Chapter 1 and Cyber Addiction - SWRK 101

Social Welfare

The full range of organized activities of public and voluntary agencies that seek to prevent, alleviate, or solve selected social problems

Social Work – The primary profession working within the social welfare system and with those served by it; a protected profession requiring a degree, license, or both

Multidisciplinary Approach – Integrates empirical knowledge on human behavior, cognition, and functioning to help clients reach goals and improve overall life satisfaction

Helping Professional Goal – HELP clients make positive changes in their lives, not make the changes for them

Residual View – Social welfare is temporary, like a gift people should not expect permanently

Institutional View – Society contributes to hardships and therefore has a responsibility to help

Developmental View – Social programs are justified if proven worthwhile and effective

Generalist Social Work Practice – Application of knowledge, skills, and ethics to improve clients’ lives

Knowledge Base – Education and research in social work; awareness of cultures and beliefs

Specific Practice Skills – Advocacy (helping clients find their own voices), therapy, creativity, flexibility

Systems Theory – Theory that considers the impact of different systems on human behavior

Micro Level – Individual

focused interventions

Mezzo Level – Small groups or families

Macro Level – Communities, organizations, society

Critical Thinking – Ability to reflect and integrate into a position, conclusion, or opinion

Three Elements of Critical Thinking – Ask questions, answer questions, propose solutions

Language Importance – Includes self

identification, person

Empathy – Understanding another person’s emotions and condition

Sympathy – Feeling sorry for someone

Humility – Viewing yourself accurately as an individual with both talents and flaws

Is Social Work for Me? – Requires empathy, open

mindedness, alliance

Cyber Addiction – Excessive technology use that results in significant life impairment

Nomophobia – Smartphone addiction; fear of being without your phone

Internet Addiction Disorder – Compulsive internet use, searching, and online behaviors

Cyberchondria – Obsession with health information online

Cybersex Addiction – Addiction to online sexual relationships

Online Shopping Compulsion – Inability to control online spending

Signs of Addiction – Constant checking of phone, using phone while driving, obsessing over social media posts

Addiction vs. Problem – Addiction impairs daily life, jobs, and communication

Prevalence – Most 18–39 year olds check their phones every few minutes; adults spend hours daily on social media

Physical Impacts – Neck, shoulder, and back pain, eye strain, headaches, sleep deprivation

Psychosocial Impacts – Relationship issues, self

esteem problems, poor school performance

Mental Impacts – Increased risk of depression and suicide

Positive Aspects of Social Media – Friendships, dating, faster communication, global connectivity, finding support, event planning

Effective Treatments – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), group therapy, SSRIs, psycho

educational groups, digital detox, inpatient programs

Forensic Social Work – Any type of social work involving the law