Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• fatemeh arman ¹
• shirin ahmadnia ²
• mansour fathi ²

¹ Ph.D. Candidate in Social Work, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran

² Associate Professor of Sociology, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Pregnancy is a period of significant life changes for families, requiring adaptation and coping with new challenges. Social workers, due to their expertise in social services, play a key role in providing comprehensive prenatal care. However, there is no comprehensive research in Iran on the role of social workers and their theoretical approaches during the prenatal period. This systematic review aimed to identify these roles and approaches by examining 17 international articles published between 2010 and 2023. The results indicate that social workers utilize a variety of theories, particularly interactional and social theories. This study also emphasizes that social justice is a core principle of prenatal social work. Using theories such as feminist, racial discrimination, and empowerment, social workers strive to reduce social and health disparities and promote the well-being of mothers, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The findings of this research highlight the importance of multi-faceted and community-based approaches in prenatal social work interventions. Furthermore, interprofessional collaboration between social workers and other healthcare professionals is essential for providing comprehensive and effective services to mothers and infants. The findings of this study can serve as a basis for improving service quality and developing intervention programs in prenatal social work in Iran.

Keywords

• Perinatal social work
• Theoretical frameworks
• Social justice
• Prenatal care
• Interprofessional collaboration

Main Subjects

• this journal publishes authoritative articles in the following areas: Social work Social Welfare Social health Social Security Social Issues Norms