aplicación y alcance\ del Modelo de ApS,\ desde el ámbito universitario,\ en el contexto de un Programa de Trabajo Social.\ Se presenta su relevancia como proyecto de utilidad social y su contribución al desarrollo integral del estudiantado. Se propone como un modelo viable para replicar por otras escuelas y programas de Trabajo Social.

Keywords (separate with commas)

aprendizaje en servicio, competencias profesionales, competencias personales y sociales, proyectos de utilidad social, experiencias de aprendizaje, componente curricular

#1291 | Riding the wave: pandemic social work in Canadian hospitals

Shelley Craig ¹ ; Deepy Sur ² ; Toula Kourgiantakis ³ ; Barbara Muskat ¹ ; Alexa Kirkland ¹

1 - University of Toronto. 2 - Ontario Association of Social Work. 3 - Université Laval.

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#1469 | Impact of Substance Use and Children’s Presence on Police Response to Domestic Violence Calls

Angela Hovey ¹ ;

Susan Scott ¹

1 - Lakehead University.

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Summary

Previous research has established a strong link between domestic violence (DV) and substance use. The proportion of use by abusers and victims varies in the literature, with reported prevalence ranging from 30% to almost 70% for abusers and lower rates for victims’ use (less than 20%). Very few studies have examined the evidence of same-day substance use during DV incidents. This study examines the prevalence and impact of same-day substance use on police response to IPV calls.\ A sample of 2,709 supplementary DV forms completed by police over a three-year period when responding to DV calls was analyzed. Information collected for each call included: whether charges were laid; the presence of children; genders and roles of involved persons; a checklist that included alcohol and/or drug use by involved persons identified at the time of the call; and, risk factors. Chi-square tests were used to assess the relationships between presence of same day substance use and other key variables (e.g., charges laid, children’s presence). The phi statistic was used to determine the strength of the relationship. Also, odds and risk ratios were calculated.\ Overall, 18% of accused and 10% of victims were reported as using substances at the time of the DV call response. When same-day substance use was identified at DV occurrences, the likelihood of a charge being laid increased by 78.8%. Same-day substance use by either involved person was significantly less when children were present.\ This research challenges notions about DV occurrences, substance use, and children exposed to violence, which has implications for child welfare practice. Further research is needed to better understand how police respond to DV situations and their observations about substance use by the involved adults, particularly when children are present, to inform social work interventions and practice with families.\ \

Keywords (separate with commas)

domestic violence, substance use, children, police

#0263 | A Scoping Review of Coercive Control Reforms: Implications for Systemic Change in Australia.

Sophie Wheeler ¹

1 - Charles Sturt University.

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Summary

This paper reports on findings from a scoping literature review on the impacts of coercive control reforms on women victim-survivors. Since the introduction of coercive control laws in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2015, Australia is following suit, with New South Wales (NSW) being the first state to pass a standalone offence of coercive control in 2022, with more states and territories soon to follow. These reforms are argued to contribute toward a paradigm shift that will improve justice and practice responses to male-pattern sexual, domestic and family violence (SDFV) against women. Against this backdrop, it is timely to examine these claims through a scoping literature review in order to identify implications for Australian policy makers and frontline social work and human services professionals working toward systemic change. The search strategy focused on peer-reviewed literature between 2017-2023, within Australia and the UK. Screening produced twenty-six articles for descriptive and thematic analysis. Three themes emerged from thematic analysis of the finding’s sections of the sources related to systemic change, holistic resourcing, and unintended impacts of coercive control reform. The findings reveal coercive control as one of the most common antecendents to domestic homicide pointing to a feminist standpoint of systemic change as being essential for how we view, understand and respond to male-patterned violence. Furthermore, the findings elucidate the unintended impacts of law reform indicating social work practitioners may have a larger part to play than what is currently understood. Further understanding of the paradigm shift required for systemic change is essential, in particular how social work practice driven by intersectional analysis and responses may embrace and implement a more effective systemic response to male violence against women from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.

Keywords (separate with commas)

Domestic violence, family violence, male violence against women and girls, coercive control, law reform, systemic change, paradigm shift.

#0296 | Developing a harm reduction continuum of practices for domestic violence shelters

Angela Hovey ¹ ;

Susan Scott ¹

1 - Lakehead University.

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Summary

Domestic violence shelter policies commonly exclude women if they use substances or arrive intoxicated. This can place them at further risk of violence. A harm reduction approach to policies, programs, and practices can mitigate the risk of harms associated with substance use and other risky behaviours. Some domestic violence shelters in Ontario, Ireland, and other places have begun to implement harm reduction strategies and consider this to be a viable approach. Our community-based research studies completed in collaboration with the Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses (OAITH), consisting of a survey of Ontario shelters, six Ontario shelter case studies involving interviews with 25 staff and 52 residents, and discussion groups at a conference we held for shelter staff, have also determined that implementing harm reduction approaches in domestic violence shelters can be a safe way to support women fleeing violence, who also use substances. In addition, we found that not all domestic violence shelters can implement harm reduction approaches in the same way. In partnership with OAITH, we co-constructed the Harm Reduction Framework and Continuum of Harm Reduction Practices. The continuum is a comprehensive, flexible tool that provides shelters with a means to assess their substance use and harm reduction practices, identify potential areas for change, and create and implement a harm reduction plan that will meet their unique geographical and population context. We present a sample of the continuum tool and discuss key elements of the tool development, including an overview of the contributing research, explanation of categories and levels, use of the tool, and other considerations.

Keywords (separate with commas)

domestic violence shelters, harm reduction, substance use, intimate partner violence survivors

#0297 | Understanding Ontario domestic violence shelter staff perspectives on harm reduction and substance use

Angela Hovey ¹ ;

Susan Scott ¹

1 - Lakehead University.

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#1042 | Effects of Domestic Violence Exposure on School Going Adolescents in South Africa

Ntandoyenkosi Maphosa ¹

1 - University of Johannesburg.

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#0560 | Hidden Voices in the Tenderloin District

Edson Cano ¹ ;

Carlos Arredondo ¹ ; Jazmin Vasquez ¹ ;

Fernanda Davila ¹ ; Victoria Ortiz ¹

1 - San Francisco State University.

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#0583 | The criminal justice system: Upholding justice or failing trafficked children in South Africa?

Ajwang' Warria ¹

1 - University of Calgary.

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Summary

Introduction: Trafficking of children is a rights violation and a development challenge.\ The criminal justice system offers both a prosecutorial and a protective mechanism. This paper highlights how the criminal justice system seems to fail child victims of trafficking and offers insights for consideration for future interventions.Method: Data was extracted from social work files of child victims/survivors of trafficking. Case file analysis is a valuable method to study child victims of trafficking in a cost-effective and non-intrusive way and avoiding re-traumatizing the children involved. Few of the children were still in care, whereas a majority had left care. The University of the Witwatersrand Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) granted ethics approval. Due to confidentiality and privacy concerns, de-identified data was extracted from paper records only, held in the care centre. The data was analysed using thematic analysis.Results: The file reviews generated an understanding of a range of criminal justice issues including: (i) challenge with definition of trafficking, (ii) passive involvement and unwillingness of the police to assist, (iii) incomplete assessments and release of children back to perpetrators, (iv) prosecutions and (v) compensation. Included were reassuring and empathic responses provided by the magistrates presiding over the cases.Conclusions: Information contained within files provided only a snapshot of select criminal justice issues that the researchers came across in the files – and based on the limited written feedback that was available. Despite the data quality, case files provided valuable assistance provision insights on interventions with child victims/survivors of trafficking and their complex needs and therapeutic jurisprudence concerns in South Africa. Further research should be conducted in the areas identified.\

Keywords (separate with commas)

Child Trafficking, Criminal Justice System, Safeguarding Children

#0862 | Academic Challenges, Campus-Level Protective Factors, and Health-Related Service Utilization Among College Student Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence

Lindsay Gezinski ¹ ; Julia O'Connor ² ; Rachel Voth Schrag ³ ; Leila Wood ⁴

1 - University of Utah. 2 - University of Central Florida. 3 - University of Texas at Arlington. 4 - The University of Texas Medical Branch.

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Summary

Background: Emerging adults are at significant risk for intimate partner violence (IPV) with consequences for academic performance and disengagement. This study explored campus-level protective factors that mitigate the relationship between IPV and academic challenges. The study also examined the relationship between academic challenges and health-related service utilization among college student survivors of IPV.\ Methods: We analyzed Fall 2019 panel data (n=38,679) from the National College Health Assessment (NCHA) in the U.S. On average,\ participants were 22.52 years of age and were majority cisgender (98.25%) women (62.43%) who identified as heterosexual (82.11%). The study assessed the mediating role of perceived campus belonging and safety on the relationship between IPV experience and academic challenges.\ Logistic regression models tested the association of academic challenges on service utilization among survivors of IPV.\ Results: Over 54% of those who experienced IPV victimization reported academic challenges compared to 44.81% of those with no IPV victimization experiences (χ2 = 156.83,\ p = 0.00). Perceived campus belonging and safety both partially mediated the relationship between IPV and academic challenges. IPV survivors who reported having academic challenges had higher odds of lifetime use of mental health services, mental health services utilization in the last 12 months, and health services utilization in the last 12 months compared to IPV survivors without academic challenges.\ Implications and Conclusions: IPV has significant consequences for survivors’ academics requiring institutional support to ensure student success. This study points to the importance of going beyond individual-level risk factors to harness campus-level strengths and connections. Overall, the study findings point to the importance of harnessing campus belonging and safety to mitigate the impact of IPV on academics for college students. Many student survivors are accessing health-related services, representing an opportunity for institutions of higher education to intervene.

Keywords (separate with commas)

domestic violence; campus belonging; safety; academics; help-seeking

#0244 | Working carers living well with dementia in England: The challenges and sustainability of work-life reconciliation

Henglien Lisa Chen ¹

1 - University of Sussex.

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Summary

More than 55 million people have dementia worldwide. The sustainability of dementia care today is facing great global challenges of supporting dementia carers – e.g. spouses, partners, adult-children, relatives or friends – who are the primary resources available for people with dementia. However, the greatest up-coming support demand for this group is likely going to come from dementia working carers (DWC) who provide dementia care to their families or friends while on employment, if greater life expectancy implies populations are expected to live and work in an age of longevity in the coming decades. This presentation focuses on the qualitative aspect of the study with 24 DWC to gain a deeper understanding of their positive and negative care experiences of sustaining work-life balance in dementia care. It begins with a brief discussion of the issues related to DWC internationally. It then discusses the English care policies that may have an impact on wellbeing and the support which DWC receives in England. The presentation then drew insights from qualitative artefact and in-depth interviewing research in England to further explore the challenges and opportunities related to work and life balance of DWC and those are shared with non-working dementia carers. Finally, the paper concludes with a discussion of its main findings and their implications for care policy and practice guidelines for social workers and other relevant care professionals to support DWCs.The study in England is motivated by it has national statistical data of DWC and non-working dementia carers from the IDEAL national research programme to provide a good starting point for the qualitative focus. Additionally, by focusing on England where is one of the few countries that has developed national strategies and has prioritised support services for dementia carers, this study fills an important gap in international learning.

Keywords (separate with commas)

Dementia, carers, dementia working carers, work-life balance, positive and negative care experiences

#0373 | The experience of hospital-based social workers in assessing risk and autonomy in Canadian hospitals

Xueping Ma ¹

1 - McGill University.

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Summary

BackgroundSocial workers are professionally bound to advocate for older adults’ rights when their preferences are being overlooked in the name of protection. Yet how hospital-based social workers navigate the tensions between attending to risk and advocating for rights remains relatively unexplored. Study purposeThe aim of this study is to explore social workers’ experiences assessing for risk and supporting autonomy in the context of their role planning for discharge in a hospital setting. The types of risks leading to their involvement were also explored. Methods Informed by the tenants of grounded theory this qualitative study used semi-structured interviews to uncover the factors that supported or hindered social workers’ capacities to advocate for rights in the face of risk. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed in four stages. ResultsA total of 10 hospital-based social workers participated in the study. Analysis of the findings revealed a series of circumstances that facilitated or hindered social workers’ capacity to recognize and attend to older adults’ rights in assessing risk. In all circumstances social workers suggested that biomedical views of aging and risk dominated care provision in hospital settings are barriers to attend rights. When social workers were supported in their abilities to assess for strengths, worked on teams that centered compassion and engaged in reflexivity, they were able to exercise their advocacy skills to ensure older adults' preferences were at the center of care planning. Conclusion and implications to practice Hospital-based social workers are best positioned to support the rights and autonomy of older adults during discharge planning when they are reflexive, work in environments that center compassion, and receive interdisciplinary support to assess for strengths alongside vulnerabilities. This suggests that training within and beyond the profession is required to protect against rights violations of older adults in hospital settings.

Keywords (separate with commas)

Older adults, assessment, risk, autonomy, social workers

#0525 | The social value of re-employment by the elderly to the challenge of a super-aged society

YUCHIN LIN ¹

1 - New-Energy Social-Worker Firm Director.

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Summary

There is a cafeteria in Taiwan that practices productive aging. It imitates the employment model to allow the elderly to become service producers. Those social values were created by challenging the super-aged society.Research methods:In-depth interviews with 2 people who have been scheduled for more than 1 year and who are over 75 years old in 110 and their main caregivers to explore and understand the appearance of the following three aspects,(1) Changes in work patterns, work feelings, physical and mental health, and social connections of the elderly.(2) The primary caregiver's support for family re-employment, care stress and changes in family relationships.(3) The expectations of the elderly and their main caregivers on the job content, working hours, salary and benefits of the re-employment of the elderly, as well as matters that employers and the government should assist.4. Research results:The two elderly people interviewed are the main force of the cafeteria. One of them is very proud of being a chef, and is happy that someone comes to the cafeteria for her. Another senior citizen is a waiter, and he often acts as a guide to guide the cafeteria. He feels very honored. The "soul satisfaction" of being respected and being able to make good friends is quite evident in the joyful sharing. In addition, blood sugar is controlled, no need to take sleeping pills, and you can sleep well with a "sense of physical health"; working in shifts, busy in the kitchen, and contacting different groups of people, life has the "sense of fulfillment" that you look forward to; learn to cook The dish has also become a signature dish, and there is also a "sense of accomplishment in life" with the ability to make money, etc.

Keywords (separate with commas)

advanced age, social value, primary caregiver

#0924 | Gratitude Practice among Won Buddhist Older Adults and Implications for Gerontological Social Work

Sungsim Lee ¹

1 - Loyola University Chicago.

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Summary

Aging well is a global concern, and comprehensive care for older adults demands a holistic approach, including the bio-psycho-social-spiritual-ecological dimension. Gratitude is a well-studied area in social science, with interventions showing positive impacts on overall well-being and health. However, researchers emphasize the need for comprehensive gratitude research, considering diverse spiritual and cultural contexts and practical interventions that promote well-being not only from Western European perspectives but also rooted in Eastern spiritual traditions. In Won Buddhism, originating from South Korea, gratitude holds a significant spiritual role, making it an essential practice. This study aims to holistically explore the experiences of Won Buddhist older adult practitioners engaged in spiritually based gratitude practice. The central research question is, “What are the views of Won Buddhist older adult practitioners regarding the experiences, benefits, and challenges of engaging in Won Buddhist gratitude practice?” The study will involve a sample of 20-30 older adult practitioners over 65 years old, who integrate spiritually based gratitude practice into their daily lives. Participants will be selected from Eastern regions of Won Buddhist temples that provide Dharma services in English. Semi-structured, open-ended interviews will be conducted via Zoom, recorded, and transcribed with open-ended questions, lasting approximately one to one and a half hours each. By analyzing participants’ insights through thematic analysis and comparing them with previous studies, this research aims to gain a deeper understanding of Won Buddhist gratitude practice, enhancing the experiences and benefits of gratitude among older adults. Additionally, the study’s findings will provide valuable insights for social workers, enhancing their ability to support older adults in developing and utilizing spiritually based practices effectively. Overall, this study will contribute to the growing body of knowledge on gratitude practices, particularly in the context of older adults and the spiritually based approach in Won Buddhism.

Keywords (separate with commas)

aging well, holistic approach, older adults, gratitude, gratitude practice, spirituality, Won Buddhism, spiritually based practice