Measuring Ecology in Social Work Supervision: The Relationship Between Work and Treatment Environments and the Quality of Supervision in Israeli Public Welfare Agencies

This study measures the interaction between work and treatment environments in public welfare agencies and social work supervision. One hundred and twenty-four social work students enrolled in B.S.W. studies at two Israeli universities, who were doing field work in these agencies, were randomly sampled. The work and treatment environments were measured utilizing an adapted version of a scale developed by Rudolf H. Moos. The student\u27s evaluation of supervision was measured using a revised version of Carlton Munson\u27s questionnaire. Supervisory variables such as administrative capability, effective use of time, and relationships were positively correlated with work environment variables such as order and organization, clarity, cohesiveness and support, and with treatment environment variables such as innovation, spontaneity, anger -and aggression. Conflicts in the supervisory relationship were correlated with a controlling and unsupportive work environment. The use of technology was perceived as limiting the clients\u27 autonomy. While some logical influences were drawn concerning the direction of these correlations and the possible paths these create, further research is needed in order to address the direction of these correlations. Some practice implications of the findings were discussed briefly