Answer to Question #220991 in Psychology for Nqoqo

Question

In your own words, briefly discuss the meaning of each principle underlying the strengths perspective mentioned below and how it applies to working with individuals. Substantiate your answer by providing one example for each of the principles mentioned. a) Every individual, group, family, and community has strengths. (3) b) Trauma and abuse, illness and struggle may be injurious, but they may also be sources of challenge and opportunity. (3) c) Assume that you do not know the upper limits of the capacity to grow and change, and take individual, group and community aspirations seriously (3) d) We best serve clients by collaborating with them. (3) e) Every environment is full of resources.

Answer 1

a) Every person has an inherent power that may be characterized as life force, transformational capacity

b) Many people come to social workers with a victim mentality, feeling helpless and without a future based on their past. They have been discouraged, beat down and made to feel broken. Being a victim of abuse, trauma, toxic relationships or a victim of assault are all unfortunate circumstances, but they can be overcome. It may seem like a challenge, but it is possible with assistance and God. As social workers we are to provide client’s who have experienced repeated trauma with support and resources to assist them in their journey to a hopeful life.

c) In response to the demand for ending the longstanding conflict between social work values and practice caused by the traditional deficit-focused approach, and also for the search for the essence of social work.

d) Workers who use SBPs approach individuals as collaborators who have specific skills and experiences to offer, while remaining open to the wisdom, experience and knowledge of individuals. Promotes the utilization of informal support networks. Suggests solid community involvement by case managers. Stresses the relationship between the client and case manager.

e) Food from plants and animals, wood for cooking, heating, and building, metals, coal , and oil are all environmental resources. Clean land, air, and water are environmental resources readily available that people depend on them for their existence.