Japanese Journal of Social Welfare

Why Has Family-based Foster Care Not Become More Common in Japan? : The Answer Lies in a Lack of Registered Foster Carers and of Children Who Are Able to Be Fostered

Kiyoko MIWA

Article type: Article
2016 Volume 56 Issue 4 Pages 1-13
Published: February 29, 2016
Released on J-STAGE: July 20, 2018

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.24469/jssw.56.4_1

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In Japan, about 90% of the children who are in out-of-home care are placed in residential care, while about 10% are placed in foster care. Why has the percentage of placements into foster care not increased? In this paper the author reviewed research from 1945 to the present, on the foster care system, and looked at its relevance to this issue. First what factors were identified as inhibiting the expansion of foster care were reviewed. Almost all papers hypothesized that 'an insufficient number of registered foster carers' or 'a limitation on the number of children who are able to be fostered' could explain the stagnation of the foster care rate. It is hard to say that the first hypothesis, on the lack of foster carers, is supported by empirical data, but some sub-hypotheses of the second hypothesis, on the lack of eligible children, are backed by data. In the final analysis, the difficulty for the child welfare agencies to provide support and respond to foster carers was considered the most important factor for causing the stagnation of the foster care rate.

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Growing into Work Integration Social Enterprise : The Formation of a New Practice Model

Hiroyasu SHIOTSU

Article type: Article
2016 Volume 56 Issue 4 Pages 14-25
Published: February 29, 2016
Released on J-STAGE: July 20, 2018

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.24469/jssw.56.4_14

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There is an emerging trend that non-profit organizations are growing into social enterprises. In the present study, a new theoretical perspective has been expressed. This perspective is that welfare facilities, including sheltered workshops, are Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISEs). Among the two types of WISEs, the characteristics of permanent WISEs were identified by case studies in good practice, which met the criteria of Social Firms existing in Japan. There are nine features in five areas that can be considered core components of a desirable practice model in Japan. After a discussion of relative positioning, this practice model was named the "Organizational Solidarity-Oriented Practice Model". This model has presented some practical implications to consider. Future research will need to examine the impact of this practice model toward the work integration of people with disabilities.

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The Current Issues of Stigma in People with Intellectual Disability : A Review of Literature

Yukiko YONEKURA, Sosei YAMAGUCHI

Article type: Article
2016 Volume 56 Issue 4 Pages 26-36
Published: February 29, 2016
Released on J-STAGE: July 20, 2018

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.24469/jssw.56.4_26

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This study aimed examining the current evidence and future issues related to stigma in people with intellectual disability. We searched for the relevant studies published until December 2014, using the electronic database PubMed with the keywords "intellectual disability" and "stigma". The database search found eighty-two studies. After excluding the irrelevant studies, we finally reviewed twenty-five studies. The studies included in this review were scale development studies, cross-sectional studies and an interventional study. Particularly, the cross-sectional studies focused on stigma in people with intellectual disability and their families, and on stigmatization in undergraduates and the general public. Most people with intellectual disability have experienced some level of stigmatization according to the reviewed studies. The families of people with intellectual disability have also experienced discrimination from others, and it was associated with their quality of life and depression. One large-scale survey of the general public pointed out that identifying the disability described in a vignette was associated with the level of stigmatization. The interventional study also reported the possibility that even indirect social contact improves attitudes towards people with intellectual disability. Further studies are needed to develop an intervention program to reduce stigma and to assess the effects of such a program.

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A Comparative Study of Awareness of Social Welfare Services among Zainichi Korean Seniors and Japanese Seniors : CBPR in a Concentrated Area of Foreign Nationals in Japan

Reiko KINOSHITA

Article type: Article
2016 Volume 56 Issue 4 Pages 37-51
Published: February 29, 2016
Released on J-STAGE: July 20, 2018

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.24469/jssw.56.4_37

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This study focuses on hitherto comparatively unexplored issues regarding the welfare of foreign nationals in Japan, seeking to identify salient factors in the development of an integrated community care system. We discuss the possibility of community empowerment through a cycle of research and practice using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach based on collaboration with those involved. A survey of awareness of social welfare services was conducted in Area A in the Ikuno Ward of Osaka. A total of 126 Zainichi Korean seniors and 104 Japanese seniors responded to the survey. Logistic regression analysis, using "a group of Zainichi Korean seniors" and "a group of Japanese seniors" as dependent variables and questions as independent variables, was performed to identify variables associated with the difference in cultural background. The analysis showed association among "interest in a gathering place," "awareness of social welfare services," "anxiety about the use of nursing care insurance services," "awareness of an integrated community support center," "livelihood," and "age." The study has led to efforts to improve the accessibility of welfare services through the use of gathering places.

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A Comparative Study of the Recognition of Long-term Care Service Providers toward Welfare Marketization in Japan and Korea

Seonhee CHOI, Kughee WOO, Junko WAKE

Article type: Article
2016 Volume 56 Issue 4 Pages 52-67
Published: February 29, 2016
Released on J-STAGE: July 20, 2018

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.24469/jssw.56.4_52

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This study analyzes the effects on Japan and Korea's profit, non-profit, institutional, and in-home long-term care service providers. Using self-report questionnaires, the following criteria were employed to systematically evaluate the recognition of these service providers: efficiency, responsiveness, choice, equity, and quality of service. Research subjects were a random sample of 400 in-home service and 400 institutional care providers in each country. Response rates were 29.6% for Japan and 32.8% for Korea. The results indicate that service providers' recognition is positive in the criteria regarding responsiveness and choice by in-home service providers; however, recognition of these providers differs in each country according to many other aspects. Specifically, in Japan, equity is positively evaluated in institutions, whereas responsiveness and choice are positively recognized by in-home service providers; in Korea, responsiveness, choice, and quality of service are more positively recognized for in-home service. In addition, the profit providers positively evaluate choice and efficiency in Japan, whereas in Korea, the non-profit providers more positively recognize responsiveness and quality of service.

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Professionals' Experiences of Grief and Ways of Coping with Grief in Palliative Care : Commonality between Occupations and the Uniqueness of Social Workers

Erino KANEKO

Article type: Article
2016 Volume 56 Issue 4 Pages 68-81
Published: February 29, 2016
Released on J-STAGE: July 20, 2018

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.24469/jssw.56.4_68

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This study explored professionals'-social workers', nurses', and physicians'-experiences of grief and ways of coping with grief in palliative care. Interviews were conducted with professionals working in palliative care. Results showed that professionals' experiences of grief were categorized as "apology," "sense of helplessness," "similar experience of loss," and "insecurity." Characteristics of their ways of coping with grief were categorized as "maintaining a psychological distance from patients," "sharing their grief experiences with colleagues and taking them affirmatively," "applying knowledge obtained from previous experiences with patients to future practice," "sympathizing consciously," and "staff commitment." Based on these findings, this study discusses commonalities between occupations and the unique characteristics of social workers' grief and ways of coping with grief.

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What Conditions Increase the Satisfaction Level with Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC) Tools? : Using Fuzzy-Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis

Kentaro ISHIJIMA, Fumihito ITO

Article type: Article
2016 Volume 56 Issue 4 Pages 82-93
Published: February 29, 2016
Released on J-STAGE: July 20, 2018

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.24469/jssw.56.4_82

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This study aims to reveal the conditions that increase the satisfaction level with augmentative & alternative communication (AAC) tools for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. We sent questionnaires about AAC tools to ALS patients and gathered data with the help of the Japan Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association. Although earlier studies investigated how the satisfaction level with AAC tools could be improved, some of the studies could not handle certain combinations of conditions and others could not simultaneously analyze many cases. To solve these problems, we adopted a fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) as an analytical method by which it is possible to manage complicated combinations of conditions across many cases. Through this approach, we demonstrated that ALS patients, though severely disabled, can achieve a high satisfaction level when they actively use AAC tools. We also found that there are many ways of increasing the satisfaction level. Therefore, caregivers should take the age of the patient and the number of their family members who live with the patient into consideration and seek the most effective way among many different possibilities. This knowledge can be modified and applied to patients with other diseases or disabilities.

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National Investigation of Condition of Persons with Physical Disability Certificates Who Are Visually and Hearing Impaired

Akihide MAEDA

Article type: Article
2016 Volume 56 Issue 4 Pages 94-104
Published: February 29, 2016
Released on J-STAGE: July 20, 2018

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.24469/jssw.56.4_94

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This research examined basic national data of people possessing physical disability certificates with visual and hearing impairments. The national condition survey was conducted in all prefectures, ordinance-designated cities, and core cities. Crucial data about the age, gender, and degree of impairment were collected with a response rate of 98.1%. At the end of October 2012, there were 13,952 people with vision and hearing impairments in Japan, including 77.4% aged 65 years and over. The data also showed that a number of them have severe visual impairments equivalent to levels one or two of the physical disability certification system. The total number of persons with impairments among the Japanese population was estimated at 14,329. The ratio of persons who possessed physical disability certificates for both visual and hearing impairment was estimated at 11.3 per 100,000 persons. In addition, the calculated proportion of registered interpreter-guide dispatch programs was 8.5% when the estimated number of domestic persons who possessed physical disability certificates for both visual and hearing impairments was used in the calculation formula. These data indicate that some people with such impairments may not be connected to sufficient social support services.

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A Study of an Effective Practice Model of the Support for Continuous Employment Scheme Type A : What Are Some Elements of the Practice Related to Outcomes?

Hiroyasu SHIOTSU

Article type: Article
2016 Volume 56 Issue 4 Pages 105-116
Published: February 29, 2016
Released on J-STAGE: July 20, 2018

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.24469/jssw.56.4_105

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It is hard to understand the practice of the Support for Continuous Employment Scheme Type A under the existing welfare practice framework. Thus, this practice should be formed as a new original model. This empirical study researched some elements of the practice related to outcomes and explored an effective practice model of the Support for Continuous Employment Scheme Type A as a Work Integration Social Enterprise (WISE). A nationwide survey was made which analyzed the correlation between the outcomes (e.g., wages, working hours, the proportion of persons with severe disabilities, etc.) and some elements of the practice. The findings were that "the proportion of income derived from trade" was significant. Therefore, a systematic effort to gain income from trade may be a core element of practice of the Support for Continuous Employment Scheme Type A. Future research will need to examine a practice model to coexist with the work integration of persons who have severe disabilities.

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Integrated Issues of Understanding Social Welfare : Theories, Policies and Practices(The 63^<rd> Spring Symposium,Integrated Issues of Understanding Social Welfare -Theories, Policies and Practices-,Spring Symposium)

Takayuki HIRANO

Article type: Article
2016 Volume 56 Issue 4 Pages 117-120
Published: February 29, 2016
Released on J-STAGE: July 20, 2018

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.24469/jssw.56.4_117

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The Necessity of Integrated Social Welfare System : The Existing System is Too Categorized So That It Makes Gaps among Those Categories(The 63^<rd> Spring Symposium,Integrated Issues of Understanding Social Welfare -Theories, Policies and Practices-,Spring Symposium)

Ken'ichi FURUICHI

Article type: Article
2016 Volume 56 Issue 4 Pages 121-125
Published: February 29, 2016
Released on J-STAGE: July 20, 2018

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.24469/jssw.56.4_121

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Tasks toward the Integration of Knowledge, and the Integration of Knowledge and Practice : Looking Back the Education of Miyagigakuin Women's University(The 63^<rd> Spring Symposium,Integrated Issues of Understanding Social Welfare -Theories, Policies and Practices-,Spring Symposium)

Satoshi KUMASAKA

Article type: Article
2016 Volume 56 Issue 4 Pages 126-129
Published: February 29, 2016
Released on J-STAGE: July 20, 2018

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.24469/jssw.56.4_126

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Integrated Issues of Understanding Social Welfare : Practices for Comprehensive Support(The 63^<rd> Spring Symposium,Integrated Issues of Understanding Social Welfare -Theories, Policies and Practices-,Spring Symposium)

Mika ASAHINA

Article type: Article
2016 Volume 56 Issue 4 Pages 130-134
Published: February 29, 2016
Released on J-STAGE: July 20, 2018

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.24469/jssw.56.4_130

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Commentary on the Report of the 63^<rd> Spring Symposium(The 63^<rd> Spring Symposium, Integrated Issues of Understanding Social Welfare -Theories, Policies and Practices-, Spring Symposium)

Yayoi SAITO

Article type: Article
2016 Volume 56 Issue 4 Pages 135-139
Published: February 29, 2016
Released on J-STAGE: July 20, 2018

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.24469/jssw.56.4_135

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[title in Japanese]

[in Japanese]

Article type: Article
2016 Volume 56 Issue 4 Pages 140-142
Published: February 29, 2016
Released on J-STAGE: July 20, 2018

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.24469/jssw.56.4_140

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[title in Japanese]

[in Japanese]

Article type: Article
2016 Volume 56 Issue 4 Pages 143-145
Published: February 29, 2016
Released on J-STAGE: July 20, 2018

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.24469/jssw.56.4_143

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[title in Japanese]

[in Japanese]

Article type: Article
2016 Volume 56 Issue 4 Pages 146-
Published: February 29, 2016
Released on J-STAGE: July 20, 2018

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.24469/jssw.56.4_146

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[title in Japanese]

[in Japanese]

Article type: Article
2016 Volume 56 Issue 4 Pages 147-148
Published: February 29, 2016
Released on J-STAGE: July 20, 2018

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.24469/jssw.56.4_147

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