Work

Developing ‘self-efficacy’ as an outcome measure in capacity building among social work practice educators in China

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This article provides an exploration of social workers’ self-efficacy following their participation in a training programme designed to enhance the professional competence of practice educators. The study was conducted at three sites in China: Nanjing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, with 300 participants completing a standardized questionnaire at three time-points—before the training, at its conclusion, and after supervising a student. The aim was to identify factors associated with changes in social work practice educators’ sense of self-efficacy. Multiple regression analyses revealed that several variables, including supervisory experience in social work, practice region, and possession of a social work degree—significantly influenced participants’ self-efficacy across the three different phases. Participants from less developed regions demonstrated greater improvements in self-efficacy following the training. Based on these findings, the study recommends developing tailored training programmes and promoting the sharing of regional experiences among social workers in China.

Source: The British Journal of Social Work

DOI: 10.1093/bjsw/bcaf250

Authors: Honglin Chen, Steven M Shardlow, Shu Zhang

Institutions: University of Eastern Finland, Keele University, Fudan University

Language: English

Topic: Social Work Education and Practice

Subfield: Public Administration

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Quality education, Decent work and economic growth, Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,492