BREAKING THE SILENCE: SEXUAL ORIENTATION IN SOCIAL WORK FIELD EDUCATION

• DOI: 10.5175/jswe.2009.200600093
• Publication Date: 2010-05-05T06:42:41Z
• Authors: Peter A. Newman; Marion Bogo; Andrea Daley
• Keywords: 4. Education; 05 social sciences; 0501 psychology and cognitive sciences

The purpose of this study was to explore field instructors' experiences and insights in working with lesbian and gay MSW students. In-depth 1-to 1.5-hour interviews were conducted with 8 field instructors selected using purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using narrative thematic analysis and a constant comparative method. One set of themes emerged across all informants; a second set emerged exclusively from lesbian-and gay-identified informants. Dynamic interactions among the student, the field instructor–student relationship, and the agency context suggest the importance of moving beyond individual-level conceptualizations to address sexual orientation-related barriers and opportunities in field education.