Using Q methodology to understand how child protection social workers use attachment theory

Wilkins, David ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2780-0385 2017. Using Q methodology to understand how child protection social workers use attachment theory. Child and Family Social Work 22 (S4) , pp. 70-80. 10.1111/cfs.12276

Full text not available from this repository.

Abstract

Child and family social workers in England are expected to integrate theory and research into their practice. This study investigated how a small sample of social workers from three Local Authorities in Southern England used key ideas from contemporary attachment theory when working with children who may have been abused or neglected. Twenty‐four social workers completed a Q‐sort of 49 items. Four factors emerged from the data, each representing a distinct collective perspective – the use of attachment theory (1) to enable a focus on and better understanding of the child; (2) to enable social workers to take clear decisions and interview purposefully; (3) to emphasize the primacy of relationships and ethical partnership working and (3) as a general framework for understanding and helping parents. These factors are described alongside a discussion of the implications for the use of theory and research in practice.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Social Sciences (Includes Criminology and Education)
Publisher:	Wiley
ISSN:	1356-7500
Date of Acceptance:	6 January 2016
Last Modified:	23 Oct 2022 14:18
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/113298

Citation Data

Cited 8 times in Scopus. View in Scopus. Powered By Scopus® Data

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item