Social science theory provides the social work practitioner methods with which to understand subjects, be it an individual, family, organization, or greater society. Two related theoretical viewpoints that have received significant attention from the research community and practitioners alike are systems theory and the ecological perspective. Both give techniques to analyze a subject in the context of its environment. In this paper, the author contends that concepts from each theory are useful in considering a case vignette involving Emma, a six year old victim of sexual abuse from a deteriorating family unit. Following a discussion of important developmental factors for consideration, systems theory and ecological perspective concepts …show more content…
Examining how individuals and environments adapt to one another, social workers go beyond the scope of the individual and look for a “Goodness of fit” when assessing the reciprocal nature of their relationship (Robbins, Chatterjee, & Canda, 2012). A useful ecological concept for assessing Emma’s case is adaptation. Adaptation is the change resulting from the cause-and-effect relationship between an individual and their environment. Emma is exhibiting behavioral problems as a result of adapting to the changes occurring in her life in regards to her parents’ bitter divorce and being a victim of sexual trauma. Emma has adapted to the cause of these stressors by demonstrating frequent tantrums, talking back, screaming, and an inability to regulate her anger and …show more content…
A major strength of the ecological perspective is it not only provides a practical viewpoint for social intervention, but that it has the potential for providing social workers with an expansive outlook for viewing the social world. In regards to Emma, the ecological theory allows the social worker to look beyond the individual, to the micro, meso, exo, and macro systems that influence and impact her. A major weakness of the ecological perspective is that it lacks a singular, definitive theory to follow. Instead, there are a variety of theories and positions, each lacking well-defined procedures concerning techniques, strategies, or rationales to implement when conducting an assessment or
The first framework that would be beneficial when working with this population is the Dual Perspective Framework. The Dual Perspective Framework is a model that charges the social worker with assessing and understanding the client’s world. While doing so, one must take into account the client’s relationship to not only their immediate family and community, but also to the larger societal system while considering and comparing values, attitudes, and behaviors (Prigoff, 2003, p. 80). Another way to explain the Dual Perspective was presented by Dr. Nimmagadda as part of the diversity section of this course (2015). The contrasting views are also known as the “Nurturing Environment” versus the “Sustaining Environment.” The “Nurturing Environment” can be identified as the individual’s family or immediate extended family, while the “Sustaining Environment” can be identified as how an individual feels other’s view them in the social environment (Nimmagadda, 2015). An individual can evolve and change according to their experiences and interactions in both environments.
Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen S. M. (Eds.). (2014). Social work case studies: Foundation year. Retrieved from http://class.waldenu.edu.
The micro-mezzo-macro approach looks at people in their environment on an individual (micro), small groups (mezzo), and large group or societal level (macro). Ecological theory looks at the dynamics between people in their environment and how they perceive their situation. The strengths perspective focuses on empowering people and motivating them by helping them find their skills and strengths (Rogers, A. 2013). All five person-in-environment theories would work to assess both Alejandro and Gloria. Biopsychosocial was chosen as the best fit for Alejandro and systems theory for
In order to formulate a thorough assessment or intervention a social worker must first evaluate all the contributing factors that influence a client’s life. Problems faced by clients are rarely a result of a single factor or influence. Many individual, interpersonal and environmental factors must be evaluated to fully understand the cause of problems. Multidimensional assessments must be used to determine biological, psychological and environmental issues that contribute to problematic outcomes (Hepworth, Rooney, R., Rooney, G., & Strom-Gottfried, 2013.). Along with conducting multidimensional assessments, social workers must also evaluate stages of development, and assess how age can influence behaviors (2013). All contributing factors must
According to Malley-Morrison and Hines (2004), abuse is a very broad term, and it conveys images of destructive implications, so maltreatment is used by the author to define two diverse stages of abuse (p. 16). One level consists of the dangerous but lest severe form of abuse such as hitting, shoving, or calling someone names. There is violent abuse which consists of sexual abuse or injury to the person. The Ecological model is the model used by the Department of Health and Human Services to report and it helps the workers identify the underlying reasons, origins, and magnitude of working with child abuse and domestic violence.
ACEs are a social problem that interconnect and affect communities and families. The Social Ecological Model (SEM) considers the multifaceted interaction between various influences and has been used by the CDC to prevent child maltreatment. Child maltreatment includes several categories of ACEs and is an example of toxic stress. Therefore, the SEM prevention model would be appropriate for Washington County, as the prevention of ACEs requires understanding all the potential conditions and factors that cause them. The CDC uses a four level social ecological model to better understand potential strategies for prevention. The SEM studies the interchange between individual, relationship, community and societal elements (Middlebrooks & Audage, 2008).
The person-in-environment approach views a client’s problems by how they react to the environmental contexts within their environment and how they occur. According to Gordon and Richmond, it has been stated that the person-in-environment approach is the “cornerstone” of social work practice. (as cited in Rogers, 2016, p.24). A clients’ systems are the interrelated aspects of a clients’ lives where all parts come together to function. Social workers utilize and focus on a clients’ systems when applying the person-in-environment. A clients’ system is anything that they interact with and hold roles in their lives. These systems can be on a micro level which is the individual and their biology, personality, and genetics. The individuals’ mezzo level would include their immediate environment, family, school, friends, or work. A macro level would include the larger social aspects of a clients’ life such as government policies, discrimination, oppression, or social class. Social workers incorporate these interactions and how they impact clients’ and their presenting problems. This theory and approach are beneficial as it allows a social worker to find out what resources are available to the client during their time with the worker (Rodgers,
'Social workers have a professional and ethical responsibility to (...) interact and intervene with clients and their environments' (Teater, 2010, p.4). According to this premise, the ecological approach in social work interventions offers an effective method of relating children, young people and their families to their environment. It is an approach that allows social workers to intervene in cases where a child is abused or neglected, while providing a good theoretical framework for social workers' direct work. This essay is going to assess the ecological model within a social work practice directed at children. It will stress the importance of this model, and explain its application in today's child protection work. Firstly, the text will introduce the ecological approach by introducing its origins and a theoretical framework. Secondly, it will be described how social workers carry out an assessment within the given model, and how it is applied in practice in a direct work of practitioners. Finally, significant strengths and deficits of the approach will be contrasted in order to assess importance of the ecological perspective. 'It is (…) important to be aware that the abusiveness of any act cannot be understood except in context' (Beckett, 2007, p.16), and thus ecological approach allows social work practitioners to explore environmental and social causes of children’s maltreatment in an afford to consequently eliminate these.
Garbarino, J. (1992). Children and families in the social environment, New York, NY: Walter De Gruyter Inc.
Systems approach is based on the fundamental principle that all aspects of a human problem should be treated together in a rational manner (Healy, 2005). I have divided this essay into relevant sections that cover an overview of systems ideas, general systems theory and ecological systems theory. This assignment will also include Germain and Gittermans life model, and it will be related back to the case study that has been provided. Limitations of systems theory will also be discussed.
A lack of child development can be caused through physical abuse which can include severe harm to an adolescent through violence involving kicking, hitting, burning, cutting or any other act that may leave a visible mark on a child’s body. Emotional abuse is trauma to a child in which they are open to a world of shame and humiliation instead of their parents of legal guardian loving, supporting, encouraging, and caring for them they are humiliated with excessively severe criticism, unnecessary isolation, causing severe guilt and causing fear or terror. Also Sexual abuse can often fall under both physical and emotional abuse due to the experience of multiple traumas. Furthermore all of the abuse leads to a lack of child development, and child development is a major and critical step needed to become an adult which for most children in the United States is eighteen and that age is for teenagers whom are believed to be capable of supporting themselves in this world ,but the chi...
Therefore, the theories I used in my work with the clients were psychosocial, ecologically-oriented, competence-centered and completely client-centred (Mullaly, 2007, p. 48). My practice at SEWA was aimed at studying and addressing the correlation between clients and their “impinging” environment as a cumulative to the problem in question (Maluccio et. al., 1992, p. 31). For example, in addressing maternal health issues of a rural pregnant woman, as a social worker I would probe her existing knowledge and access to health. Thereafter, I would provide her information about services in the vicinity. In the process, I would also recognise case-relevant factors such as husband’s decision making power and help her address it by providing awareness to husband. In this manner, my role as a social worker was to identify and deal with social issues as a collective of individual and environmental problems. However, SEWA was a revolutionary movement and therefore as social workers we were encouraged to address such grassroots issues as system issues from feminist and anti-oppressive viewpoints. As a result, I was also responsible to collate and present these experiences at policy advocacy forums. Besides, defence, collectivization and personal change practices (Olivier, 2010) were also practised at
Social ecological perspectives are often described as a web of relationships (k218, Learning guide 3, 3.1). They make us aware that each individual has many defining factors making up who they are. Social ecological perspectives have the child/young person at the centre and show how they are connected to the family, community and society as a whole. They demonstrate the layers that go into making the individual and show that everybody has a unique set of circumstances that affect the person they are, their achievements, social standing and even their health. Social ecological perspectives give us the opportunity to quantify these factors and offer a tool to collate the data, giving us the chance to see how factors such as employment, housing or demographic area can affect life chances in both the short and long term. Social economic perspectives tell us that to fully understand the individual we must also understand their environment and how they are connected to it. Rather than just looking at the child or young person on a standalone basis we must look at what factors affect their behaviour, where they are living, what the home or community environment is like and try to respond appropriately to this.
The generalist model in the social work profession was drawn from a social system’s theory in the late 1960 's due to the complexities of problems and challenges faced by human beings. It was needed to assist social workers in assessing and interviewing clients. Rather than make the client fit the model, the generalist model seeks to find the approach that best fits the client, as well as emphasizing respect for client self-determination and the use of client strengths with empowerment as an expected client system outcome. A generalist practice model is used in all areas of social work field in ethical and effective helping based on the eco-systems perspective using problem-solving strategies and practice skills requiring a strengths perspective
“ Organizations are collectivities oriented to the pursuit of relatively specific goals and exhibiting relatively highly formalized social structures” (page 29). The rational system is a group of individuals, bound together as an organization, designed to reach predetermined goals. The rational system models sees organizations as a mechanical model. A machine that has multiple parts that also works individually but also work together for the better good of the whole. All the individuals of the group can be replaced with a new one if it doesn’t meet the standards of