Social Work in Context
by Brad Forenza, MSW, Ph.D.
Social work is a broad field encompassing micro, mezzo, and macro areas of practice. Consequently, social workers embody myriad professional roles. Professional identity is conceptualized as an extension of social identity. This project utilized in-depth, individual interviews with 12 MSW-level social workers to explore shared values and norms of a professional social worker identity.
Brad Forenza, MSW, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of Child Advocacy and Policy at Montclair State University. His research foci include child welfare, youth development, and civil society. His academic career is accentuated by direct practice at youth and family development agencies, as well as public policy analysis and advocacy.