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Outcome objectives in social work practice: person and environment
1School of Social Work, University of Illinois, Urbana 61801.
Social Work
|May 1, 1991
Summary
This study quantifies social workers' focus on client or environmental outcomes. Findings show practice outcomes can be categorized, validating a useful conceptual framework for social work intervention.
Area of Science:
- Social Work Research
- Intervention Outcomes
- Practice Frameworks
Background:
- Investigating the outcome focus in social work interventions.
- Assessing alignment between research frameworks and practice realities.
Observation:
- A national study surveyed 1,000 master's-level social workers.
- Participants used case vignettes to select outcome objectives.
- Focus was on changing client aspects versus environmental aspects.
Findings:
- Social workers' choices of personal and environmental outcomes are quantifiable.
- Categorization of intervention outcomes is feasible.
- The conceptual framework effectively captures practice phenomena.
Implications:
- Provides a measurable understanding of social work intervention goals.
- Highlights the utility of specific frameworks in analyzing practice.
- Informs future research on social work practice and outcomes.