NotesFAQContact Us
Collection
Advanced
Search Tips
Back to results
Peer reviewed Peer reviewed
Direct linkDirect link
ERIC Number: EJ1461152
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Mar
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-4391
EISSN: EISSN-1746-1561
Available Date: 2024-10-21
"We Want to Be There to Support … Do We Have the Capacity to Do That?" Current Priorities and Challenges in School Social Work
Jennifer Murphy1; Katherine A. Borge1; Danielle R. Harrell1; Alex Javna2; Kaija Craft3
Journal of School Health, v95 n3 p219-226 2025
Background: While adolescent mental health needs have continued to rise, schools have become a central location for adolescents seeking support for mental health needs, and approximately 96% of public schools in the United States report providing some form of mental health care to students. This study aims to explore school social workers' current challenges and priorities in their roles. Methods: Qualitative focus groups with current school social workers in Virginia (N = 16) were conducted for this study. Participants worked in middle and high schools for a minimum of 3 years across the state. Braun and Clarke's steps for thematic analysis were used to guide coding and themes. Results: The current study found 3 primary themes: (1) role confusion due to vast scope of responsibilities within their schools; (2) a disconnect between desired roles and assigned roles and responsibilities; and (3) lack of formal model of service provision. Implications for School Health Policy, Practice, and Equity: Focus should be placed on the integration of current models of school social work practice to ensure the effective utilization of their services. Conclusions: The study reveals important information regarding the current and future state of school social work practice.
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www-wiley-com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Junior High Schools; Middle Schools; Secondary Education; High Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Virginia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1School of Social Work, University of Texas at Arlington, 501 W. Mitchell Street, Arlington, TX; 2School of Education, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA; 3School of Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA