In the New York metropolitan area, a convenience sample of 187 men previously treated in substance abuse programs between 2000 and 2006 completed questionnaires regarding their reported outcomes, completion rates, and perceptions of treatment. The sample included 81 gay and bisexual (“gay/bisexual”) men in “traditional” programs (with no specialized groups for gay/bisexual clients), 51 gay/bisexual men in “LGBT specialized treatment” (programs with specialized groups for gay/bisexual clients), and 55 heterosexual men. In bivariate and multivariate analyses, heterosexual men and gay/bisexual men in LGBT specialized treatment had more favorable results than did gay/bisexual men in traditional programs, suggesting the effectiveness of LGBT program components. Les composantes spécialisées des programmes LGBT sont-elles utiles aux hommes homosexuels et bisexuels pour traiter la toxicomanie? Dans l’agglomération de New York, un échantillon de 187 hommes préalablement traités par des programmes de toxicomanie entre 2000 et 2006, a rempli des questionnaires concernant leurs résultats, taux d’achèvement et perceptions du traitement. L’échantillon comptait 81 hommes homosexuels/bisexuels suivant des programmes traditionnels (sans groupe spécialisé homosexuels/bisexuels), 51 hommes homosexuels/bisexuels sous traitement spécialisé LGBT (programmes avec des groupes spécialisés homosexuels/bisexuels) et 55 hommes hétérosexuels. Les analyses bivariables et multivariables révèlent que les hommes hétérosexuels et homosexuels/bisexuels sous traitement spécialisé LGBT avaient des résultats plus favorables que les hommes homosexuels/bisexuels suivant des programmes traditionnels, suggérant l’efficacité des composantes des programmes LGBT. ¿Los componentes del Programa Especializado LGBT son útiles para los hombres homosexuales y bisexuales en el tratamiento contra el abuso de sustancias? En el área metropolitana de Nueva York, 187 hombres tratados en programas de abuso de sustancias entre 2000 y 2006 respondieron a cuestionarios sobre sus resultados, índices de finalización y percepciones del tratamiento. La muestra incluyó a 81 homosexuales/bisexuales en programas “tradicionales” (sin grupos especializados para homosexuales/bisexuales), 51 homosexuales/bisexuales en “tratamiento especializado LGBT” (programas con grupos especializados para homosexuales/bisexuales) y 55 heterosexuales. En análisis bivariados y multivariados, los heterosexuales y los homosexuales/bisexuales en tratamiento especializado LGBT tuvieron más resultados favorables que los homosexuales/bisexuales en programas tradicionales, lo que sugiere que los componentes de los programas LGBT son efectivos.

A formidable body of recent literature advocates the incorporation of spirituality into the bio-psycho-social framework of social work education and practice. No consistent conceptualization of spirituality has been developed, however, that can be used with all clients and that is fully consonant with social work values as taught in schools of social work. Certain culturally derived perspectives regarding spirituality have been endorsed in social work literature in a way that does not fully honor each client's view of the nature of existence. This article proposes an inclusive definition of spirituality for social work education that considers every client's perceptions regarding what is unknowable as equally valid. Case examples, suitable for classroom education, are presented.

In 2015, over 6,000 licensed social workers in 13 US states responded to an online survey regarding perceptions and feelings about their work, as well as numerous personal and practice issues. Specifically, this study examined participants’ levels of compassion satisfaction and workplace stress, and then determined through multivariate analyses what demographic factors, behavioral and physical health problems, practice issues, fields of practice, and workplace environment issues impacted these two variables. The findings indicate that participants demonstrated high levels of compassion satisfaction, with a wide range of workplace stress levels. Workplace environment issues had the greatest impact on both variables, with social workers’ mental health problems, physical health status, and certain demographic factors such as race also influencing them. Over 82% of respondents expressed agreement that they were glad that they chose social work as a profession. The results appear to demonstrate that despite being a potentially stressful occupation, licensed social workers tend to experience significant emotional satisfaction from their work. On the other hand, the results also highlight the need for further research to determine how to enhance support for social workers in the workplace in order to not only reduce workplace stress, but also to increase compassion satisfaction.

Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is an evidence-based protocol that addresses both moderate-risk and high-risk substance use problems for individuals. In an urban college’s master’s and bachelor’s social work programs with 218 students, SBIRT training was introduced into core course curricula, with many students subsequently using SBIRT in their field placements. Evaluation of the initiative demonstrated increases in the students’ knowledge and favorable attitudes regarding working with substance using clients. Students’ ratings of the usefulness and effectiveness of SBIRT were high. In response to studies indicating the lack of preparedness of graduating social work students to work with substance users, this study demonstrated the effectiveness of SBIRT training to educate students to work with this population.

Entering (n = 475) and graduating (n = 454) students at 3 master's of social work programs in the northeast were compared regarding their knowledge and attitudes concerning working with substance abusing clients. In comparison to entering students, graduating students demonstrated modestly higher levels of knowledge, role adequacy, and role legitimacy, but less desire to work with this population. A multivariate analysis revealed numerous factors that affected students' knowledge and attitudes: gender; ethnicity; exposure to substance abuse through family, friends, or self; taking a substance abuse course in an academic setting; having an internship in a substance abuse setting; substance abuse training outside of an academic setting; and exposure to substance abusers through employment. Implications of these findings for social work education are discussed.

This study reports the findings of a qualitative focus group study of 16 recently graduated MSW social workers in the New York City area regarding their experiences working during the devastating initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic from March to June 2020. Each respondent participated in one of two 90-minute focus groups in October of that year. Themes delineated were: Varying levels of agency responsiveness and support; Rapid changes in job functions; Great decrease in availability of client services and resources; Social workers’ difficult emotional reactions; Balancing family circumstances with work responsibilities; Fear of contracting COVID-19; and Professional pride and growth. The findings indicate the need for more holistic supervisory support for beginning social workers, more effective and transparent communication in agency settings, and better preparedness for crisis situations. The results are also a tribute to the dedication of new social workers who worked tenaciously during a global crisis despite their own difficult emotional reactions and family situations.