Dr. Shannon LaneSince 2016, members of communities traditionally prevented or discouraged from electoral politics have challenged barriers to political power. Social work鈥檚 current research base about political action reflects the pre-2016 political landscape. Survey data collected between 2015 and 2019 examines ways social workers鈥 political engagement and efficacy reacted to this political environment. We examined political efficacy of social workers and students before and after 2016 to compare their internal efficacy (sense of one鈥檚 own power in the political system) and external efficacy (sense of the system鈥檚 responsiveness). Political engagement and individual measures of political efficacy increased among certain demographic groups; however, overall political efficacy was unchanged. Implications for social work education and research are discussed.
They conclude that 鈥渢here is much room for improvement in political awareness and engagement among social work students鈥 and that because 鈥渟ocial work鈥檚 ethical commitment to social justice and advocacy remains strong ... it is important that the research and educational base be continually updated to be responsive to the contexts within which social workers are practicing.鈥
