Holistic Approaches: The Inter-Effect Between Social Ecology and Social Work for Vulnerable Groups

Dear Colleagues,

This special edition of Societies Journal delves into the multifaceted relationship between social ecology and social work, focusing on their combined impact on the protection and empowerment of vulnerable groups. The edition aims to comprehensively understand how integrating social-ecological principles into social work practices can create more effective and sustainable support systems for marginalized populations. This edition will explore various dimensions of the inter-effect between social ecology and social work through a diverse collection of research articles, case studies, and policy analyses. Contributors will examine theoretical frameworks that link these fields, offering new insights into how environmental and community factors influence social work outcomes. The edition will highlight successful case studies where social-ecological principles have been effectively integrated into social work practices, showcasing innovative interventions and programs that have made a tangible difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals and communities. Policy analysis short pieces will provide recommendations for enhancing social protection mechanisms and cooperation on interdisciplinary approaches to address the complex needs of vulnerable groups. Comparative studies across different regions and cultural contexts will offer a global perspective, highlighting best practices and lessons learned from diverse settings. Bringing together a wide range of perspectives and expertise, this special edition aims to foster a deeper understanding of social ecology and social work synergies to inspire new strategies and interventions that leverage these synergies to support and empower marginalized populations, ultimately contributing to more resilient and inclusive communities.

This special edition explores the inter-effect relationship between social ecology and social work, particularly in protecting and supporting vulnerable groups. Throughout the dynamic interplay between these fields, the edition highlights innovative approaches, best practices, and theoretical advancements that contribute to the holistic well-being of marginalized populations.

This special edition invites contributions that address a wide range of topics, including but not limited to:

• Theoretical frameworks linking social ecology and social work.
• Case studies demonstrating the successful integration of social-ecological principles in social work practices.
• Policy analysis and recommendations for enhancing social protection mechanisms.
• Interdisciplinary approaches to addressing the needs of vulnerable groups.
• The impact of community and environmental factors on social work outcomes.
• Innovative interventions and programs that leverage social-ecological insights to support vulnerable populations.
• Comparative studies across different regions and cultural contexts.

In this Special Issue, Contributions must follow one of the journal's three categories of papers, articles, conceptual papers, or reviews and address the topic of the Special Issue.

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as conceptual papers are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Societies is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• social ecology
• social work
• vulnerable groups
• community interventions
• social protection
• interdisciplinary studies environmental factors