”Det här kallas ju hemlighetens sjukdom” : Socialarbetares upplevelse av den egna kompetensen i arbetet med personer som uppvisar hypersexuella beteenden

Sammanfattning

The purpose of this essay is to examine how social workers experience their competence and discretion in working with clients who exhibit hypersexual behaviors. Hypersexuality is a stigmatized and understudied phenomenon characterized by shame, taboos, and conceptual ambiguity. The essay was conducted using a qualitative method in which five semi-structured interviews were carried out with social workers working within KAST, probation services, HVB, and private treatment. The collected material has been analyzed through thematic analysis with support from previous research, Aristotle's concepts of knowledge episteme, techne, and phronesis, as well as Lipsky's theory of discretion. The results show that social workers' competence is largely based on experience-based knowledge and professional judgment, rather than on scientific and formal knowledge about hypersexuality. Furthermore, it emerges that treatment, relationships, and safety are crucial success factors in working with the client group. The discretion is experienced as both broad and limited, where legal, organizational, and normative factors interact with clients' shame and stigma. The study highlights the need for increased knowledge development, clearer structures, and continued organizational support in social work directed towards individuals exhibiting hypersexual behaviors.