Empowering Future Social Workers: Evaluating an Assertiveness-Based Group Work

Abstract

This study examines the impact of a group intervention aimed at enhancing the assertiveness levels of social work students. Assertiveness is a key component of healthy communication and professional relationship-building skills. To improve assertiveness, a mixed-methods research design was employed with 21 volunteer students selected from 252 enrolled in the Social Work Department. The study utilized a quasi-experimental non-equivalent control group design for the quantitative aspect, and analyzed the group process, participant observations, and written feedback from the participants at the end of the sessions for the qualitative dimension. The findings from both quantitative and qualitative analyses demonstrated significant improvements in assertiveness levels and self-expression skills, with a reduction in shyness. The mixed-methods results underscore the effectiveness of the group work in strengthening the professional skills of social work students. This study contributes significantly to social work education.

Keywords

• Assertiveness
• Social Work Education
• Group Work
• Communication Skills
• Mixed-Methods Research

Geleceğin Sosyal Hizmet Uzmanlarını Güçlendirmek: Güvengenlik Temelli Bir Grup Çalışmasının Değerlendirilmesi

Abstract

Bu araştırma, sosyal hizmet öğrencilerinin güvengenlik düzeylerini artırmayı hedefleyen grup çalışmasının etkilerini incelemektedir. Güvengenlik, bireylerin sağlıklı iletişim ve profesyonel ilişkiler kurma becerilerinin temel unsurlarındandır. Sosyal hizmet uygulayıcıları için etkili iletişim ve mesleki müdahalede önemli bir beceri olan güvegenliği geliştirmek amacıyla Sosyal Hizmet Bölümünde öğrenim gören 252 öğrenci arasından gönüllü olan 21 öğrenci ile nicel boyutta yarı deneysel araştırma desenli, eşdeğer olmayan kontrol grubu desenini; nitel boyutta grup sürecinin ve grup üyelerinin değerlendirildiği, grup kolaylaştırıcısının gözlemleri ve katılımcılardan grup sonunda toplanan yazılı ifadelerin analizini içeren karma yöntemli araştırma yürütülmüştür. Çalışma, karma yöntem araştırma deseni kullanarak hem nicel hem de nitel bulgularla öğrencilerin gelişimini değerlendirmektedir. Nicel analizler, deney grubunun güvengenlik düzeylerinde anlamlı bir artış sağlandığını gösterirken; nitel veriler, öğrencilerin kendilerini ifade etme becerilerinde gelişim ve çekingenliklerinde azalma olduğunu ortaya koymuştur. Karma yöntem bulguları, grup çalışmasının sosyal hizmet öğrencilerinin profesyonel becerilerini güçlendirmedeki etkinliğini vurgulamaktadır. Çalışma, sosyal hizmet eğitimine yönelik önemli bir katkı sağlamaktadır.

Keywords

• Güvengenlik
• Sosyal Hizmet Eğitimi
• Grup Çalışması
• İletişim Becerileri
• Karma Yöntem Araştırması

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