Violence and Social Work (From Human Aggression: Naturalistic Approaches, P 230-258, 1989, John Archer and Kevin Browne, eds. -- See NCJ-124351)

• NCJ Number: 124359
• Author(s): G M Breakwell; C Rowett
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 29 pages
• Sale Source: Routledge
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

This analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of using a naturalistic approach in studying violent assaults on social worker staff by clients in Great Britain used a quasi-experimental design involving a national survey of social services agencies, an additional survey in one county, and structured interviews with 120 respondents to the second survey.

Abstract

The study sought to determine the frequency and nature of assaults on social workers. Findings showed that assaulted and non-assaulted social workers had basically the same social characteristics. Results also indicated the desirability of training in recognition and handling of interactions that induce violence and of further development of techniques for managing anxiety and anger when working with clients with histories of aggressive assaults. The research also showed the theoretical importance of studying aggression in its natural setting and the important role of the complex situational factors of violence. Figures, tables, and 25 references.