Exploring factors influencing social workers’ attitudes toward evidence-based practice: A Chinese study

Abstract

Despite the growing emphasis on evidence-based practice (EBP), Chinese social workers’ adoption of EBP has been slow and limited, due partly to the fact that they often hold negative attitudes toward EBP. This study examined factors that account for these negative attitudes, using data collected from social workers in Hong Kong. Regression revealed that females, those less experienced, and social workers in non-governmental organizations endorsed more positive attitudes toward EBP, while those providing youth services had less favorable attitudes. Recent initiatives to promote Chinese social workers’ adoption of EBP will be more successful if they target those groups having less favorable attitudes.