Pia Tham
Datos Biográficos
| ID | 6024600 |
|---|---|
| NOMBRE | Pia Tham |
| NOMBRES | Pia |
| APELLIDO | Tham |
| FIRMA | THAM P |
| AFILIACIONES | University of Gävle |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-4155-810X |
| VERIFICADO | Sí |
| TOTAL DE OBRAS | 21 |
| TOTAL DE CITAS | 105 |
| TOTAL COMO AUTOR | 21 |
| TOTAL COMO EDITOR | 0 |
| PRIMER AÑO DE PUBLICACIÓN | 2006 |
| AÑO MÁS RECIENTE DE PUBLICACIÓN | 2025 |
| ÍNDICE H | 5 |
Retirement dynamics and anticipated well-being
As populations age, ensuring well-being in retirement becomes increasingly important. This study examines the relationship between retirement and anticipated well-being in rural Vietnam, utilizing data from the Thailand-Vietnam Socio-Economic Panel (TVSEP) and an instrumental variable approach. The findings indicate that retirement has a negative impact on anticipated well-being, with significant differences across gender and ethnic groups. Parti…
How can teams in social work be strengthened? An example from a two-year project among social workers in child welfare
This article aims to present and discuss results from team-strengthening activities carried out in an implementation study among child welfare social workers. The study builds on previous research by one of the authors, on working conditions among social workers in child welfare, where survey data was collected in the same workplaces on three occasions over a period of 15 years. Previous results showed that workgroups that stood out from others b…
The role of teams in social worker wellbeing and retention
We are delighted introduce the second special issue on social work teams. The first special issue focused on how teams contribute to assessment and sense-making in social work. This special issue f
Child welfare social workers’ working conditions
The study investigated the relationship between how child welfare social workers (n = 309) assessed their first-line managers’ leadership and how they perceived their working conditions. A cross-sectional survey, based on the QPS Nordic questionnaire, was conducted in Stockholm County, Sweden. The analyses focused on the extent to which social workers assessed the leadership of their first-line managers to be empowering, supportive, and fair, and…
The specialization/collaboration paradox
Existing research highlights the trend of organizing social services into specialized units, addressing specific areas such as child welfare. Further specialization within child welfare extends to target groups (youth vs child) and work task dimensions. The literature remains inconclusive about whether specialization enhances or hinders social work practice. Potential drawbacks of specialization, like gaps between services and a lack of a holisti…
Special issue on social work teams
We are delighted to introduce two inter-linked special issues on social work teams. Teams play a vital role in supporting social work practice. Social work evokes powerful emotions for practitioner
Building professional identity during social work education
The aim of this study was to increase knowledge about how the process of building a professional identity can be incorporated into social work education at a Swedish university. In the subject called Personal and Professional Development (PPD), taught during the first five semesters, students are trained in specific generic skills and approaches required in social work. Different pedagogical tools, such as keeping a logbook in which students can …
Dialogue with Avatars in Simulation-Based Social Work Education
Virtual reality provides students with the opportunity to have simulated experiences in a safe setting and is mostly used to teach direct practice skills. One of the most advanced ways of using virtual simulation in social work education is to interact with avatars. Aim: The overall aim of this scoping review was to find out what is known about the use of dialogue with avatars in virtual reality in simulation-based social work education. Material…
How Do Child Welfare Social Workers Assess the Leadership of Their First-line Managers? A 15-Year Perspective
The study aimed to investigate how child welfare social workers assessed the leadership of their first-line managers over a period of fifteen years and to examine whether the assessments have changed over time. More specifically, the analysis focused on the extent to which social workers perceive the leadership of their first-line managers to be empowering, supportive and fair. Data were collected in the years 2003 (n = 293), 2014 (n = 300) and 2…
How do we prepare students for the challenges of social work? Examples from six countries around the world
In this paper we provide a descriptive comparison of the similarities and differences between social work education at six different universities situated in Australia, England, Finland, Northern Ireland, Sweden, and the United States. The aim was to begin an international conversation by examining the similarities and differences in these examples, around admissions and recruitment processes, professional training, and field practicum to prepare…
Social work in an assembly line? The development of specialisation in child welfare and further internal division of work between 2003 and 2018
Organisational specialisation characterises present social work in Sweden as internationally. Specialisation is often expected to lead to higher professional expertise. This study provides an overview of the development of specialisation and workforce characteristics in child welfare based on survey data collected in 2003, 2014 and 2018. The aim was to describe the development of specialisation and discuss the conditions for professional expertis…
Lower Demands but Less Meaningful Work? Changes in Work Situation and Health among Social Workers in a 15-Year Perspective
The study aimed to investigate how working conditions, intention to leave and self-rated health among Swedish social workers in child welfare have developed over the course of fifteen years. In 2003 (n = 309), 2014 (n = 313) and 2018 (n = 305), the same questionnaire was distributed to social workers who were working with the same tasks in the same geographical areas. The results show that the social workers in 2018 overall rate their working con…
Not Rocket Science
The aim of the study was to investigate if the working conditions of child welfare social workers in one municipality would be improved after the implementation of three initiatives: weekly small group supervision for newly educated social workers, team-strengthening activities and training for the team leaders. Five teams consisting of thirty-six child welfare social workers and five team leaders participated. At project start and after the two …
Covid-19 impact on social work admissions and education in seven international universities
Inter-country Social Work admissions and educational comparisons are difficult due to variance in policy and practices between Social Work educational providers, even within the same country. However, this paper aims to provide an examination of different levels of impact that COVID-19 ‘lockdown’ had on ‘admissions to social work’ processes and on education, using examples from universities in Australia, England, Finland, Northern Ireland, Norway…
Under the delusive wings of the welfare state
Sweden is known for its well-developed welfare state and a large public sector, yet the role of social work academics in formulating and reforming social policy is still fairly unknown. This study aimed to investigate Swedish social work faculty members’ engagement in social policy processes. To what extent and in what activities of social policy engagement had they been involved? How did they perceive their impact on policy makers and their role…
Perhaps I should be working with potted plants or standing at the fish counter instead?’
The present research follows twelve Swedish social work graduates over their first years in practice. The overall aim of the study was to gain insight into the journey from their social work education into the profession. This paper presents the findings of the third series of interviews after 20 months in practice and focuses on how the new practitioners reflected on their professional role and the demands of the work. Those working in statutory…
The Iron Cage of Leadership—the Role of First-Line Managers in Child Welfare
In the social services in general and particularly in child welfare, high staff turnover and recruitment difficulties have been reported for many years. Previous studies have shown that giving social workers adequate social support is important in getting them to maintain their job commitment and remain at the workplace. The aim of the present study was to investigate how child welfare managers perceive and respond to the content and demands of t…
A Professional Role in Transition
This study is based on a follow-up in 2014 of a survey conducted in 2003 among Swedish child welfare social workers. The same questionnaire used in 2003 (n = 309) was distributed to social workers (n = 349) who, in 2014, were working with the same types of tasks as in the previously investigated areas. The overall aim was to examine and analyse how working conditions have developed over these eleven years. From the results, two general patterns e…
Lost in transition?’ – Newly educated social workers’ reflections on their first months in practice
Entering the work of world can involve significant challenges for the beginning practitioner. The transition process from university to work can play an important role in the emerging practitioner’s development as a social worker. The present longitudinal study follows 12 Swedish social work graduates from university and over their first four years in practice. The study provides an insight into how newly educated practitioners may experience the…
Working in Human Services
Child welfare agencies in many rich countries are having difficulty recruiting and retaining social workers. However, these problems are not unique to child welfare: retention problems have also been widely reported in both mental and general health facilities. In this paper, we compare the perceptions of work and working conditions held by child welfare social workers with the perceptions held by other professional human service workers in the p…
Why Are They Leaving? Factors Affecting Intention to Leave among Social Workers in Child Welfare
This article addresses a topic that has not previously been researched in Sweden, i.e. factors associated with the intention of social workers to leave their place of work. A comprehensive questionnaire was distributed to 309 social workers in child welfare in the County of Stockholm (drop-out rate: 3 per cent). The study comprised a total of forty-two workgroups. All the social workers handling referrals and investigating the situation of childr…
Why Are They Leaving? Factors Affecting Intention to Leave among Social Workers in Child Welfare
This article addresses a topic that has not previously been researched in Sweden, i.e. factors associated with the intention of social workers to leave their place of work. A comprehensive questionnaire was distributed to 309 social workers in child welfare in the County of Stockholm (drop-out rate: 3 per cent). The study comprised a total of forty-two workgroups. All the social workers handling referrals and investigating the situation of childr…
Working in Human Services
Child welfare agencies in many rich countries are having difficulty recruiting and retaining social workers. However, these problems are not unique to child welfare: retention problems have also been widely reported in both mental and general health facilities. In this paper, we compare the perceptions of work and working conditions held by child welfare social workers with the perceptions held by other professional human service workers in the p…
Lost in transition?’ – Newly educated social workers’ reflections on their first months in practice
Entering the work of world can involve significant challenges for the beginning practitioner. The transition process from university to work can play an important role in the emerging practitioner’s development as a social worker. The present longitudinal study follows 12 Swedish social work graduates from university and over their first four years in practice. The study provides an insight into how newly educated practitioners may experience the…
A Professional Role in Transition
This study is based on a follow-up in 2014 of a survey conducted in 2003 among Swedish child welfare social workers. The same questionnaire used in 2003 (n = 309) was distributed to social workers (n = 349) who, in 2014, were working with the same types of tasks as in the previously investigated areas. The overall aim was to examine and analyse how working conditions have developed over these eleven years. From the results, two general patterns e…
Perhaps I should be working with potted plants or standing at the fish counter instead?’
The present research follows twelve Swedish social work graduates over their first years in practice. The overall aim of the study was to gain insight into the journey from their social work education into the profession. This paper presents the findings of the third series of interviews after 20 months in practice and focuses on how the new practitioners reflected on their professional role and the demands of the work. Those working in statutory…
The Iron Cage of Leadership—the Role of First-Line Managers in Child Welfare
In the social services in general and particularly in child welfare, high staff turnover and recruitment difficulties have been reported for many years. Previous studies have shown that giving social workers adequate social support is important in getting them to maintain their job commitment and remain at the workplace. The aim of the present study was to investigate how child welfare managers perceive and respond to the content and demands of t…
Lower Demands but Less Meaningful Work? Changes in Work Situation and Health among Social Workers in a 15-Year Perspective
The study aimed to investigate how working conditions, intention to leave and self-rated health among Swedish social workers in child welfare have developed over the course of fifteen years. In 2003 (n = 309), 2014 (n = 313) and 2018 (n = 305), the same questionnaire was distributed to social workers who were working with the same tasks in the same geographical areas. The results show that the social workers in 2018 overall rate their working con…
How Do Child Welfare Social Workers Assess the Leadership of Their First-line Managers? A 15-Year Perspective
The study aimed to investigate how child welfare social workers assessed the leadership of their first-line managers over a period of fifteen years and to examine whether the assessments have changed over time. More specifically, the analysis focused on the extent to which social workers perceive the leadership of their first-line managers to be empowering, supportive and fair. Data were collected in the years 2003 (n = 293), 2014 (n = 300) and 2…
Social work in an assembly line? The development of specialisation in child welfare and further internal division of work between 2003 and 2018
Organisational specialisation characterises present social work in Sweden as internationally. Specialisation is often expected to lead to higher professional expertise. This study provides an overview of the development of specialisation and workforce characteristics in child welfare based on survey data collected in 2003, 2014 and 2018. The aim was to describe the development of specialisation and discuss the conditions for professional expertis…
Not Rocket Science
The aim of the study was to investigate if the working conditions of child welfare social workers in one municipality would be improved after the implementation of three initiatives: weekly small group supervision for newly educated social workers, team-strengthening activities and training for the team leaders. Five teams consisting of thirty-six child welfare social workers and five team leaders participated. At project start and after the two …
Why Are They Leaving? Factors Affecting Intention to Leave among Social Workers in Child Welfare
This article addresses a topic that has not previously been researched in Sweden, i.e. factors associated with the intention of social workers to leave their place of work. A comprehensive questionnaire was distributed to 309 social workers in child welfare in the County of Stockholm (drop-out rate: 3 per cent). The study comprised a total of forty-two workgroups. All the social workers handling referrals and investigating the situation of childr…
Working in Human Services
Child welfare agencies in many rich countries are having difficulty recruiting and retaining social workers. However, these problems are not unique to child welfare: retention problems have also been widely reported in both mental and general health facilities. In this paper, we compare the perceptions of work and working conditions held by child welfare social workers with the perceptions held by other professional human service workers in the p…
Lost in transition?’ – Newly educated social workers’ reflections on their first months in practice
Entering the work of world can involve significant challenges for the beginning practitioner. The transition process from university to work can play an important role in the emerging practitioner’s development as a social worker. The present longitudinal study follows 12 Swedish social work graduates from university and over their first four years in practice. The study provides an insight into how newly educated practitioners may experience the…
A Professional Role in Transition
This study is based on a follow-up in 2014 of a survey conducted in 2003 among Swedish child welfare social workers. The same questionnaire used in 2003 (n = 309) was distributed to social workers (n = 349) who, in 2014, were working with the same types of tasks as in the previously investigated areas. The overall aim was to examine and analyse how working conditions have developed over these eleven years. From the results, two general patterns e…
Covid-19 impact on social work admissions and education in seven international universities
Inter-country Social Work admissions and educational comparisons are difficult due to variance in policy and practices between Social Work educational providers, even within the same country. However, this paper aims to provide an examination of different levels of impact that COVID-19 ‘lockdown’ had on ‘admissions to social work’ processes and on education, using examples from universities in Australia, England, Finland, Northern Ireland, Norway…
Under the delusive wings of the welfare state
Sweden is known for its well-developed welfare state and a large public sector, yet the role of social work academics in formulating and reforming social policy is still fairly unknown. This study aimed to investigate Swedish social work faculty members’ engagement in social policy processes. To what extent and in what activities of social policy engagement had they been involved? How did they perceive their impact on policy makers and their role…
Perhaps I should be working with potted plants or standing at the fish counter instead?’
The present research follows twelve Swedish social work graduates over their first years in practice. The overall aim of the study was to gain insight into the journey from their social work education into the profession. This paper presents the findings of the third series of interviews after 20 months in practice and focuses on how the new practitioners reflected on their professional role and the demands of the work. Those working in statutory…
The Iron Cage of Leadership—the Role of First-Line Managers in Child Welfare
In the social services in general and particularly in child welfare, high staff turnover and recruitment difficulties have been reported for many years. Previous studies have shown that giving social workers adequate social support is important in getting them to maintain their job commitment and remain at the workplace. The aim of the present study was to investigate how child welfare managers perceive and respond to the content and demands of t…
Not Rocket Science
The aim of the study was to investigate if the working conditions of child welfare social workers in one municipality would be improved after the implementation of three initiatives: weekly small group supervision for newly educated social workers, team-strengthening activities and training for the team leaders. Five teams consisting of thirty-six child welfare social workers and five team leaders participated. At project start and after the two …
How do we prepare students for the challenges of social work? Examples from six countries around the world
In this paper we provide a descriptive comparison of the similarities and differences between social work education at six different universities situated in Australia, England, Finland, Northern Ireland, Sweden, and the United States. The aim was to begin an international conversation by examining the similarities and differences in these examples, around admissions and recruitment processes, professional training, and field practicum to prepare…
Social work in an assembly line? The development of specialisation in child welfare and further internal division of work between 2003 and 2018
Organisational specialisation characterises present social work in Sweden as internationally. Specialisation is often expected to lead to higher professional expertise. This study provides an overview of the development of specialisation and workforce characteristics in child welfare based on survey data collected in 2003, 2014 and 2018. The aim was to describe the development of specialisation and discuss the conditions for professional expertis…
Lower Demands but Less Meaningful Work? Changes in Work Situation and Health among Social Workers in a 15-Year Perspective
The study aimed to investigate how working conditions, intention to leave and self-rated health among Swedish social workers in child welfare have developed over the course of fifteen years. In 2003 (n = 309), 2014 (n = 313) and 2018 (n = 305), the same questionnaire was distributed to social workers who were working with the same tasks in the same geographical areas. The results show that the social workers in 2018 overall rate their working con…
Special issue on social work teams
We are delighted to introduce two inter-linked special issues on social work teams. Teams play a vital role in supporting social work practice. Social work evokes powerful emotions for practitioner
Building professional identity during social work education
The aim of this study was to increase knowledge about how the process of building a professional identity can be incorporated into social work education at a Swedish university. In the subject called Personal and Professional Development (PPD), taught during the first five semesters, students are trained in specific generic skills and approaches required in social work. Different pedagogical tools, such as keeping a logbook in which students can …
Dialogue with Avatars in Simulation-Based Social Work Education
Virtual reality provides students with the opportunity to have simulated experiences in a safe setting and is mostly used to teach direct practice skills. One of the most advanced ways of using virtual simulation in social work education is to interact with avatars. Aim: The overall aim of this scoping review was to find out what is known about the use of dialogue with avatars in virtual reality in simulation-based social work education. Material…
How Do Child Welfare Social Workers Assess the Leadership of Their First-line Managers? A 15-Year Perspective
The study aimed to investigate how child welfare social workers assessed the leadership of their first-line managers over a period of fifteen years and to examine whether the assessments have changed over time. More specifically, the analysis focused on the extent to which social workers perceive the leadership of their first-line managers to be empowering, supportive and fair. Data were collected in the years 2003 (n = 293), 2014 (n = 300) and 2…
Retirement dynamics and anticipated well-being
As populations age, ensuring well-being in retirement becomes increasingly important. This study examines the relationship between retirement and anticipated well-being in rural Vietnam, utilizing data from the Thailand-Vietnam Socio-Economic Panel (TVSEP) and an instrumental variable approach. The findings indicate that retirement has a negative impact on anticipated well-being, with significant differences across gender and ethnic groups. Parti…
How can teams in social work be strengthened? An example from a two-year project among social workers in child welfare
This article aims to present and discuss results from team-strengthening activities carried out in an implementation study among child welfare social workers. The study builds on previous research by one of the authors, on working conditions among social workers in child welfare, where survey data was collected in the same workplaces on three occasions over a period of 15 years. Previous results showed that workgroups that stood out from others b…
The role of teams in social worker wellbeing and retention
We are delighted introduce the second special issue on social work teams. The first special issue focused on how teams contribute to assessment and sense-making in social work. This special issue f
Child welfare social workers’ working conditions
The study investigated the relationship between how child welfare social workers (n = 309) assessed their first-line managers’ leadership and how they perceived their working conditions. A cross-sectional survey, based on the QPS Nordic questionnaire, was conducted in Stockholm County, Sweden. The analyses focused on the extent to which social workers assessed the leadership of their first-line managers to be empowering, supportive, and fair, and…
The specialization/collaboration paradox
Existing research highlights the trend of organizing social services into specialized units, addressing specific areas such as child welfare. Further specialization within child welfare extends to target groups (youth vs child) and work task dimensions. The literature remains inconclusive about whether specialization enhances or hinders social work practice. Potential drawbacks of specialization, like gaps between services and a lack of a holisti…
Social Work Education and Practice (20 obras) · Political science (18 obras) · Social Work (18 obras) · Psychology (16 obras) · Public relations (12 obras) · Welfare (12 obras) · Sociology (11 obras) · Social Welfare (10 obras) · Economics (9 obras) · Engineering (8 obras)