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Social Work
A culturally sensitive model for practice is rooted in various systems approaches, taking into account factors such as family and community structure, worldview, role differentiation, and Hofstede's cultural dimensions. A social ecology framework posits the micro-meso-macro dimensions of social work and its intended effectiveness on these various spheres of influence. When the various inputs are incorporated into a culturally appropriate strategy, the social worker contributes to the overall health of the entire community.
All five of Hofstede's cultural dimensions should be taken into account when developing and implementing a model for social work. The five dimensions are interrelated and interdependent. Moreover, the five dimensions interact at every sphere of influence including the micro, the meso, and the macro levels. For example, power distance will inform the social worker of the hierarchies and social order structures that exist in the community. Culturally sensitive practice requires an understanding of power distance so that appropriate interventions can be offered. Often power distance is related to gender and the dimension of relative...
Using these two cultural dimensions alone, for example, a social worker can craft culturally sensitive interventions for communities, individuals, and families contending with high rates of domestic violence. Other cultural dimensions such as individualism will influence the personal pride of individuals in their health-seeking behaviors, and their tendencies to seek or avoid assistance. Therefore, issues related to stigma and mental health can be taken into account by the social worker. Uncertainty avoidance and long-term orientation are also important factors related to culturally sensitive practice. Some clients might seek absolute answers; whereas others may be more tolerant of ambiguity. Other clients might seek instant solutions vs. acceptance of long-term rewards.
At the micro level of social work, each of these cultural dimensions impacts the immediate relationships between client and practitioner, between client and family, and client and community. Using the example of domestic violence, for instance, a client who is being counseled for domestic violence incidents has a certain cultural identity that has been constructed via cultural…
References
Al-Krenawi, A. & Graham, J.R. (1999). Culturally sensitive social work practice with Arab clients in mental health settings. Oxford Journal of Health and Social Work 25(1): 9-22.
Kirkman, B.L., Lowe, K.B., & Gibson, C.B. (2006). A quarter century of Culture's Consequences: a review of empirical research incorporating Hofstede's cultural values framework. Journal of International Business Studies (2006) 37, 285 -- 320. doi:10.1057/palgrave.jibs.8400202
Williams, O.J. (1994). Group Work with African-American Men Who Batter: Toward More Ethnically Sensitive Practice. Journal of Comparative Family Studies 25.
Social Work Evaluation of an Early Interview The interview conducted was with a colleague of mine who I met in school a little while back. She comes from a Persian family, as her parents immigrated to the United States from Iran in the late 1970s. Watching her parents start from scratch in a whole new country was always very inspiring to her. Although she was born in the United States, her extended
Social psychology is the study of human behavior in social situations, showing how social pressures and sociological variables can impact psychological phenomenon such as identity, motivation, personality, or behavior. A quintessential topic in the field of social psychology is bullying. Bullying can be studied from a public health perspective, showing how the external variables such as how a school is designed and the leadership and organizational culture of the school
education and the usual plight of special education students, both identified and yet-to-be identified, the role of the educational diagnostician is one of great import and significance. Known by several different names, the educational diagnostician is charged with the diagnosing and identification of leaning problems. The focus of this report will be the work of the educational diagnostician in the elementary school system and framework. In addition to the
This view is reflected in increasing calls for financial equity among schools, desegregation, mainstreaming, and standardized testing for teachers and students alike; it has been maintained that by providing the same education to all students, schools can equalize social opportunity (Bowman, 1994). This latter position is typically followed up with the use of a particular curriculum designed to support the approach. In this regard, Bowman suggests that, "Knowledge is thought
Effects of TraumaPart 1� Brief overview of the article and its findingsThe article is a review of research done focusing on attachment theory. Considering there have been numerous studies covering attachment theory, there was a need to determine its efficacy in terms of familial predictors and intrapersonal and relational outcomes (Sutton, 2019). The review presents literature on the impact of attachment on youths and adults. Using established patterns of findings,
CRHIP: Mental Health in the U.S. especially among African American MenAbstractThis Cultural Relevant Health Intervention Project (CRHIP) addresses the critical issue of mental health among African American men in the United States, a demographic significantly impacted by mental health disparities. The project focuses on the role of culture in shaping perceptions, attitudes, and responses to mental health challenges within this community. African American men often face unique cultural barriers, including