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The publication of social work research and scholarship is integral to generating and disseminating knowledge for the profession and the human services field. Previous research has found a large proportion of nonresearch articles in social work journals, but there has been little exploration of the nature of this scholarship. Using a scoping review method supplemented by analysis of national research assessment output data, this study examined the quantity, format, and characteristics of scholarly publications between 2010–2020 by Australian social workers. It found they produced proportionately more journal articles than other disciplines and relatively fewer books and book chapters. Of 1,389 Australian social work articles published in top-cited social work journals, 821 (59.1%) were research articles. Of the nonresearch articles, almost half provided an analysis of policy or practice without stating a method. Understanding the scope of social work research provides a foundation for reflection on the discipline's research endeavours. Information about the scope of social work research is useful for developing both individual and disciplinary research strategy. A clear statement of method that describes the processes used for observation and analysis would enhance the quality of nonresearch social work publications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer (LGBTIQ+) people in Australia are actively engaged in civic life, contributing volunteer service to various political, activist, and community organisations. Although there is emerging evidence that civic engagement contributes to the health and wellbeing of the general population, information about how volunteerism contributes to LGBTIQ+ community wellbeing has only recently emerged. We used a prospective cross-sectional design to investigate responsibility for civic engagement, sense of community, and loneliness among a convenience sample of LGBTIQ+ volunteers (N = 195). Findings were that volunteers reported a consistent and high degree of community engagement and a strong sense of attachment to the Australian LGBTIQ+ community. A higher-than-expected degree of loneliness was reported in this sample of volunteers, and it was notable that being transgender or gender diverse was a significant predictor of loneliness. This highlights the importance of loneliness among transgender and gender diverse people and the value of discerning differences between groups in the LGBTIQ+ community. IMPLICATIONS Social workers must be mindful that, despite being connected to communities and demonstrating civic engagement, certain LGBTIQ+ volunteers could be at risk of loneliness. The higher rate of loneliness among transgender and gender diverse volunteers indicates a need for LGBTIQ+-affirming organisations to develop particular strategies to address isolation and loneliness among this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study sought to understand the social and individual factors that predict loneliness among older lesbian and gay people in Australia. A sample of 508 gay men and 241 lesbian women, aged 60 and over, completed a survey including measures of loneliness, internalized homonegativity, sexual orientation discrimination, and connectedness to lesbian and gay communities. A multivariable linear regression predicting loneliness was conducted. Not being in an intimate relationship and having less connection to lesbian and gay communities were significant predictors of loneliness for both older lesbian women and gay men. For the men, younger age, internalized homonegativity and more frequent lifetime experiences of sexual orientation discrimination also appeared to predict greater likelihood of loneliness. More frequent recent experiences of sexual orientation discrimination predicted loneliness for the women. The findings confirmed loneliness as an issue of concern among older lesbian and gay people and identified factors amenable to intervention to address loneliness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Men volunteering to mentor other men is a growing form of social engagement in Australia. Masculine norms associated with not disclosing emotional distress or discussing loneliness are often set aside by participating in these one‐to‐one relationships. Mentors have reported improvement in their well‐being and a desire to contribute more. In this phenomenological study, which draws on hermeneutic methodology, 12 men who voluntarily met and mentored another adult man for a minimum of 6 months participated in a semi‐structured interview. Findings showed non‐judgement and deep listening facilitated a rewarding and personally developmental relationship. Most voluntary mentors experienced substantial changes in their masculine views, particularly with the regard to trust and openness with others. This experience has implications for men realising their ability to engage others and for community well‐being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In contemporary western cultures, such as Australia, there is increasing reported social disconnection. This disconnection is associated with loneliness and for some suicide, particularly for men. Voluntary male mentoring organisations aim to socially connect and improve men's wellbeing through facilitating men's one‐to‐one relationships. As is the case with most people, men value someone with whom they may communicate openly and safely, as occurs in voluntary mentoring. However, there is limited research on voluntary male mentoring or the experiences of the participants. This scoping review of the literature from voluntary adult male mentoring thematically synthesises the reported narratives from mentors. A systematic search was undertaken of five academic databases on voluntary adult male mentoring for scholarly articles in English. Additionally, the returned articles had their references reviewed for relevant authoritative reports and publications. After duplicates were removed, there were 471 publications. Sources included publications from humanities, social science, psychology and the health sciences. Once screened for eligibility this number was reduced to 29 publications. A thematic synthesis of the literature found the concepts of intentional relationship, journey and mutual growth were present. The implications of these findings are that men in community settings, informed by the experience of voluntary mentors, may be prepared to engage with other men. Additional research on the lived experience of mentors may offer further insights into facilitating male connection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Little is known about the quantity, nature and range of Australian social work research on ageing and aged care. This scoping review involved a comprehensive search of seven online bibliographic databases. The review identified 108 peer-reviewed journal articles, published between January 2007 and June 2014, that reported Australian social work research on ageing and aged care. Findings The average number of authors per paper was 2.10 with most social work researchers co-authoring papers with non-social workers. The main topics of research focus were health and rehabilitation, elder abuse, asset management, community services and caregiving, housing and residential aged care, and ageing with an intellectual disability. The findings highlight the contribution social work researchers make to multidisciplinary gerontological research, and to understanding the lived experiences of older people and the provision of services. However, they also point to the relative paucity of research focusing on direct social work practice with older people, and the little evidence of the participation of older people and carers in the design and delivery of research. Applications The findings indicate the need for capacity-building strategies, such as developing networks of Australian social work researchers on ageing and aged care, to improve research outputs in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While research has identified challenges lesbians face in the workplace, there is limited understanding of the particular experiences of older lesbians, especially those working in the health and aged care sector. This article draws on the stories of four women who participated in a narrative research project on lesbian and gay people's experiences of health and aged care. It highlights the need for future research to examine the complexity of identity expression and community affiliation, how people negotiate “coming out” in the workplace, the impact of discrimination, and the resources (such as friends) available to lesbians in the workplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on older people has been recognized, there is limited understanding of its impact on older trans and gender diverse people who often have different experiences of care and support than the general population. This article examines older trans and gender diverse people's experience of social support during the COVID-19 pandemic, based on a comparative mixed method survey administered in Australia and the United Kingdom. Using a non-probability sample of 84 participants who were connected to social media and service organizations in the United Kingdom and Australia, we found some commonalities and differences between experiences in these countries. Some participants were isolated, including almost 1 in 5 participants who said that they did not have someone they could call upon in an emergency. However, participants had rich networks of friends, partners, and family members. Religious organizations and the community also played an important role. Friends were reported as the main emergency contacts and as the main people to whom support is provided. This research supports previous findings that friends of trans and gender diverse people play an important role in well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the scholarly impact of social work research can inform strategies to strengthen the profession's research foundations. This study examined research productivity and academic impact using h-indexes for a sample of 112 Australian social work researchers according to the stage of their career. Annual research output was calculated using Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) data. The average h-index for all social work researchers in the sample was 6.39 (Scopus) and 12.5 (Google Scholar). Web of Science was not used due to the number of inaccurate researcher profiles. One hundred and thirty-nine publications received 100 or more citations, but there were many never-cited publications. A social work benchmark for the number of publications is around 1.4 publications per year, depending upon a person's stage of career and workload profile. Citation analysis can supplement peer review in evaluating research quality, but there are disciplinary differences in publication and citation practices, so it is useful to know where social work is positioned. IMPLICATIONS Citation analysis is used to assess research productivity and quality alongside qualitative assessment, such as peer review. It is imperative for researchers to check, correct, and claim Google Scholar, Scopus and Web of Science records, and to link these to their ORCID profile. A citation benchmark for social work would be in the range of h-index 3.2 for early-career researchers to 15.8 for research-focused positions (Scopus) or h-index 6.1–25.0 (Google Scholar). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An obituary for social worker, researcher, and educator Doctor Vale Bruce Lord is presented.

The article reflects on the career of a social worker in Australia. Topics discussed include the role of "Australian Social Work" journal, the journal's Practice, Policy and Perspectives (PPP) section, and the inclusion of the journal in the 2010 Excelelence in Resarch for Australia (ERA) journal rankings. The journal's first Thompson Reuters Journal Citation Reports is mentioned.

The quantity and quality of social work research is central to creating knowledge for the profession and maintaining social work's presence and status in universities. This study examines Australian Research Council grants awarded for social work projects for the 10-year period 2008–2107. It investigates the quantum of grants and the topics addressed, and compares social work to related social sciences. The field of social work was awarded 84 research grants over the 10-year period, a total of $23 million and an average of 8.4 grants per year. However, this did not match the grant successes of the two comparator fields of criminology and social policy and administration. Having a clear picture of research achievements, including grants, is necessary to enable the discipline to plot a strategic way forward, addressing gaps and deficits, and building on strengths. IMPLICATIONS Increasing research grant success is vital to the ongoing development of the social work knowledge base, and bolsters the standing of social work in universities. Maximising the use of social work Field of Research codes will increase the visibility of social work research, especially in multidisciplinary projects. Social work researchers should publicise competitive grant successes [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although in Australia disability is receiving unprecedented attention with the rollout of major reforms, the body of research on disability to inform policy and practice has been found “not fit for purpose”. This scoping review of empirical research papers published by Australian social work authors between 2007 and 2015 investigated the quantity, nature, and scope of social work research on disability in Australia. We found a steady growth, an annual average of 13.8 papers, and a total of 124. Social work disability research makes a distinctive contribution; it is contextualised in service systems or policy, has a greater focus on community and civic participation and social relationships, and concentrates on adults, with either intellectual disability or traumatic brain injury. These research strengths provide foundations for building the profession’s research capacity and informing its practice and contribution to the multidisciplinary field of disability. IMPLICATIONS Service system reform is increasing engagement of social workers with people with disabilities, yet disability has a low profile in the profession.Social work disability research has strengths in understanding service systems, social relationships, and strategies for social and civic participation, particularly with adults with cognitive disabilities.Increased attention to disability in qualifying and higher degree programs will better prepare students for complex practice and develop the distinctive contribution of social work research in this interdisciplinary field. 在澳大利亚，随着一些重要改革的出台，残障者受到前所未有的关注。但用以参谋政策、咨询实践而针对残障者身体的研究却“并不如人意”。本文根据澳大利亚社会工作者发表于2007至2015年的实证性文章，对社会工作之研究残障问题的数量、性质和范围做了分析。分析发现，研究数量有稳步增长；每年约13.8篇；总数为124篇。社会工作对残障的研究贡献十分明显；它与政策服务体系结合紧密，偏重于社区和公民参与及社会关系，焦点在或智障或大脑创伤的成年人。这些研究上的优长为营建该行业的研究能力、参谋实践、贡献残障多学科事业打下了基础。 [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this paper we explore methodological considerations for recruiting stigmatised populations online. Advertising for research participants via social networking sites (SNS) has increasingly become a tool of choice for both quantitative and qualitative researchers. However, such recruitment practices pose a range of challenges for researchers, especially in handling negative commentary such as trolling and its potential negative impact on prospective research participants. Using a case study involving a project on the health and well-being of older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people in Australia, we outline the types of commentary we received on our advertising campaign, as well as our strategies for managing such commentary. We seek to offer ways in which researchers working with stigmatised populations, as well as controversial issues that may attract hostile attention, can effectively manage participant recruitment as researchers increasingly utilise online technologies for recruitment advertising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lesbian women and gay men are at greater risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than heterosexual people, however few studies have examined PTSD in older lesbian women and gay men. This study examined predictors of having ever been diagnosed with PTSD, as well as relationships to current quality of life, among 756 lesbian women and gay men aged 60 years and older in Australia. Participants were surveyed on their sociodemographic characteristics, experiences of sexual orientation discrimination over their lifetime, whether they had ever been diagnosed with PTSD, whether they were currently receiving treatment for PTSD, and their current quality of life. After adjusting for sociodemographic variables, participants who reported having a PTSD diagnosis (11.2%) had significantly more frequent experiences of discrimination over their lifetime and were significantly less likely to currently be in a relationship. Older lesbian women were significantly more likely than older gay men to report ever having had a PTSD diagnosis. Additionally, having ever been diagnosed with PTSD significantly predicted current poorer quality of life. These findings suggest that a history of PTSD among older lesbian women and gay men is linked to experiences of discrimination and other factors, with associated links to current quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research suggests that lesbian and gay people's disclosure of their sexual orientation to parents is associated with better mental health and identity adjustment. However, adolescents and younger adults have been the main focus with little known about the experiences of older people. The following study focused on older lesbian and gay adults, and examined whether believing that their parents knew about their sexual orientation is linked to better current mental health and identity adjustment. A survey of 548 lesbian and gay adults aged 60 years and older in Australia measured psychological distress, positive mental health, internalised homonegativity, sexual identity affirmation, and whether participants believed their parents knew about their sexual orientation After controlling for age of first disclosure, whether their parents were alive, and socio-demographic variables, women who reported at least one parent definitely knowing of their sexual orientation were significantly lower on psychological distress and higher on positive mental health and identity affirmation than those who reported neither parent knowing or were uncertain of their parents' knowledge. No significant effects were found for the men. Believing that at least one parent definitely knew about their sexual orientation was linked to better mental health outcomes among lesbian women, but not among older gay men. These findings reveal a potential risk factor for poorer mental health among older lesbian women, as well as important gender differences, and may be useful in understanding and supporting the well-being of older lesbian and gay adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Older lesbian and gay people can face considerable marginalisation, which may affect their perceptions and experiences of accessing health and aged care services. To inform strategies promoting accessibility, this study aimed to investigate perceived barriers and facilitators to health and aged care service access among older lesbian and gay adults. A sample of 752 cisgender lesbian women and gay men aged 60 years and older living in Australia responded to questions on a broad range of potential barriers and facilitators to service access. Several barriers and facilitators were commonly reported, with some differences between the women and the men. LGBTI inclusiveness was among commonly reported concerns. A majority of participants reported a lack of LGBTI‐inclusive service providers and professionals as a barrier. A majority also reported a perceived lack of professionals adequately trained and competent to work with LGBTI individuals, with significantly more women than men indicating this as a barrier. Almost all participants indicated LGBTI‐inclusive mainstream services as a facilitator for access. In all, inclusiveness appears to be a key issue for service access among older lesbian and gay people, which may need to be further addressed by service providers and policy makers for improving service accessibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the potential health-related impact of recent versus lifetime experiences of sexual orientation discrimination among older Australian lesbian women and gay men. In a nationwide survey, a sample of 243 lesbian women and 513 gay men aged 60 years and over reported on their experiences of sexual orientation discrimination and their mental and physical health, including psychological distress, positive mental health and self-rated health. Among both lesbian women and gay men, recent discrimination uniquely predicted lower positive mental health after adjusting for experiences of discrimination across the lifetime and socio-demographic variables. In addition, recent discrimination uniquely predicted higher psychological distress among gay men. Experiences of discrimination over the lifetime further predicted higher psychological distress and poorer self-rated health among gay men after adjusting for recent experiences of discrimination and socio-demographic variables. However, there were no associations between lifetime discrimination and any of the outcome variables among lesbian women. Overall, recent and lifetime experiences of sexual orientation discrimination were related to mental and physical health in different ways, especially among the men. These findings have potential implications for policy/practice, and suggest that distinguishing between recent and lifetime experiences of discrimination may be useful when assessing potential health-related impacts of sexual orientation discrimination among older lesbian women and gay men, while also taking account of differences between these two groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Older lesbian and gay people are increasingly open about their sexuality but have also experienced a lifetime of discrimination. These groups have experienced a long history of changes to lesbian and gay rights, and many were also at the forefront of activist movements during the latter half of the 20th century. A deeper knowledge is needed of the life experiences of these groups, including how they view their lives in relation to younger lesbian and gay people. This would assist agencies working with older lesbian and gay people, such as health and support services, to provide more informed engagement, support, understanding, and culturally safe services. Drawing on 33 qualitative interviews with older (60+ years) lesbian and gay people, we explored their experiences during their younger years and their perspectives on how these experiences compare with those of younger lesbian and gay people today. Our findings note that older lesbian and gay people feel life is, in some ways, easier, and in others, still challenging for young lesbian and gay people, and they articulate a need for mutual respect across age groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Volunteering is associated with positive well-being among older people, providing opportunities to stay active and socially connected. This may be especially relevant for older lesbian and gay people, who are less likely than heterosexual people to have a partner, children or support from their family of origin. Methods: Patterns of volunteering and mental, physical and social well-being were examined in a sample of 754 lesbian and gay adults in Australia aged 60 years and older who completed a nationwide survey. Results: Volunteers reported greater positive mental health than non-volunteers. Among the gay men, volunteers additionally reported higher self-rated health and social support and lower psychological distress. Both the lesbian women and gay men who volunteered for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex (LGBTI) organisations also reported greater LGBTI community connectedness than volunteers for non-LGBTI organisations. Discussion: These findings provide further insight into potential factors associated with the well-being of older lesbian and gay adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Informal care‐givers play an important role in society, and many of the people who provide this care are lesbian women and gay men. Being a care‐giver is known to be associated with poorer health and well‐being, and lesbian and gay care‐givers report experiences of stigma and discrimination in the care‐giving context. This study involved a survey of 230 lesbian women and 503 gay men aged 60 years and over living in Australia, of which 218 were care‐givers. We compared care‐givers to non‐caregivers on a range of health and well‐being measures, including psychological distress, positive mental health, physical health and social support. While we found no significant differences between these two groups, we further compared care‐givers who were caring for an LGBTI person to those who were caring for a non‐LGBTI person. Among the lesbian women, care‐givers of an LGBTI person reported feeling less supported in their carer role and reported lower levels of social support more generally. They were also lower on positive mental health and physical health indicators. Among the gay men, care‐givers of an LGBTI person also reported feeling less supported in their carer role, but there were no differences in reported levels of social support more generally or health and well‐being compared to those caring for a non‐LGBTI person. Overall, results from this study suggest that older lesbian and gay care‐givers may be facing some challenges related to their well‐being and feeling supported, especially if they are caring for another LGBTI person. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The needs of older lesbian and gay people regarding access and use of aged‐care services remain underresearched. This paper reports the findings of 33 qualitative interviews with older lesbian women and gay men about their perceptions and experiences of residential aged‐care and home‐based aged‐care services in Australia. The focus of this paper is their preparedness for using aged‐care services. The results highlight that participants had a number of concerns related to accessing residential‐care services in particular, including perceptions of a lack of inclusivity and concerns of potential for discrimination and hostility, loss of access to community and partners, decreased autonomy and concerns relating to quality of care and the potential for elder abuse. Participants noted a number of strategies they employed in avoiding residential‐care services, including the use of home‐care services, renovating the home for increased mobility, moving to locations with greater access to outside home‐care services, a preference for lesbian/gay‐specific housing and residential‐care options if available, and the option of voluntary euthanasia to ensure dignity and autonomy. Participants, on the whole, were hopeful that they would never require the use of residential‐care services, with some believing that having current good health or the support of friends could prevent this from happening. The findings suggest that older lesbian and gay people have a variety of concerns with aged‐care and may need additional support and education to improve their perceptions and experiences of services, whether these are needed presently or in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]