‘THIS UNPAID PLACEMENT MAKES YOU POOR’: Australian social work students’ experiences of the financial burden of field education

Morley, Christine; Hodge, Lisa; Clarke, Jo; McIntyre, Heather; Mays, Jennifer; Briese, Jennie; Kostecki, Tina

doi:10.1080/02615479.2022.2161507

Cited by 20 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…Yet comparatively few studies address the economic contexts in which field practicums take place (Aguilera et al, 2022). The adverse impacts of lengthy, compulsory, and typically unpaid field placements have been the subject of several major recent research projects in Australia (e.g., Grant-Smith et al, 2017;Morley et al, 2023). Scholars and policymakers in the United States should follow suit by devoting considerably more attention and resources to research in this domain.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To alleviate role conflict between field and other obligations, some students reduce their paid work hours (thus sacrificing income)-but this may compound financial instability and exacerbate debt burdens (Grant-Smith et al, 2017;Smith et al, 2021). Other students are compelled to increase their paid work hours while pursuing a social work degree (Buck et al, 2012;Hodge et al, 2021;Morley et al, 2023). This adds complex and taxing demands to students' already-overburdened schedules; exacerbates physical and mental health vulnerabilities (Gair & Baglow, 2018a, 2018bHodge et al, 2021); and may contribute to some students temporarily or permanently withdrawing from their degree programs (Johnstone et al, 2016;Smith et al, 2021).…”

Section: Background and Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Financial and Psychosocial Challenges Reported by Social Work Students: Findings From a Cross-Sectional Online Survey

Gyourko,

Silver,

Greeson

2023

Preprint

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Although field education is social work’s signature pedagogy, few studies explore student perspectives surrounding the challenges and costs of field practicum (Aguilera et al., 2022). Available research indicates that many social work students experience role conflict and financial stress as they attempt to balance caregiving and employment responsibilities with coursework and field requirements (Hemy et al., 2016). While prior research found that part-time and non-traditional students are disproportionately likely to experience such challenges, the extant literature is limited to a handful of studies, with most of these focusing on social work education in Australia (Smith et al., 2021). To address this literature gap, the current study analyzes data from 408 current and former students who participated in a cross-sectional online survey. Administered by the National Association of Social Workers (Pennsylvania chapter), the survey asked respondents about the financial and psychosocial challenges they encountered while pursuing a social work degree. Respondents with any history of part-time enrollment, those in unpaid field placements, gender-nonconforming respondents, and respondents of color reported significantly more challenges than did their counterparts. Findings offer insights for professional accrediting bodies, universities, and field placement organizations seeking to understand and address the concerns of contemporary social work students.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Background and Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Financial and Psychosocial Challenges Reported by Social Work Students: Findings From a Cross-Sectional Online Survey

Gyourko,

Silver,

Greeson

2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…While the intention behind placements is to encourage students to view themselves as having value, it is, unfortunately, resulting in student voices being silenced and some students’ legitimate concerns being denied (Durand et al, 2021). Students are no longer the traditional school-leavers (young people who have just left secondary school), and therefore, the profile and demographic of students entering university must be considered (Gair & Baglow, 2017; Hodge et al, 2021; Johnstone et al, 2016; Morley et al, 2023).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This is, in part, due to the proportion of students in paid employment while studying due to increased financial pressures such as the rising cost of living and the lack of government financial assistance such as AusStudy or Youth Allowance (Gair & Baglow, 2017). As such, it is increasingly common for social work students to be juggling multiple responsibilities, including balancing paid employment; family responsibilities; study requirements; personal responsibilities; and financial pressures (Hemy et al, 2016; Hodge et al, 2021; Morley et al, 2023). As stated, recent research indicates that social work students describe their circumstances as living in poverty (Gair & Baglow, 2017), struggling to pay for essential items such as rent, utilities, or transport-related costs (Brough et al, 2015); therefore, needing to work long hours on top of their studies in order to survive (Arkoudis et al, 2019; Hodge et al, 2021; Johnstone et al, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“My Anxiety Was Through the Roof”: The Gendered Nature of Financial Stress and Its Impact on Mental Health and Well-Being for Women When Undertaking Social Work Placements

Hodge,

McIntyre,

Morley

et al. 2024

Affilia

Self Cite

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Social work practice is not a highly paid or high-status occupation. The historical roots of social work lie in charity work directed toward social needs and poverty, with much of this work previously women's unpaid work. This set the stage for a norm of unpaid labor in the predominantly female occupation. Women who are mature-aged, lone parents, carers and on low income have continuously been the numerical majority within social work. As such, the unpaid field placement disproportionately affects women. This article provides a gendered analysis of qualitative data obtained from women participants in a national survey of social work students from five Australian universities ( n = 409) following 1000 h of field education placement. Open-ended questions aimed to explore the experiences of financial stress from lengthy unpaid placements on the mental health and well-being of social work students. The findings contribute to a growing body of feminist literature critiquing the current field education model and argue for significant reflection, flexibility, and change. To meet the collective social work goals of social justice and dismantling systemic oppression, a new placement model is needed that is both inclusive and sustainable.

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Towards comprehensive mental health promotion in Australian universities: A call to action with priorities for institutional change

Luu

2024

Health Prom J of Aust

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While comprehensive mental health promotion inherently involves individuals, there is an ongoing need to address large‐scale determinants of people's mental health and wellbeing—particularly policies and environments. To have the best possible chance of creating positive change, mental health promotion must also work throughout key mediating structures such as places of education and work. This includes universities. Yet, in their efforts to address student and staff mental health and wellbeing, Australian universities have demonstrated limited uptake of comprehensive mental health promotion approaches. In this commentary, I discuss a recent review of Australia's higher education system—the Australian Universities Accord—as a catalyst for strengthening institutional action and change through a comprehensive mental health promotion lens. I discuss key findings—and silences—made clear throughout the review process. I then advocate several urgent priorities for university‐level change—across institutional assessment, institutional accountability and performance, and institutional leadership and power—if Australia's universities are genuinely committed to improving mental health and wellbeing among students and staff.

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‘THIS UNPAID PLACEMENT MAKES YOU POOR’: Australian social work students’ experiences of the financial burden of field education

Cited by 20 publications

References 19 publications

Financial and Psychosocial Challenges Reported by Social Work Students: Findings From a Cross-Sectional Online Survey

Financial and Psychosocial Challenges Reported by Social Work Students: Findings From a Cross-Sectional Online Survey

“My Anxiety Was Through the Roof”: The Gendered Nature of Financial Stress and Its Impact on Mental Health and Well-Being for Women When Undertaking Social Work Placements

Towards comprehensive mental health promotion in Australian universities: A call to action with priorities for institutional change

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