Papers by Yafit Sulimani- Aidan
Children and youth services review, Apr 1, 2024
American journal of orthopsychiatry, Apr 4, 2024
Social workers have a significant role in empowering clients to discover their own strengths as w... more Social workers have a significant role in empowering clients to discover their own strengths as well as strengths in their environment and to achieve social justice on behalf of oppressed populations. The goal of this exploratory qualitative study was to broaden our knowledge on strength-based approaches in working with minority and collectivist societies via the perspectives of 20 social workers and 19 managers of social service organizations and departments who work with at-risk young-adult Arabs throughout Israel. Thematic analysis revealed that social workers consciously try to identify young adults’ assets and resources at both the personal and environmental level, despite the major structural barriers in these young adults’ lives (i.e., due to intersectionality). Also, they use their collaborative relationship with the young adults as a mechanism to induce hope, a sense of responsibility, a sense of agency, and empowerment. The discussion addresses the study’s findings concerning the literature on strength-based approaches, highlighting the advantages and challenges in using such approaches when working with these populations. Recommendations for practical implementation propose the integration of thorough training in strength-based approaches into the professional socialization of emerging social workers. Moreover, it is suggested to establish a guiding principle by implementing a systematic assessment that aligns conceptually with strength-based approaches.
Routledge eBooks, Aug 26, 2022
All in-text references underlined in blue are linked to publications on ResearchGate, letting you... more All in-text references underlined in blue are linked to publications on ResearchGate, letting you access and read them immediately.
Child & Family Social Work
American Journal of Orthopsychiatry
Child & Family Social Work, 2021
Child & Family Social Work, 2022
Children and Youth Services Review, 2021
Abstract Based on resilience and ecological perspective models, which emphasize the interaction b... more Abstract Based on resilience and ecological perspective models, which emphasize the interaction between protective and promotive factors in youth and in their surroundings, this study explored the mechanism by which natural mentoring relationships and sense of belonging contribute to youths' life skills and hope. The participants comprised 213 adolescents in out-of-home placement placements in Israel (16–19 years old). Structural equation modelling revealed sense of belonging mediated the association between youths’ mentoring relationships and youths' resilience as manifested by their hope and current life skills. The discussion suggests considering these factors as an integral part of youth intervention programs in the context of residential care. Also discussed are the possible explanations for the mechanism linking youths' life skills, hope, and sense of belonging, in relation to which mentoring relationships operate. Implications for practice emphasize the importance of considering instrumental aspects as well as mental and motivational aspects to enhance youths' resilience in their transition to adulthood.
Children and Youth Services Review, 2022
Health & Social Care in the Community, 2021
The current exploratory study investigates the psychological well-being (PWB) of 196 at-risk youn... more The current exploratory study investigates the psychological well-being (PWB) of 196 at-risk young adult Arabs in Israel (18-26 years old), identifying the personal and environmental factors (objective and subjective indicators in the areas of income, housing and social support) that contribute to their PWB, and the mediating role of self-efficacy and hope in explaining the mechanism between these factors and PWB. Results showed that the subjective indicators in the areas of housing and social support contributed to the young adults' PWB. The mediation model revealed an indirect positive contribution of income sufficiency to the young adults' PWB via the sequential mediation of both self-efficacy and hope. Housing satisfaction and social support contributed to PWB only via hope. The discussion highlights the importance of designing interventions that include both objective aspects and nonmaterial subjective aspects, and suggests possible explanations for the underlying mechanism that was revealed.
Health & Social Care in the Community, 2021
Although future orientation (FO) has been empirically linked with resilience, literature concerni... more Although future orientation (FO) has been empirically linked with resilience, literature concerning the factors and the mechanisms that play a role in promoting positive FO among at-risk youth is scarce. This study investigated the contribution of mentoring to the FO of at-risk youth and the mediating role of their perceived life skills in this relationship. The participants included 198 adolescents (16-19 years old) from 11 schools for at-risk youth in Israel. Structural equation modelling indicated that while youths' FO and their mentoring relationships were significantly correlated, this association was fully mediated by youths' life skills. In light of these results, the role of meaningful mentoring relationships in promoting positive youth development was discussed. An important implication of these findings is that educational settings for at-risk youth should integrate programs that address youths' perception of their future and ways to better prepare for it, both practically and mentally.
Children and Youth Services Review, 2020
Abstract Based on the resilience theory, which highlights the role of one’s social resources in f... more Abstract Based on the resilience theory, which highlights the role of one’s social resources in fostering resilience (Masten, Obradovic, & Burt, 2006), the current study explored the role of care leavers' formal and informal social networks during the transition to adulthood, from the point of view of 50 young adults and their social workers. The themes that arose highlighted the contribution of the care leavers’ formal social networks (i.e., social workers, counselors) via their enabling of care leavers’ self-exploration, their provision of practical support, and their promotion of care leavers’ positive perceptions of the future. Although the contribution made by the care leavers’ informal social networks was limited, findings indicated the importance of these networks for the care leaver's sense of belonging and normalcy, stability, and need for empathy and understanding. The discussion elaborates on the role of social networks, as a powerful asset for care leavers, during this challenging period. In terms of practice, it is recommended that care leavers continue to receive support from various formal figures in their lives who can assess their needs holistically and promote their daily independent living and future accomplishments. Also, professionals in the field should acknowledge the importance of informal social ties as a resource that can be used to promote care leavers' well-being and sense of belonging, and should consider them a therapeutic tool to be used in their work with this population.
Children and Youth Services Review, 2021
In recent years, partly in response to significant changes in the economic and political environm... more In recent years, partly in response to significant changes in the economic and political environment in which social workers operate, scholars have called for the integration of micro and macro practice in social work settings. Yet, little attention has been given to how social workers construct their practice to integrate these two types of interventions. This qualitative exploratory study examines the perceptions and experiences of frontline social workers who are expected to carry out micro and macro practice in their daily work. Drawing on in-depth interviews with 30 social workers who work with at-risk young adults in Israel, findings show that social workers support the integration between micro and macro practice and share a profound understanding of its importance in promoting their clients’ interests. However, findings show that social workers are confronted with various challenges and barriers while trying to engage in multilevel practice. Specifically, four types of chall...
Children and Youth Services Review, 2020
Abstract The existing literature on at-risk young-adult Arabs during the transition to adulthood ... more Abstract The existing literature on at-risk young-adult Arabs during the transition to adulthood is extremely limited. This qualitative study aimed to investigate the perceived barriers and resources among 20 Israeli-Arab young adults (ages 18-24) in their attempts to realize their plans and goals for the future. Thematic analysis revealed that these young people’s perceptions of their futures were challenged mainly by their families’ poor economic status and financial struggles, as well as the limited emotional support and guidance they could receive from them, regarding current and future decisions and concerns. Together, these challenges seemed to comprise a barrier to the young people’s pursuit of their aspirations. However, relationships with supportive figures within the family, as well as professional figures – even a single adult figure – emerged as one of the most significant assets in the realization of their goals. The discussion addresses the connection between barriers and resources in the context of emerging adulthood theory and the cultural-political context. Implications for practice suggest the importance of designing further holistic services to address the needs of this population, keeping in mind the collectivist nature of Arab society as well as this population’s unique characteristics, in order to support their successful transition to adulthood.
Health & Social Care in the Community, 2020
This study examined the role of personal (mastery), familial (relationship with parents), and com... more This study examined the role of personal (mastery), familial (relationship with parents), and communal (sense of community and sense of belonging to a youth centre) aspects for at-risk youths' adjustment. Specifically, we investigated their role as protective and risk factors for behavioural adjustment (risk behaviour) and psychological adjustment (hope). The study, conducted among Ultraorthodox Jewish males, included 80 participants, ages 14-24 (M = 16.8, SD = 2.33), who attended youth centres designed especially for Ultraorthodox at-risk youth, in five cities with a high percentage of Ultraorthodox population. Findings indicated a significant contribution of mastery to lower levels of risk behaviour and to higher levels of hope. The youth/parent relationship made a significant contribution only to lower levels of risk behaviours, while sense of community made a significant positive contribution only to hope. Surprisingly, the sense of belonging to a youth centre was found to be a risk factor for higher levels of risk behaviours. In contrast, a mediation model revealed an indirect positive contribution of sense of belonging to a youth centre to hope via mastery. The discussion highlights the unique phenomena of at-risk youth in the Ultraorthodox community and suggest carefully and thoroughly checking whether youth centres in this context should actually be discouraged. It also addresses the importance of recognising the unique protective and risk factors for positive adjustment among at-risk Ultraorthodox youth.
Children and Youth Services Review, 2018
Thinking about and planning for the future are crucial in emerging adulthood. The goal of this st... more Thinking about and planning for the future are crucial in emerging adulthood. The goal of this study was to explore the assets and pathways in pursuing the future goals of 25 care leavers in Israel. Thematic analysis revealed three main themes including the young adults' professional figures, informal network and personal characteristics. The findings indicate that care leavers utilize their reliance on themselves in order to move towards their goals. In addition, their parents' struggles in life are perceived as a motivator in seeking a better future for themselves. The discussion addresses the role of formal and informal figures in care leavers' transition to adulthood and the importance of allowing them to receive the support of familiar professionals in order to build connections and introduce them to new opportunities.
Child & Family Social Work, 2019
The goal of this study was to examine the contribution of natural mentoring to the improvement of... more The goal of this study was to examine the contribution of natural mentoring to the improvement of life skills among youth in care in core areas of education, employment, and avoidance of risk behaviours while controlling for personal characteristics and placement history. The sample includes 174 adolescents in residential care in Israel. Results showed that mentoring duration and mentoring functions including mentor as "role model," "parental figure," and "independence promoter" significantly contributed to the prediction of the three life skills above and beyond control variables. This study highlights both the array of meaningful roles mentors play in youth's development of life skills and identifies important practice implications regarding the mechanism by which mentoring relationships contribute to the resilience of adolescents.
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Papers by Yafit Sulimani- Aidan