Use of Self in Social Work with Individuals Having Alcohol Usage Problems in Lithuania

Social work with individuals experiencing alcohol use problems is receiving increasing attention globally; however, it remains relatively under-explored in Lithuania. Despite this, alcohol use issues—which are still highly prevalent in the country—are closely linked to a range of social challenges and often serve as a direct or indirect reason for individuals to seek assistance from social services. Consequently, a multifaceted approach that incorporates appropriate knowledge, skills, and attitudes is essential to effectively address the needs of clients facing alcohol-related difficulties and to enhance the social working profession’s response to these issues. This PhD study aims to explore social work with individuals experiencing alcohol use problems through the Use of Self conceptual framework. The central research question is twofold: -1) how is social work conducted with individuals experiencing alcohol use problems in Lithuania, and 2) what professional attitudes and field-specific competencies—considered sub-components of the Use of Self framework—emerge in social work with these clients? To address these questions, the study comprises three peer-reviewed articles and one peer-reviewed chapter, each contributing to specific sub-study research questions and collectively supporting the overarching research aim. The study is grounded in the Use of Self concept, which emphasises the importance of social workers being aware of their own mental and emotional processes when engaging with clients. Within this framework, professional attitudes and professional competencies are examined as key sub-components that manifest in the client-professional relationship and contribute to building an empowering and supportive relationship. In all areas of social work—and particularly in sensitive and still-stigmatised contexts such as working with individuals who have alcohol use problems—enhancing self-awareness regarding one’s attitudes and competencies might be considered an integral aspect of professional practice. Methodologically, this study employs a descriptive quantitative design, supplemented by inferential and exploratory statistical analyses to examine social workers’ attitudes and competencies in working with individuals experiencing alcohol use issues. To contextualise the phenomenon of alcohol consumption, a narrative synthesis of relevant literature was first conducted. The study then collected frequency data on social work methods, services, practices, and challenges to characterise the current state of social work in Lithuania. Statistical analyses— including descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, Student’s t-test, and the Mann–Whitney U test—were used to examine social workers attitudes and their associations with educational background and professional experience. Finally, an exploratory factor analysis was conducted to investigate perceived social work competencies and validate the measurement instrument. Attitudes toward working with individuals experiencing alcohol use problems were measured using the Short Alcohol and Alcohol Problem Perception Questionnaire (SAAPPQ) developed by Anderson and Clement (1987). This instrument is widely recognised for assessing professionals’ perceptions and attitudes in relation to alcohol-related work. The perceived social work competence was examined using responses to the Perceived Social Work Competence Scale (PSWCS), developed by Wang and Chui (2017). This scale is designed to assess social workers’ self-perceived competence across various domains of practice. In total, 149 respondents participated in the study by completing an online survey. The sample included practicing social workers from various regions of Lithuania, providing a diverse representation of experiences and perspectives within the field. Importantly, this dissertation draws upon Galvani’s (2015) assertion that all social workers, not only those employed in specialised substance abuse treatment settings, should be equipped to effectively intervene in cases involving alcohol use by appropriately applying their knowledge, skills, and attitudes. In alignment with this perspective, the study did not limit its sample to social workers employed in Lithuanian psychiatric clinics or substance abuse treatment centres. Instead, it intentionally sought to engage a broad and unspecified sample of practitioners. As a result, the respondents represented a diverse range of organisational contexts, including non-governmental organisations, municipal social service centres, and other community-based institutions. This methodological decision enabled the study to capture a wider profile of social work practice with individuals experiencing alcohol use problems in Lithuania. Furthermore, it underscored the reality that alcohol-related issues may arise across various social work settings, thereby reinforcing the need for alcohol-focused interventions as a component of generalist social work practice. The first peer-reviewed book chapter examined alcohol consumption as a social phenomenon in Lithuania through a narrative synthesis of scientific literature published during the first three decades of the country’s independence (1990–2019). This approach enabled the identification of key themes and concerns reflecting the prevailing social discourse on alcohol use at the time, thereby offering a comprehensive overview of the contextual challenges Lithuanian social workers may face when supporting clients with alcohol-related issues. The second peer-reviewed article explored how social work with individuals experiencing alcohol use problems is conducted in Lithuania, focusing on the methods employed, services provided, practices implemented, and challenges encountered by practitioners. This analysis offered a foundational understanding of the general landscape of social work practice with this client group. Following this, the third article investigated professional attitudes toward individuals with alcohol use problems, recognizing that such attitudes are now considered as critical to effective practice as formal education. The study also examined the relationship between social workers’ general work experience and their attitudes, as well as the influence of educational background on the composition of these attitudes. Finally, the fourth article addressed social work competencies, analysing both procedural and meta-competence dimensions that emerge in practice with clients experiencing alcohol use problems. Through a field-specific competence analysis, the study identified the distinct skills that constitute each competence dimension and assessed the competencies that Lithuanian social workers apply in their professional roles. The results of study indicate that social work in Lithuania is still in a developmental phase, particularly in the area of supporting individuals with alcohol use problems. Since regaining the country’s independence in 1990, Lithuanian social workers have operated within a context marked by significant political and social transformation, which has contributed to the emergence of complex societal challenges. The professional environment has been shaped by a range of interrelated issues, including family dysfunction, mental and physical health concerns, unemployment, widespread alcohol consumption, and high-risk alcohol use among youth. Further, the findings also revealed that Lithuanian social workers predominantly base their interventions on the individual level when addressing problematic alcohol use. The individual casework method emerged as the most frequently employed approach, with information provision and consultation identified as the most commonly delivered services. In contrast, secondary social work methods—such as group work or community-based interventions—were rarely utilised. Furthermore, the investigation into professional attitudes demonstrated that social workers in Lithuania generally perceive themselves as possessing adequate knowledge and skills in this area and approach alcohol-related issues with a sense of professional responsibility. However, the findings also suggest that practitioners may benefit from additional support in terms of work motivation and job satisfaction when working with this client group. Finally, the analysis of professional competencies indicated that social workers ground their practice through consultation and emotional support competencies. Conversely, competencies related to professional resilience and community work were identified as areas in need of further development. The study argues that the Use of Self framework is a fundamental and multidimensional component of social work practice with individuals facing alcohol-related challenges. In this context, the Use of Self is understood as the integration of self-awareness, reflexivity, and competencies in building an empowering relationship with the client. It can enable practitioners to address both the immediate needs of clients and the underlying systemic conditions that sustain alcohol use problems.