Marju Medar - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Marju Medar
is study analyzed the co-creation of new initiatives in the communities of Võru County in Estonia... more is study analyzed the co-creation of new initiatives in the communities of Võru County in Estonia from the perspectives of media re ection and communication. A social hackathon was used as a method for co-creation, bringing stakeholders together to develop innovative service solutions. Data were collected during three social hackathons in 2018 and 2019 and included media coverage (n = 120) and opinion notes (n = 300). Findings indicate that media publications re ected the problems of vulnerable groups; the media's role was to support the co-creation processes by creating a stage for active citizens to share ideas and discuss solutions.
Estonian Vunkimano I Hackathon interviews collected 05-07.10.2018: interviews with hackathon team... more Estonian Vunkimano I Hackathon interviews collected 05-07.10.2018: interviews with hackathon teams, mentors and policy makers
The proportion of elderly people in the society is constantly growing. The elderly who live alone... more The proportion of elderly people in the society is constantly growing. The elderly who live alone form one of the most vulnerable groups in the society that is also at considerable risk for poverty and social isolation. According to the last population census in Estonia (2011), 39.3% of the elderly (65+) lived alone. The ageing of the population is accompanied by novel challenges, among them especially the coping of the elderly living alone. In 2015, the research team at the Tallinn University School of Governance, Law and Society conducted a study to map Estonian community-based practices that are available for the elderly (65+), especially for those who live alone at home, and the way these practices support interdependent coping and prevent the need for institutional care. This study, based on qualitative and quantitative data collected in Estonian communities, suggests that cooperation between Estonian local governments and communities should be more effective and involve regula...
This article examines Estonian undergraduate social work students’ (n = 73) motives for studying ... more This article examines Estonian undergraduate social work students’ (n = 73) motives for studying social work. Using qualitative data (reflective journaling), students’ responses indicated altruistic values as one of the dominant reasons for enrolling social work studies, specifically in two categories: helping others and self-realization. The study found that direct and indirect experience of social services can be also seen as influential motive for the students. Students’ reflections suggest that a career factor “different career choices” suggests that students find the diverse nature of the social work profession attractive, enabling to work in different settings with different people and organizations. Recommendations for future research are outlined.
Research on Deinstitutionalisation
Tallinn University in co-operation with Tartu University has conducted a four month long research... more Tallinn University in co-operation with Tartu University has conducted a four month long research on deinstitutionalisation policies, financed by the Estonian Ministry of Social Affairs, between August and November 2015. The research programme consisted of an international review on the experiences of seven selected European countries and on focus groups and individual interviews among Estonian stakeholders related to deinstitutionalisation and community based services in the field of disability care and mental health. Based on the research the international research group suggested a number of considerations for the Estonian Case. Some of the most relevant are reported in this Research note.
Sotsiaalse häkätoni juhis
CoSIE project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation... more CoSIE project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 770492
Launching support groups for informal caregivers of people living with dementia within participatory action research
Action Research, 2021
Support groups are one possibility to empower informal carers and accordingly have spread across ... more Support groups are one possibility to empower informal carers and accordingly have spread across many countries because of their informal, inexpensive nature and because of their effectiveness. This paper aims to reflect on the viewpoints and experiences of the lessons learned from the participatory action research (PAR) conducted from 2016 to 2019. During PAR, several support groups in different regions of Estonia were launched to empower the informal caregivers. In the study, the stakeholders and researchers participated as partners and developed new knowledge and 17 support groups were launched in different regions of Estonia. In conclusion, our experiences highlighted the stakeholders’ collaboration which resulted in creating the knowledge needed to launch support groups. Based on our experience, we recommend launching support groups in countries where they do not exist yet, and to apply participatory action research.
Support groups for informal caregivers of people with dementia as opportunities for empowerment in Estonia
European Journal of Social Work, 2020
Community orientation of services for persons with a psychiatric disability. Comparison between Estonia, Hungary and the Netherlands
European Journal of Social Work, 2017
ABSTRACT This article explores the way mental health services and social services are orientated ... more ABSTRACT This article explores the way mental health services and social services are orientated on assisting people with a psychiatric disability to participate in different areas of community life. A large research project about community participation in three different countries (Estonia, Hungary and the Netherlands) confirms the findings of other studies that – regardless of geographical location – people with a psychiatric disability have difficulty fulfilling social roles in the community. They are often faced with fewer opportunities than other citizens, due to their health problems, stigma, discrimination and poverty [World Health Organisation. (2011). World report on disability. Geneva: WHO]. An important objective of social work is to help people find their way in society. Surprisingly enough, in all three countries, most social workers are mainly focused on solving individual problems, and not on community participation. Shifting the focus starts by having a clear awareness of the notion of community participation. Social workers have to work both on supporting individuals to find their way in the community (individual support), and on supporting social networks in the community to accommodate persons with a disability on the basis of equal and valued citizenship (community support).
Ida-Virumaa ja Pärnumaa elanike toimetulek [Võrguteavik] : sotsiaalteenuste vajadus, kasutamine ja korraldus
Social work students’ reflections on a solution-focused approach to child protection assessment: a qualitative study
Social Work Education, 2015
Abstract This exploratory study examines how Estonian graduate social work students’ reflections ... more Abstract This exploratory study examines how Estonian graduate social work students’ reflections of the solution-focused approach in the context of child protection assessment can change as a result of coursework in this model. Students’ responses indicate some changes in the nature of responses after the solution-focused training course, including the adoption of techniques that help to focus on solutions (e.g. miracle question and scaling questions). Following the training, students underscored the importance of changing problem-focused ‘traditional thinking’. The findings highlight a challenge in social work education, suggesting a need to target goal-directed talk throughout the social work curriculum to support competence in conducting comprehensive, strength-based assessments.
Assessment of Children in Need in a Post-Soviet Context: Reflections of Child Protective Workers in Estonia
Journal of Family Social Work, 2015
Child protective worker perspectives and principles are known to affect practitioner–-client inte... more Child protective worker perspectives and principles are known to affect practitioner–-client interaction. However, there is little research on the principles underpinning workers’ assessment activities in transitioning post-Soviet societies where child protection is a relatively new field. This article presents the findings of a small-scale, qualitative study that explored the perspectives and principles that Estonian child protective workers utilize to inform their assessments. The respondents (N = 20) provided examples of real-life cases that reflected their assessment perspectives. The results indicated that too often workers’ assessments demonstrate an over-reliance on an authoritarian, deficit-based approach that does not sufficiently include family or child perspectives. Such an approach may suggest the lingering influence of philosophies that informed family policy during the Soviet occupation. Workers with advanced training in social work and strength-based practices were more likely to focus on family strengths, build collaborative relationships with parents and children, and report successful outcomes in their cases. This study underscores the potential influence of previous Soviet occupation on child welfare practices in Estonia and also the need for further training of the nation’s child protective workers.
… economics within the new …, 2011
Summary: The article describes a methodology for analysing a conceptual framework of welfare stat... more Summary: The article describes a methodology for analysing a conceptual framework of welfare states including economic structures and financial and social reforms of the states. Methodology is formulated on the basis of Eurostat database which is comparable to all ...
Sotsiaaltöötajad Informatsiooni Vajalikkusest Ja Edastamise Viisidest
This article examines Estonian undergraduate social work students’ (n = 39) thoughts on self-refl... more This article examines Estonian undergraduate social work students’ (n = 39) thoughts on self-reflection through reflective journaling format. The study indicates that students found written words and graphics (reflective journaling and mind mapping) as most efficient forms of techniques of self-reflection. Students’ reflections suggest that comparing these to Schon’s explanation of the process of reflection, social work students relate to reflection-on-action. Overall, students reported that they need to develop self-assessment skills. Practice implications are discussed and recommendations for future research are outlined.
Journal of Social Intervention: Theory and Practice, 2014
This article describes a European project which was aimed at improving the situation of persons w... more This article describes a European project which was aimed at improving the situation of persons with psychiatric or learning disabilities with regard to social participation and citizenship. The project took place in three countries (Estonia, Hungary and the Netherlands) and four cities
International Social Work, 2020
Drawing on three semi-structured focus group interviews with a sample of 14 social hackathon part... more Drawing on three semi-structured focus group interviews with a sample of 14 social hackathon participants in southern Estonia, this article reports the findings of participants’ experiences of the ...
International Social Work, 2020
Drawing on three semi-structured focus group interviews with a sample of 14 social hackathon part... more Drawing on three semi-structured focus group interviews with a sample of 14 social hackathon participants in southern Estonia, this article reports the findings of participants’ experiences of the ...
The article explores how mental health services, social services and support from employers enabl... more The article explores how mental health services, social services and support from employers enable young persons with mental health problems to participate in the labour market. The qualitative study based on 32 semi-structured interviews was carried out within the framework of the project “Positive Attitude Development (PAD) – access to labour market for young adults with mental health problems” among persons with mental health problems, service providers and employers in Estonia. The results showed that young people with mental health problems, aged 18-35, are interested in participating in the labour market, but they experience multiple problems in different domains of life due to their disease, an insufficient educational level and working skills, and the lack of a supportive environment. Employers are motivated to employ them, but they need more support and counselling. A various selection of supportive services has been developed and provided by the Unemployment Insurance Fund...
Informal caregivers’ experiences of caring for persons with dementia in Estonia: A narrative study
Health & Social Care in the Community
is study analyzed the co-creation of new initiatives in the communities of Võru County in Estonia... more is study analyzed the co-creation of new initiatives in the communities of Võru County in Estonia from the perspectives of media re ection and communication. A social hackathon was used as a method for co-creation, bringing stakeholders together to develop innovative service solutions. Data were collected during three social hackathons in 2018 and 2019 and included media coverage (n = 120) and opinion notes (n = 300). Findings indicate that media publications re ected the problems of vulnerable groups; the media's role was to support the co-creation processes by creating a stage for active citizens to share ideas and discuss solutions.
Estonian Vunkimano I Hackathon interviews collected 05-07.10.2018: interviews with hackathon team... more Estonian Vunkimano I Hackathon interviews collected 05-07.10.2018: interviews with hackathon teams, mentors and policy makers
The proportion of elderly people in the society is constantly growing. The elderly who live alone... more The proportion of elderly people in the society is constantly growing. The elderly who live alone form one of the most vulnerable groups in the society that is also at considerable risk for poverty and social isolation. According to the last population census in Estonia (2011), 39.3% of the elderly (65+) lived alone. The ageing of the population is accompanied by novel challenges, among them especially the coping of the elderly living alone. In 2015, the research team at the Tallinn University School of Governance, Law and Society conducted a study to map Estonian community-based practices that are available for the elderly (65+), especially for those who live alone at home, and the way these practices support interdependent coping and prevent the need for institutional care. This study, based on qualitative and quantitative data collected in Estonian communities, suggests that cooperation between Estonian local governments and communities should be more effective and involve regula...
This article examines Estonian undergraduate social work students’ (n = 73) motives for studying ... more This article examines Estonian undergraduate social work students’ (n = 73) motives for studying social work. Using qualitative data (reflective journaling), students’ responses indicated altruistic values as one of the dominant reasons for enrolling social work studies, specifically in two categories: helping others and self-realization. The study found that direct and indirect experience of social services can be also seen as influential motive for the students. Students’ reflections suggest that a career factor “different career choices” suggests that students find the diverse nature of the social work profession attractive, enabling to work in different settings with different people and organizations. Recommendations for future research are outlined.
Research on Deinstitutionalisation
Tallinn University in co-operation with Tartu University has conducted a four month long research... more Tallinn University in co-operation with Tartu University has conducted a four month long research on deinstitutionalisation policies, financed by the Estonian Ministry of Social Affairs, between August and November 2015. The research programme consisted of an international review on the experiences of seven selected European countries and on focus groups and individual interviews among Estonian stakeholders related to deinstitutionalisation and community based services in the field of disability care and mental health. Based on the research the international research group suggested a number of considerations for the Estonian Case. Some of the most relevant are reported in this Research note.
Sotsiaalse häkätoni juhis
CoSIE project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation... more CoSIE project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 770492
Launching support groups for informal caregivers of people living with dementia within participatory action research
Action Research, 2021
Support groups are one possibility to empower informal carers and accordingly have spread across ... more Support groups are one possibility to empower informal carers and accordingly have spread across many countries because of their informal, inexpensive nature and because of their effectiveness. This paper aims to reflect on the viewpoints and experiences of the lessons learned from the participatory action research (PAR) conducted from 2016 to 2019. During PAR, several support groups in different regions of Estonia were launched to empower the informal caregivers. In the study, the stakeholders and researchers participated as partners and developed new knowledge and 17 support groups were launched in different regions of Estonia. In conclusion, our experiences highlighted the stakeholders’ collaboration which resulted in creating the knowledge needed to launch support groups. Based on our experience, we recommend launching support groups in countries where they do not exist yet, and to apply participatory action research.
Support groups for informal caregivers of people with dementia as opportunities for empowerment in Estonia
European Journal of Social Work, 2020
Community orientation of services for persons with a psychiatric disability. Comparison between Estonia, Hungary and the Netherlands
European Journal of Social Work, 2017
ABSTRACT This article explores the way mental health services and social services are orientated ... more ABSTRACT This article explores the way mental health services and social services are orientated on assisting people with a psychiatric disability to participate in different areas of community life. A large research project about community participation in three different countries (Estonia, Hungary and the Netherlands) confirms the findings of other studies that – regardless of geographical location – people with a psychiatric disability have difficulty fulfilling social roles in the community. They are often faced with fewer opportunities than other citizens, due to their health problems, stigma, discrimination and poverty [World Health Organisation. (2011). World report on disability. Geneva: WHO]. An important objective of social work is to help people find their way in society. Surprisingly enough, in all three countries, most social workers are mainly focused on solving individual problems, and not on community participation. Shifting the focus starts by having a clear awareness of the notion of community participation. Social workers have to work both on supporting individuals to find their way in the community (individual support), and on supporting social networks in the community to accommodate persons with a disability on the basis of equal and valued citizenship (community support).
Ida-Virumaa ja Pärnumaa elanike toimetulek [Võrguteavik] : sotsiaalteenuste vajadus, kasutamine ja korraldus
Social work students’ reflections on a solution-focused approach to child protection assessment: a qualitative study
Social Work Education, 2015
Abstract This exploratory study examines how Estonian graduate social work students’ reflections ... more Abstract This exploratory study examines how Estonian graduate social work students’ reflections of the solution-focused approach in the context of child protection assessment can change as a result of coursework in this model. Students’ responses indicate some changes in the nature of responses after the solution-focused training course, including the adoption of techniques that help to focus on solutions (e.g. miracle question and scaling questions). Following the training, students underscored the importance of changing problem-focused ‘traditional thinking’. The findings highlight a challenge in social work education, suggesting a need to target goal-directed talk throughout the social work curriculum to support competence in conducting comprehensive, strength-based assessments.
Assessment of Children in Need in a Post-Soviet Context: Reflections of Child Protective Workers in Estonia
Journal of Family Social Work, 2015
Child protective worker perspectives and principles are known to affect practitioner–-client inte... more Child protective worker perspectives and principles are known to affect practitioner–-client interaction. However, there is little research on the principles underpinning workers’ assessment activities in transitioning post-Soviet societies where child protection is a relatively new field. This article presents the findings of a small-scale, qualitative study that explored the perspectives and principles that Estonian child protective workers utilize to inform their assessments. The respondents (N = 20) provided examples of real-life cases that reflected their assessment perspectives. The results indicated that too often workers’ assessments demonstrate an over-reliance on an authoritarian, deficit-based approach that does not sufficiently include family or child perspectives. Such an approach may suggest the lingering influence of philosophies that informed family policy during the Soviet occupation. Workers with advanced training in social work and strength-based practices were more likely to focus on family strengths, build collaborative relationships with parents and children, and report successful outcomes in their cases. This study underscores the potential influence of previous Soviet occupation on child welfare practices in Estonia and also the need for further training of the nation’s child protective workers.
… economics within the new …, 2011
Summary: The article describes a methodology for analysing a conceptual framework of welfare stat... more Summary: The article describes a methodology for analysing a conceptual framework of welfare states including economic structures and financial and social reforms of the states. Methodology is formulated on the basis of Eurostat database which is comparable to all ...
Sotsiaaltöötajad Informatsiooni Vajalikkusest Ja Edastamise Viisidest
This article examines Estonian undergraduate social work students’ (n = 39) thoughts on self-refl... more This article examines Estonian undergraduate social work students’ (n = 39) thoughts on self-reflection through reflective journaling format. The study indicates that students found written words and graphics (reflective journaling and mind mapping) as most efficient forms of techniques of self-reflection. Students’ reflections suggest that comparing these to Schon’s explanation of the process of reflection, social work students relate to reflection-on-action. Overall, students reported that they need to develop self-assessment skills. Practice implications are discussed and recommendations for future research are outlined.
Journal of Social Intervention: Theory and Practice, 2014
This article describes a European project which was aimed at improving the situation of persons w... more This article describes a European project which was aimed at improving the situation of persons with psychiatric or learning disabilities with regard to social participation and citizenship. The project took place in three countries (Estonia, Hungary and the Netherlands) and four cities
International Social Work, 2020
Drawing on three semi-structured focus group interviews with a sample of 14 social hackathon part... more Drawing on three semi-structured focus group interviews with a sample of 14 social hackathon participants in southern Estonia, this article reports the findings of participants’ experiences of the ...
International Social Work, 2020
Drawing on three semi-structured focus group interviews with a sample of 14 social hackathon part... more Drawing on three semi-structured focus group interviews with a sample of 14 social hackathon participants in southern Estonia, this article reports the findings of participants’ experiences of the ...
The article explores how mental health services, social services and support from employers enabl... more The article explores how mental health services, social services and support from employers enable young persons with mental health problems to participate in the labour market. The qualitative study based on 32 semi-structured interviews was carried out within the framework of the project “Positive Attitude Development (PAD) – access to labour market for young adults with mental health problems” among persons with mental health problems, service providers and employers in Estonia. The results showed that young people with mental health problems, aged 18-35, are interested in participating in the labour market, but they experience multiple problems in different domains of life due to their disease, an insufficient educational level and working skills, and the lack of a supportive environment. Employers are motivated to employ them, but they need more support and counselling. A various selection of supportive services has been developed and provided by the Unemployment Insurance Fund...
Informal caregivers’ experiences of caring for persons with dementia in Estonia: A narrative study
Health & Social Care in the Community