Social and academic profile of the university student of social work a comparative study in Spain, Argentina, and Venezuela

ABSTRACT

The article presents the results of an empirical investigation that aimed to analyze comparative socio-demographic characteristics, motivational aspects and professional role of students who attend universities. The contexts of research were University of Mar de Plata (Argentina), University of Murcia (Spain) and University of Zulia (Venezuela). The universe of research was 304 students, with the participation of a total of 253 (TR 83,2%), 109 from University of Murcia—Spain—100 from University of Mar del Plata—Argentina and 44 from University of Zulia—Venezuela. Two hundred and forty-four measuring instruments were checked favorably. The results of the research allowed to highlight significant coincidences in most of the variables studied. In the analysis of self-perceived personality styles, there is high coincidence both in style (attributed qualification) and score (assigned quantification). At the three universities, the docent–student relationship is a positive variable that affects the favorable self-perception beyond academic success. Design and implementation of programs based on the described characteristics are recommended.

KEYWORDS:

• Training in social work
• educational programs
• higher education
• motivations toward social work

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Enrique Pastor Seller

Enrique Pastor Seller, Doctor in Sociology, Professor of University of Murcia (Spain) Department of Social Work and Social Services, Professional Experience as Director of Social Services Centres. Director School Specialization Professional Social Work (1998-2006). Deputy Director Social Work (2006-2010). Director Faculty of Social Work (2010-2014). Vice President of the Conference of Directors/as of Social Work of Spain (2013-2015). Vice President General Council Social Work os Spain (2015-2018). Director Research Group: “Social Work and Social Services”. Director Azarbe, Journal Internacional Trabajo Social y Bienestar. International research and publications: Social work with communities, participation, higher education, social services, etc., Author of numerous articles, chapters and books in internationally renowned magazines and publishing houses, member Editorial Committees magazines in ISI Wos, Scopus, etc. and visiting professor and researcher at prestigious International Universities.

Alberto Jesús Farías Gramegna

Alberto Jesús Farías Gramegna, Psychologist and writer Professor of Personality Psychology in the Degree in Social Work at the National University of Mar del Plata, Argentina (UNMDP) Institutional psychologist and HR Consultant - He was Professor of Social Psychology at the Universidad Atlántida Argentina (UAA) and of Institutional Psychology at the Fac.de Psychology, University of Buenos Aires (UBA). International Guest Professor at the University of Murcia, SpainAuthor of ten books of his specialty and other academic works.

Raima Rujano Roque

Raima Rujano Roque is professor at the Deparment of social work, Universidad del Zulia, Venezuela, and director of the Research Center of Social Work. Universidad del Zulia, Venezuela. She qualified as a social worker in 1991 and has been a social work academic since 2001. Currently she is editor of “Interacción y Perspectiva revista de trabajo social” (a social work research journal). Her research interests include social policy, urban violence  and health sociology.

Raquel Sáez González

Raquel Sáez González is a full-time profesor at the University of Zulia, attached to the Departament of Social Work of the School of Social Work. She graduated as social worker in 1991 and has been an academic since 2005. She currently serves as director of the School of Social Work. His research interests include health and social participation, public health policies, systematization of social work practices.