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An Education Program in Alcoholism for Social Workers: Its Impact on Attitudes and Treatment‐Oriented Behavior
Author(s) -
Manohar Velandy,
Roches Joyce Des,
Ferneau Ernest W.
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
british journal of addiction to alcohol and other drugs
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.424
H-Index - 193
eISSN - 1360-0443
pISSN - 0007-0890
DOI - 10.1111/j.1360-0443.1976.tb00085.x
Subject(s) - referral , attendance , social work , medicine , socioeconomic status , alcoholics anonymous , family medicine , psychology , psychiatry , clinical psychology , population , environmental health , economics , economic growth
Summary The Marcus questionnaire, consisting of 40 statements, was administered to social workers who participated in a training program. Of the 100 copies distributed, 53 were returned by 42 social workers who presented three types of attendance patterns. The two groups that completed only one questionnaire, either before or after the program, had significantly more negative attitudes. The group that completed both questionnaires (Group B) had uniformly more positive attitudes than either of the other two groups. One factor (concerning the socioeconomic status of alcoholics) shifted in a negative direction in Group B. This change is not believed to be maladaptive. The positive attitudes expressed by Group B might be evidence of intellectual sophistication instead of absence of moralistic sentiment (Pittman and Sterne 1965). Their attitudes may also have been affected by the awareness that they were being researched (Cisin and Cahalan 1970). The four objectives of the training program were substantially accomplished by Group B. Our results prompted changes in the social service department. The education program prompted a referral arrangement that would ease the flow of patients from hospital wards to the alcoholism clinic of Boston City Hospital. Three trainees were instructed in the counseling of alcoholics in an outpatient setting. A new program was developed following the guidelines set up by the education program; 17 counsellors of alcoholics worked on the wards of Boston City Hospital under the supervision of 13 social workers. Greater involvement was also made in direct care. Four social workers are being supervised in casework with alcoholics by a staff member of the alcoholism division of Boston City Hospital. One of the social workers who attended the course joined the alcoholism division staff as a group leader. We are left with one big, unresolved question: How do we involve those who are most ambivalent or have negative attitudes in training programs? It appears that the most consistent participants are those with more positive attitudes to begin with. Another important consideration is the role of graduate schools in preparing students studying social work for casework with alcoholics.