Social Work Ethics and Core Values

Questions and Answers

What is self-care?

Practicing self-care helps social workers identify and manage challenges, become aware of personal vulnerabilities, and achieve balance in life.

What is burnout?

Burnout is a state of physical, emotional, psychological, and/or spiritual exhaustion.

What is secondary trauma?

Secondary trauma relates to behaviors and emotions that result from knowledge about traumatizing events experienced by clients.

What is compassion fatigue?

Compassion fatigue is a syndrome consisting of symptoms of secondary trauma and burnout. Signup and view all the answers

What does EBP stand for?

Evidence-Based Practice. Signup and view all the answers

What is professional development in social work?

Professional development includes orientation, job induction, becoming a member of a service team, specialization, and preparation to be a mentor or supervisor. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are considered core values for social workers? (Select all that apply)

Integrity Signup and view all the answers

What are professional ethics in social work?

Rules based on the core values of the profession that social workers should adhere to. Signup and view all the answers

What is SW communication?

Communication that is interested, genuinely concerned, and encourages clients without imposing emotional burdens. Signup and view all the answers

What is limit setting in social work?

A technique used by social workers to enhance productive interactions by setting boundaries with clients. Signup and view all the answers

What is self-determination in social work?

The right of clients to make their own decisions about their lives. Signup and view all the answers

What is emancipation in the context of minors?

A legal process that ends the rights and responsibilities of parents or guardians over minor children. Signup and view all the answers

What does universalism refer to?

The belief that there is one acceptable norm or standard for everyone. Signup and view all the answers

What is dichotomous thinking?

Thinking that categorizes differences as inferior or wrong. Signup and view all the answers

What does heightened ability/value on separating refer to?

The tendency to value mental activity over physical and spiritual experiences. Signup and view all the answers

How is power defined in one perspective?

Power is seen as mastery over others. Signup and view all the answers

What is transference in social work?

The redirection of a client's feelings for a significant person onto a social worker. Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of transference and countertransference in supervision?

These concepts reflect the parallel processes occurring between a social worker and a client within supervisory relationships. Signup and view all the answers

What enables social workers to practice ethically?

Written policies setting out standards of ethical practice. Signup and view all the answers

What is a parallel process in supervision?

Unconscious identification with a client affecting supervisory relationships. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Core Values

Fundamental principles guide social work: service, social justice, dignity and worth of individuals, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence.

Professional Ethics

Outline rules based on core values that govern social work practice.
Provide public expectations of social workers and essential guidelines for practice.

Maintain a neutral emotional stance while showing genuine concern for clients.
Aid clients in exploring alternatives without imposing decisions, as ultimate choices lie with them.

Limit Setting

Necessary when clients display poor boundaries or disruptive behaviors.
Helps create a safe environment, emphasizing the significance of appropriate boundaries.

Self-Determination

Social workers promote clients' rights to self-determination, guiding them to define personal goals.
Limitations may apply when clients’ actions pose imminent risks to themselves or others.
Self-determination emphasizes clients’ competency in decision-making, even for complex issues.
The WHODAS 2.0 aids in assessing clients’ needs for assistance in daily living tasks.

Knowledge of state and federal laws regarding minors is crucial.
Minors may have limited rights to confidentiality, impacting treatment provision.
Emancipation provides minors with adult rights, enabling independent decision-making.

Inhibitors to the Therapeutic Relationship

Challenges include universalism, dichotomous thinking, and excessive control versus flexibility.
High value on categorization can hinder holistic understanding of clients.

Universalism

Belief in a single acceptable norm versus the recognition of diverse standards created by individuals.

Dichotomous Thinking

"Either-or" mindset leads to perceptions of differences as deficient rather than valid.

Heightened Categorization

Overemphasis on analytical thinking neglects emotional and spiritual dimensions of care.

High Value on Control

Control is often prioritized over emotional expressiveness and subjective reality, promoting rigidity in practice.

Value from Within

Importance placed on inherent worth as opposed to worth determined by external achievements or status.

Power Dynamics

Power is often viewed as dominance over others rather than collaborative empowerment.

Transference

Clients project feelings for significant people onto social workers, influencing therapeutic dynamics.
Countertransference refers to a social worker's emotional reactions to clients, vital for understanding client interactions.

Transference/Countertransference in Supervision

Supervisory relationships can reflect client-social worker dynamics, relevant for ongoing training and development.

Parallel Process

Unconscious identification with clients assists in recognizing and addressing relational issues in practice.

Ethical Practice Enablement

Clear written policies ensure ethical standards and protection for clients and practitioners.
Continuous professional development, quality supervision, and adherence to ethical standards promote accountability.

Self-Care

Essential for social workers to manage stress and prevent burnout, focusing on overall well-being.
Involves maintaining mental, emotional, and physical health while fostering relationships and setting personal boundaries.

Burnout

Characterized by exhaustion in various forms, often marked by cynicism and feelings of ineffectiveness in client relations.### Burnout Factors
Contributed by client, organizational, and contextual variables.
Involves emotional exhaustion and decreased sense of accomplishment.

Secondary Trauma

Emerges from empathic engagement with clients who have experienced trauma.
Involves stress from helping or wanting to help, leading to symptoms similar to primary trauma victims.
Symptoms include insomnia, chronic irritability, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and avoidance.

Compassion Fatigue

A syndrome combining symptoms of secondary trauma and burnout.
Results from emotional and physical fatigue due to empathy use with distressed clients.
Bureaucratic hurdles can amplify agency stress and disrupt the balance between therapeutic practice and administrative duties.
Develops cumulatively over time, unlike secondary trauma which may occur suddenly.
May arise from witnessing stagnant client improvement, leading to decreased motivation.
Can occur without experiencing secondary trauma for social workers not treating trauma victims.

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)

Prioritizes client well-being and employs the best available practices.
Requires the use of effective services demonstrated by rigorous scientific studies.
Social workers must identify and implement evidence-based interventions.
Research-guided practice is essential in areas lacking established evidence-based interventions.
Decisions made based on a variety of sources, including systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
Many interventions need more empirical research before being classified as "evidence-based"; "evidence-informed practice" may be a more realistic term.

Professional Development

Involves orientation and job induction for new employees.
Emphasizes the transition from autonomous worker to an interdependent team member.
Encourages development of specialization within the field.
Prepares social workers to serve as mentors or supervisors for others.

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Description

This quiz focuses on essential concepts related to social work, specifically core values and professional ethics. It aims to enhance your understanding of the moral principles guiding social work practice and the expectations for professionals in the field.