MEDIATION BY A SOCIAL WORKER IN FAMILY CONFLICTS OF PERSONS WITH MENTAL DISABILITIES

Abstract

Persons with mental disabilities belong to the category of persons with disabilities, which are „persons with long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments, which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on the basis of equality with others“ (Law on social protection of the Republic of Srpska, Art. 17). The social component of health is extremely significant in cases of mental dysfunctionality. Accordingly, the concept of protection in the community and the work of centers for the protection of mental health were designed. Starting from the fact that harmonious family relationships are beneficial for the functioning of persons with mental disabilities, the subject of the research is the mediation of social workers in family conflicts of persons with mental disabilities. The research was carried out at the Center for the Protection of Mental Health in Gradiška, and as such it represents a case study. Using the method of content analysis of a hundred files of users of the Center for Mental Health Protection, it was established that a social worker mediates in four areas of family conflicts (everyday life, relationships in the immediate and extended family, problems of the elderly and adult children, the death of a family member), while in four areas of conflict the social worker did not intervene (infertility and adoption, religious issues, non-traditional mediation and divorce), and that in 81% of cases the social worker’s mediation led to a constructive resolution of family conflicts. It was concluded that the mediation of a social worker in family conflicts contributes to the preservation and improvement of mental health, but also to the affirmation of the profession of social work.