Theory and Research

114 ■ II. MeTaTHeorieS for DireCT SoCiaL WorK PraCTiCe

time indicates success of the intervention (Probst, 2009). In order to address this critique, this chapter has defined eight tenets of SBP, provided specific suggestions on how to implement SBP at each intervention stage, and presented a case example as an illustration of SBP.

Another critique of SBP is that there is little empirical evidence for SBP (Gray, 2011; Staudt et al., 2001). As SBP has, for the most part, been vaguely defined, it has been difficult to accurately measure the implementation and impact of SBP. Thus, it is unclear as to whether clinicians who use SBP are more effective than clinicians who do not, and whether clinicians who use SBP could actually be doing more harm than good. Probst (2009) argues that discussing whether or not SBP has any empirical evidence to support it misses the larger underlying issue that SBP is more accurately described as an “applied concept” (p. 162) that operates through specific interven- tions, models, and practice behaviors. Thus, actual interventions that incorporate strengths- based concepts can be defined, measured, and declared efficacious or not, but the broader concept of SBP cannot be measured and should be viewed with more realistic expectations. This perspective is more in line with the current presentation of SBP as a social work metatheory, as discussed in this chapter.

CONCLUSION

Regardless of the criticisms directed toward the strengths-based perspective, an emphasis on strengths-based approaches can be seen across all areas of social work practice. With roots dat- ing to the inception of social work as a profession, the importance of client and client–system strengths is commonly accepted among professionals in all facets of social work practice, accrediting bodies, and schools of social work in the United States and around the world. The core tenets of SBP are reflected across many of the theories that social workers use to explain human behavior, the social environment, behavior change, and social change. As such, it is logi- cal to argue that SBP is a metatheory that organizes and names the otherwise unspoken “rules” embedded within practice. As illustrated throughout this chapter, SBP is integral to all social work practice and, in line with the generalist practice framework, helps to promote human and social well-being (Poulin, 2005). SBP is important for micro, mezzo, and macro levels of practice (Chapin, 2011), and is central to social work competence in engagement, assessment, interven- tion, and evaluation across work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and com- munities. Viewing SBP as a metatheory reflects the central importance of its values, assumptions, and principles for all social work practice, and this will be useful in moving the field forward.

SUMMARY POINTS

• categorizing SBP as a metatheory organizes and names the otherwise unspoken rules embed- ded within lower level practice theories,

• the history of understanding and using strengths in social work practice can be traced to the early origins of the social work profession and encompass a diverse range of practice theo- ries, which all share complementary philosophies and foci,

• underlying all theories that take an SBP approach is the charge to build upon available strengths and frame social work interventions within a positive paradigm,

• the tenets of SBP promote individual well-being and reduce social problems by building upon the strengths possessed by clients (e.g., capabilities, skills) and by the client systems in which clients interact (e.g., assets, resources),

• the central values, theoretic constructs, and major tenets of SBP inform each stage of the helping process across all levels of practice,

• SBP constructs and tenets were illustrated using a multi-level case example.

Bolton, K. W. P. M., Hall, J. C. P. L., & Lehmann, P. P. L. (Eds.). (2021). Theoretical perspectives for direct social work practice : A generalist-eclectic approach. Springer Publishing Company. Created from capella on 2022-05-04 19:59:14.

C o p yr

ig h t ©

2 0 2 1 . S

p ri n g e r

P u b lis

h in

g C

o m

p a n y.

A ll

ri g h ts

r e se

rv e d .