Mental health ideologies and attitudes toward innovation and change: a study of social workers in community mental health settings
Description
The objective of this study was to investigate attitudes of social workers in community mental health settings toward innovation and change and to identify factors which influence these attitudes. Attitude toward social change, receptivity to change imposed by the organization, and interest in suggesting innovative ideas within the work settings were studied. Relationships between five mental health ideologies and attitudes toward change were investigated to determine which mental health ideological beliefs are likely to influence attitudes toward change A survey research design was used to collect data from 141 social workers employed in 39 community mental health centers in the continental United States. A probability sample was obtained using stratified cluster sampling of U. S. Department of Health and Human Services' regions and poverty/non-poverty designated centers. A random sample was then selected from each stratum. Research and Evaluation Directors from the selected centers participated in the distribution of questionnaires and the follow-up procedure. Frequencies and chi square statistics were used to analyze the data The data revealed that social workers who highly endorse social change favor a traditional mental health role yet promote community development activities as an aspect of center services. Those who endorse the conservative professional ideology are likely to resist job changes imposed by center administrators. No relationships were found between attitudes toward change and age, sex, race, and education. Workers in inner city and poverty designated centers support social change to a greater degree than those in non-poverty, urban, and rural centers. Social workers highest in acceptance of job changes are high in job satisfaction. A high degree of interest in work innovation is associated with workers in primarily administrative, planning, research and consultation positions. Low endorsement of social change activities and high receptivity to job change is characteristic of social workers holding professional certification. Attendance at professional conferences is associated with a low degree of interest in work innovation The research supports the contention that satisfactory resolution of conflicts between the community focus and individual treatment perspective has yet to be accomplished in community mental health. It is suggested that administrators must begin to clarify conflicting issues inherent in community mental health concepts. Social work education for community mental health practice should focus on community assessment, development, and organization skills and individual treatment strategies consistent with a community focus. Students should be better prepared for the realities and conflicts associated with practice in the community mental health setting. Finally, students should come to the centers with better training in change promotion technology Future research should further explicate the influence of treatment and mental health ideologies on social work practice. The extent to which role ambiguity and role conflict are influenced by professional ideologies should be investigated. Research should concentrate upon the process whereby professional belief systems undergo change and how professional belief systems influence change in various settings