Study of the values of the social workers in Bulgaria

Introduction

In today’s postmodern society globalization made it impossible for the separate countries to exist as close societies (Benkova, 2013). Through unification of the traditional cultural models globalization forces the regional communities to redefine the traditional values determining their socio-cultural profile (Sagan, Sitek,  & Szajnowska-Wysocka, 2020).

Globalization has had a profound effect on social work practice, changing service delivery; altering the labour process for professional social workers; creating new social problems for practitioners to address, such as people-trafficking and environmental issues; and producing demands for indigenization, or the development of locality specific forms of theory and practice (Dominelli, 2010).

Social work in Bulgaria is not an exception and in the recent years it has undergone a number of changes reflecting the above tendencies.

A new understanding and new philosophy, entirely directed towards the individual and his decent life have been outlined in the Social Services Act (2019) adopted in 2019. The services do not report only the age but also the specifications of the respondents. Thus groups are formed, where the individual needs of the people searching support could be considered. Moreover, there is a wider understanding that all family members and relatives needs support because not only one person has a problem, the problem relates to all people living with him.

For the first time the Act regulates the right of the social workers to obtain an introductory and upgrading training. This is necessary so that the people whose profession is to help, to do that in the most qualified manner – to have a sufficient preparation, motivation and qualification and to work with a number of cases allowing for actual help. The efficiency of the social services depends to a largest extent on the professional qualification of the people. However, social work requires more than provision of services under certain standards, because part of it is the interference/change in the human life.

In the course of its development, social work turns into a profession of strongly normative nature. At the same time it is based on a strong tradition of charity, a result of the Christian religion preaching love for the others and personal obligation for help and support for those in need.

The fundamental purposes and mission of the social work are founded on the practitioners’ convictions (Reid, 1992). Within this meaning, social work is not a simple technology, it is a rather value-based and value-inspired effort aiming to help the vulnerable through complex methods of intervention (Timms, 1983).

The values of the social work should not represent a random or variable set of norms and prescription or a mirror of the public preferences and highlights; they should rather represent a standardized reflection of collective responsibility, which is implied from the role of social work in the society (Levy, 1973).

Today the spheres of activity of the social workers are so diverse that in order to answer the question “Who are we?” is not only a matter of professional solidarity or theoretical interest but an important condition for professional-value and moral and ethic self-determination. This preconditions the purpose of the present article – to outline the priority motivation values of he social workers in Bulgaria and the factors influencing them.

Theoretical Framework

The values are subject of a scientific and philosophic interest on the side of philosophers and scientists (E. Durkheim, M. Weber, T. Parsons, W. Thomas, F. Znanetski). Currently the value related issues become more and more topical in the conditions of quickly changing social reality and the ascertained value crisis (Fotev, 2012; 2019). 

Milton Rokeach considers values as “abstract ideas, either positive or negative, not related to a particular subject or situation, expressing a conviction about types of behaviour and preferred objectives” (Rokeach, 1973).

Schwartz (2012) claims that “when we think about values, we think about what is important for us in life”. According to his concept, each one of us has multiple values (success, security, benevolence), each of which has a different degree of significance. A given value may be important for some but unimportant for others. The value theory of Schwartz is based on a value concept outlining six basic specifications (values as convictions, values as goals, values as standards, values are not bound by a specific activity, values have a hierarchy, values have a relative nature; see Kluckhohn, 1951; Morris, 1956; Rokeach 1973).

Studying of values and value orientations of separate social groups, professional communities, civil associations is of special interest. In this connection it is important to note that not only the conduct of empirical studies but also extensive interpretation of their results are important for rationalization of the events in the social reality.

The theoretical developments are a tool for rationalization of multiple processes and phenomena happening in the social sphere, including the issue of values. At the same time there is a problem related to difficulties using the theoretical developments for interpretation of empirical data – e.g. the use by different researchers of the concepts of ‘values’ and ‘value orientation’. In the present article priority is given to the concept of ‘values’, the difference in the two concepts is considered, without being subject of special analysis.

In this particular case the problem of values carried by the social workers is outlined. For the purposes of the present article, the theory of Shalom Schwartz was used and applied with regard to values (Schwartz, 2012). Generally this theory considers values as a reflection of the motivation goals of the individuals and factors influencing emotions and conduct both in the personal and professional life.

The theory of study of individual values developed by Schwartz is based on 1) Milton Rokeach’s concept for terminal and instrumental values, and 2) Shalom Schwartz’s concept for the motivation goals of the value orientations and the universal nature of basic human values (Karandashev, 2004).

The theory developed by Shalom Schwartz considers basic values recognized by people with different cultures. It identifies 10 motivation types of values and standardizes the dynamic relations between them. According to this concept, some values are in conflict with others (e.g. benevolence and authority), while others are compatible (conformity and safety). The “structure” of values relates exactly to such conflicts and compliance between them (Schwartz, 2012). According to the author, the values are structured in a similar way in the different cultural groups. This gives a reason for the assumption of the author of this concept that there is a universal organization of human motivation. Although the nature of values and their structure are universal, there may be significant differences between individuals and groups in their attitude towards the relative significance given to values. This means that according to Shalom Schwartz, the different individuals and groups have different value priorities or hierarchies.

Social work has clearly defined professional values, such as: equal opportunities for everybody, guaranteeing aid to everyone, responsibility to other people’s lives, participation of the individual in making decisions related to his well being, confidentiality, ability for free choice (NASW, 2017).

Tartakovsky & Walsh (2018) state that “considered within the context of the theory of values developed by Shalom Schwartz, it is evident that the official documents of social work emphasize on the values of self-transcendence and openness to change”. More specifically, in the opinion of Tartakovsky & Walsh, the social workers must consider the values benevolence, universalism and self-direction as significant. These values are oriented towards change and have a strong social focus and within this meaning they aim at stimulating personal growth and development, as well as justice and equality in the society (Tartakovsky & Walsh, 2018, p.117).

However, very few empirical works study the values of the social workers and “whether they correspond to the officially announced ethos and values of the profession” (Tartakovsky & Walsh, 2018, p.115).

The values of the social workers were studied with Schwartz’s instrument: The Portrait Values Questionnaire (PVQ) from Knafo & Sagiv, (2004), Tartakovsky, E. (2016), Tartakovsky, E., & Walsh, S. D. (2018). The first study (Knafo & Sagiv, 2004) was carried out in Israel, the obtained results for the social workers were compared with those of representatives of 31 other professions. The second study (Tartakovsky, 2016) considers the dependencies between the values of the social workers and the occupational burnout syndrome. The third one (Tartakovsky, & Walsh, 2018), explores whether the values of the social workers as a professional group differ from those of the society. Abbott (1999) examines the values of the social workers using a Professional Opinion Scale (POS), investigating whether the social workers from different cultures share the same values. Wilks (2004) uses Vignettes as a method of studying the values of the social workers.

Methodology

The purpose of the study is to explore the priority values for the social workers and the influence of the socio-demographic specifications and the choice of profession of the respondents on such values.

The study was carried out among social workers carrying out social services in the community, in specialized institutions and the departments of Social Assistance Directorate on the territory of two districts in Bulgaria. There were 205 social workers participating in it. The study was carried out on an anonymous and voluntary principle and each questionnaire was accompanied by an informed consent card. Schwartz’s questionnaire The Portrait Values Questionnaire (PVQ) was used, as adapted by V.N. Karandashev (2004).

The methodology contained 40 descriptions of people meeting any of the 10 basic values. The respondent had to judge the extent to which the description relates to him or not. This is performed by means of a 5-point scale: 4 = Very relevant to me, 3 = Relevant to me, 2 = Somehow relevant to me, 1 = Fairly relevant to me, 0 = Not relevant to me, and -1 =   Absolutely not relevant to me. The ten basic values are: Benevolence, Universalism, Self-direction, Security, Conformity, Hedonism, Tradition, Stimulation, Achievements, Power.

Limitations of the research

The study has its subjective and objective limitations, related to the refusal of some of the social workers to fill out the relevant questionnaires and with the failure to obtain permissions for performance of the study in some social services.

Results and Discussion

Specification of the participants in the study

The profile of the respondents may be explained with the following figure: A woman aged between 39 and 49, working at Social Assistance Directorate, with work experience over 10 years, education other than Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Social activities, with additional training by means of courses, considering that the profession requires specialized knowledge and skills, who has decided to become a social worker at her personal choice (Table 1).

 Table 1.
Summarized specification of the participants in the study.

Values of the participants in the study

The priority values for the social workers are: benevolence (rank 1), universalism (rank 2) and self-direction (rank 3).
According to the methodology used (Karandashev, 2004), the results (the mean values and scores) are successively represented in Table 2.

Table 2.
Mean values of Individual’s profile and their corresponding rank.

Factor influences

We searched for factor influences between the most pronounced values of the questioned social workers and the parameters age, sex, education, improvement of the qualification, work experience, choice of profession and need for specific knowledge and skills.

H0: The parameters will not have influence on the Individual’s profile, p>0.05.
H1: The parameters will have influence on the Individual’s profile, p<0.05.

The influence of all parameters on the three most strongly expressed values has been studied. The results of the study show influence only under the parameter of “choice of profession” on the value of ‘benevolence’. The results are represented in Table 3.

We also searched for statistically significant differences in the mean values. A T-test shows that the social workers who have started work ‘by notion of chance’ show a statistically significant difference in the mean values in comparison to their colleagues who have started work ‘due to the lack of another opportunity for career development’, in their individual profile the leading value is ‘Benevolence’.

The social workers who have started work at their “personal choice” show a statistically significant difference in the mean values compared with their colleagues who have started work “due to the lack of another opportunity for career development”, in their personal profile the leading value is ‘Benevolence’. The difference is big and statistically significant, with p<0.01.

These results show that the social workers who have chosen the profession of social work “at their personal choice” and “by notion of chance” show to a larger extent ‘Benevolence’ towards their colleagues.

Table 3.
Influence of the parameter of ‘choice’ on the value ‘Benevolence’

Discussion

• Regarding the common specification of the participants in the study

 “Age” parameter

With respect to the age groups in which the social workers are allocated, observations show the introduction of young professionals in practice, and the presence of social workers in the age group from 50 to 60 and over 60. We believe that the second group of social workers can be extremely useful in their capacity of mentors of their young colleagues and a corrective in their professional behavior.

“Workplace” parameter

The larger relative share of the respondents exercise their profession in the departments of Social Assistance Directorate. A significantly lower share belongs to the workers providing various social services. The methodologies under which the social services are functioning, rarely presuppose the availability of more than one social worker. This does not mean that the social services do not need professionals in social work. The structural units at Social Assistance Directorate provide not only social benefits but also direct, accommodate and lead away the users of social services and also carry out activities related to protection of the children and adoption procedures. This presupposes the availability of a significantly higher number of social workers. Despite the process of deinstitutionalization and the state policy of decentralization, there is a tendency of centralization with respect to the social work specialists.
“Sex” parameter

The profession of social work is often described as “dominated” by women in the specialized literature of McPhail, B. A. (2004). Most frequently social work is placed in one group with the professions of nurse and teacher (Stromberg, 1988). Giovannoni and Purvine (1974) state that social work is regarded as “female” profession because “its functions are characterized as continuation of the caring role of the woman and the significance of the women in the early development of the profession”. The study shows that this tendency is still preserved. 

“Work experience” parameter

Regarding the work experience, the largest relative share according to the study belongs to the group of social workers from 6 to 10 and over 10 years of work experience. This speaks of the availability of specialists with long-term experience and practice, who are experts in social work and can render expert aid to their colleagues, for example through various forms of supervision. The relative share of the social workers with work experience up to 5 years confirms the introduction of young cadres in practice.

The parameter of “education”

More than half of the respondents have education different than the required for the profession. The results confirm the study of Benkova et all. (2020, p.11), according to which 47.41% of the questioned social workers do not have education in Social activities. Such social workers must undergo specialized university education as envisaged in the statutory provisions in order to practice the profession.
In their standards, the organizations of social workers on an international, European and national level have adopted requirements for permanent improvement of the practitioners’ qualification. The permanent training ensures maintenance of high quality in practice. The higher educational level and the additional training are associated with a higher status and reputation and lead to satisfaction with the performed activity (Vila, 2000).

The social workers who have passed additional courses and university studies have a wider range of scientific knowledge which substantiate their decisions and practical behavior and bring them additional confidence. This means that they have a higher level of motivation for acceptance of new tasks and pursue their goals with perseverance despite the obstacles and difficulties they face. The results show that the largest relative share of the respondents have chosen their profession as personal choice, i.e. their choice is voluntary and intentional regarding all challenges and difficulties of the profession. In our opinion this means that he choice of profession is connected with the argument to help those in need and that for them social work is the profession through which they could accomplish their desire to care for the others.

The parameter of “Specific knowledge and skills”

There is an increasing need for specific knowledge and skills demonstrated by the social workers. These results are obtained regardless of whether the participants have a Bachelor’s or a Master’s degree in Social activities. This speaks of realized need for 1) constant increase in the practitioners’ expertise; and 2) acquisition of university education by those who do not have one.

• Regarding the values of the participants in the study

The results of the study show that the priority values of the respondents coincide with the mission and objective of the social work. The results confirm the research carried out by Knafo & Sagiv, (2004), Tartakovsky, E. (2016), Tartakovsky, E., & Walsh, S. D. (2018). The questioned social workers are people suppressing their own needs in order to help others. This shows that the respondents are people who are extremely concerned with the well-being and prosperity of the people in need. The social worker has the vocation to render support and help to those in need.

Regarding the influence of the factor ‘choice of profession’ on the values

Studies show that the problems in the respondents’ own families are a factor for choosing the profession of social work (Rompf, & Royse, 1994). Such a hypothesis has not been explored in the present article. Other researchers consider the choice as a result of attitudes, objectives and values (Markus & Kitayama, 2003) and a parameter of the internal attitudes on the basis of which people make a conclusion about their own preferences (Festinger, 1957; Sela, Berger, & Kim, 2017). The results showed that the only factor which influences the values of the social workers is the “choice of profession”. ANOVA showed that it only influences the value of “benevolence” (see Table 3).

Conclusions

The results of the study show that the social workers bear values corresponding to those of the profession; they do not reduce their practice to technical performance of certain requirements and criteria but want to help people. It is important for the participants in the study to take care of the well-being of the society members. The present article confirms the conclusions of other researchers in the field of values of social workers. This outlines future perspectives and challenges for the study of the value-related issues in the social work, intended to cover a larger number of participants and a study and comparison of the values of the social workers internationally.