Interests, Activities, and Self-Identification Among Social Work Students

Abstract

Recent studies have suggested that the career interests of many social work students are inconsistent with the traditionally defined concept of social work identity. The current study conceptualized, operationalized, and developed measures of the prevalence of various interests, preferred activities, and self-identifications associated with social work identity among graduate social work students at the University of Toronto. Reliable dimensions of social work interests and activities were identified. Four distinct subgroups with particular patterns of interests were found: (1) policy and research, (2) private and direct practice with voluntary clients, (3) traditional social work, and (4) undifferentiated. Subgroup membership was related to self-identification and preferred service fields. Although the majority of the students chose “social worker” as their primary identification, significant numbers close “clinical social worker” or “therapist.” Self-identification was significantly correlated with preferred client group, practice activity, and interest in private practice. The hypothesis that bachelor of social work graduates would be more identified with traditional social work activities received only partial support.