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Summary: This paper reports on a systematic thematic synthesis of literature focusing on encouraging and discouraging factors for social workers to train and practise as Approved Mental Health Professionals in England. These professionals have legal authority to authorise the detention for assessment/treatment of people with a 'mental disorder' under the Mental Health Act 1983 and other statutory responsibilities. The review included 23 papers, which reported on 14 research studies and is presented using the job demands and resources model. Findings: The review identified a lack of quantitative studies and specific gaps in evidence about social workers' motivations or reasons why they do not want to become Approved Mental Health Professionals. It identified job resources and demands relating to the intrinsic nature of Approved Mental Health Professional work and extrinsic factors such as fit with social work values and the shortage of inpatient beds. Some job resources and demands overlapped and interacted. Applications: The review suggests that a national survey of Approved Mental Health Professionals might be timely, to examine the relative importance of the job resources and demands; to assess their impact on levels of stress and burnout and on Approved Mental Health Professionals' motivations to continue or cease working in the role. The findings of the review support the need for increasing the number of inpatient mental health beds and community resources and establishing requirements for the availability of doctors (who may make the medical recommendation to detain) and local agreements about the role of the police and ambulance services in Mental Health Act assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary This paper examines the use of theory in social work methods geared towards promoting participation of vulnerable groups, a subject that has been barely – if at all – researched empirically. The study comprised an analysis of 46 methods documented in the database of the Netherlands Institute for Social Development and interviews with social workers and educators. Findings Social work methods for participation are interspersed with theoretical notions. While the study shows that there is no shortage of theories in this field, what is more problematic are their use and integration. Incorporating theories in such a way that they provide an underpinning of the work method poses a challenge. Many theories appear to be presented out of window dressing, deviate from their original source in the literature, or are narrow in their paradigmatic focus, overlooking alternative theories that could promote or offer better nuanced participation perspectives. Applications The paper proposes criteria for a 'theoretical underpinning' and provides suggestions for a proper use of theory in social work methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Burnout has become an increasingly prevalent condition, especially affecting professionals in direct contact with clients. Human service workers (HSWs) have quite emotionally taxing jobs supporting vulnerable groups. In developing a close relationship with the communities they work with, it could be possible that community-related variables have an impact on HSWs' burnout. We aim to analyze the prevalence of burnout in a sample of HSWs from Portugal and the role of community resilience as a predictor of their burnout, as well as explore if their subjective well-being and community attachment could explain the relationship between community resilience and burnout, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected through an online questionnaire between August 2020 and January 2021 (N = 598). Findings: Results indicate that HSWs presented medium to low levels of burnout, although 8.9% presented high levels. Those who reported lower levels of burnout perceived higher community resilience and had much higher well-being and community attachment. Findings point to community resilience having a significant direct effect on burnout and also an indirect effect, which was explained by subjective well-being and community attachment. Applications: Results seem to suggest that this sample's low-medium levels of burnout could be linked to the benefit of experiencing high community attachment and working in communities with high resilience, which consequently impacted their well-being and burnout. This highlights the crucial role of the work context in professionals' mental health, showing that a broader context needs to be considered in professional mental health promotion programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This article concerns interpreter-mediated Mental Health Act (MHA) (1983) assessments where either a signed or spoken language interpreter is required. It reports data from 132 Approved Mental Health Professionals (AMHPs) in England who have direct experience of such circumstances addressing expertise, training, readiness, and potential influences on the outcome when interpreters are involved. Quantitative data were collected by means of an online survey analyzed descriptively with additional open-ended qualitative responses analyzed thematically. Findings: More interpreter-mediated MHA assessments were reported as occurring in hospital than in community settings. Although AMHPs were confident in their expertise, nearly two-thirds felt they were less effective when an interpreter was involved. The vast majority had received only minimal training on how to work with an interpreter. Recording of language and interpreter use in the assessment was revealed as inconsistent. Most AMHPs thought incorrectly that interpreters were subject to mandatory registration with assured minimum standards of qualification and expertise. Practical problems associated with the timeliness of access to interpreters and complexities of using telephone interpreters instead of face to face were raised. AMHPs expressed a wish for more training and guidance including expectations of the interpreter role. Applications: Consistent standards of formal recording of interpreter use as part of annual monitoring of the MHA are required to understand any potential inequities of outcome resulting from language mediation. Joint training with interpreters is desirable with more specific guidance and resources for working AMHPs and interpreters to promote best practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary The number of compulsory admissions in Dutch psychiatry has increased in the past 25 years. The reduction of coercion with Family Group Conferences in youth care has been successful. How, when and under what conditions can Family Group Conferences reduce coercion in adult psychiatry, is subject of an extensive inquiry. This paper, however, focusses on the reverse question, namely, in what circumstances can Family Group Conferences not be deployed? An answer to this question provides insights regarding situations in which Family Group Conferences may (not) be useful. Barriers in 17 cases were examined using multiple case studies. Findings The following barriers emerged: (1) the acute danger in coercion situations, the limited time available, the fear of liability and the culture of control and risk aversion in mental health care; (2) the severity of the mental state of clients leading to difficulties in decision-making and communication; (3) considering an Family Group Conference and involving familial networks as an added value in crisis situation is not part of the thinking and acting of professionals in mental health care; (4) clients and their network (who) are not open to an Family Group Conference. Applications Awareness of the barriers for Family Group Conferences can help to keep an open mind for its capacity to strengthen the partnership between clients, familial networks and professionals. The application of Family Group Conferences can help to effectuate professional and ethical values of social workers in their quest for the least coercive care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary This article reports research that aimed to identify and evaluate potential resilience benefits of visual arts interventions for young people with complex needs. The study involved a review of the ‘arts for resilience’ literature and a case study of 10 weekly resilience-building arts workshops for 10 young people experiencing mental health complexities and/or learning difficulties. Findings We found a significant existing evidence-base linking visual arts practice to individual and community resilience, across disciplinary fields including art therapy, social work, community health, visual arts practice and geographies of health. Visual art activities were utilised to both educate young people about resilience and enhance young people’s overall resilience. Qualitative research material developed from the case study shows that even short-term visual arts interventions can impact on young people’s resilience – crucially, participation was extremely beneficial to young people’s sense of belonging and ability to cope with difficult feelings (topics which arose repeatedly during interview, focus group discussion and observation). Applications Our review and findings from this small case study provide some initial insights into the resilience benefits of participation in visual arts activities. This, combined with the resilience-based practice framework presented here, could aid the effective targeting of interventions for social workers and others working with young people with complex needs. Alongside this research paper, an arts for resilience practice guide has been produced by the project team (including young people). It contains instructions on how to conduct a range of practical visual arts activities that we identified as being resilience-promoting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Summary: Little attention has been paid to the impact of early recognition of dementia on mental health social work. This paper reports a small study of the views of 20 social workers employed by an English social services department to set out possible agendas for debate about the role of mental health social work in this area. A modified nominal group methodology was used in a workshop undertaken as part of a regular series of information and training days, to elicit participants' experiences of the early recognition of dementia and any anticipation about their future role. • Findings: We identified three main themes from these social workers' experiences and perceptions: diagnostic and prognostic skills; the impact of resource availability on professional activity; and a disability model of dementia. • Application: Specialist social workers working within dementia teams may have much to contribute and may find the emergence of such teams enables them to exercise theft therapeutic, communication and problem-solving skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Summary: During the last decade increasing attention has been paid to the impact of the Troubles on social work in Northern Ireland. In this paper, the authors describe the first survey used to test some of the assumptions which exist in the literature. An 87-item questionnaire was applied to a range of social work staff currently working in, or associated with, mental health settings. One hundred and one questionnaires were returned: it is estimated that this represented over 70 per cent of mental health social workers in Northern Ireland. • Findings: The design of the questionnaire elicited both qualitative and quantitative data. The findings reveal a workforce with complex religious and national identities and many of the respondents have experienced relatively high levels of Troubles-related incidents whilst carrying out their duties in a variety of organizational and geographical settings. High proportions of respondents received minimal agency support and training to equip them to deal with Troubles-related problems faced by them during this period. • Applications; The authors conclude that the profession and employing agencies should pay greater attention to past and present effects of the Troubles on social work practice and develop appropriate strategies for supporting, training and resourcing staff in this neglected area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Social workers' eating disorder mental health literacy (ED-MHL) is essential to the detection, assessment, and treatment of eating disorders (EDs) and disordered eating (DE) in clinical practice. This study explored social workers' ED-MHL, particularly the assessment practices of EDs on intake forms, and within the first two therapy sessions. Participants in this national survey were N = 316 outpatient masters-level social workers in the United States. Participants completed an online survey measuring ED assessment practices in clinical practice. Findings: Results showed that 42.4% (n = 133) of respondents did not routinely assess for EDs/DE on clinical intake forms, and 53.2% (n = 165) did not assess within the first two therapy sessions. However, those with recent training related to EDs were more likely to assess. Participants reported low to moderate perceived comfort levels with the assessment of EDs, and training and education were identified as needed resources. Social workers reported deficits in their own assessment practices of EDs. Barriers included: lack of training about EDs/DE; uncertainty about process questions to ask; and perceptions that EDs/DE are rarely the client's primary presenting problem. Applications: Difficulties with detection and screening practices appeared contingent on gaps in existing education and training related to EDs/DE. These findings suggest that future research may serve to increase social workers' ED-MHL, as underscored by the noteworthy finding that 86.1% (n = 229) of the sample reported that they would make proactive changes in their clinical practice, as a direct result of participating in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This article explores how political fluctuations can negatively affect young adults' psychosocial well-being, by using the case of Hong Kong's Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill Movement. The study included both individual and focus group interviews to collect the experiences and perspectives of 25 youths, 13 teachers, and 12 social workers within a qualitative paradigm. The data were coded independently by the author and research assistant. Findings: Four major themes related to young adults' psychosocial well-being: (a) mental health deterioration, (b) tension in family relations, (c) problems in peer relations, and (d) decreasing trust in teachers and social workers. The findings not only reveal the relevance of political issues to contemporary youths' well-being, but also display a possible vicious circle among negative psychosocial environment, psychosocial strain, and poor environment. Applications: There is a pressing need for social workers to be better prepared for dealing with young adults' psychosocial issues that arise from political conflicts. This article contributes to the literature by considering the role of psychosocial factors in maintaining or reinforcing youth participation in protests. Unconventional strategies should be developed by social workers to reach youth activists and help relieve emotional and psychological pressures caused by political unrest. Suggestions for fostering post-conflict reconciliation in the community are also offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: More than 50% of children who depart foster care will experience a permanency placement after being involved in the child welfare system. The struggles faced by children and families during the transition into the home and community setting following foster care are well-known and often result in child welfare re-entry. Presently, little is known about preparation for permanency placements or appropriate supports to aide in this critical transition period. This includes understanding the perspectives of key stakeholders such as foster parents, who are essential to the transition. This descriptive study begins to address this need by examining the perspectives of foster parents (N = 60) on: (a) transition planning, (b) the importance of specific supports and services critical during to transition period, and (c) availability of supports during the transition period. Findings: Results indicate that the most frequently addressed areas during transition planning process were family, medical/physical health, and education. Participants rated mental health and safety as the most important supports for youth. Most respondents indicated being unsure about the availability of nearly all supports. However, of those reported as available, safety and mental health supports were identified most often. Application: Findings have practical application for service provision and transition planning for youth and their families departing foster care to permanency placements. Specifically, a continued focus on mental health and an increase in educational supports during the transition process. These are discussed in depth as well as implications for practice. Limitations and future research are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: COVID-19 is shaping all aspects of life throughout the world. The unexpected number of people who have been infected with and died from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is evidence that the pandemic has affected families and societies. The strong shock wave that has resulted in the international response has focused more on medical rather than psychosocial interventions. Little has been written or studied about the impact of COVID-19 on families. This article explores the impact of the COVID-19 quarantine on the mental health of families. We conducted 20 in-depth interviews with Jordanian families through snowball sampling. Findings: The results show that 20 interviewees described varied and new experiences. Many of the families we interviewed displayed symptoms of mental health problems, including disrupted sleep patterns, changes in eating habits, excessive digital media use, anxiety, depression, excessive smoking, stomach aches, bedwetting among children, and persistent headaches. The study also demonstrated the psychological stress partners felt during the lockdown due to their worries about job security. They also communicated their hope that renewed family commitments might bring more stability to their relationships. During the lockdown, family members spent more time together, and it became harder to conceal any issues from each other. Applications: The findings of this research demonstrate a critical need for social workers, and it is hoped that future legislation will include a role for social workers in various fields of crisis. Moreover, social workers should encourage families to ask for intervention to overcome the long-term effects that may result from COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Even though an extensive body of literature on children has swept the field of domestic violence in the last 30 years, little is known about how domestic violence shelter workers understand children's situations and how they intervene with them. This article seeks to address this gap in the literature, and presents the results of a study conducted with 48 advocates in the province of Québec (Canada). Findings: The data suggest that most of the participants adopt a child-centred perspective and consider the children in their own right during their stay. The accounts of the participants' practices also reveal that they perceive children as being vulnerable and at-risk. With a moderate emphasis on vulnerability and risk, the participants tend to support the children alongside their mothers, while associating potential risks with the behaviour of the perpetrator of domestic violence. However, with a strong focus on vulnerability and risk, participants tend to cast aside the perpetrators' behaviour and monitor the women-as-mothers during their stay while associating potential risk with their [in]actions under the circumstances. This can lead to mother-blaming, surveillance and more authoritarian interactions. Applications: The understanding of children living with domestic violence needs to remain rooted in a feminist analysis of violence against women in order to avoid some of the issues highlighted in the article. Furthermore, studies that seek to shed light on best social work practices when working with children in alliance with their mothers from a feminist perspective are crucially needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Socioeconomic status and health are strongly related to the ability of a person to participate in society. Acting upon activation and employment possibilities is difficult for several groups. One group described as especially hard to activate is long-term welfare recipients. In the current study, the role of an activation broker was studied as a supplementary practice to regular support practices. A qualitative research design using an analysis of the administrative logbook of the activation broker and interviews with professionals (n = 8) and long-term welfare recipients (n = 10) was carried out. To structure the retrieved data, the Activation Broker Wheel was developed. Findings: Seven core behaviours were identified and categorized in three determinants; capabilities, opportunities and motivation. Contextual factors supporting the activation broker approach were selected. The activation broker approach was found to be successful in activating long-term welfare recipients. Applications: The behaviours, determinants and context made visible within the Activation Broker Wheel provided insight into workable elements that may help future activation brokers to optimize their support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This article introduces the area of nutritional social work, beyond the scope of food security and food injustice, from a critical, anti-oppressive and ecofeminist lens. The goal was not to present concrete frameworks but to initiate a discussion surrounding the relevance of nutritional social work and point in a number of possible directions for incorporation of this subdiscipline into social work praxis. Findings: Nutritional security is an instrumental component of food security, as complete nutrition requires more than just enough energy for every human being. This purposeful combining of food security with nutrition security underscores the need to consider these two issues together, requiring integrated social and health outcomes, as well as cohesive community, policy and development goals aimed at eliminating food insecurity and malnutrition. These considerations need to involve the questions of availability, accessibility (both economically and geographically), cultural practices and sustainability that form the cornerstone of food justice efforts. Applications: The article highlights the potential contribution of nutritional social work to direct practice, community action, policy development, research and social work education, as it illuminates the pivotal role that nutritional security plays in relation to multilevel considerations of food insecurity, all the while ensuring all people, through participatory, democratizing, power-sharing and equity-creating processes, have access to nutritious foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Social workers have been members of community mental health teams (CMHTs) for many years. However, a combination of factors has resulted in their removal from CMHTs in some areas in recent years. This study presents findings from a 2018 national survey of CMHT team managers (44% response rate), to ascertain the current position of the social worker within CMHTs in England. Analyses focussed on membership, roles and tasks, and change within the previous 12 months. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the quantitative data and content analysis to interpret free text comments. Findings: Social workers were found to undertake a variety of generic roles and tasks but were reported to do so proportionally less often than nurses. A large minority were involved in non-traditional social work tasks such as monitoring medication. In one-fifth of teams, managers thought they had too few social workers. Free text comments suggested that managers valued social workers for their social perspective and expressed concern regarding their removal or the curtailment of their role, perceiving this as having a negative effect on overall CMHT service delivery. Applications: The findings provide evidence of some instability in the position of social workers within CMHTs in relation to both their membership and their involvement in traditional and non-traditional roles and tasks. Free text comments suggest that if a biopsychosocial model of mental health support, now recognised as essential to long-term wellbeing, is to be achieved, a social work presence in CMHTs is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: While the scholarly literature is abound with discussions of technology and its proliferation in different social work domains, evidence about what types of technologies are being used in various social work practice domains remains limited. The present study aimed to identify the larger trends in how technology has permeated the profession. The study sample comprised of 892 articles from a journal known for its contribution in publishing research on technology use in human services. Two methods were used—topic modeling and human-assisted analyses. Topic modeling was performed using MALLET, a machine learning tool which employs latent Dirichlet allocation over a fixed vocabulary for the corpus of text. Human-assisted analyses were performed using QDA Miner and MS-Excel to assist in the manual analyses. Findings: In all, 29 topics in social work and 27 topics in technology domains were obtained. Social work education and mental health and clinical social work appeared as two of the top five social work domains in both topic modeling and human-assisted analyses. Management information system, communication technology, generic technology usage, and education technology were the top common topics in both types of analyses. Applications: The present study findings have two applications. First, the descriptive analysis of technology adoption across diverse social work areas of research provides the first concrete evidence of how technology has been spread throughout social work. Second, the patterns of technology adoption across social work practice fields indicate some fields have limited research regarding technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Cross-boundary children and their parents suffer from various stressors and mental health problems. This pilot study aimed to investigate whether an emotion regulation parallel intervention for children and parents enhanced resilience and mental health among both groups. A total of 38 pairs of cross-boundary children and parents participated in concurrent but separate intervention sessions. Three waves of tests (i.e. pre-, post-, and one-month follow-up tests) were conducted, using t-tests to evaluate the time effects during the intervention. Findings: The children and parents reported significant improvements in positive affect, resilience, and family harmony, as well as a reduction in depressive symptoms following the emotion regulation intervention. For both children and parents, over half of the participants who were in the high-depression category have crossed the threshold, from high to low level of depression at post-test, and participants with higher depression levels generally benefited more from the intervention. Applications: Future researchers seeking to implement demand-driven and practice-based interventions in community settings should consider contextual and cultural sensitivity, and involve community stakeholders (e.g. cross-boundary family members and social workers) in all aspects of the research process with a given community-based participatory research approach. Screening based on depression may maximize the benefits to the participants. The essential components, as well as the fidelity measures of the intervention, should be refined. Randomized controlled trials are advocated in future studies to test the efficacy and effectiveness of the intervention in different contexts (e.g. clinical and community populations). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The article addresses the continued lack of clarity about the role of the mental health social worker within community mental health teams for working age adults and particularly the limited evidence regarding this from the perspective of service users. It compares findings from the literature, found to originate from a predominantly professional viewpoint, with secondary analysis of a national survey of service users to assess their views. Findings: Three particular aspects of mental health social workers' role identified in the literature were, to some extent, also located within the national survey and can be summarised as: approaches to practice, nature of involvement, and scope of support. The presence of these features was largely not substantiated by the survey results, with few differences evident between service users' experiences of mental health social workers compared with other mental health staff. When nurses and social workers were compared, results were either the same for both professions or favoured nurses. The findings point both to the difficulty of articulating the social work contribution and to the limitations of the secondary data. Application: The findings are a useful benchmark, highlighting the limited evidence base and the need for further research to improve both the understanding of the mental health social work role and how it is experienced by service users. The profession is keen to emphasise its specific contribution. Research evidence is required to underscore this and to ensure that the role is not subsumed within generic practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: We facilitated an arts-based mindfulness group program with youths who were receiving short-term in-patient mental health supports within hospital. We aimed to explore the challenges and benefits these marginalized youths experienced through their exposure to the group intervention. Forty pregroup and 24 postgroup interviews were analyzed using a thematic analysis framework. Findings: The qualitative findings are presented using creative nonfiction in the form of a composite vignette. The composite vignette portrays the content within the themes, creatively telling a more compelling story that illustrates key points and themes within the data set. The vignette shows how mental health challenges created problems in the youths' lives. Although most of the youths were initially nervous about participating in the program, the strengths and arts-based nature of the program helped them to connect with others in the group and express themselves. All of the youths reported that the group program was enjoyable and beneficial. They learned to identify what they were feeling/thinking and to express these feelings/thoughts using creative means of expression. Making art helped them to develop their self-awareness and created enjoyment in the group and with the group methods. Also, learning about mindfulness helped them to think in different ways, and to focus and relax more. Application: The results of this pilot project warrant further investigation into the benefits of creative strengths-based mindfulness-based interventions for in-patient youths experiencing mental health challenges. The composite vignette centers the youths' voices and provides a comprehensive account of their experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: As compared with the general population, women with serious mental illness experience higher rates of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and are at a greater risk of future victimization, post-traumatic stress disorder, exacerbated symptoms of mental illness, and other negative health outcomes. Despite substantial research, the field lacks clear, consistent guidance for intervention development. To this end, this review aims to move the field beyond its focus on prevalence by providing a comprehensive and concise summary that compares and assesses the findings, quality, and scope of 10 systematic reviews (reviewing 168 studies) pertaining to prevalence and risk factors of intimate partner violence and/or sexual assault among women with serious mental illness. Findings: The systematic reviews in this study indicate wide variation exists in the prevalence rates of intimate partner violence among women with serious mental illness. Differences are attributable to inconsistent definitions of key concepts across studies, differences in inclusion and exclusion criteria, type of disability, and type of violent victimization. Fewer than half of the studies focus on risk factors for violent victimization among women with serious mental illness, which contributes to the lack of viable interventions for this population. Application: The implications discussed in this study address best practices for screening and assessment, opportunities for intervention modification, standardization of definitions of core concepts, and the importance of examining the service challenges from the perspective of clients and service providers. The study offers an organizing framework to advance the field's focus on risk and protective factors toward developing effective interventions and treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been growing concern about the quality of health services, including mental health services, within the world’s and prisons. The purpose of the current qualitative interpretive meta-synthesis (QIMS) is to examine the prison environment and how it influences the mental health services delivered to prisoners. It is the hope of these authors that with this QIMS, knowledge improvements and modifications to current policies and practices can begin to take shape. A total of five studies published between 2003 and 2013 were utilized for this QIMS. Participants in all five studies included males and females incarcerated in England, Wales, and the United States. Three overarching themes were identified after analysis: difficulties with accessing services, difficulties with primary staff, and isolation. In each overarching theme, sub-themes are reviewed in detail. These three broad categories are discussed in relation to the person-in-environment system, demonstrating its application in an incarcerated setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary This article considers the place of service-user knowledge and expertise within an evidence-based practice perspective. It makes a strong argument that client involvement is a core principle of Sackett et al.'s foundational approach in evidence-based medicine. In so doing, it draws on research on service-users' perceptions and experiences of evidence-based practice. Findings For service users, evidence-based practice lacks relevance and trustworthiness unless it explicitly factors in the expertise of service users themselves. Evidence-based practice is seen to have merit as a tool for enhancing accountability, but service users see a role for themselves at individual and representative levels in the process of evidence-based practice. They place a high value on the expertise derived from lived experience, and recognise that fluctuations in capacity and changes in circumstances of many service users require a flexible approach to their participation in decision making. A pragmatic approach to the conceptualisation of evidence is recommended, which not only maintains scientific rigour inherent in evidence-based practice but also more strongly emphasises the process of analysing evidence appropriate to a particular individual's preferences and circumstances. Applications For human service practitioners, this study emphasises the need to develop professional skills in assessing the capacities, circumstances and preferences of clients and analysing and applying evidence for practice in ways that conform to a client-centred approach. It also indicates a need for researchers and practitioners to recognise and value service-user expertise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary The present implementation study compares therapists’ workplace ratings of collective efficacy, collaboration, and teamwork in Norwegian child welfare and child psychiatric agencies. Participating therapists were trained in Parent Management Training Oregon model (PMTO) as part of a nationwide implementation of the program. Participating therapists (N = 83) worked in 67 Norwegian social service agencies. Respondents were part of three conditions: (1) PMTO therapists working in agencies with no other PMTO therapists (n = 45), (2) two PMTO therapists working together in the same agency (n = 23), and (3) three therapists working together in the same agency (n = 15). Findings Therapists working in clusters of 3 rated their workplaces more positively than therapists who worked in agencies with 1 or 2 PMTO interventionists, β = .29, p = .03; Cohen’s d = .80. The result was independent of agency size, leadership quality, service population, and therapist education. There was no difference in workplace ratings between PMTO therapists working in agencies in pairs (2 PMTO therapists) and those working in agencies alone (1 PMTO therapist), p = .45. Applications PMTO therapists working in clusters of three appeared to have better experiences with their workplace than therapists with no other PMTO colleagues, and those with only one other PMTO colleague. This result suggests that clustering therapists together in groups of at least three may create a better work environment for therapists using newly-implemented interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article investigates the potential risk, structure, investment, social support, and network size of the personal social networks of personality disordered forensic psychiatric patients at the time of their offence. The complexity of the social factors involved with criminal behavior is showed. The need for forensic social workers to monitor if there are important changes in the patient's network such as instability of relationships is cited.

The article focuses on the retrospective accounts of the experiences of childhood sexual abuse survivors on therapeutic support received before the age of 18 in Great Britain. It notes that the survey has formed part of a broad programme of research on therapeutic interventions for children who are affected by sexual abuse. It mentions the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) under the Rebuilding Childhoods programme.

The article presents information on a study conducted on the relationship between the impact of trauma in children living in war-like conditions and the quality of life (QoL) of their parents. In the study, seventy-four school-aged children completed self-report measures that assessed their personal life satisfaction and perceptions about parental support. It is stated that parents and families with a good QoL can have a positive influence on children's psychological well-being.

The article presents a study regarding the treatment for older prisoners in Wales and England who are deemed the fastest rising population in prisons. The study discovered that these prisoners are frequently unable to receive social care within prisons. The study suggests the need to meet domestic and international legal rights of older prisoners.

•Summary: An online survey was completed by Hmong women in the United States (n = 186). The survey was distributed via listserves and websites frequently used by Hmong women, and solicited information about marital factors, presence and intensity of depressive symptoms, and socio-demographic circumstances.•Findings: The findings of this article indicate a significant relationship between marital abuse and depression among women married as teenagers when compared to non-abused women who married in adulthood. Excessive worry and feeling like everything takes great effort were the two most frequently reported indicators of depression reported by Hmong women in this sample. Additional marital and socio-demographic factors are explored in their relationship with depressive presentation.•Applications: These findings suggest that mental health practitioners working with Hmong women may need to be particularly attuned to issues of marital stressors related to traditional marriage practices and cultural stressors. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

• Summary: Current UK Government policy is concerned with the possible connections between childhood adversity, social exclusion and negative outcomes in adulthood. Understanding the impact of adverse childhood experiences on outcomes in adulthood is therefore key to informing effective policy and practice. In this article, the research on the impact of childhood adversity on outcomes in adulthood is reviewed in the broad categories of: mental health and social functioning; physical health; offending; service use; and economic impact. The literature on resilience that focuses on those who experience adversity, but do not have associated negative outcomes is also briefly considered. The strengths and limitations of the range of research methods used are then examined. • Findings: Previous studies have tended to focus on specific forms of adversity, predominantly abuse and neglect, and either: specific populations and specific outcomes; specific populations and general outcomes; or general populations and specific outcomes. This means there may be incomplete understanding of the inputs (the range of adverse experiences in childhood), the processes (how these may affect people) and the outcomes (across domains in adulthood). • Applications: It is concluded that it is important for social work researchers to engage in the current debate about how to prevent harmful childhood adversity and there is an important gap in the research for more interdisciplinary large-scale general population studies that consider the full range of childhood adversity and associated impacts across time and the possible processes involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This article considers the nature and basis of risk assessments in mental health services, based on empirical research on the tools used within NHS Mental Health Trusts in England which found a wide variety of such tools in use within them. Findings: The article examines the problems and potential benefits in the use of such tools, and argues for an inclusive and holistic approach to risk assessments which incorporate our knowledge of the risks of risk assessments. The article pays particular attention to risk assessment procedures as relevant to social workers who have to uphold the requirements of the General Social Care Council Code of Practice, which provides particular emphasis on issues of risk, and service user and carer involvement in assessments. Potential biases and limitations of risk assessment approaches, it is proposed, need to be taken into account in order to have a balanced view of the value of such approaches. Applications: The article provides a critique of the validity and effectiveness of current risk assessment tools, focusing in upon one key area in mental health work, the assessment and management of potential violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Summary: Fifty years ago a Royal Commission report was published that has had an enduring legacy in mental health policy and practice in England and Wales. Known as the Percy Report, after the man who chaired this Royal Commission on the Law Relating to Mental Illness and Mental Deficiency, the Report made a series of recommendations, most of which were adopted and enacted in the Mental Health Act 1959. This article draws on parliamentary records and debates of the time to consider the context of the Royal Commission. It sets out the recommendations, particularly in respect of hospital admission and community care, and considers them in light of commentary about policy and practice in mental health services in the ensuing 50 years. • Findings: The Royal Commission's recommendations for wider local authority responsibilities and resources to implement community care services for people with mental illness were not adopted with consequences for the role of social work in mental healthcare. • Application: The article concludes that it is simplistic to portray the Royal Commission report as progressive or reactionary but that one lesson from history may be that practitioners and other stakeholders should continue to contribute to policy debates at national levels since such discussions shape services and practices for long periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

•Summary: Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a UK social security benefit designed to meet the extra costs associated with disability. It has been suggested that some people with disabilities who are eligible for DLA do not claim the benefit, and amongst those who do claim there are inconsistencies of award decision-making. The aim of this research was to establish the level of knowledge relating to DLA amongst disabled people in Scotland and to explore the process of application from the perspective of those involved. Questionnaires were distributed through voluntary organizations. Six hundred and six completed questionnaires were received. • Findings: Almost all respondents (97%) found the form difficult to complete. Many respondents indicated that they could not have completed the forms themselves, particularly those with learning disabilities, mental health problems and/or difficulty concentrating. Many applicants believed that decisions were inconsistent and often based on inadequate understanding of individual circumstances. A significant number of applicants (42.9%) who were subsequently awarded the benefit were turned down on their first application. • Applications:The findings of this study suggest that the Scottish Parliament should ensure that disabled people have access to advice and guidance about welfare benefits irrespective of whether potential applicants are in contact with social work departments. More generally, the findings prompt questions about how the additional costs associated with disability are managed elsewhere. Social workers should be proactive in providing information and advice relating to welfare benefits in Scotland and in other countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Summary: What characterizes the practice of expert mental health social workers? An observational study of social workers in a public mental health network in Melbourne, Australia sought to answer this question and the findings are reported in this article. As part of a larger study of mental health social work expertise, direct observation was done of the work of six practitioners engaged in a range of activities about which they were subsequently interviewed. • Findings: In the first stage based on group interviews, six themes were identified. These were termed: 1) 'The Knowledge'; 2) 'A lot of hard grind'; 3) 'We are here for the clients'; 4) 'The complicated and the difficult'; 5) 'The stone in the shoe'; and 6) 'Going ten rounds with the system'. In this second stage observational study, evidence was found for all of these six themes, plus two additional ones relating to supervision and the emotive content of the work. • Applications: Development of expertise consists of three elements: 1) a personality predisposition and personal capacity; 2) education; and 3) a conducive workplace environment. The application of the findings lies in developing the conditions for these elements to emerge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Summary: This article examines the findings of a series of mental health inquiry reports published in the UK during the 1990s and identifies implications for social workers operating in the field of mental health. • Findings: These inquiry reports have been enormously influential in determining the shape of both services and new legislation. They have also delivered messages concerning practice both in terms of interprofessional communication and coordination and regarding direct work with service users. • Applications: It is argued that social workers can use these inquiries to define their role more constructively and to distinguish their precise contribution to the network of mental health services. This may be particularly necessary at a time of major change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]