Improving Student Confidence in Using Group Work Standards

Abstract

Objective: This is a replication of a study that examined the effects of teaching foundation competencies in group work to social work students and assessed their self-confidence in applying these skills. This study improves on the first by utilizing a controlled design. Method: Twenty-six master of social work students were taught group work competencies derived from the International Association for the Advancement of Social Work with Groups’ (IASWG) Standards for Social Work Practice with Groups using didactic activities and micro-skill exercises. Students were assessed 4 times on their confidence in group work competencies using a validated 70-item inventory. Group work skills were divided into three blocks and taught successively in an abbreviated multiple-baseline design. Results: The t-tests indicated significant increases in confidence ratings after training on the respective skills but not before skills training. Conclusion: The results provide additional support for the effectiveness of the teaching approach in building student confidence in using IASWG Standards.