ABSTRACT

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book aims to contribute to the development of knowledge for social welfare and health work professions by bringing a critical realist perspective on fields such as social welfare, childcare, family care, health care, and social policy. Critical realism, as a theoretical position in the social sciences, is based on the understanding that reality is stratified, which means that biological, psychological, and social elements are viewed as interwoven and interdependent for people's life experiences, and quality of life. The book discusses how critical realism as a theory of science may contribute to a more useful and realistic approach to both research and practice in social work. It focuses on these dynamic relations by presenting examples of research studies using a critical realism perspective. The book illuminates practical situations in which critical realism may be tools for individual or family counseling and clinical practice.