Uloga i iskustvo socijalnih radnika zaposlenih u zdravstvu u zaštiti i unapređenju mentalnog zdravlja djece iz alternativne skrbi

master's thesis

• Title (english): The role and experience of social workers employed in healthcare in the protection and enhancement of mental health for children in alternative care
• Author: Lorena Bošnjak
• Mentor: Maja Laklija (mentor)
• Committee member: Maja Laklija (predsjednik povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Gordana Berc (član povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Slavica Blažeka Kokorić (član povjerenstva)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Law; Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2024-07-03, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: SOCIAL SCIENCES; Social Activities

Abstract

Zbog specifičnih okolnosti odrastanja, djeca u alternativnoj skrbi nalaze se u povećanom riziku za razvoj poteškoća mentalnog zdravlja u odnosu na vršnjake koji nisu imali to iskustvo. Uz to, profesionalci koji rade s ovom djecom trebaju posebnu podršku kako bi uspješno radili na zaštiti njihovog mentalnog zdravlja. Jedni od stručnjaka koji u sustavu zdravstva rade s ovom skupinom djece su socijalni radnici koji zbog svog širokog spektra znanja, iskustva i poznavanja specifičnosti života u alternativnoj skrbi mogu unaprijediti prakse pružanja podrške, prevencije i unapređenja mentalnog zdravlja djece u alternativnoj skrbi. Cilj istraživanja bio je dobiti uvid u doživljaj profesionalne uloge i iskustva rada socijalnih radnika zaposlenih u zdravstvu s populacijom djece iz alternativne skrbi koja manifestiraju poteškoće mentalnog zdravlja i drugim dionicima koji sudjeluju u skrbi za dijete. U istraživanju je sudjelovalo šest socijalnih radnika zaposlenih u zdravstvu koji u okviru svog radnog mjesta imaju iskustvo kontakta s djecom u alternativnoj skrbi koja imaju teškoće mentalnog zdravlja. Iz dobivenih rezultata može se zaključiti da socijalni radnici imaju specifična znanja o životu djece u alternativnoj skrbi te kritičko promišljanje o potrebama koje iz tih okolnosti proizlaze pa stoga mogu biti značajan činitelj u pružanju usluga zaštite mentalnog zdravlja te djece. Unatoč kompetencijama i znanjima koje posjeduju, istraživanje je pokazalo kako socijalni radnici u zdravstvu, zbog različitih ograničenja i prepreka, nisu dovoljno uključeni u radu na zaštiti mentalnog zdravlja djece u alternativnoj skrbi te da bi mogli i trebali biti više uključeni. Iskustva i doživljaji socijalnih radnika u zdravstvu pokazuju da su oni nezamjenjivi dionici u pružanju integrirane i sveobuhvatne podrške koja djeci može omogućiti da prevladaju izazove i ostvare svoj puni potencijal, unatoč okolnostima u kojima se nalaze, ali da je socijalne radnike kao takve stručnjake još potrebno prepoznati.

Abstract (english)

Due to the specific circumstances of their growing up, children in alternative care are at an increased risk of developing mental health difficulties compared to their peers who have not had this experience. Additionally, professionals working with these children require special support to successfully work on protecting their mental health. Among the professionals in the healthcare system who work with this group of children are social workers who, due to their broad spectrum of knowledge, experience, and understanding of the specificities of life in alternative care, can improve practices of support provision, prevention, and enhancement of the mental health of children in alternative care. The aim of the research was to gain insight into the perception of the professional role and experiences of social workers employed in healthcare, working with the population of children from alternative care who manifest mental health difficulties, and other stakeholders involved in the care of the child. The study involved six social workers employed in healthcare who, as part of their job, have experience in contact with children in alternative care who have mental health difficulties. The results obtained suggest that social workers possess specific knowledge about the lives of children in alternative care and critical thinking about the needs arising from these circumstances, making them significant contributors to the provision of mental health protection services for these children. Despite their competencies and knowledge, the research showed that social workers in healthcare, due to various limitations and obstacles, are not sufficiently involved in working on the protection of the mental health of children in alternative care and that they could and should be more involved. The experiences and perceptions of social workers in healthcare indicate that they are indispensable stakeholders in providing integrated and comprehensive support that can enable children to overcome challenges and achieve their full potential, despite the circumstances they find themselves in. However, social workers as such experts still need to be recognized.

• Keywords: socijalni rad; zaštita djece; alternativna skrb za djecu; mentalno zdravlje djece; zaštita mentalnog zdravlja djece; socijalni rad u zdravstvu; klinički socijalni rad
• Keywords (english): social work; children's protection; children in alternative care; children's mental health; protection of children's mental health; social work in healthcare; clinical social work
• Language: croatian
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:199:520493
• Study programme: Title: Social Work; Study programme type: university; Study level: graduate; Academic / professional title: sveučilišni magistar/magistrica socijalnog rada (sveučilišni magistar/magistrica socijalnog rada)
• Type of resource: Text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2024-07-05 07:56:42