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Social Attitudes of Field Instructors

Published October 2013

by Bronwyn Cross-Denny, PhD
Sacred Heart University

Janna C. Heyman, PhD
Fordham University

Yvette M. Sealy, PhD, MPH
Fordham University

Dana B. Marlowe, PhD
Fordham University

Jill Cretella, MSW
Fordham University
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Abstract: In both the classroom setting and field practicum, social work students begin to develop competence in practice with diverse populations. Field instructors play a critical role in educating students on diversity issues and preparing students to practice without bias. A cross-sectional study was conducted to better understand social attitudes of field instructors participating in a Seminar in Field Instructor (SIFI) training (N=88). The field instructors had generally positive attitudes. Results indicated that field instructors’ comfort level and demographic variables were predictors of social attitudes. Implications for social work field instruction are discussed.
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