Incorporating demoralization into social work practice

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Author(s)
Briggs, Lynne
Fronek, Patricia
Year published
2019
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This article explores the relevance of demoralization to social work research and practice.
Demoralization connects to the very core of being human. It is present in social work client
groups and is an important but neglected concept in social work. Demoralization occurs
when life becomes so overwhelming that daily functioning is affected and people lose all
hope, agency, and the capacity to overcome their circumstances. Although a demoralized
state is not recognized as a mental illness in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,
it is often confused with psychiatric disorders and its presence can lead to ...
View more >This article explores the relevance of demoralization to social work research and practice. Demoralization connects to the very core of being human. It is present in social work client groups and is an important but neglected concept in social work. Demoralization occurs when life becomes so overwhelming that daily functioning is affected and people lose all hope, agency, and the capacity to overcome their circumstances. Although a demoralized state is not recognized as a mental illness in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, it is often confused with psychiatric disorders and its presence can lead to clinical conditions and suicide. This article discusses demoralization and its place in social work practice, identification, and measurement, and appropriate psychosocial interventions are also explored. The article concludes that demoralization has particular relevance to contemporary social work and should be considered in social work practice and research.
View less >
View more >This article explores the relevance of demoralization to social work research and practice. Demoralization connects to the very core of being human. It is present in social work client groups and is an important but neglected concept in social work. Demoralization occurs when life becomes so overwhelming that daily functioning is affected and people lose all hope, agency, and the capacity to overcome their circumstances. Although a demoralized state is not recognized as a mental illness in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, it is often confused with psychiatric disorders and its presence can lead to clinical conditions and suicide. This article discusses demoralization and its place in social work practice, identification, and measurement, and appropriate psychosocial interventions are also explored. The article concludes that demoralization has particular relevance to contemporary social work and should be considered in social work practice and research.
View less >
Journal Title
Social Work
Copyright Statement
© 2019 Oxford University Press. The attached file is reproduced here in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. Please refer to the journal's website for access to the definitive, published version.
Subject
Social work
Clinical social work practice
Demoralization
Social work practice
Vulnerable people