Original Research Article
Year: 2016 | Month: December | Volume: 6 | Issue: 12 | Pages: 265-273
Techniques for Brief Strengths Based Social Case Work
Sudeep Jacob Joseph1, A. Thirumoorthy2, K. Sekar3
1MPhil (Psychiatric Social Work), PhD Scholar, 2PhD (Psychiatric Social Work) Additional Professor,
3PhD (Psychiatric Social Work) Professor,
Department of PSW, NIMHANS, Bangalore.
Corresponding Author: Sudeep Jacob Joseph
ABSTRACT
Background: Depression is a debilitating common mental disorder that interferes with a person’s functionality and quality of life. The realm of social interventions in the area of depression has been explored in a few settings but is yet to be validated for clinical practice. Almost all of these interventions focuses and deals with the problems that the person with depression faces. The strengths perspective is a dramatic departure from conventional social work practice. A quick review of the existing literature on social work reveals that almost all recent textbooks make a reference to the strengths perspective. However, they lack empirical and practical content.
Materials and Methods: This is part of a doctoral thesis. 9 Key Informants were interviewed and a card sorting method was used to arrive at 3 comprehensive techniques that can be used as strengths based social case work interventions among persons with depressive disorders. These were pilot tested with 6 persons with depression and outcome variables of symptom severity, quality of life and functionality were assessed pre and post intervention.
Results and Discussion: The three techniques include River of Life, Social Network Mapping, and Step Ladder. These techniques have been described in detail and their practical implications discussed. The pilot test shows positive trends and requires further study to arrive at definite conclusions.
Conclusion: This paper introduces and expounds three apparently effective, practical techniques that can be taught to social work students in the area of Mental Health.
Key words: Strengths Perspective, Social Case Work, Techniques, Depression.