Exploring Lithuanian social workers’ attitudes towards individuals with alcohol usage problems

Abstract

Aim: Social workers are at the front line of helping individuals experiencing alcohol usage, due to their professional duties, ideology and values that underpin it. In Lithuania, where social work still continues to develop in both practice and education, it is crucial to supplement with relevant information to strengthen social work's response to issues with alcohol usage. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore social workers’ attitudes towards individuals with alcohol usage problems. Methods: In total, 149 Lithuanian social workers completed a web survey that gathered information about education, work experience and workplace, and filled in the Short Alcohol and Alcohol Problems Perception Questionnaire (SAAPPQ) to measure their attitude towards individuals with alcohol usage problems. Results: The social workers showed a positive attitude towards individuals with alcohol usage problems (mean 35.81 [SD 4.8]). Attitude domain analysis revealed Role Legitimacy (91.3% above the midpoint) to reflect the most positive attitudes and Work Satisfaction (24.2% above the midpoint) to reflect the least positive attitudes. Those with master's degrees scored higher on the total SAAPPQ (t = −2.44, p = 0.016) and its subscales Work Satisfaction (t = −2.52, p = 0.013) and Therapeutic Commitment (t = −2.21, p = 0.029). Having 6–13 years of work experience (mean SAAPPQ = 37.02 [SD 5.11]) was associated with a more positive attitude compared to those with less than 5 years of experience (mean SAAPPQ = 34.08 [SD 3.87]). Conclusion: Although social workers understand their professional responsibility to work with individuals with alcohol usage problems, their dedication to work, motivation and task-specific self-esteem are low. The results also support education, as those with master's degrees showed more positive attitudes. This study further encourages support for social workers just beginning their career, who might report lower attitudes towards individuals with alcohol usage problems.

Bridging academia and Nordic Societies

“…The implementation of Minimum Pricing for Alcohol legislation in Wales in March 2020, which has thus far had little influence on drinking patterns and was overshadowed by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, shows a study by Holloway et al (2024) . Justina Kievišienė (2024) explored the attitudes of Lithuanian social workers towards people with alcohol use problems and found that although social workers understand their professional responsibilities, their motivation and dedication to work are low. And lastly, Mäkelä et al (2024) describe the development and validation of the Nurses’ Skills to Care for Alcohol-Intoxicated Patients in Emergency Department (NSCAIP-ED) instrument.…”