Assessing Social Work Needs of Young Adults

Part 1: Research and Survey Design

Literature Review
Young adults aged 18 to 21, particularly those transitioning from high school to
employment or higher education, face a range of social work needs that are well-
documented in academic and professional literature. Mental health challenges such as
anxiety, depression, and stress are common due to academic pressure and uncertainty
about the future, highlighting the importance of early intervention and counseling
services (Arnett, 200). Financial instability also poses a major concern, as many young
people lack financial literacy and access to stable employment, requiring support
through job readiness programs and financial aid resources (Lusardi et al., 2010).
Housing insecurity, often driven by poverty or family conflict, can disrupt education and
job prospects, making transitional housing and homelessness prevention key areas of
intervention (Dworsky, 2010). Access to education remains a priority, with students
needing guidance on college applications, scholarships, and career planning—
especially in systems like the Philippine K-12 program that aim to prepare youth for life
after high school (UNESCO, 2020). Additionally, social workers play a vital role in
helping young adults navigate complex relationships, including peer and family
dynamics, by promoting healthy communication and conflict resolution skills. These
needs are particularly relevant to students at Santa Cruz National High School, who
represent a population at a critical life stage and may face barriers in each of these
areas as they move toward independence.
Research Protocol
Informed Consent: Participants will be informed about the purpose of the survey,
assured that their responses will remain confidential, and told that participation is
voluntary. They may withdraw from the survey at any time without any negative
consequences.
Anonymity: The survey will not collect identifying information such as names,
addresses, or contact details. Responses will only be analyzed in aggregate form to
ensure anonymity.
Sampling: Ten randomly chosen students, ages 18 to 21, from Santa Cruz National
High School-Senior High School, are study participants. The recruitment of these
participants was done in person. The Sta. Cruz Senior High School students are the
study's target audience. A representation of young individuals making the move to the
workforce or further study.
Survey Instrument: The survey will consist of open-ended questions. Topics will
include access to social work assistance, financial independence, awareness of social
work services, and personal challenges faced in daily life.
• “What is the common challenges you’ve faced in your daily life?”
• “ If you’ve been given a chance to receive support for your struggles, what kind of help
would you need?”
• “Do you know or have any idea about the service’s here in Sta. Cruz?”
• “Have you ever accessed assistance from social workers?”
• “What kind of help or services would you suggest to help other people here in Sta.
Cruz?”
Data Collection: The survey will be administered through face-to-face distribution
where possible data would be collected. Data collection will take place over a two-days
period. Responses will be compiled and analyzed to identify common themes and
priority needs.

Part 2: Critical Evaluations and Proposals

Data Analysis
Most of the respondents (70%) are familiar with or benefit from the 4Ps program. The
biggest struggle they face is financial problems (60%), while others mentioned family
concerns (20%) and academic or mental stress (20%). When asked about support, the
majority (70%) expressed the need for financial help, such as scholarships, allowances,
or job opportunities, while the remaining 30% suggested non-financial assistance.
Financial Challenges: The most common concern among respondents. Many
emphasized the need for financial support for daily needs, school expenses, and
transportation. Government aid like 4Ps and scholarships were frequently mentioned.
Mental and Emotional Stress: Some participants mentioned academic pressure and
emotional struggles, highlighting a need for mental health support.
Family and Social Concerns: A few responses pointed to the importance of family unity,
respect, and the need for family counseling.
Environmental and Community Issues: Some respondents raised concerns about
environmental problems and called for local development.
Needs vs. Services
Based on the data, the expressed needs of the respondents are not being fully met by
the current social work practitioners and institutions in their community. The main
service identified is financial aid, primarily through the 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino
Program), which is mentioned by multiple respondents, including Respondent 1, 2, and
4. This indicates that financial assistance is the core service being delivered. However,
the needs of the community are far more diverse. For instance, Respondent 1 points to
a "lack of financial education" as a crucial need, an issue not addressed by a simple
cash transfer. Respondent 4 expresses a fundamental need for water and financial aid
for schooling, showing that basic infrastructure needs are not being met. Other
respondents reveal needs for family counseling, advice and mental health support and
job opportunities. In essence, the data demonstrates that while financial aid is a present
service, the community's needs are more extensive, encompassing a call for education,
infrastructure, and mental health support.
Gaps
The main gap is that services are limited to providing financial aid, completely
overlooking the community’s diverse needs for mental health support, employment,
financial education, and basic infrastructure.
Propose a Solution
To understand the needs of young adults, we plan to use surveys and interviews. These
will help us gather information about important areas like mental health and education.
In this way, we can know the real problems that young people face in their daily lives.
We will also work with other students and social workers. By working together, we can
get more ideas and have a better understanding of the concerns of young adults. This
will make our findings more clear and reliable. After collecting the information, we will
study the results to see the common problems and needs. From there, we can make
programs and solutions that directly answer these issues. This will help make sure the
solutions are simple and useful.
Justify with Evidence
The proposed solutions are justified by the survey findings which reveal recurring
challenges among the respondents. A significant number of participants emphasized
financial difficulties, particularly in paying for essential needs such as rent, daily
expenses, and school requirements. This indicates that financial stress is a major
barrier affecting their well-being and future opportunities. Another recurring theme is the
need for advice and guidance. Several respondents shared that while they face financial
and personal problems, what they often need is proper counseling or advice that can
help them manage their situation and make better decisions in the future. In addition,
family-related concerns emerged, with one respondent mentioning family problems and
suggesting services like family gatherings or family counseling. This highlights the
importance of strengthening family support systems as part of social work interventions.
Lastly, respondents expressed interest in services related to environmental concerns
and access to basic needs such as clean water. These reflect broader community
issues that directly affect their daily lives and long-term sustainability. To strengthen the
reliability of these findings, interviews were conducted using voice recordings and
videos, which serve as proof of the participants’ genuine responses and perspectives.
These pieces of evidence ensure that the identified needs are not only documented but
also authentically represented.
Implementation Plans
Financial Support Programs: Partner with local government and schools to expand
scholarships, strengthen 4Ps support, and provide allowances to students in need.
Financial Literacy Workshops: Coordinate with local financial institutions, design a
simple curriculum on budgeting, and promote the sessions through posters and
orientations.
Mental Health and Counseling: Train school counselors or partner with NGOs, create
peer support groups, and organize family counseling activities.
Job and Livelihood Opportunities: Collaborate with businesses and agencies, offer part-
time work for students, and conduct livelihood or skills training workshops.
Awareness Campaigns: Launch orientations, create posters, and use social media to
inform students about available programs and services.
Community Development Needs: Work with barangay leaders to address clean water
and environmental concerns, while ensuring proper continuation and fair management
of 4Ps.