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    Bringing practice into theory : social workers' experiences of bringing social work into attachment theory : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Philosophy, School of Social Work and Social Policy at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2007) Foley, Maree Anne
    Attachment theory and social work have sustained an ongoing relationship since the early work of John Bowlby in the 1940s through to the current day. This longstanding relationship provided a frame for this current study which: explored social workers' described experiences of using attachment theory as a social work practice theory and identified patterns of processing attachment theory for social work practice. This qualitative study was methodologically guided by a hermeneutic phenomenological paradigm based on the work of Max van Manen (1990). Data collection involved a review of relevant literature followed by semi-structured in-depth interviews. Data construction included the development and implementation of a "Letter of Understanding Process" in conjunction with the construction of transcripts. Data-analysis processes consistent with hermeneutic phenomenological methods were utilised. Review of the literature suggested that attachment theory, originally developed by Bowlby (1958) and Ainsworth (1963), emphasised a relational perspective inclusive of the attachment-caregiving-exploratory systems. However within the translation process of this theory and its developments over the decades into a social work practice theory, the focus shifted from one of relationships at times of high need to one where the client and their external world of events and happenings was emphasised. Findings from the interviews found social workers' experiences of the use of attachment theory, reflected identified shifts of focus within the literature. Also found was a theory-practice processing pattern identified as the social worker "bringing practice into theory". In light of these findings, the social worker was foregrounded as one who brings practice into the lived experience of theory. Issues of sustaining the coherence of attachment theory in practice and issues of context were explored as impacting on the lived experience of theory and practice. In response to these findings practice implications were considered resulting in the development of attachment theory informed social work practice principles. Finally based on the conclusions of this study an attachment theory informed model of reflective practice was recommended along with considerations for future research.
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    Social work practice knowledge : an enquiry into the nature of the knowledge generated and applied in the practice of social work : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work at Massey University, Albany campus, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2013) Hyslop, Ian
    This thesis is concerned with the development of social work in Aotearoa / New Zealand and in similar jurisdictions. It is argued that in order to envisage social work’s future it is necessary to develop a clearer understanding of its nature and function. The findings of this thesis are informed by interviews with twenty one experienced social workers currently practising in Auckland, New Zealand. The focus is on the knowledge which social workers learn and apply in practice. The fieldwork research design and subsequent analysis is informed by a process of engaged theoretical enquiry. This enquiry is influenced by critical social theory and by the scholarship of Foucault concerning the relationship between knowledge and power. The configuration of knowledge in and for social work is critically examined in relation to wider discourses of modernity, contested postmodernity and nascent neoliberalism. The research methodology is informed by a critical realist theoretical lens which posits that underlying generative influences underpin the form of social work practice knowledge. There are also elements of grounded theory within the fieldwork design. It is argued that the research approach mirrors the process of situated contextual understanding which is native to social work. The view of social work practice knowledge which emerges is illustrated by practitioner accounts of social work experience. Analysis of the research data suggests that the process of relational engagement which structures knowledge production in social work practice is inherently different from the rational-technical understandings of knowledge which influence much of the design and measurement of contemporary practice. The knowledge form commensurate with social work practice can be related to the discourse of social humanism and an associated commitment to equality and social justice. The findings of this thesis indicate that this knowledge form is resilient and is reproduced in the practice of social work. In this sense links between the daily practice of social work and the emancipatory intent of the critical enlightenment are suggested. The thesis concludes with discussion of the implications of these findings for the practice of social work and for the role of the social work voice in challenging times.
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    "Sometimes we are everything and nothing in the same breath": beginning social work practitioners' constructions of professional identity : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Work at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2007) Payne, Carmen Larisa
    This research takes a social constructionist approach to examine how beginning social work practitioners use discursive practices to make meaning of their experiences and construct their professional identities in the social and political environment of Aotearoa New Zealand. A qualitative inquiry, it utilises the methods of individual interviews and a focus group to gather information from ten beginning social work practitioners who have degreelevel or post-graduate social work qualifications and are within their first three years of practice in child protection, health and community settings. A discursive analytic approach is employed to determine how these practitioners use interpretive repertoires drawn from wider social discourses to construct identities in relation to professional social work practice. The research found that these practitioners utilised five interpretive repertoires, which included 'social work as social change', 'social work as helping', 'constraints', 'being professional' and 'self-care' to construct a number of corresponding identities by which they could account for themselves as competent social workers, albeit not always able to achieve their notions of best practice. These identities included 'change agent', 'helper', 'capable but constrained', 'professional' and 'person(s) first'. The research suggests that these identities are shaped by wider social discourses of social work that have formed over time within the historical, cultural and social milieu of Aotearoa New Zealand, and which often operate in contradiction to each other in education, practice and social settings. The research recommends that to ease the transition from education to practice, new social workers be taught to understand the social work environment as one in which competing discourses interact to influence their constitution of professional identities, and that adequate material supports such as supervision be put in place by employing organisations to provide new social workers with emotional support and opportunities to critically consider their selves in the work environment. Recommendations for future research are also made and the thesis ends with a reflection on the research process.
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    From the cleaners to the doctors : exploring the dimensions of effective health social work practice in an acute hospital : a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2011) Haultain, Linda Rose
    My thesis reports that since the earliest days of the social work profession the role of science and its relationship to practice has been contested. In Aotearoa this debate has often centred on the relevance of research conducted on distant shores, with populations that were not our own. Social work, by its very nature is interested in context. The absence of local research may have left us bereft of the ability to claim and articulate what it is that does inform us and what it is we aim to achieve in order to legitimately claim our practice as effective. In an effort to begin to understand what may be claimed as effective practice in one particular context this mixed methodology study asked the question: “How are the dimensions of effective health social work practice demonstrated and described within the multidisciplinary team, in an acute hospital setting in Aotearoa?” Beginning with a fine grained case study, the dimensions of effective practice were identified, and then tested across a broader context, with a broader group of participants via an online survey tool. Whilst accepting that at times clear evidence does exist to support particular health social work practices, engaging in this type of interpretive research provided an opportunity to begin to understand the most appropriate practice in this particular circumstance (Plath, 2006). Key stakeholders were clear that the dimensions of effective practice in the acute hospital context are made up of a combination of professional activities, behaviours, attitudes and theory-informed practice. The quality of the relationships between the health social worker, their team, patients and his/her whanau members were found to be at the very heart of these dimensions, this is reflected in the title of my thesis ‘from the cleaners to the doctors’. These dimensions are not confined to specific results, although there are indications that they do support successful outcomes. There is much in the findings to suggest that the vestiges of many of the discoveries made by empirical studies can be found in the dimensions of effective practices that emerged from this study. It is not the remnants of the empirical effectiveness studies that dominate the findings. Rather it appears to be the successful adaptation to the acute hospital environment made by the Health Social Worker that was found to be important. In this context the dimensions of effective practice were identified as those which were best able to support the provision of an efficient, responsive and timely health social work service in a practice context that heavily favours ‘getting the job done.’
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    Spirituality in social work education and practice in Aotearoa New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Work at Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2010) Phillips, Carol Anne
    There is growing interest worldwide in the place of spirituality in social work practice, but as yet very little research in Aotearoa New Zealand. This study examines how non-Māori former students of the social work programme at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa experienced spirituality during the programme and how it is applied in their social work practice. As a non-Māori researcher who has engaged with spirituality in a Māori environment, the researcher places herself in relation to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, bicultural practice and critical theory. Participants discuss the importance of spirituality in their own lives, their experiences at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, and the relevance of spirituality to social work practice. The bicultural nature of the social work programme as expressed through ngā take pū, the underpinning bicultural principles, is also examined. The study found that engaging with the social work teaching programme at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa was a spiritual experience which enhanced and deepened participants’ sense of their own spirituality and flowed through into their practice. They describe their spiritual practice with reference to client needs and social work models, including blocks and ethical dilemmas. The study identifies some elements of the Wānanga programme which were associated with spiritual development and learning and suggests that these may be helpful for other social work education programmes. It also suggests that social work practitioners can use existing models to incorporate spirituality into their practice.
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    Tongan metaphors of social work practice : Hangē ha pā kuo fa'u´ : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2005) Mafileʻo, Tracie Ailong
    This study explores Tongan social work practice and examines how social and community work is constructed from a Tongan worldview. Tongan social workers in Aotearoa New Zealand participated in individual interviews and focus group meetings which explored the Tongan values, knowledge, skills and processes foundational to their practice. The participants' narratives contribute to an understanding of Tongan conceptions of wellbeing, personal and social change and to an identification of key components of a Tongan theoretical framework for social and community work practice. This exploratory study contributes to the growing literature articulating indigenous and non-western frameworks for social and community work practice. Seeking to draw on a Tongan interpretive framework, the thesis employs metaphors, in particular two fishing practices (pola and uku), to draw the findings together. Pola, a community fishing practice, illustrates a Tongan social welfare system comprised of core values, namely: fetokoni'aki (mutual helpfulness), tauhi vā (looking after relationships), faka'apa'apa (respect) and 'ofa (love). Maintaining this Tongan system in the diaspora is central to the purpose of Tongan social and community work and the values themselves are a basis for practice. Other key concepts are shown to define a Tongan practice framework and these are identified as: fakafekau'aki (connecting), a'u tonu (going in person), lotu (spirituality/prayer/religion), fakatōkilalo (humility), fie'aonga (wanting to be useful), matakāinga (behaving like family) and 'osikiavelenga (doing utmost). The uku metaphor draws parallels to specialised practices of fishing or diving under the reef, around pupu'a puhi (blowholes). Similarly, Tongan social and community work involves specific processes which draw on a constellation of skills and values. Fakatoukatea (skills in opposite directions) is important for bridging Tongan and pālangi contexts, for working across various fields of practice and for adopting family-like roles as a social worker. Lea fakatonga (Tongan language), hua (humour)and feongo'i'aki (intuitive use of feelings) are important aspects of a Tongan social work approach. Tongan social and community work is located primarily within kāinga (extended family) and community. This location of social work reconstructs conventional conceptions of professionalism and relationships become a key force for change within a Tongan framework. A balance between a directive and empowerment approach needs to be achieved and an advocacy emphasis is required given the position of Tongans in the diaspora. This thesis demonstrates that a framework for social and community work derived from a Tongan worldview: provides new discourses and thinking within the critical postmodern tradition; is negotiated alongside other discourses thus creating spaces of possibility; is characterised by layers of ethnic specific, indigenous and humanity level differences and commonalities; emphasises the moral-artistic nature of social and community work; and challenges social work to be more diverse in terms of practice competencies, supervision, cross-cultural practice, education and community development. The thesis argues that if social and community work is to be transformative, it must itself be transformed and its very foundations reshaped by Tongan and other indigenous, non-western voices.