Kutztown University Research Commons at Kutztown University Social Work Doctoral Dissertations Social Work 5-9-2021 Who Do We Think We Are? A Qualitative Exploration of Social Work Identity Michael W. Hassler [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://research.library.kutztown.edu/socialworkdissertations Part of the Social Work Commons Recommended Citation Hassler, Michael W., "Who Do We Think We Are? A Qualitative Exploration of Social Work Identity" (2021). Social Work Doctoral Dissertations. 15. https://research.library.kutztown.edu/socialworkdissertations/15 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Social Work at Research Commons at Kutztown University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Social Work Doctoral Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Research Commons at Kutztown University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Who Do We Think We Are? Who Do We Think We Are? A Qualitative Exploration of Social Work Identity A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of the Doctor of Social Work Program of Kutztown University of Pennsylvania In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Social Work By Michael William Hassler April 2021 Who Do We Think We Are? ii © Michael William Hassler All Rights Reserved Who Do We Think We Are? iii This Dissertation for the Doctor of Social Work Degree by Michael William Hassler has been approved on behalf of Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Dissertation Committee: Dissertation Chair: Stephen W. Stoeffler, Ph.D., LSW Juliana Svistova, MSW, Ph.D. Heather L. Girvin, Ph.D. (Millersville University of Pennsylvania) April 1, 2021 Who Do We Think We Are? iv ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION Who Do We Think We Are? In Search of a Common Understanding of the Social Work Identity By Michael William Hassler Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, 2021 Kutztown, Pennsylvania Directed by Stephen W. Stoeffler, Ph.D. Since the inception of the profession, social workers have struggled to identify a common understanding of social work, its fundamental activity, and the role of the worker. Utilizing a phenomenological approach, this qualitative study explored the following questions: 1) What is the participant’s lived experience of social work identity? and 2) How is this understanding of identity similar to or different from that of other helping professionals who perform similar activities? Semi-structured interviews, conducted with 22 social workers in the field, diverse in education, practice area, and experience, highlighted parallels among the various experiences, and advanced the exploration of the essence of social work identity. The interviews investigated the presence of role ambiguity and/or role conflict in the experience of each social work participant, as well as their response orientation to conflict (i.e., expedient, moral, and moral- expedient) and the possible effects of ambiguity (i.e., super and sub identities) on their understanding of their own social work identity. While saturation was not reached, the analysis indicated that the participant’s job description, workplace expectations, and their inability to adequately distinguish their role and activity from that of other helping professional preforming the same task or occupying the same role affected the understanding many had of their own Who Do We Think We Are? v social work identity. Themes included super and subordinate orientations, role or activity dominance, identity modifiers, and conflict resolution orientations. These findings may be used to inform future research of social work identity as well as the unifying element(s) of the profession. Keywords: social work role, social work identity, professional identity, definition of social work, role ambiguity, role conflict Who Do We Think We Are? vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS One does not arrive at this place in a doctoral journey without the help of many people. For some, the singular roles they played or the extraordinary actions they performed proved fundamental to my success, and therefore, special recognition must be given them. My doctoral chair, Stephen Stoeffler, was generous with his support, encouragement, and resources. His feedback was detailed, his criticism, precise and balanced, and his guidance quieted my anxieties and prepared me for the challenges of each stage. Juliana Svistova, who inspired the choice of a qualitative method for my dissertation study, patiently advised my execution of it and guided me throughout. Heather Girvin challenged my thinking, enhanced my writing, and encouraged me to “be very bold.” John Vafeas, Social Work Department Chair, Sharon Lyter, DSW Program Chair, and the faculties of the Social Work Department of Kutztown University and the School of Social Work at Millersville University encouraged my questions, expanded my perspectives, and championed my successes. My coursework was made more enjoyable and my burdens, easier, with the camaraderie of my cohort, especially Alicia Chico. Edward “Fitz” Fitzpatrick often flew in a holding pattern, circling until my assignments were submitted or semester breaks had arrived, then swooped in to offer kind words, stoke my fortitude, and engage me in long discussions of all that matter most. Jason Zheng rolled up his sleeves or cut them off entirely, doing whatever was needed to revive my spirit and help me accomplish my tasks. The love and support of my parents, Loretta and Bill Hassler, has never been in doubt. Throughout this doctoral program, this was especially true for my mother, who saw my potential early in my life, and sometimes –it seemed— she was the only one who did. Her genuine interest, constant encouragement, fervent prayers, and most importantly, her presence during the happiest and saddest moments of my life have enabled my potential to blossom and grow. And finally, my Who Do We Think We Are? vii aunt, Nancy Sell, whose many roles –sounding board, cheerleader, cupcake baker, and unofficial research assistant— as well as her loving, kind, and generous spirit made this entire journey possible, most sincerely. For your help and support, and for all the ways you have enriched my life, I am tremendously grateful. If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants. —Isaac Newton Who Do We Think We Are? viii TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction….………………………………………………………………………… 1 Literature Review……………………………………………………………………… 5 A Profession in Search of Definition..……….………………………………… 6 A Professional in Search of Identity…………………………………………… 13 The Settlement Worker………....……………………………………… 13 The Friendly Visitor….………………………………………………… 15 The Case Worker…….………………………………………………… 17 The Social Worker…...………………………………………………… 21 Conceptual Framework………………………………………………………… 31 Role Theory….………………………………………………………… 31 Role Conflict and Resolution..………………………………………… 33 Fayol’s Division of Work……………………………………………… 35 Gaps in Research…….………………………………………………………… 36 Methodology…………………………………………………………………………… 39 The Aim of Research………..…………………………………………………. 39 Research Questions…….………………………………………………………. 39 Phenomenological Approach…………………………………………………... 40 Sample………………………………………………………………………….. 42 Inclusion Criteria……………………………………………………….. 43 Recruitment…………………………………………………………….. 43 Demographics………………………………………………………….. 45 Data Collection…………………………………………………………………. 50 Who Do We Think We Are? ix Consent for Participation……………………………………………….. 50 Initial Contact and Demographics……………………………………… 50 Research Setting………………………………………………………... 52 The Interview and Follow-up…………………………………………... 52 Internet Security and the Protection of Information……………………. 55 Data Analysis…………………………………………………………………… 56 Coding…………………………………………………………………... 57 Validation Strategies……………………………………………………………. 61 Reflexivity………………………………………………………………. 61 Triangulation……………………………………………………………. 63 Member Checking………………………………………………………. 64 Intercoder Agreement…………………………………………………… 64 Findings, Analysis, and Synthesis……………………………………………………… 67 Social Work Identity…………………………………………………………… 67 Journey to Social Work………………………………………………… 68 Nature of the Role……………………………………………………… 74 Modifiers………………………………………………………………. 81 Ambiguity, Conflict, and Conflict Resolution…………………………. 83 Understanding of Social Work………………………………………………… 92 Difficult to Define……………………………………………………... 92 Working Definitions…………………………………………………… 93 Unifying Elements……………………………………………………… 102 Levels of Social Worker………………………………………..………. 108 Who Do We Think We Are? x Analysis and Synthesis…………………………………………………..……... 112 Beginning with an Accident……………………………………….…… 113 The Nature of Identity…………………………………………….……. 114 Role Conflict…………………………………………………….……... 115 Understandings of Social Work………………………………….…….. 119 Limitations of the Study………………………………………………….……. 119 Recommendations and Conclusion……………………………………………..……… 123 Preparation to Anticipate Ambiguity and Conflict……………………….……. 124 Social Justice: A Recommitment…………………………….………………… 125 A Census of Social Workers…………………………….……………………... 127 Social Work Classification……………………………………….…………….. 129 A Definition by the People…………………………………………………….. 133 Conclusion………………………………..…………………………………………… 134 References……………………………………………………………………………… 138 Appendix A: Working Statement on the Purpose of Social Work…………………….. 153 Appendix B: Social Work Identity: A Qualitative Study Advertisement………………. 154 Appendix C: Consent for Participation………………………………………………… 155 Appendix D: Subject Demographic Form……………………………………………… 158 Who Do We Think We Are? xi List of Tables and Figures Figure 1, Preamble of