Att se den osynliga skammen
- En kvalitativ studie om kunskapen om skam inom ekonomiskt bistånd
ShameKnowledge useSocial assistanceImmigrantsSkamKunskapsanvändningEkonomiskt biståndUtlandsföddaSocialbidrag
This study is about a social workers? knowledge of shame. Shame in this context is the embarrassment and humiliation that many people feel when they have to apply for financial assistance which equates to approximately half a million people each year in Sweden. The aim of this study is to understand if and how social workers in this field become acquainted with shame, and how it is exposed and then handled by the social workers in the meeting and work with clients. In order to achieve the purpose of the study, we also to some extent, need to study knowledge and how social workers obtain knowledge in social work. To analyse the results and to answer the aim of the qualitative study, the study relied on the concepts of knowledge and embarrassment. Informal interviews were conducted with both managers and social workers at two smaller social offices. Results showed that respondents, as previous research shows, think it is important to use new knowledge and new science in their daily work, but contend that there is a lack of time that makes it difficult for them to assimilate these things. There were different opinions among the social workers and the managers as to what information and research was being communicated. The study showed that none of the respondents knew any research of shame or about how clients perceive the visit to the social services office. The social workers indicated that there was shame clearly evident in the meetings, but that it differs between different categories of people. Remarkably, the respondents stated that they believed that immigrants do not feel shame, while previous research shows that immigrants belong to the group of people that feel most ashamed of having to apply for financial help. How social workers handle shame in meetings with clients differs, and the development of knowledge occurs in different ways. The study concluded that there is a substantial sort of knowledge, and that this takes place along with needs and interests.