“I Didn’t Feel Equipped”: Social Work Students’ Reflections on a Simulated Client “Coming Out”

Abstract

Few studies have examined social work students' reflections on and experiences working with lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, and questioning persons and addressing the intersection of race/ ethnicity and sexuality within practice. This study explored current master's of social work student (n = 11) and recent graduate (n = 7) reflections on conducting an objective structured clinical practice interaction with an African Canadian youth coming out as a lesbian. Narrative thematic analyses of reflective dialogues highlighted a variation of competence in gay affirmative practice across attitudes (managing personal reactions), knowledge (addressing diversity; terminology and information), and skills (readiness; challenging heterosexism). Curriculum development and agencybased training is recommended to address gaps in knowledge and competence regarding gay affirmative approaches.

Simulation in Social Work Education: A Scoping Review

“…Two of the studies (4%) had a case scenario that was directly linked to culture and diversity. For example, one study examined MSW student competence working with lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, and questioning (LGBQQ) clients (Logie, Bogo, & Katz, 2015) and another explored conflict resolution with a culturally diverse group (Schreiber & Minarik, 2018). In the remaining 32 articles (62%) selected for this review, there was no mention of culture and diversity.…”

Exploring U.S. Social Work Students’ Sexual Attitudes and Abortion Viewpoints

“…This would concurrently support individuals in exploring and grappling with their existent beliefs and attitudes (Gezinski, 2009;Van Den Bergh & Crisp, 2004). Such efforts may alleviate concerns discussed by bachelor's and master's of social work students in that they feel inadequately prepared and undersupported to engage with issues of sexuality that may arise while working with clients in real-life settings (Laverman & Skiba, 2012;Logie, Bogo, & Katz, 2015;Newman, Bogo, & Daley, 2009). As social workers serve diverse and vulnerable clients with a variety of health-related needs, the profession should be involved in supporting research, policies, and education that facilitates the reproductive and sexual rights of all people.…”

MSW student perceptions of sexual health as relevant to the profession: Do social work educational experiences matter?

“…Addressing human sexuality-related topics in social work education will allow individuals to explore and grapple with their attitudes regarding sexually marginalized individuals and politically relevant topics of sexuality, such as access to birth control, contraception, abortion, and/or comprehensive sexuality education (Gezinski, 2009;Van Den Bergh & Crisp, 2004). This would prepare social work professionals to engage with issues of sexuality and sexual behavior that may arise while working with clients in real world settings, a concern that has been brought up by students in both BSW and MSW programs (Laverman & Skiba, 2012;Logie, Bogo, & Katz, 2015).…”