Global forced migration rates are the highest since World War II. This article presents an overview of migration and presents an original argument as to the imperatives for social work. First, global trends are presented and forced migration is conceptualised as an international phenomenon. Second, global responses are explored with a focus on legal and protection frameworks. Finally, existing policy, practice and research gaps related to human mobility and forced displacement are examined, and recommendations for social work policy, research and practice are presented. The contextual influence of the Covid-19 pandemic is considered in this article.

Group therapy is the most popular approach in the treatment of adolescent substance use problems. Recently, concerns have mounted about possible iatrogenic effects of group therapy based on studies...

Objective: This study examines the psychometric properties of a measure of engagement for group work, the Groupwork Engagement Measure (GEM). Method: The measure's properties were tested at two different points of group development, early and late group. The closed-ended groups were led by 13 graduate social work students and consisted of 86 student peers. Results: The measure had excellent reliability at both administrations, with coefficient alphas of .97 and low Standard Error of Measurements. The construct- and criterion-related validity analyses were generally favorable. Conclusions: The GEM is a promising tool for social group workers interested in monitoring and improving their service.

The Group Engagement Measure (GEM) assesses a commonly used, but rarely measured, process in group work. Earlier studies examined the reliability and validity of the GEM, but none empirically examined its factor structure. The authors examined the seven-factor, 37-item structure of the GEM, using confirmatory factor analysis involving a combined clinical and nonclinical sample of 207 adults. On the seven-factor, 37-item model, the fit indices standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) and root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) were .07, considered a fair fit; the comparative fit index (CFI) was .91, considered acceptable. On the seven-factor, 27-item GEM the SRMR was .05, the RMSEA was .05, and the CFI was .95, indicating a good fit; however, neither model was invariant across the clinical and nonclinical groups. Tests for factor invariance indicated that a five-factor, 21-item model produced the best fit across groups (CFI = .96, SRMR = .04, RMSEA = .06). Testing of these models is needed with more people.

Objectives: Accreditation standards and challenges in group work education require competency-based approaches in teaching social work with groups. The Association for the Advancement of Social Work with Groups developed Standards for Social Work Practice with Groups, which serve as foundation competencies for professional practice. However, there has been no empirical publication about using them in teaching. This pilot study tested a microskills teaching approach to improve competency in the Standards. Methods: The mixed-methods study used a preexperimental, pretest–posttest design involving 123 diverse baccalaureate and master’s students in introductory group work courses. Student responses about the experience were also collected. Results: There were significant, substantial increases in students’ perceived importance of and confidence in using the Standards. Confidence gain scores were significantly associated with performance in role-plays. Comments about the assignments were highly favorable and identified role-plays as contributing most to learning. Conclusions: The teaching approach advanced Standards-based group work education.