Summary

In recent times, a growing recognition of ethical conflicts faced by social workers has highlighted the barriers impeding their adherence to moral and professional duties towards clients. These challenges can arise from rigid organizational policies, corporate interests within organizations, or the existence of unethical and discriminatory policies. The term 'moral distress', drawn from nursing literature, encompasses these ethical conflicts and their associated emotional distress. Despite an expanding discourse on moral distress within social work, uncertainties persist regarding the scope of conflicts it encompasses and the intricate interplay between personal and environmental factors. Furthermore, while theoretical models underscore connections between moral distress and subsequent moral action, empirical research on these relationships remains limited.This presentation seeks to chart the existing research landscape concerning ethical conflicts, moral action, and moral distress in social work. It also proposes novel qualitative and quantitative research trajectories aimed at deepening scholarly insights into these components and their intricate interrelationships. The advancement of research knowledge concerning ethical conduct within the realm of social work holds potential for interventions at both organizational and personal levels. These interventions might involve enhancing oversight mechanisms for welfare organizations and providing effective coping strategies. Feasible measures encompass the establishment of support groups, specialized training initiatives, and avenues for expert consultation. Moreover, the acquired insights could wield influence over the formulation of social work policies, particularly in the face of challenges such as neoliberalism. Ultimately, these collective efforts converge towards safeguarding the well-being of social workers, while upholding the safety and rights of their clients.

Keywords (separate with commas)

ethical conflicts; moral action; moral distress

Summary

Graduate students from the University of Connecticut School of Social Work participated in a 2023 travel study program with the University of Puerto Rico where they explored themes of social work practice, theory, and social justice through Latin American and Puerto Rican (PR) lenses. This presentation will include reflections and analyses from two students whose social work practice were profoundly impacted by this experience; since returning from PR, the two have engaged in critical reflections and discussions to explore if it is possible for United States (US) social workers to participate in equitable and intentional joint action given the colonial relationship between the US and PR.The authors will expand on the ethics of US social work practice by discussing core concepts covered during the travel study–such as the ethical-political purpose of social work found in Brazilian frameworks and\ acompañamiento–and how incorporating them into their own practice may better support postcolonial and emancipatory efforts domestically and abroad. These and other learnings from their experience gave the authors new perspective on the differences in social work practice, which highlighted how US social workers often align themselves with a status quo that perpetuates harm and oppression; the authors propose a call to action by encouraging US social workers–and others in imperial/colonial countries–to shift the professional practice into one that more directly confronts oppressive systems. More intentional attempts at dismantling oppressive systems will have resounding effects considering the socio-economic and political influence the US has on PR and other countries. Lastly, the authors emphasize how Puerto Ricans expressed the importance of including their voices and perspectives in any efforts involving them, and the authors want to honor this by incorporating it into their practice and acknowledging that joint social action should always include those that are most impacted.

Keywords (separate with commas)

emancipatory social work, transformative travel study, critical reflections on social work practice, ethical social work practice

Summary

Social workers frequently encounter moral choices that involve ethical conflicts, particularly those related to their dual obligations to their clients and employing organizations. This study investigates how such ethical conflicts impact the psychological distress of social workers. It also examines the mediating effects of their perceptions of social and economic exchange on this association, and the moderating influence of burnout on the association between ethical conflicts and perceptions of economic and social exchange. The sample comprised 568 Israeli social workers, of whom 83.7% were women, with a mean age of 40 (SD=10.09). A moderated mediation model was tested using Model 7 of the PROCESS v4.0 macro for SPSS.Results indicate that ethical conflicts are positively associated with increased psychological distress, and negatively related to social exchange. Moreover, an increase in economic exchange intensifies this association. Burnout was found to moderate the association between ethical conflicts and social and economic exchange. Specifically, the negative effect of ethical conflicts on social exchange was more pronounced at higher levels of burnout, while the positive effect of ethical conflicts on economic exchange was also more pronounced at higher levels of burnout.The study recommends to policymakers and welfare organization managers to allocate resources to reduce burnout and ethical dilemmas through quality supervision, training programs, promoting teamwork and self-care activities and creating an ethical climate. The findings offer valuable insights into the intricate processes that social workers encounter when confronted with ethical conflicts, highlighting the importance of addressing burnout and promoting supportive organizational mechanisms.

Keywords (separate with commas)

burnout, ethical conflicts, psychological distress, economic and social exchange\ \ 

Summary

Ally work involves transforming systems of oppression and challenging \ the status quo. Recent world events have called into question claims to allyship that are performative and do little to advance the pursuit of social justice (Ekpe \& Toutant, 2022; Gates et al., 2021). In this challenging time of division and global human rights violations, we must ask what is required of allyship? For the social work profession to move forward in respecting diversity through social action, it is necessary to prioritize research that informs allyship practice and aids \ in dismantling systemic injustice.The Canadian Association of Social Work Education (CASWE) standards for accreditation expect students to develop values and skills to advance social justice for all people. According to the profession’s code of ethics social workers have an ethical responsibility to be engaged in allyship (CASW, 2005). The pandemic exposed continuing \ injustice which exists within social service delivery systems around the world. Situated within these systems, social work as a profession must examine our complicity and be accountable for change (Gates et al., 2021).\ In collaboration with Indigenous Elder Mae Louise Campbell, Hedges and Milliken developed a framework for social work allyship that involves: heart, honesty, humility, and healing. Presenters will explore how allyship is defined and practiced by social workers and how social work education can prepare social work students to engage in allyship in practice. Preliminary findings from a qualitative research project exploring how participants understand allyship in their social work context and what this means at this moment in time will be discussed. Findings will describe the process of learning allyship skills and engaging in allyship practices.

Keywords (separate with commas)

Allyship, Social Work Education, Social Justice, Indigenous Knowledges