This article reviews the literature on the concept of empathy in the social work profession from the days of Mary Richmond to its use in traditional literature today. Empathy is reexamined in light of recent developments in feminist scholarship, in particular the relational-cultural theory developed at the Stone Center at Wellesley College. Moving…

Although research has been conducted to understand the specificities and nuances of how student affairs operates within various institution types (e.g., community colleges, liberal arts colleges, research institutions) to support student success, the role that student affairs professionals have supporting student success in U.S. unincorporated…

A "tiger mom" is a term popularized with the publication of Amy Chua's "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother" (2011). Chua points to the tiger as a "living symbol of strength and power, [which] generally inspires fear and respect" (n.p.); the term "tiger mother" or "tiger mom" quickly became part of the popular lexicon. Chua perceives the tiger mom's…

The Adult Education and Economic Growth Act (AEEGA) was introduced in the House of Representatives in June 2011 by Rep. Ruben Hinojosa (TX-15) and in February 2012 in the Senate by Sen. Jim Webb (VA). The Act (H.R. 2226 and S. 2117) would amend the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) to encourage the use and availability of career pathways for…

Youth workers often feel underrated and poorly understood in multidisciplinary conversations. While it may make us feel better to complain about our relatively marginalised youth worker status, it would be better for us to be proactive about explaining what it is that we actually do in language that makes sense to others. This article articulates…

As a member of a significant helping profession, the Social Worker is engaged in relationship activities not unlike those of the counselor of guidance worker. The present study set out to investigate certain performance aspects demonstrated to be important to the level of relationship functioning in the social work field. Specifically the research…

This article focuses on resources for building successful stepfamilies and parenting children in stepfamily scenarios. While remarriage after divorce is the basis of most stepfamilies, divorced parenting differs from stepfamily parenting and is covered only peripherally in this article. Worthy stepparenting titles emphasize the singularity of…

Some selected performance aspects indicated to be predictive of counsel/social worker effectiveness are examined. The interpersonal variables examined were selected according to the conceptual and research model for assessment of the helping relationship advanced by Carkhuff. From this model of assessment the following hypothesis was developed;…

Among youth workers who experience moments of not-knowing what to do, many often describe their thoughts and reactions to the phenomenon in vocational and existential terms. They ask what right they have to work in the helping professions if they find themselves simply unable to be helpful. In many cases, the vocational crises following…

Examines nature of fiduciary relationships between social workers and clients, and describes ways they shape professional conduct. Reviews cases that have contributed to evolution of fiduciary principles in helping professions, and discusses significance of these cases for social work practice. Sees confidentiality, informed consent, and conflict…

Addressed is the need in social work education to identify the skills required for effective practice, to develop instruments to measure these skills, and to design an approach to teach them effectively. In the first chapter, "Identifying the Worker Helping Skills," 27 communication, relationship, and problem-solving skills are described. The…

Tested holistic general theory of social work practice based on interactional perspective, examining impact of social workers' skills on development of working relationships with clients and on outcomes of services. Study identified eight skills which could be combined into workers' skills for helping clients manage their problems and workers'…

Two social workers and a pediatrician working as a team helped parents who brought their children to a medical center to perceive the parent-child relationship as a causative factor in developmental difficulties. (Author/AJ)

This study used the Critical Incident Technique to examine the factors that helped, hindered, or might have helped 10 general duty police officers to cope with secondary traumatic stress. The data were best represented by 14 categories: self-care, family/significant other support, talking with co-workers, emotional engagement, work environment,…

Many social workers who understand practice theory and intervention techniques feel less competent when ending their work with clients, especially in the case of clients with schizophrenia. This article emphasizes the importance of closure with this client population and provides guidelines for incorporating constructive ending processes into the…