Social Work Methods: A Comprehensive Overview
Introduction
Social work often faces the challenge of addressing passivity among clients who may view social workers as mere facilitators. To overcome this, social workers must transcend their traditional roles and adopt an interdisciplinary approach that fosters a holistic understanding of the social context within which they operate. This involves addressing both macro-level (societal) and micro-level (individual) aspects of social issues.
The Interplay of Theory and Practice
Social work draws upon theoretical frameworks from various disciplines, including psychology, sociology, economics, and education, to interpret the complex interplay between macro and micro social levels. It’s crucial to strike a balance between the scientific method and the direct, practical approach of social work practice. This dichotomy arises from the traditional view of the researcher as being distanced from the subject of analysis.
The Uniqueness of Social Work
Social work distinguishes itself through its emphasis on interpreting social situations and recognizing the uniqueness of each individual’s experience. Interaction and participation are key to developing a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the client’s circumstances.
Benefits of this Approach:
- Improved problem definition
- Identification of key factors contributing to the problem
- Understanding the context of marginalization
- Recognition of positive and negative contextual factors
Evaluation and the Scientific Method
In the evaluation phase, the scientific method is essential for analyzing the effectiveness of interventions. This involves a systematic and rigorous collection of information, considering the baseline situation, context, process, and outcome.
Selecting Appropriate Techniques
The selection of scientific techniques should be guided by an understanding of the pluralism and multiplicity of social phenomena. This avoids the indiscriminate application of positivist and empirical approaches, which can lead to oversimplification.
Traditional Methods in Social Work
Social work utilizes several traditional methods, including case, group, and community approaches. Let’s review each of these:
Case Method (Individual Casework)
This method focuses on providing assistance at the individual level and has its roots in European charitable practices. It was first systematized by Mary Richmond, whose work, “What is Social Case Work,” pioneered the individual-centered approach within the context of the person’s daily life.
Initially influenced by sociology, the case method later shifted towards a psychological approach, heavily influenced by Freudian theories in the 1920s. This led to a focus on psychological and emotional disorders, making the social worker’s role more therapeutic.
In the 1930s, attention shifted back to economic and social factors, leading to a family-oriented approach. However, the dominant perspective in casework remains psychological, with varying emphasis on psychoanalytic, behavioral, or communication-interaction models.
Casework typically involves interventions in situations of marginality, considering the individual as both the subject and object of the intervention. It aims to understand the individual’s situation and provide solutions to their problems.
The process often begins with an initial interview, followed by subsequent meetings at a center or the client’s home. The interview style evolves from open-ended to semi-structured as the social worker gathers more information about the client’s family, relationships, education, and overall environment.
Group Method
While the individual remains the focus of intervention, the group serves as a means and context for facilitating individual transformation through interactions within their immediate social setting (micro-level). A group, defined as individuals who spend time together, identify as members, and are recognized as such by others, exerts significant influence on its members. The commitment and loyalty within a group extend beyond the time and space they share.
This section provides a detailed overview of the case method and introduces the group method. Further elaboration on the group and community methods would be beneficial for a more comprehensive understanding of social work methods.