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ABSTRACT
This study aimed to add to the limited empirical knowledge base on evidence-based practice (EBP) and social work in Germany. Using a regional sample of 158 social workers that were recruited through stratified sampling procedures, the study examined knowledge utilisation as well as attitudes toward the use of research-based practice methods, administering a normed and internationally recognised instrument, the Evidence-Based Practice Attitude Scale (EBPAS). It further examined practitioner-level predictors of openness toward research-based methods. Findings indicated limited familiarity with the concept of EBP and showed that research and theory were not primary sources of knowledge to guide practice. Yet, attitudes toward research-based methods were overall positive and indicated considerable openness if methods made sense, were appealing, and sufficient training and support were provided. Scepticism and negative attitudes were evident in some areas (e.g. manualization, requirements). Multivariate linear regression indicated that individuals in leadership positions held more positive attitudes while a longer job tenure was inversely related to openness, approaching significance. Findings of the study are compared to the U.S. normative sample as well as a prior German study using the EBPAS. Implications for knowledge development in the discipline of social work in Germany are discussed.
ABSTRAKT
Diese Untersuchung zielte darauf ab, die empirische Basis über, Evidence-Based Practice‘ (EBP) in der Sozialen Arbeit in Deutschland zu erweitern. Die Studie untersuchte die Wissensnutzung und Einstellungen bezüglich der Nutzung von forschungsbasierten Handlungsmethoden von 158 Sozialarbeitern und Sozialarbeiterinnen, die durch ein geschichtetes Stichprobendesign rekrutiert wurden. Einstellungen wurden durch das international anerkannte und normierte Instrument, Evidence-Based Practice Attitude Scale‘ (EBPAS) erfasst. Weiterhin untersucht wurden sozialarbeiterbezogene Prädikatoren für Offenheit gegenüber forschungsbasierten Handlungsmethoden. Ergebnisse zeigten, dass das Konzept der EBP nur wenig bekannt war und bestätigten, dass Entscheidungen über Handlungsmethoden selten von Forschung und Theorie geleitet werden. Trotzdem waren Einstellungen gegenüber forschungsbasierten Handlungsmethoden grundsätzlich positiv und bezeugten Offenheit diesen Methoden gegenüber, wenn sie Sinn machten, überzeugend waren und ausreichend Schulung und Unterstützung für ihre Nutzung bestand. In anderen Bereichen waren Einstellungen skeptisch und eher negativ (z.B. Manualisierung, Forderung solcher Methoden). Eine multivariate lineare Regressionsanalyse wies auf, dass die Einstellungen von Sozialarbeitern und Sozialarbeiterinnen in Führungspositionen positiver waren und dass die Beziehung zwischen längerer Joberfahrung und Offenheit invers war und sich statistischer Signifikanz annäherte. Ergebnisse dieser Untersuchung werden mit dem U.S. normativen Sample verglichen sowie dem einer rezenten Studie in Deutschland, die die EBPAS nutzte. Implikationen für die Wissensentwicklung in der Disziplin der Sozialen Arbeit in Deutschland werden diskutiert.
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements are further given to the Implementation Research Institute (IRI) at the Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St. Louis.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Notes on contributors
Sigrid James, PhD, MSW, is Professor in the Department of Social Work and Social Welfare at the University of Kassel in Germany. She returned to her country of origin after thirty years in the United States where she completed her social work studies and was last a tenured professor at Loma Linda University, California. Since 2015, she has been the Editor-in-Chief of Residential Treatment for Children and Youth. Her interests concern the provision of effective treatments and services for children in public child-serving systems.
Leoni Lampe, MA, received her master’s degree in social work from the University of Kassel. Her master thesis examined the relationship between age and openness toward evidence-based practice. Her professional interests are around community mental health. She currently is team coordinator at a day treatment program for adults with mental health problems.
Susan Behnken, MA, received her M.A. degree in social work from the University of Kassel. She currently works in field of migration and refugees and holds positions in migration counselling and support. Her particular interests are in the biographical work of older people in the juvenile justice system and the professionalization of social work.
Daniel Schulz, BA, is completing his Master degree in social work at the University of Kassel. He is particularly interested in multi-disciplinary social work, incorporating biographical work and media-related approaches, youth work, evidence-based practice, theory-practice connections and social work research. He currently works as a student assistant at the Department of Social Work and Social Welfare at the University of Kassel.
Notes
1 The term ‘social work’ will generally be referring to the umbrella term encompassing both social pedagogy and social work unless discussed in that specific context.
2 To illustrate how prolific the output was, a literature search in EBSCO with the key words ‘evidence-based practice’ and ‘social work’ conducted for the year 1997 (the year when EBP entered the social work field in earnest) resulted in two articles. The same search conducted 20 years later generated over 3,300 entries.