"... alltså jag har ingenting emot diagnoser men..." - En kvalitativ intervjustudie om socialsekreterares syn på ADHD-diagnoser i relation till sin egen yrkesroll

Sammanfattning: The aim of this study has been to examine the way social workers view ADHD and the scope given neuropshycological disorders such as ADHD within the professional delimitation of the social services child and family unit. The study has taken a qualitative approach with six semistructured interviews being held with social workers currently working in the child and family unit. These social workers were found through a convenience sample as well as through a snowball sample. The studies analysis was based on the theory of profession with emphasis on the establishment of professional boundaries as well as the medical and social model in which neuropsychological and psychosomatic problems can be understood. The results reached, points to the complexity of the job social workers face in their profession. This, as well as the ambivalent tuning that exists in relation to an ADHD diagnosis, whether the problematic behaviour, connected to ADHD, was a result of background and social context or a medical condition. Social workers aimed to meet every person as an individual, trying to avoid prejudices of different social categories. This study also showed the importance and difficulties of cooperation between stakeholders such as the social services, psychiatric healthcare, parents and representatives of the educational system.