Alternative Title

Why human sexuality education matters for social work practice

Publication Date

2016

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Study Type

Quantitative

Department

School for Social Work

Keywords

Social work education, Sex-Study and teaching (Graduate), Sex, Sexuality, Education, Sexual orientation, Gender identity, Sexual pleasure, BDSM

Abstract

This researched investigated human sexuality training received in social work programs and its impact on clinical practice. Specifically, it examined clinicians’ comfort and competency addressing sex and sexuality related topics with clients. 67 participants were recruited via a nonprobability snowball sampling technique, and data was gathered anonymously through a secure web-based survey instrument. The findings supported the author’s hypothesis that there is a substantial lack of human sexuality training in social work programs despite the finding that sexuality is highly relevant to clinical work. Barriers to social workers effectively addressing these topics with clients were identified as inadequate education and clinician discomfort. By highlighting this gap between training and practice, the study hoped to demonstrate the critical importance of comprehensive human sexuality education in social work programs.

Language

English

Comments

v, 58 pages. M.S.W., Smith College School for Social Work, Northampton, Ma., 2016. Includes bibliographical references (pages 40-42)

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