The General Public's Perception of Social Work
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Date
2015-05
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
Social workers serve in a variety of difficult roles, which can sometimes lead to confusion about what it is that social workers do, and can also contribute to negative perceptions about the profession. Prior research focusing on public perception of social work has been mostly descriptive, with limited attention on what contributes to the understanding and perception of the profession. This study explores the following research questions: (1) How do people get information about social workers? (2) Do the sources of information contribute to an individual’s understanding and perception of the profession? and (3) What demographic characteristics are associated with this knowledge and perception? A survey of approximately 100 Columbus, Ohio residents was conducted at libraries and communities across the city. Using linear ordinary least squares and Poisson regression, several demographic characteristics were associated with knowledge and perception of the social work profession. Results of the research show that personally knowing a social worker and having knowledge about social work are significantly associated with a person’s positive perception of the profession. Additionally, personally knowing a social worker and having an Associate’s Degree or higher are significantly associated with having more knowledge about social work. Finally, higher levels of knowledge about social work are associated with a more positive perception of the profession. This suggests that it is possible that people are more likely to have a negative view of social work because they misunderstand it than that they actually feel negatively about its true nature. Therefore, social workers need not try to convince people that the profession is good, but merely educate them on what it is actually about. The dissemination of correct information about the profession could potentially help decrease resistance in clients and make social workers feel more approachable to those considering seeking services.
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Keywords
social work, perception, knowledge, social workers