Prevention in Social Work Scholarship: A Content Analysis of Families in Society 2000-2010 (Research Note)

Abstract

Powerful issues, including persistent health inequalities, increasing chronic disease rates, and health reform, have reignited a national conversation on the need for prevention. Despite social work's commitment to promoting well-being, little is known about its involvement in prevention and the extent to which prevention is present in the professional literature. For the present study, a content analysis of Families in Society from 2000 to 2010 was undertaken. Of 649 articles reviewed, 9.2% (n = 60) met the criteria of prevention articles, and a significant increase of prevention content was observed. While still a minority interest area, there appears to be welcome growth of prevention in Families in Society. This important emergent prevention scholarship will help broaden the profession's impact on the many public health issues facing 21st-century families.