Using a Strength-Based Approach to Social Work With Minority Groups: The Case of At-Risk Young-Adult Arabs in Israel

• Published in: American journal of orthopsychiatry 2024-01, Vol.94 (5), p.582-590
• Main Authors: Sulimani-Aidan, Yafit, Ravid, Maayan, Elias, Haneen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Arab Cultural Groups; Arab people; At Risk Populations; Collectivism; Departments; Emerging Adulthood; Empowerment; Female; Group work; Health Personnel Attitudes; Human; Intersectionality; Male; Minority Groups; Professional socialization; Risk; Social Casework; Social justice; Social services; Social work; Social Workers; Young adults
• ISSN: 0002-9432; 1939-0025; 1939-0025
• DOI: 10.1037/ort0000746

Social workers have a significant role in empowering clients to discover their own strengths as well as strengths in their environment and to achieve social justice on behalf of oppressed populations. The goal of this exploratory qualitative study was to broaden our knowledge on strength-based approaches in working with minority and collectivist societies via the perspectives of 20 social workers and 19 managers of social service organizations and departments who work with at-risk young-adult Arabs throughout Israel. Thematic analysis revealed that social workers consciously try to identify young adults' assets and resources at both the personal and environmental level, despite the major structural barriers in these young adults' lives (i.e., due to intersectionality). Also, they use their collaborative relationship with the young adults as a mechanism to induce hope, a sense of responsibility, a sense of agency, and empowerment. The discussion addresses the study's findings concerning the literature on strength-based approaches, highlighting the advantages and challenges in using such approaches when working with these populations. Recommendations for practical implementation propose the integration of thorough training in strength-based approaches into the professional socialization of emerging social workers. Moreover, it is suggested to establish a guiding principle by implementing a systematic assessment that aligns conceptually with strength-based approaches. Public Policy Relevance Statement The study's findings reveal that social workers actively identified and sought strengths within the environments and selves of young adults. However, the absence of systematic assessments or interventions aligning conceptually with strength-based principles as an official guiding standard is notable. Therefore, on a practical level, it becomes crucial to equip social workers with the necessary training and tools to facilitate strength-based interventions across all ecological levels.