Constructing success: An examination of social service providers' constructions of client and program success
Abstract
Within social service organizations the people at each level develop their own constructions of the programs and the clients. The social construction and cognitive dissonance perspectives were applied to service providers' constructions about their clients and the success of their program. Workers, staff, and volunteers from six non-profit organizations, with emphases on families and children, were interviewed about their views on their role, their clients, and the success of their program. Influences of time investment, client contact, position in the organization, and contact with other workers or volunteers were examined with respect to the constructions. Implications for performance of clients, staff, and evaluations of programs were discussed.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Knudsen, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Sociology|Families & family life|Personal relationships|Sociology|Welfare|Social work
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