Discussion: Qualitative Findings and Social Work Interventions

Evidence-based social work practice calls for the use of research data to guide the development of social work interventions on the micro, mezzo and/or macro-levels. Kearney (2001) described ways qualitative research findings can inform practice. Qualitative findings can help social workers understand the clients’ experiences and “what it may feel like” (Kearney, 2001). Therefore, social workers can develop clinical interventions that take into account the experiences of their clients. Qualitative findings can also help social workers monitor their clients. For example, if after reading a qualitative study on how domestic violence survivors respond to stress, they can monitor for specific stress behaviors and symptoms (Kearney, 2001). In addition, they can educate their client what stress behaviors to look for and teach them specific interventions to reduce stress (Kearney, 2001)

Given the increasing diversity that characterizes the landscape in the United States, social workers need to take into account culture when formulating interventions. Social workers can utilize qualitative findings to plan interventions in a culturally meaningful manner for the client.

To prepare for this Discussion, read Knight et al.’s (2014) study from this week’s required resources. Carefully review the findings, the photographs, and how the researchers wrote up the findings. Finally, review the specific macro-, meso-, and micro-oriented recommendations.

Then read Marsigilia and Booth’s article about how to adapt interventions so that they are culturally relevant and sensitive to the population the intervention is designed for. Finally, review the chapter written by Lee et al. on conducting research in racial and ethnic minority communities.

By Day 3

Post the following:

1. Using one of the direct quotes and/or photos from Knight et al.’s study, analyze it by drawing up a tentative meaning. Discuss how this would specifically inform one intervention recommendation you would make for social work practice with the homeless. This recommendation can be on the micro, meso, or macro level.
2. Next, explain how you would adapt the above practice recommendation that you identified so that it is culturally sensitive and relevant for African Americans, Hispanics, or Asian immigrants. (Select only 1 group). Apply one of the cultural adaptations that Marsigilia and Booth reviewed (i.e., content adaption to include surface and/or deep culture, cognitive adaptations, affective-motivational adaptations, etc.)(pp. 424-426). Be as specific as you can, using citations to support your ideas.

By Day 5

Respond to at least 2 of your colleagues and elaborate on their recommendations for cultural adaptation with the group they identified. For example, you might discuss a merit or limitation of the cultural adaptation that your colleague proposed. Or you might suggest an alternative application of one of Marsigilia and Booth’s cultural adaptation.

Colleague 1: Katherine

Post the following:

Using one of the direct quotes and/or photos from Knight et al.’s study, analyze it by drawing up a tentative meaning. Discuss how this would specifically inform one intervention recommendation you would make for social work practice with the homeless. This recommendation can be on the micro, mezzo, or macro level.

“Living in an SRO, when compared to living in other housing environments, has been associated with higher rates of HIV infection, emergency room use, recent incarceration, having been physically assaulted, crack cocaine smoking, and cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine injection” (Knight et al., p 2).

The meaning of this direct quote informs me that those using single-room occupancy hotels as a form of housing are individuals that most likely have extreme trauma in their backgrounds require the knowledge of professionals to get to the root of their problems. This would specifically inform an intervention recommendation for social work practice with the homeless by implementing trauma-informed care. “In non-trauma-informed SRO environments women reported on-going fear and anxiety, sleep deprivation and hyper-vigilance” (Knight et al., p 9).

Next, explain how you would adapt the above practice recommendation that you identified so that it is culturally sensitive and relevant for African Americans, Hispanics, or Asian immigrants. (Select only 1 group). Apply one of the cultural adaptations that Marsigilia and Booth reviewed (i.e., content adaption to include surface and/or deep culture, cognitive adaptations, affective-motivational adaptations, etc.) (pp. 424-426). Be as specific as you can, using citations to support your ideas.

Trauma-informed practice can be tailored to the population in which you are working with, for example the Hispanic population. In working with the Hispanic population, the use of cognitive adaption would be considered because some of the cultural aspects are different than the typical average individual. “Cognitive adaptations are considered when participants cannot understand the content that is being presented due to language barriers or the use of information that is not relevant in an individual’s cultural frame” (Marsiglia & Booth, p 426). When addressing details of the intervention, aspects may not be applicable and therefore create a negative reaction or be offensive to the Hispanic culture creating another barrier to treatment. Religion plays a large role in the Hispanic culture, as well as family and the roles in which each person plays within a family. All of these things can change the way that an intervention is presented in order to be respectful and provide the best treatment options for your client.

References

Knight, K. R., Lopez, A. M., Comfort, M., Shumway, M., Cohen, J., & Riley, E. D. (2014). Single room

occupancy (SRO) hotels as mental health risk environments among impoverished women: the intersection of policy, drug use, trauma, and urban space. The International journal on drug policy, 25(3), 556–561. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2013.10.011

Marsiglia, F. F., & Booth, J. M. (2015). Cultural Adaptation of Interventions in Real Practice

Settings. Research on Social Work Practice, 25(4), 423–432. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049731514535989

Colleague 2: Keisha