Thesis (M.S.W.)--University of Hong Kong, 1979.

Thesis (M.S.W.)--University of Hong Kong, 1988.

Thesis (doctoral)--Columbia University, 1972. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [11]-[28] (2nd group)). Also issued in print.

Thesis--Catholic University of America. / A survey of casework literature from 1921 to 1950. Bibliography: p. 212-220.

Thesis--Catholic University of America. / A survey of casework literature from 1921 to 1950. Bibliography: p. 212-220.

Late in 1959, the Council on Social Work Education published a thirteen volume study on the desirable objectives of social work education. In the volume on casework method , it is proposed that the concepts of "role" and "stress" be used in combination for the assessment.of clients' problems. Leading social workers have expressed much interest in these proposals but have agreed that extensive research and testing are necessary to bring the theory to the level of practice. This thesis attempts a contribution in this area, applying the "social role theory" empirically to a sample of social casework practice. Such an evaluation must be made in relation to the social work profession's ultimate responsibility to the client. The criterion: Will this theory enable the social worker to help the client more effectively? The sample group are twelve cases from the files of the Children's Clinic, Mental Health Centre, where both parents and children receive treatment services. The social functioning of the parents has been examined in relation to the social functioning of the primary client, the child. The case record material was first analyzed on the basis of the concept of stress, the attempt being made to identify a) the sources of stress, b) the values threatened, c) the duration of stress, d) the response to stress, e) the major roles impaired and f) the reciprocal roles affected. The concept of role was utilized to describe and rate child and parents in terms of a) performance in major social roles and b) the interrelatedness of roles in the family network. The degree of role impairment was rated for the roles of husband, wife, father, mother, son or daughter, sibling, employee, student and member of community (for adults) or peer (for children). Assessment and redefinition of the client in relation to his problem was then attempted for each case. This study has brought a number of analytical features to light. There is need for clarification of specific roles, e.g., "employee,” where there are intersecting roles. Sibling relationships require considerably more study. It suggests the need for obtaining information regarding the adequacy of the client and those in his immediate role network in the early fact-finding phase of treatment, in such a way as to minimize additional resistance. It also suggests the necessity of eliminating confusion in the client role through a mutual understanding of the client-worker expectations in the early stage of treatment. An important feature of the theory that must be considered if it is to be put into practice, is that the client must be perceived not only in terms of general emotional responses to stress e.g., "anxiety" but in terms of how this reaction has affected his social functioning, i.e., which roles in his network of relationships are impaired and which threatened. / Arts, Faculty of / Social Work, School of / Graduate

The Joint Family Services Project which was in operation in Vancouver, B.C., during 1955 to 1957, is an experiment in bringing combined casework and group work services to family units. The three participating agencies are the Family Service Agency, Gordon House and Alexandra Neighborhood House. The present study is based upon the Project as it functioned in the latter Agency only; but apart from this limitation, it is the first attempt at a comprehensive review. Reaching families with incipient social and emotional problems,by means of observation of individuals who are not benefitting fully from group experiences, is the key note; and the study endeavours to assess the social services extended to those in need. This study is based upon the reports and documents prepared prior to and during the Project. It also analyzes the main statistical data accumulated during the two years, as well as making use of recorded material of both the casework and group work staff. Interviews with the staff members served to supplement this information on important points. In the survey, particular consideration is given to (1) the client and his family, housing, the neighborhood, and other socio-economic factors, (2) the role and methods of the participating group work staff, and (3) the role and methods of the caseworker and related consultants in this leisure-time setting. Chapter One deals with the preparatory work of the Project and its objectives. Chapter Two sketches a picture of the clients and the community from which they are drawn. Chapters Three and Four focus on the skills and services of the group worker and caseworker respectively. The final chapter brings together the preliminary findings and implications regarding this Project. Benefits to clients from the family approach to their problems are indicated; also the merits to social workers, namely, cooperating to deal with the "total personality". Some enrichments to both casework and group work can be seen in the Project process. Present achievements and possible future values should both be measured against the relatively small funds and short period of operation of this experiment. / Arts, Faculty of / Social Work, School of / Graduate

A pertinent problem in child guidance settings is the apparent inability of a considerable number of parents to involve themselves in treatment. This results in seriously limiting the amount of help that can be given to the child, or results in the parents withdrawing from the agency leaving the problem untouched. It was therefore considered important to attempt to isolate resistance, as manifested by parents, to casework services during the intake study. Some of the causative factors in resistance are discussed in general terms, as background. A small group of cases (6) were then chosen for detailed examination. In all of these, a high degree of resistance was manifested. The defense mechanisms used to manifest resistance are described in general, and analysed in the specific cases. Skills and techniques which the social worker used to decrease initial resistance were then tabulated; and from these certain common denominators became evident. The findings indicate a need for some refinement of intake procedures. There is evidently need also for greater effort on the part of social workers to decrease initial resistance, since the capacity of parents to involve themselves in treatment appears to be dependent upon the favorable conditions created for them by the intake worker. Resistance is a complex phenomenon however, and demands further research. / Arts, Faculty of / Social Work, School of / Graduate

"Non-ward Care” refers to a child for whom the Superintendent of Child Welfare has assumed responsibility temporarily at the request of the child’s parent or guardian. The primary function of non-ward care is the protection of children within their own family unit, the importance to the child of having his own parents accept responsibility for him being recognized as a principle basic to child welfare services. Non-ward care, as described in this thesis, is an important service for treating certain family situations in the hope that this treatment will make it possible for children and parents to help themselves. In the final analysis, the real assessment of the use of the resource of non-ward care depends on the preservation of the family unit. This study was undertaken in an attempt to examine descriptively and analytically the casework services involved in the provision of the resource of non-ward care to families, and to note how the families were being benefited by the resource. The analysis of the fifteen cases used in this study suggests some correlation between the evidence of improvement in the family situation and the quality of the social work methods and techniques exhibited by the worker during the course of the agency's contact with the family. This is judged by the rating of the progress made by the families as related to the quality of the worker's relationship, and also the extent to which basic social work methods and techniques were used by the worker. In both instances, the cases which showed much improvement in the family situation, showed proficient use of the basic social work methods and techniques. The cases which made little progress showed weaknesses in some areas of social work methods, particularly the areas which require diagnostic skill, evaluation, and the making of a plan based on the diagnosis. The findings of the study are that, in the majority of instances, the resource of non-ward care was being used towards the preservation of the families; and that, from the beginning the plan was for the children to be returned to their parents’ homes when the situation had been alleviated. There were a few cases, however, in which the original plan for the family seemed to have been lost sight of and children had remained in care longer than had been envisaged, while no improvement had occurred in the family situation. The implications here are significant not only for this type of service, but for all fields of the social work profession. / Arts, Faculty of / Social Work, School of / Graduate

Social workers have been interested for many years in the problems of adjustment that occur in marriage, and have attempted to assist those families grappling with marital difficulties. In particular the Family Service Agency of this and other communities has concerned itself with marital discord, and through study has tried to broaden its knowledge, and refine its skills. This study is a part of the re-evaluation that is constantly underway. This study is an exploratory one. It is concerned with the strengths and the limitations of the social casework approach to marital counselling. The six cases examined are difficult ones containing problems of a serious nature. The primary reason for their selection was that they revealed the casework process in some detail. The cases have been summarized, and the casework process closely examined. On the basis of the analyses it was found that ego supportive casework, the observance of the social work principles of self-determination, individuality, objectivity and the non-judgmental attitude, and the use of community resources are extremely helpful to families experiencing marital problems. In addition, the ability of the caseworker to grasp the total functioning of the client in his family and social situation is a positive aspect of the casework approach. The chief weakness of the casework approach as it has been evolved to the present time is the policy of routinely assigning one caseworker to help both partners. When the partners are dependent and immature people they are unable to share a deep, therapeutic relationship with the same caseworker. This study supports a proposal made by Mr. Sidney Berkowitz some years ago. Mr. Berkowitz claimed that the caseworker should decide early in the contact whether serious conflicts or mild disturbance was involved, and that two caseworkers should be assigned in the former instance. Other weaknesses in the casework approach resulted from the caseworker's lack of diagnostic thinking and planning, and from their failure to observe the social work principles. The caseworkers also did not seem to realize the harmful effects of marital discord upon the children, and in only one case was direct casework help extended to a child. / Arts, Faculty of / Social Work, School of / Graduate