A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Wind of change? Social work students' policy engagement and career preferences in Finland



Authors: Kallio Johanna Marketta, Jaakola Anne-Mari, Blomberg Helena, Kroll Christian

Publisher: ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD

Publication year: 2023

Journal: Social Work Education

Journal name in source: SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION

Journal acronym: SOC WORK EDUC

Number of pages: 19

ISSN: 0261-5479

eISSN: 1470-1227

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02615479.2023.2201262

Web address : https://doi.org/10.1080/02615479.2023.2201262

Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/180014240


Abstract
Although a general mission of social workers is to advance social justice, it has been claimed that many social workers, including those studying to become social workers, have a rather weak commitment to policy engagement (PE). It has been a common assumption that Nordic social workers lack a tradition of PE due to their primary role as public employees in the comprehensive Nordic welfare state. We address these topics by empirically analyzing Finnish social work students' views toward PE. Do Finnish social work students perceive PE as an integral part of the social work profession? Moreover, if so, what ideological, sociodemographic and study-related factors explain their perceptions? Are views toward PE connected to future career preferences among students? Drawing on data from a nationwide survey among Finnish social work students, the results show that the majority of students perceive PE as important in social work. PE is explained by factors such as the respondent's political party preference, previous education and personal experiences of poverty. Students who strongly support PE are less eager to engage in individual case work with clients than other students. In addition, positive views toward PE are connected to students' preferences for working with immigrants and refugees.

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Last updated on 2024-26-11 at 21:19