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This paper presents findings from an investigation of nature-based practices, from the perspectives of 10 academics/educators from six nations. Participants engaged in a focus group exploring the prevalence and inclusion of nature in social work practice and education. While the study focused on individual members' experiences and perspectives, the findings highlight important context-specific factors for including nature within social work to reconnect humans with nature for health, well-being, healing, and justice. An Integrative Environmental Model for social work is proposed to assist future practice and education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the tension between the rhetoric of children's rights and the realities of residential care for children in Taiwan. After reviewing Chinese and English literature, we present an empirical study of children's experiences of life in residential care, drawing on participant observation, participatory arts-based activities and semi-structured interviews with 50 children in two homes. Breaking new ground, we reveal children's accounts of happiness and unhappiness with institutional living, their strategies for developing resilience, and their understanding and experiences of children's rights. We discuss the implications of these findings for social work policy, practice and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article addresses women who have experienced intimate partner violence and have suffered multiple health effects. For this case study, quantitative and qualitative methods were adopted to identify the types of physical, mental and spiritual services that abused women can use and to illustrate the experiences of a woman who used these services in Taiwan. Interviews were conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire, and the interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The case study revealed that women can benefit from using an integrated body–mind–spirit approach. However, women who lack an integrated approach can lose the potential to empower themselves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Service users' perception of mental illness is vital because it points out a viable direction that practitioners can follow to fully understand service users in their own sociocultural context. Material: Qualitative research findings include mental health service users' roles and identities, their perceptions of mental illness and their personal experiences of psychiatric stigma. Discussion: While there are similar phenomena regarding mental illness stigma between East and West, there are culturally distinctive characteristics found in Taiwan. Conclusions: Based on personal perceptions and experiences, mental health service users have interpreted illness and performed the patient role in their own way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]