Journal of Social Work ( IF 1.555 ) Pub Date : 2021-06-17 , DOI: 10.1177/14680173211009743 Tarkington J Newman 1 , Erica Magier 2 , Katlin Okamoto 3 , Carlyn Kimiecik 4 , Lauren Shute 5 , Lauren Beasley 6 , Anita R Tucker 1
Summary
An emerging area of social work practice is within sport and athletics. Due to the complex nature of sport and the diverse needs of sport participants, social workers are optimally positioned to be critical change agents. However, there is a lack of empirical research dedicated to exploring this unique area of practice. The current study explores the unique values, knowledge, and skills social workers use when working in sport, as well as describes the roles that social workers fulfill.
Findings
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 social workers who work in youth sport, collegiate athletics, and professional sports. Their occupations ranged from psychotherapists to athletic counselors to coaches. Findings from the thematic analysis provide insight to the values, knowledge, and skills used in sport that social workers developed from their formal education. For instance, social workers, through their commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion, are trained to take a strength-based, person-centered approach when working with individuals and teams.
Applications
Findings highlight the dynamic and diverse roles social workers fulfill as change agents who aim to enhance human wellbeing within a variety of sport systems and settings. Social workers not only work in collegiate athletic departments, but they also provide needed services to youth who are socially vulnerable through sport-based programming and strength-based coaching. The current study helps to not only advance the field of social work, but also advocates for social workers in sport settings. Ultimately, social work professionals are optimally positioned to be playmakers in the athletic arena.
中文翻译:
体育中的社会工作:运动场上的组织者
概括
社会工作实践的一个新兴领域是体育运动。由于运动的复杂性和运动参与者的多样化需求,社会工作者最适合成为关键的变革推动者。然而,缺乏致力于探索这一独特实践领域的实证研究。目前的研究探索了社会工作者在体育工作中使用的独特价值观、知识和技能,并描述了社会工作者所扮演的角色。
发现
对 15 名从事青年运动、大学体育和职业运动的社会工作者进行了半结构化访谈。他们的职业范围从心理治疗师到运动顾问再到教练。主题分析的结果提供了对社会工作者从正规教育发展起来的体育运动中使用的价值观、知识和技能的洞察。例如,社会工作者通过他们对促进多样性和包容性的承诺,被训练在与个人和团队合作时采取基于力量、以人为本的方法。
应用
调查结果强调了社会工作者作为变革推动者所扮演的充满活力和多样化的角色,旨在在各种体育系统和环境中提高人类福祉。社会工作者不仅在大学体育部门工作,而且还通过基于运动的计划和基于力量的指导为社会弱势群体提供所需的服务。目前的研究不仅有助于推动社会工作领域的发展,而且还倡导在体育环境中培养社会工作者。最终,社会工作专业人士最适合成为运动领域的组织者。