Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Doctor of Social Work (DSW)

School

Social Work

Advisor

Alex Casiano

Abstract

More than three decades of data document the challenges of clinical social workers in establishing their professional identity within the social work profession in Puerto Rico. Less is known specifically about how they identify within interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary teams in the various clinical settings on the island. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of clinical social workers in Puerto Rico regarding their professional identity as compared to generalist social workers. The generic qualitative study was based on the ecological system theory framework. Data were collected from semistructured interviews with a purposive sample of 10 clinical and generalist social workers in Puerto Rico. The participants were asked questions related to several thematic areas derived from the literature, including the professional identity, functions, and academic preparation of clinical social workers in Puerto Rico. Emerging themes related to acceptance or rejection of clinical social work, differences between clinical social work and generalist social work, and professional identity were extracted from the interview data through a content data analysis process and validated through member verification. Differences between clinical social work and generalist social work were also identified. Professional identity and acceptance of clinical social work emerged as areas for improvement. Clinical social work leaders in Puerto Rico can use the results of this study for positive social change by increasing the awareness among governing agencies of the various specialties within the profession and to advocate for more competitive salaries for clinical social workers on the island.

Download

Included in

Social Work Commons

Share

 
COinS