Utilizing Strengths in Assessment

Abstract

Little empirical evidence is available to show the extent to which social workers emphasize strengths in their practice, know how to use strengths concepts, and believe strengths are important in practice. Using a case analogue, the authors found that social workers emphasized both strengths and deficits and rated strengths over deficits when evaluating the case of an elderly woman who required services to maintain independent living. Social workers employed in mental health facilities rated deficits higher than did those employed in other settings and were more likely to rate counseling as important in the case plan than were others. In the same manner, those who indicated that their theoretical base was psychodynamic rated the deficits found in the assessment as being more important than did others and gave higher ratings to counseling as a case plan than did others.