Predictors of the Self-Reported Likelihood of Seeking Social Worker Help among People with Physical Disabilities

Abstract

The current study assesses the association between demographic factors, attitudes toward social workers, the stigma attached to seeking social worker help, perceived social support, and psychological distress-and the self-reported likelihood of seeking social worker help, among people with physical disabilities in Israel. Data collection utilized structured questionnaires, administered to a sample of 435 people with physical disabilities. The findings suggest that women, older respondents, people with more positive attitudes toward social workers, with higher levels of psychological distress and of social support, and with a lower level of stigma, reported a greater likelihood of seeking social workers help. The study's conclusion is that there are certain avoidance factors among people with physical disabilities that might discourage them from seeking social workers' help. Therefore, it is important that social workers identify these factors and develop interventions aimed at encouraging people with physical disabilities to seek social workers help in case of need, and also develop practices adjusted to the unique needs of people with physical disabilities.

Public perception of social workers as a source for providing help during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…In fact, although it is possible to utilize the professional services of SWs for a considerable part of the personal, family, and social issues people dealt with during this period, only some 18.7% of all respondents reported a high or very high likelihood of seeking their help. This number is significantly lower than that reported in studies that explored this issue in Israel in routine times ( Kagan & Zychlinski, 2017 ; Kagan et al, 2017 , 2018 ). Hence, in order to explain the likelihood of seeking help from SWs among the general population during the COVID-19 crisis, the contribution of select demographic and psychosocial variables and of prior experience with seeking or receiving help from SWs was examined.…”

“…Studies conducted on this subject in Israel, where the current study was carried out, show that fairly high proportions of the respondents reported a very low likelihood, or no likelihood at all, of seeking help from SWs. For instance, in two studies among the general population in Israel ( Kagan & Zychlinski, 2016 , 2017 ), such statements were made by 37.7% and 32.1% of the respondents, respectively, while among people with physical disabilities the proportion was 35% ( Kagan et al, 2017 ) and among older men 39% ( Kagan et al, 2018 ).…”

“…Barriers may include perceptions and experiences associated with seeking help, such as the perception that people could and should solve their problems on their own, the concern of self-exposure and of negative labeling ( Chen, 2012 ), lack of knowledge about whom to contact, where, and how, concerns of the costs involved ( Andersson et al, 2013 ; Chen, 2012 ), low confidence in the effectiveness of professional help, unsympathetic views of professionals, low trust in them ( Bolgun & Sahin, 2019 ; Kagan, 2016 ), and lack of prior experience with them ( Segal et al, 2005 ). Other barriers involve psychosocial issues such as loneliness, psychological distress, and subjective evaluation of one's health condition ( Kagan et al, 2017 , 2018 ).…”

Self-Reported Likelihood of Seeking Social Worker Help Among Older Men in Israel

“…The issue of seeking help from social workers has received fairly limited research attention, focusing mainly on the general population ( Barwick et al, 2009 ; Kagan & Zychlinski, 2016 ) and on populations with specific characteristics, such as people with physical disabilities ( Kagan, Itzick, & Tal-Katz, 2017 ). Very few studies have been conducted with regard to seeking social workers’ help among older adults in general (e.g., Manthorpe, Moriarty, Rapaport, Clough, & Cornes, 2008 ) and older men in particular.…”