Authors

• Niskanen, Hanna (Sosiaalialan osaamiskekus Pikassos Oy)

Keywords

alcoholism, hobbies, mental health, poverty, quality of life, resources, social disadvantage, social work, social workers

Abstract

The data consist of transcripts of discussions between social workers or social advisors and their adult clients, as well as ECOMAP maps produced on the basis of these discussions that address the clients' resources and resource drainers. The data were collected as part of the SULAVA project, which examined the quality and effectiveness of social welfare services in the Inland Finland collaborative area in 2024-2025. The project was carried out by the Sosiaalialan osaamiskeskus Pikassos and SONetBOTNIA. It was administered by the Wellbeing Services County of Pirkanmaa and coordinated by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

The aim was for all worker-client pairs to have two discussions. In the first discussion, factors that increased or depleted the client's resources were mapped. At the same time, an ECOMAP map was drawn based on these factors. The second discussions took place 3-7 weeks after the first, although two clients did not participate in a second discussion. In the second discussion, the ECOMAP map created during the first discussion was reviewed. The focus was on how the resource situation had changed between the two discussions. During the second discussion, some worker-client pairs chose to supplement the map created in the first discussion or draw an entirely new map. Of the employees in the data, three were social advisors and three were social workers. One social advisor participated with three of their clients, and one social advisor and one social worker each with two of their clients. There are ten clients in total in the data.

The data approach resources from various perspectives. Both the first and the second discussions include extensive reflections on the clients' current life situations, past, and future. Recurring themes in the interviews include, for example, alcohol problems, drug problems, financial worries, children, mental health, services, hobbies, and hopes for the future.

Background information in the data includes gender, age group, interview location, interview date, and information on the interview stage.