| Abstract [eng] |
This study discusses importance of professional self-awareness in mental health social workers every day work and to their professional grow. Main subjects of research – to find out, mental health social workers’ attitude towards expanding of their professional self-awareness and their involvement in it. Methods: I. The study of nonfiction, other researches, to find out theoretical basis and reasons, why people choose social work profession, what helps „knowing themselves“ and why it is important for social workers professional development and etc. II. Quantitative data-gathering method used on purpose to sustain or discard theoretical hypothesis empirically. Survey was pursued with the help of standardized questionnaire. III. Qualitative analysis method used on purpose to bring information up-to-date quantitative material, of getting the most possible and complementary, more detailed information about the importance of professional self-awareness in social work field and other important issues. Survey was pursued with the help of half-standardized interview method. Participants: During research investigated 45 mental health social workers. In addition, 4 of them were asked during the interview. All participants work in Vilnius and this region mental health care, government and NGO day care and psychosocial-rehabilitation centers. Main findings: 1.Mental health social workers’ professional orientation and motivation influence internal and external forces. 2. Most of mental health social workers know professional self-awareness expanding methods and often use them in their every day practice. 3. Most popular professional self-awareness expanding method is Team-work. Reflection and Supervision are less known and popular. 4. Participants maintain that usage of all mentioned methods really influence the results of their work and help social workers to keep positive attitude towards their profession. 5. Nonetheless, mental health social work practitioners noticed, that professional self-awareness expanding methods are wrongly practiced in Lithuania and that impress some of them popularity. 6. Participants faced, that there is important to “know themselves”, and that in social worker-client relationship really helps personal involvement, because that impels clients’ openness and authenticity. They believe that all these things promote effectiveness of helping client. 7. Most of mental health social workers have positive vision of their profession, but they lack for motivation to fight for their rights and bigger society respect. |
