{"title":"Experiences of women affected by the February 6 earthquakes in Turkey","authors":"Satı Gül Kapısız, Ezgi Arslan Özdemir, Özge Görkem Erdem, Dilan Demir, Nurefşan Tükel, Emircan Dündar","doi":"10.1177/00208728261456570","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00208728261456570","url":null,"abstract":"This study investigates women’s experiences during and after natural disasters using a gender-sensitive qualitative design. Following the 2023 earthquakes in Turkey, data were collected through in-depth interviews. Findings indicate that women faced serious disadvantages in access to basic needs, privacy, and personal security due to gender-based inequalities. Their most urgent needs involved social assistance and psychosocial support, as intensified traditional gender roles increased psychological burden and limited coping capacities. Many women entered the workforce for the first time and engaged in household decision-making, while employed participants reported enhanced empowerment. These findings emphasize the importance of gender-responsive post-disaster social work practice.","PeriodicalId":47606,"journal":{"name":"International Social Work","volume":"25 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148499199","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Silencing the professional voice: Institutional barriers and policy implications for Bedouin social workers in Israel","authors":"Nuzha Allassad Alhuzail, Nati Biton, Anan A.S. Khawaled","doi":"10.1177/00208728261456581","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00208728261456581","url":null,"abstract":"This study examined the experiences of Bedouin social workers from Israel who attained bachelor’s degrees in social work at Palestinian Authority colleges and then worked in Israeli welfare services. Using a qualitative exploratory design, the researchers conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with 34 Bedouin social workers and thematically analysed reflective autobiographical texts written by their mentors in a professional-support programme. The findings reveal delegitimization of participants’ professionalism stimulated by doubts about participants’ knowledge, limited command of Hebrew and professional terminology, family affiliations, and political interference, which undermine credibility.","PeriodicalId":47606,"journal":{"name":"International Social Work","volume":"28 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148409011","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aikaterini Tsoumani-Katsarea, Venetia Sofia Velonaki, Panayota Sourtzi, Theodoros Pesiridis
{"title":"Social work in disasters and pandemics: Six cross-cutting practice functions and implications for international social work","authors":"Aikaterini Tsoumani-Katsarea, Venetia Sofia Velonaki, Panayota Sourtzi, Theodoros Pesiridis","doi":"10.1177/00208728261456556","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00208728261456556","url":null,"abstract":"This review synthesised recent evidence on social workers’ roles in disasters and pandemics. Major health and social science databases were searched for English-language empirical studies published between 2020 and 2025. Twenty studies were included and critically appraised. The synthesis identified six recurring practice functions: psychosocial assessment and triage, case management and resource navigation, safeguarding, interagency coordination and advocacy, community engagement and culturally responsive communication, and workforce support with ethical decision-making. Findings suggest that social work plays an important integrative role across disaster contexts, while role clarity, training, supervision and organisational readiness remain key implementation challenges.","PeriodicalId":47606,"journal":{"name":"International Social Work","volume":"33 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148393960","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"UNDRIP and Indigenous well-being: Global challenges for social workers and social-work organizations","authors":"Phyllis B. Ngai","doi":"10.1177/00208728261456580","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00208728261456580","url":null,"abstract":"The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) merits special attention in the context of international social work, social-work discourses, and professional goals. Following consideration of current UNDRIP implementation gaps, this article addresses the following question: How can social workers and social-work organizations support “translating” the global vision into actions at the <jats:italic toggle=\"yes\">glocal</jats:italic> nexus and facilitate UNDRIP implementation at the national and local levels through gap-filling initiatives led by Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous/non-Indigenous partnerships? The article reviews a range of advocacy strategies and draws special attention to lessons that can be applied by current and future generations of social-work practitioners.","PeriodicalId":47606,"journal":{"name":"International Social Work","volume":"29 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148393989","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Tools or threat: Social workers’ attitudes, concerns, and readiness for artificial intelligence in Singapore","authors":"Terence Tuck Sheng Yow, Grace Jia Hui Chee, Nicholas Raphael Netto, Satvinder Singh Dhaliwal","doi":"10.1177/00208728261453261","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00208728261453261","url":null,"abstract":"As artificial intelligence (AI) is fast influencing social work practice around the world, this study examines social workers’ attitudes, perception, concerns, and readiness for AI adoption. A survey of 211 practitioners revealed cautious optimism. While AI was perceived as beneficial for administrative tasks, respondents expressed ethical concerns and deemed it less suitable for direct practice. Despite positive attitudes, readiness for adoption was low. The findings highlight the need for enhanced digital literacy, ethical guidelines, and inclusive strategies to ensure AI integration aligns with core social work values.","PeriodicalId":47606,"journal":{"name":"International Social Work","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-06-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148342049","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Layers of loneliness: A qualitative study on social isolation in midlife using ecological systems theory","authors":"Yun Min Kim, Clara Jung Won Choi","doi":"10.1177/00208728261451091","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00208728261451091","url":null,"abstract":"This study proposes policy measures to address social isolation among middle-aged individuals through ecological systems theory. In-depth interviews with eight high-risk participants were analyzed using framework analysis, a structured form of thematic analysis, in which inductively and deductively generated themes were organized into a systematic framework to integrate detailed data description with higher-level abstraction. The findings move beyond previous research that primarily emphasized individuals’ feelings of loneliness and psychosocial support, by applying an ecological systems perspective to address social isolation among middle-aged adults in a comprehensive and structural manner. The findings yield theoretical, practice, and research implications, informing multi-level interventions.","PeriodicalId":47606,"journal":{"name":"International Social Work","volume":"10 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-06-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148342051","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Mapping the landscape of disability in social work research: A bibliometric analysis","authors":"Görkem Kelebek-Küçükarslan, Dilara Keser Günenç","doi":"10.1177/00208728261453703","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00208728261453703","url":null,"abstract":"This study presents a bibliometric analysis of disability and social work research from 2000 to 2025. Using the keywords disab* and “social work,” 211 peer-reviewed English articles were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection and analyzed using VOS viewer. Co-authorship, co-citation, bibliographic coupling, and keyword co-occurrence were used to analyze collaboration patterns, intellectual structure, and thematic trends. Findings show steady publication growth, influential authors and institutions in Anglo-Saxon countries, and a shift toward rights-based approaches emphasizing empowerment, inclusion, and accessibility. This study recommends expanding Global South participation, strengthening international collaboration, and promoting more inclusive and intersectional disability research in social work.","PeriodicalId":47606,"journal":{"name":"International Social Work","volume":"53 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-06-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148335886","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Model United Nations (MUN) as a simulation tool embedding decolonisation pedagogy in international social work education","authors":"Rugare Mugumbate, Zhuzhu Liu, Emmanuel Brenyah Adamako","doi":"10.1177/00208728261453256","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00208728261453256","url":null,"abstract":"This reflective article examines the use of the Model United Nations (MUN) pedagogy in an international social work subject at an Australian university. We used MUN simulations to develop students’ critical thinking and decision-making skills while engaging with global issues including power, justice and decoloniality. Acknowledging that both the UN and MUN were built on colonial foundations, we adopted a third-space methodology incorporating decolonising pedagogy. This approach enabled students to critique the UN and social work profession, challenge Eurocentric frameworks and broaden their understanding of global social work practice. We conclude with practical tips for replicating this approach.","PeriodicalId":47606,"journal":{"name":"International Social Work","volume":"35 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148335885","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"From training to practice gap: Reflecting on barriers to implementing community work in Zimbabwe","authors":"Bhekinkosi Thumani Nyathi","doi":"10.1177/00208728261456569","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00208728261456569","url":null,"abstract":"Community work is an appropriate social work intervention for addressing social ills in Zimbabwe. Despite the relevance of community work for addressing complex social issues, social workers encounter substantial institutional and structural obstacles in its implementation. This note explored the barriers that social workers face in implementing community work. The study utilised a reflective practice approach, drawing from the author’s experience in community work practice in Zimbabwe. The author found that social workers face barriers in implementing community work such as resource constraints, high caseloads and policy and institutional focus. Addressing these barriers is essential for strengthening community work practice.","PeriodicalId":47606,"journal":{"name":"International Social Work","volume":"74 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148321831","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Unequal access and treatment disengagement in mental health: Implications for social work practice","authors":"Evgeny Knaifel","doi":"10.1177/00208728261453683","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00208728261453683","url":null,"abstract":"Treatment disengagement in mental health is often framed as an individual problem linked to lack of insight, low motivation, or ambivalence toward care. However, this perspective overlooks broader social conditions. This brief note argues that, from a social justice perspective, disengagement is understood not as “treatment refusal,” but as a consequence of structural barriers and unequal access affecting marginalized populations, including immigrants, refugees, and ethnic minorities. In this view, disengagement reflects limitations in accessibility and cultural responsiveness rather than individual unwillingness. Social work practice—through outreach, relational engagement, and structural advocacy—plays a key role in addressing these barriers and promoting more equitable mental health services.","PeriodicalId":47606,"journal":{"name":"International Social Work","volume":"16 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148285769","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}