Zoekresultaten

The contribution of professional youth work to the development of socially vulnerable youngsters

The central question in this study is how, for whom, and under which conditions professional youth work contributes to the personal development of socially vulnerable youngsters, the reinforcement of their social network, the enhancement of their social participation, and the timely finding of appropriate specialized care services in relation to contextual factors such as life events and the influence of significant others. This research used a multiple case study with a comparative design. During a 12-month period, youth workers (N = 20) participated in group intervision meetings and kept diaries reporting on their actions and the development of the youngsters (N = 23). An analysis of this data revealed four patterns of development of socially vulnerable youngsters in youth work settings. Each pattern consisted of a specific form of multi-methodic action that resulted in a specific outcome. The study also revealed how these processes of development are influenced by important life events and significant others. The findings suggest that youth work contributes to personal development and social participation and thereby may lessen the need for formal social care services.

The reflection level and the construction of professional identity of university students

To strengthen students’ professional identity (PI), it is vital to give reflection a central place in higher education. The aim of this study is to determine the extent to which students reflect on five components of PI (self-image, self-esteem, task perception, job motivation and future perspective) and at what reflection level. Twenty-five reflection narratives from Spanish and Dutch students from five different study programmes were qualitatively analysed and quantitatively evaluated to find out about students’ identifying and self-assessing PI components. The results indicate that PI components were clearly recognizable in the reflection reports and could be classified using one of the four levels of reflection with high inter-rater reliability. About 40% of the students achieved the critical reflection level on one or more PI components. Reflecting on the five components of PI, with the aim of achieving the level of critical reflection, can be a useful guide for students.

The coach and the professional soccer player

To prevent the social worker being jammed between the economic and rationalized logic of managers and politicians on the one hand, and the life world of the people on the other, he needs to develop a healthy identity. The social constructive view can help to overcome the identity crisis the social professional is in. It offers a model to analyze the conflict a social professional has to deal with, and forces the social worker to make a clear and moral choice for the life world of his clients. This view seems also suitable to develop an indigenous body of practice theory for social work. The presence theory, the family group work and constructive social work demonstrates the possibilities. To regain confidence from both the people and the politicians, the rationalized system of planning and control has to be replaced by the trust model. To develop this model we have to find ways to justify the money used in this sector.

The reflection level and the construction of the professional identity of university students

To strengthen students’ professional identity (PI), it is vital to givereflection a central place in higher education. The aim of this studyis to determine the extent to which students reflect on five componentsof PI (self-image, self-esteem, task perception, job motivationand future perspective) and at what reflection level. Twenty-fivereflection narratives from Spanish and Dutch students from fivedifferent study programmes were qualitatively analysed and quantitativelyevaluated to find out about students’ identifying and selfassessingPI components. The results indicate that PI componentswere clearly recognizable in the reflection reports and could beclassified using one of the four levels of reflection with high interraterreliability. About 40% of the students achieved the criticalreflection level on one or more PI components. Reflecting on thefive components of PI, with the aim of achieving the level of criticalreflection, can be a useful guide for students. What do you want to do ?New mail

Decline in physical activity during adolescence is not associated with changes in mental health

The majority of studies investigating associations between physical activity and mental health in adolescents have been cross-sectional in design. Potential associations between physical activity and mental health may be better examined longitudinally as physical activity levels tend to decrease in adolescence. Few studies have investigated these associations longitudinally in adolescents and none by measuring physical activity objectively. A total of 158 Dutch adolescents (mean age 13.6 years, 38.6 % boys, grades 7 and 9 at baseline) participated in this longitudinal study. Physical activity, depressive symptoms and self-esteem were measured at baseline and at the 1-year follow-up. Physical activity was objectively measured with an ActivPAL3™ accelerometer during one full week. Depressive symptoms were measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and self-esteem was assessed with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE). Results were analysed using structural equation modelling.

Validation of the Sense of Professional Self-Esteem Scale