Exploring the Impact of Digital Communication Technology on the Relationship between Social Workers and Young Adults in Social Work Practice
Author
FAHAD, MONTASIR
Term
4. Semester
Publication year
2023
Submitted on
2023-06-11
Abstract
This thesis examines how digital communication technologies influence the relationship between social workers and young adults in social work practice. Using a qualitative design with semi‑structured interviews, the study gathered experiences and perspectives from three social workers of different nationalities. Participants reported that tools such as phone, text, email, and video can make contact easier, faster, and more accessible—especially for young people who are hard to reach in person and for those with disabilities. At the same time, they found that establishing the trust and interaction required for effective work with young adults is more difficult without physical presence. Overall, the findings highlight both opportunities and challenges and point to the value of offering both digital and in‑person options to sustain and build relationships. These insights are situated within broader shifts toward technology in social work that expanded substantially during the COVID‑19 pandemic.
Denne afhandling undersøger, hvordan digital kommunikationsteknologi påvirker relationen mellem socialrådgivere og unge voksne i socialt arbejde. Med en kvalitativ tilgang baseret på semistrukturerede interviews med tre socialrådgivere fra forskellige nationaliteter indsamles deres erfaringer og perspektiver. Deltagerne beskriver, at digitale værktøjer som telefon, sms, e‑mail og video kan gøre kontakten lettere, hurtigere og mere tilgængelig—særligt for unge, der er svære at nå fysisk, og for unge med funktionsnedsættelser. Samtidig opleves det som vanskeligt at opbygge den tillid og interaktion, som arbejdet med unge kræver, uden fysisk tilstedeværelse. Resultaterne peger derfor på både muligheder og begrænsninger og understreger værdien af en fleksibel kombination af digitale løsninger og fysiske møder for at opretholde og udvikle relationer. Undersøgelsen placerer disse erfaringer i en bredere udvikling, hvor brugen af digitale tjenester i socialt arbejde—bl.a. under covid‑19—er blevet markant udvidet.
[This apstract has been generated with the help of AI directly from the project full text]