In this dissertation, the author proposes a definition for rights-based practice in social work as practice that sees through a human rights lens, employs human rights methods, and aims towards human rights goals. Beyond the definition, a theoretically-grounded framework for Human Rights Practice in Social Work (HRPSW) is derived from the existing literature, and then measures of core HRPSW--human rights lens in social work and human rights methods in social work--are validated using survey research methods and factor analysis. The scales were validated using survey methodology on a sample of 1,014 Florida Licensed Clinical Social Workers. Factor analysis confirmed a two-factor, 11-item model for Human Rights Lens in Social Work (HRLSW) scale, consisting of two subscales, Clients are seen as experiencing rights violations, and Social problems are seen as rights violations. In Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), a respecified model (allowing one error covariance) fit the data very well. All of the fit indices were within their critical values (χ2/df ratio = 1.5; CFI =.99; TLI =.99; RMSEA =.03; SRMR =.03). For the Human Rights Methods in Social Work (HRMSW), factor analysis confirmed a suite of eight inter-related scales: (1) participation (5 items); (2) nondiscrimination (6 items); (3) strengths-based perspective (5 items); (4) micro/macro integration (6 items); (5) capacity-building (5 items); (6) community & interdisciplinary collaboration (5 items); (7) activism (5 items); and (8) accountability (6 items). Again, CFA confirmed a good fit between the respecified model (allowing eight error covariances) and the data (χ2/df ratio = 2.9; CFI =.91; TLI =.90; RMSEA =.04; SRMR =.07). This definition, the framework, and the accompanying measures can all be used by social workers, educators, and researchers to assert social work's role as a human rights profession. This dissertation is a call for a greater focus on human rights and social justice within social work practice, and represents a significant step forward in the field of social work and human rights. The HRPSW framework proposed here creates a concrete point of reference for what previously has been an undefined construct. With a definition in hand, it is now possible for social work educators to teach human rights practice, for practitioners to practice it, and for researchers to evaluate it. Advocates have argued that human rights are a more tangible and defined way of setting goals for social work action than our traditional aim of social justice (Mapp, 2008; Pyles, 2006; Reichert, 2011); the scales validated in this dissertation can help social workers to test this proposition. / A Dissertation submitted to the College of Social Work in partial fulfillment of the Doctor of Philosophy. / Spring Semester, 2015. / April 9, 2015. / human rights, human rights practice, psychometric study, scale development, social work / Includes bibliographical references. / Neil Abell, Professor Directing Dissertation; Irene Padavic, University Representative; Nicholas F. Mazza, Committee Member; Stephen Tripodi, Committee Member; Terry Coonan, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_273511 |
| Contributors | McPherson, Jane (authoraut), Abell, Neil (professor directing dissertation), Padavic, Irene (university representative), Mazza, Nicholas (committee member), Tripodi, Stephen J. (committee member), Coonan, Terry S. (committee member), Florida State University (degree granting institution), College of Social Work (degree granting college), College of Social Work (degree granting department) |
| Publisher | Florida State University, Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text |
| Format | 1 online resource (343 pages), computer, application/pdf |
| Rights | This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). The copyright in theses and dissertations completed at Florida State University is held by the students who author them. |
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