Stefan Morén

Explaining social work practice : the CAIMeR theory

• Summary: This article presents the CAIMeR theory, consisting of a conceptual framework and a theoretical model, which can help explain how results in social work practice arise from interventions and its contextual contingencies. The theory has been developed over several years in connection with empirical studies, and together with social workers. • Findings: The article starts from the meta-theoretical perspective critical realism and its notion of explanative knowledge as a stepping stone to open up the so-called black box. A fundamental concept in critical realism, generative mechanisms, is discussed and elaborated. • Applications : The CAIMeR theory can be used in several contexts: social work practice, and for evaluation of social work, and, moreover, for organization development in social work. We argue that social workers, evaluators and decision-makers need accurate theory about the core activity (work with clients) within its contextual conditions. The CAIMeR theory pays attention to generative mechanisms at different levels, which is necessary if one wants to understand what is going on in a certain agency, and explain the results in a more qualified way. The theory can also be useful for researchers and university students that need a comprehensive explanative framework when studying phenomena in social work practice.

Analysis of generative mechanisms

Abstract The focus of this article is the analysis of generative mechanisms, a basic concept and phenomenon within the metatheoretical perspective of critical realism. It is emphasized that research questions and methods, as well as the knowledge it is possible to attain, depend on the basic view - ontologically and epistemologically - regarding the phenomenon under scrutiny. A generative mechanism is described as a trans-empirical but real existing entity, explaining why observable events occur. Mechanisms are mostly possible to grasp only indirectly by analytical work (theory-building), based however on empirical observations. In order to achieve such an explanatory analysis, five methodological steps are suggested and discussed, among them abduction and retroduction. These steps are illustrated throughout by examples drawn from empirical research regarding social work practice. The article is concluded with a discussion of the need for knowledge of generative mechanisms.

Getting a sense of the client: Working methods in the personal social services in Sweden

• Summary: This article presents a study of working methods used by social workers within the personal social services (PSS), in their work with clients. The study is part of a larger research project with the aim of describing and analysing how specialized respectively integrated forms of organizations in the PSS condition social workers’ interventions and client effects (outcomes). The study was carried out in three Swedish municipalities with different organizational models. Two of those represent ‘extremes’ as they have pure specialized (divided in different types of units) respectively integrated (generic) organizations. The third municipality has chosen a middle way with an organization that combines aspects of the two other models. All social workers within the PSS in those three municipalities were included in the study. • Findings: Our findings among other things show 1) that the use of unspecific methods dominates, 2) that several methods that are reported as specific are definitely not specific, 3) that specific methods often are used in free and unspecific ways, 4) that there seems to be a compensating movement (regarding use of methods) with the aim of evening out limitations in the formal PSS organizations, 5) that there are two relatively large groups of method users: ‘improvisers’ and ‘eclecticists’. • Applications: One can neither understand the use of working methods in social work with clients by studying the methods as such nor by studying the evidence base of different methods. Social workers consider their relationships to clients and the clients’ trust as much more important (in order to achieve results) than any particular method. The use of methods is mirroring the social workers’ readiness before, and planned adaptation to, different types of situations.

Association Between Immigrant Status and History of Compulsory Treatment in a National Sample of Individuals Assessed for Drug Use Disorders Through the Swedish Public Welfare System

In-person interview data from 13,903 individuals assessed for a drug use disorder in the Swedish welfare system from 2002–2008, were analyzed using logistic regression methods. Second generation immigrants with non-Scandinavian parents were 41% more likely to report a history of compulsory treatment compared to those born in Sweden to Swedish parents after controlling for age, gender, education, mental health treatment homeless status history, and criminal justice history. Implications include the need to study acculturation, stigma, and discrimination-related factors as well as to promote culturally competent outreach to immigrant populations.