Journal of Nursing, Social Studies, Public Health and Rehabilitation X:X | DOI: 10.32725/jnss.2026.011

Motivation for social work interventions among residents of socially excluded localities

Daniela Vobùrková *, Alena Hricová ORCID...
University of South Bohemia in Èeské Budìjovice, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Institute of Social and Special-paedagogical Sciences, Èeské Budìjovice, Czech Republic

Introduction: The study examines the motivation of residents of socially excluded localities to participate in social work interventions between 2005 and 2025, focusing on factors that support or weaken cooperation with social workers and engagement in programs.

Methods: A scoping review was conducted following the framework of Arksey and O'Malley, with a systematic search in Web of Science, Scopus, PsycInfo, PubMed, and Social Services Abstracts. Eighteen empirical studies and systematic reviews on social work in socially excluded localities (2005-2025) were included and synthesized using thematic analysis.

Results: Key motivational factors include relational trust, respect, and an individual approach of workers, as well as strengthening client self efficacy and community leadership. Barriers comprise long-term unemployment, debt, stigma, language and cultural differences, and digital exclusion - especially among young people. Effective interventions combine participatory planning, protective factors (resilience, sense of belonging, digital competences), and planned program adaptation that preserves core mechanisms of effectiveness.

Conclusion: Client motivation is a crucial condition for effective and sustainable social work interventions in contexts of social exclusion. This underscores the need for long-term, relationship oriented, and culturally and digitally inclusive interventions, supported by stable funding and the systematic development of community leadership.

Keywords: Community leadership; Intervention; Motivation; Participation; Social exclusion; Social work
Grants and funding:

Supported by the Grant Agency of the University of South Bohemia in Èeské Budìjovice (reg. no. 144/2025/S).

Conflicts of interest:

The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

Received: November 13, 2025; Revised: April 23, 2026; Accepted: June 11, 2026; Prepublished online: June 11, 2026 

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