Academic Journal
Benefit levels in Swedish social assistance: a vignette-based study of social work professionals’ assessments
| Title: | Benefit levels in Swedish social assistance: a vignette-based study of social work professionals’ assessments |
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| Authors: | Bergmark, Åke, 1958, Stranz, Hugo, 1976 |
| Source: | Journal of Poverty and Social Justice. 33(3):305-323 |
| Subject Terms: | assessments, benefit levels, social assistance, vignettes |
| Description: | Swedish social assistance aims to ensure a ‘reasonable level of living’ for the least well-off in society. The benefit is, however, administered with considerable discretion on both the municipal and individual level. While numerous studies have shown substantial variations with regard to eligibility assessments, knowledge that pertains to differences in benefit levels, that is, the extent to which such variations are present and, if so, which factors co-vary with assessment outcomes, is quite scarce. This article presents analyses of generosity in eight so-called vignettes, collected among just over 1,000 social workers in 19 Swedish municipalities, including Sweden’s three major cities. Variations in generosity are analysed using multiple linear regression analysis (OLS), examining how basic social worker characteristics, professional factors and individual attitudes influence both overall generosity levels and generosity toward individual vignettes. The results show that, although variations in level of generosity are extensive, much of the difference remains unexplained. Among the significant outcomes that are identified, the fact that higher caseloads among social workers result in more generous decisions and that individual attitudes that favour more requirements and control lead to increased restrictiveness in assessments are worthy of note. |
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| Access URL: | https://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:su:diva-242285 https://doi.org/10.1332/17598273Y2024D000000037 |
| Database: | SwePub |
| ISSN: | 17598273 17598281 |
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| DOI: | 10.1332/17598273Y2024D000000037 |