International Journal of Research p-ISSN: 2348-6848

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Social Work with Individuals: Social Diagnosis

and Treatment of Psycho-Social Problems
Mohd. Shakil
Research Scholar, Department of Social Work, A.M.U., Aligarh. Available at:
[email protected]
Abstract:
Today, we live in a globalized world with primary method and secondary method. Social

electrifying-scientific wonders and casework is the part of primary method of

uncountable achievements that excite the social work profession that works with

human mind. Yes, we live in an age of individuals, and family. In the discourse of

information with messages coming from social work profession, this paper is an

satellites thousands of miles away, and attempt to provide a linear understanding of

medical schools offer departments of medical social casework practice. The paper is divided

informatics that computerize each disease and into eight parts. The first part deals with the

make the information readily available to introduction of social work profession. The

practitioners in an easy way. Yet, people second part presents a view on social

suffer with loneliness, dejection, psycho-social casework and its objectives. The third part

problems, insecurity, and other difficulties. gives a view of principles of social casework.

Social work, which is a modern profession The fourth part presents the framework of

based on scientific knowledge and skills, is social casework practice. The fifth part

one answer to challenges related to presents the components of social casework

communication, feelings, and humane actions. setting. The sixth part presents the skills

It seeks to enhance the social functioning of required in social casework. The seventh part

individuals, singly and in groups, by activities deals with the process of social casework

focused upon their social relationships which practice. Finally, the last part presents an

constitute the interaction between client and example of psycho-social model along with

his/her environment. Social work has two conclusion.

methods to intervene the problems which are

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 International Journal of Research p-ISSN: 2348-6848
e-ISSN: 2348-795X
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April 2015

Key Words: Social Casework, Client, social systems, social work intervenes at the

Social Diagnosis, Social Treatment, and points where people interact with their

Process. environments. Principles of human rights and

social justice are fundamental to social work”
(Parris, 2012).
Social work is a modern profession
Introduction:
based on scientific knowledge and skills, but
Social work emerged as a profession early in
its roots stretch back into antiquity. The
the twentieth century. Today, it is the
current professionalized form is one
profession charged with accomplishing the
expression of social work that has developed
social welfare mandate of promoting well-
as the result of social reformers, advances in
being and quality of life. It encompasses
knowledge and the rise of democratic ideas.
activities directed at improving human and
The knowledge base and the skills have been
social conditions and alleviating human’s
formalized and continue to be developed and
stress and psycho-social problems. Social
there is a distinctive training, a growing body
workers, as caring professionals, work with
of research and literature, a protected title and
people to enhance their competence and social
professional associations. Many of the values
functioning, to access social supports and
that underpin social work and the motivation
resources to create humane and responsive
that derives people to become a social worker
social services, and to expand the structures of
are timeless and universal: from individual
society that provide opportunities for all
acts of charity to collective action that
citizens (DuBois & Miley, 1999). The
challenges injustice and oppression. In recent
International Federation of Social Work
times, social work services, in response to
(IFSW, 2001) has formulated a respected and
governmental policies, have tried to limit this
well-used definition of social work, as
scope through procedures to contain those
follows: “The social work profession promotes
who are eligible, but this has created its own
social change, problem solving in human
additional work. Moreover, the joy of social
relationships and the empowerment and
work is its combination of the telescopic and
liberation of people to enhance well-being.
the microscopic, its hard-to-define position
Utilizing theories of human behavior and
and its unclear boundaries. The podiatrist

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 International Journal of Research p-ISSN: 2348-6848
e-ISSN: 2348-795X
Available at http://internationaljournalofresearch.org/
Volume 02 Issue 03
April 2015

works with feet, the plumber with pipes, but improved schools, better housing, more
social workers work with the human and hospitals and medical care facilities, protected
social circumstances and conditions (Deol, economic conditions and better relations
2012). between religious groups help the individual
The future of social work profession in his/her adjustment and development. But
in the context of British Society is hard to his/her adjustment and development depend
predict. Social workers will need to accept and on the use of these resources by him/her.
adjust with periods of intense change in the Sometimes due to certain factors, internal or
organization and management of their work. external, he/she fails to avail existing
Practitioners must, therefore, retain clarity facilities. In such situations, social caseworker
about their roles and contribution to welfare helps him/her. The credit goes to Mary
services and be prepared to argue for the Richmond for defining the social casework
continuing relevance of their role within scientifically. In 1915, she said that social
environments which they may find harsh and casework is an art through which help is
unforgiving. The fundamental changes that provided to people for their betterment as well
have been set in training for social work as for the betterment of society. It means that
education confirm the fact that social workers social casework is essential if any country
must simultaneously operate in ways that wants to improve and develop society and
deliver a good quality of service, while also community. But this definition was not clear
being prepared to amend their practice in and therefore, she defined again in her book
accordance with frequent adjustments to their named ‘Social Diagnosis’, 1917, in which she
organizational locations (Lymbery & Postle, emphasized the specific purpose i.e. better
2007). adjustment in the social relationships. Again
Social Casework: in 1922, she told that social casework is for

Social casework or social work with change of the personality of the individual for

individuals is a primary method of social work proper social adjustment. In general, the

which is concerned with the adjustment and purpose of social casework is to help an

development of the individual towards more individual client to solve his/her psycho-social

satisfying human relations. Better family life, problems in such a way so that he/she finds
him/her capable of dealing with the problems

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 International Journal of Research p-ISSN: 2348-6848
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at present and also may solve in future if such transaction or face-to-face or person-to-person
problems arise. Thus, social casework has the encounter. The caseworker helps the client to
following objectives: act in order to achieve some personal/social
• To understand and solve the internal problems goals by utilizing the available resources in
of the individual. terms of strength of personality of the client,
• To strengthen his/her ego power. his/her social system or material provisions
• Remediation of problems in social available in the community and/or agency
functioning. (Upadhyay, 2012).

• Prevention of problems in social functioning. Principles of Social Casework:

• Development of resources to enhance social Biestek has described seven principles of
problems (Misra, 1994). casework relationship which are:
Social casework, as taught and practiced in 1. Individualization: Individualization is the
India today, is understood as an approach to recognition and understanding of each client’s
help individuals but not at random. As a unique qualities and the differential use of
method of social work profession, it seeks to principles and methods in assisting each client
help individuals in a systematic way based on toward a better adjustment. Individualization
knowledge of human behavior and various is based upon the right of human beings to be
tested approaches. Every individuals, child or individuals and to be treated not only as a
adult, in order to grow and develop, has human being but also as a human being with
various needs (psychological, physical and his/her personal differences.
social) to fulfill. The concept of ‘social 2. Purposeful Expression of Feelings:
functioning’ has gained quite an important Purposeful expression of feelings is the
place in social casework. This concept fully recognition of the client’s need to express
explains the meaning of the adjective, ‘social’, his/her feelings freely, especially negative
used with the word ‘casework’ and helps in feelings. The caseworker listens purposefully,
differentiating it from psycho-work, i.e. neither discouraging nor condemning the
psychotherapy. Social casework enables an expression of feelings, sometimes even
individual to obtain a higher level of social actively stimulating and encouraging them
functioning through an interpersonal

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 International Journal of Research p-ISSN: 2348-6848
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Volume 02 Issue 03
April 2015

when they are therapeutically useful as a part casework process. Caseworker has a
of the casework practice. corresponding duty to respect that right,
3. Controlled Emotional Involvement: The recognize that need, stimulate and help to
controlled emotional involvement is the activate that potential for self direction by
caseworker’s sensitivity to the client’s helping the client to see and use the available
feelings, an understanding of meaning, and and appropriate resources of the community
purposeful and appropriate response to the and of his own personality.
client’s feelings. 7. Confidentiality: Confidentiality is the
4. Acceptance: Acceptance is a principle of preservation of secret information concerning
action wherein the caseworker perceives and the client which is disclosed in the
deals with the client as he/she really is, professional relationship. Confidentiality is
including his/her strength and weakness, based upon a basic right of the client; it is an
congenial and uncongenial qualities, positive ethical obligation of the caseworker and is
and negative feelings, constructive and necessary for effective casework service
destructive attitudes and behavior, maintaining (Misra, 1994).
all the while a sense of the client’s innate The Practice Framework:
dignity and personal worth. Purpose, values, sanctions, knowledge, and
5. The Non-judgmental Attitude: The non- methods are at the heart of social work
judgmental attitude is a quality of the practice with individuals and families:
casework relationship. It is based on a • Purpose: The purpose of social work practice
conviction that the casework function is to prevent or cure the breakdown of a
excludes assigning guilt or innocence, or healthy relationship between an individual and
degree of client responsibility for causation of his or her family or other associates. It helps
the problems or needs, but does include people to identify and resolve problems in
making evaluative judgments about the their relationships or, at least, to minimize
attitudes, standards, or action of the client. their effects. Social work seeks to strengthen
6. Self-determination: The principle of client’s the maximum potential in individuals, groups,
self-determination is the practical recognition and communities.
of the right and need of clients to freedom in
making their own choice and decisions in the

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• Social Work Values: Social work assumes the more important contributing disciplines
the inherent worth and importance of the are: dynamic psychology, ego psychology, and
individual and the interdependence between the various theoretical developments in
an individual and his or her family or other sociology, social psychology, psychiatry, and
associates. Emphasis is placed on the cultural anthropology.
importance of respect for the dignity of the • Methods of Social Casework: Methods of
individual, and on his or her ability to make working with individuals and families have
important decisions. remained open. In the 1950s there was much
• Sanctions: Work with individuals and discussion of the diagnostic and functional
families, except for private practice, is under methods of casework. Many models of
the auspices of various governmental and casework have been identified: psychosocial,
private agencies that receive their sanction functional, problem-solving, behavior
from the people. Government agencies are modification, family group treatment, crisis
intended to express the will of the people. oriented brief treatment, and adult
Private voluntary associations are also socialization. One of the newer models is task-
mandated by the people to serve human needs. oriented casework. The trend in the 1990s
The authorization for services is provided by appeared to be what has been appropriately
law, or by policy-making bodies in by-laws labeled selective eclecticism (Skidmore & et.
and constitutions of agencies reflecting the al., 1991).
wishes of the people who support the services The Components of Social
of the agencies. Casework Setting:
• Knowledge: The theory underpinning for
The nucleus of the casework event is: A
casework is derived basically from the
person with a problem comes to a place where
profession of social work and from casework
a professional representative helps him or her
practice. Research contributes to the
by a given process:
knowledge base and appears to be growing in
• Person: The person is a man, woman, or a
sophistication and importance. The profession
child, anyone who finds himself/herself, or is
continues to recognize the contributions from
found to be, in need of help in some aspect of
the behavioral and natural sciences. Among
his/her social-emotional living, whether the

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need be for tangible provisions or counsel. As to resolve it or vitiate its effects (Perlman,
he/she begins to receive such help is called a 2011).
client. Skills in Social Casework:
• Problem: The problem arises from some need Skill is the capacity to perform a task or an act
or obstacle or accumulation of frustrations or in such a way that the objectives are realized
maladjustments, and sometimes all of these effectively and within the shortest possible
together, which threatens or has already time. Skill development depends upon
attacked the adequacy of the clients’ living training, practice, experience and knowledge
situation or the effectiveness of efforts to deal of human behavior. Basically, there are four
with. skills required for effective casework practice:
• Place: The place is a social service agency or I. Skill In Relationship: The casework
a social service department of another kind of treatment (intervention) that is carried through
human welfare agency. It is a particular kind relationship between the client and caseworker
of social agency and department in that it is needs creating an atmosphere of trust,
set up to deal not with social problems at large confidence and mutual respect wherein the
but with human beings who are experiencing client feels comfortable to express
such problems in the management of their himself/herself and asks for help. Skill lies in
own personal lives. showing respect, and genuine interest in the
• Process: The process, named ‘social client and his/her problems, respecting his/her
casework’ to denote its centre of attention and opinions and values, and involving him/her in
its individualized aspect, is a progressive every stage of finding solution of his/her
transaction between the professional social problems.
caseworker and the client. It consists of a II. Skill in Exploring Problems in Depth: The
series of problem-solving operations carried caseworker ought to possess skills in probing
on within a meaningful relationship. The end the details and developmental sequence of the
of this process is contained in its means to problem. Caseworker’s ability to help the
influence the client-person that he/she client to tell his/her story and to indentify
develops effectiveness in coping with his/her his/her real problem requires capacity to listen
problem and/or to so influence the problem as to, express interest and show respect to the

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client’s versions along with understanding of suggested actions have to be according to

human behavior in different conditions, and of his/her capacity, status, resources and
social conditions and human problems. community norms (Upadhyay, 2003).
Obviously, this requires capacity to empathies The Casework Process:
with client. Study, diagnosis, treatment, and termination
III. Skill in the Use of Resources: Very often, are the main divisions of the casework
services and material resources are used as process:
tools to help the client to solve his/her • Study: In the study phase, the client is
problems. Therefore, caseworker needs engaged in presenting the problem. It is one of
capacity to tap all such resources either the threads of the process that will continue to
available in the friends circle or with the be interwoven throughout. Interaction and
relatives or in the community of the client in client’s participation are emphasized, not
general to help him. Caseworker’s skill lies in because of their special relationship to the
locating and using the resources for helping beginning phase, but for their importance
the client in such a way that it does not throughout the process as a setting for the
damage his/her self-image. process. In the study phase, the client makes
IV. Skill in Finding out Alternative Solutions: the important decision of whether to enter
After having established a congenial treatment. The emphasis on the interaction is
relationship, explored his/her problems and on the here-and-how and on the problem not
tapped the needed resources, it is extremely as might be perceived by the worker, but as
important to discuss the possible approaches experienced at the moment by the client. Data-
to solve the problems in greater detail with gathering and history-taking concentrate on
full clarity. Alternative courses of action need relevance. A sufficiency of facts may be
to be thrashed out vividly and concretely in required to satisfy the demands of the agency.
terms of its advantages, disadvantages, • Social Diagnosis: Social diagnosis
implications for everyone likely to be affected (assessment) provides a differential approach
by this decision. Skill lies in helping the client to treatment based on individual differences
to understand each alternative with its all and needs. It clearly recognizes the uniqueness
implications and to decide for the best of every situation, the importance of treatment
possible course of action in the situation. The

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planning related to a particular problematic the client to clarify the problem for
situation, area of family dysfunction, system himself/herself and to make changes in his/her
breakdown, or trouble within a life situation. life situation resulting from mutual
Defining the problem is clearly a way of understanding. Treatment goals are
individualizing the person. Assessment begins determined by the client and the worker
with a statement of the problem by the client. together. Intervention is determined by the
It is guided by what is indicated by the client client’s need, and when the agency does not
to be the major problem and may penetrate a provide the service indicated the worker has
range of somatic, psychosocial, social, the responsibility to help the client tap other
cultural, spiritual, and environmental forces. It resources. The relationship is the mainspring
includes judgment about the strength and of social work with individuals and families,
limitations of the individual in coping with the with the possible exception of those who
situation. The functioning person, the person follow the behavior-modification model.
with mastering ego capacity, can be expected Warmth, genuineness, and congruence have
ordinarily to say what brings him/her to the been identified as essential qualities the
agency. This becomes the point of intersection worker must bring to the relationship.
between the worker and the client. The worker Combined with interviewing skills, the worker
will apply his/her knowledge of forces, helps the client to tell his/her story and
knowledge of life situations, problem- partialize an approach to treatment so as not to
producing stresses, and understanding of be overwhelmed. Treatment skills include
people to the helping role by questions, interviewing, recording, letter writing,
comments, and in many non-verbal ways. referrals to other agencies and services, and
There is a mutual agreement between the helping the client to use personal and other
worker and the client in assessment. Goals resources. Intervention efforts support and
must be congruent with client’s needs and the strengthen the client’s ego through emotional
availability of services. These goals are catharsis, reassurance, clarification of the
respected, supported, and reinforced. problem and sympathetic listening.
• Social Treatment: Social treatment • Termination: A decision to accept a “case” to
(intervention) begins with the first contact. intervene professionally, to provide help to an
The study process is treatment when it helps applicant (an individual or to a family)

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needing help, carried with it the assumption situation and scattered into rays of hopes
that at some point in the process the deciding to leave home.
intervention will end. Termination as used in • Assessment: Soham, excessively dependent
social work means the ending or limiting a upon his parents, resented this dependency,
process that was commenced when the agency and wanted to break out of the box he felt he
(worker) agreed to enter into the intervention was in. He also was resentful of the conviction
process aimed at delivering a service to a of his relatives, even though this dependency
client with a problem (Skidmore & et. al., was age appropriate. His feelings of
1991). helplessness in social situations, with his
father and relatives, appeared to be referable
Case Example: Psycho-social Model to the long period of time.
• Study: Such factors as the following, revealed • Intervention: The goal was to support Soham
in the interview, are noted and taken into in efforts to become more self-reliant and to
consideration for assessment and intervention: help him for helping himself. He was
Soham, the only son in a family of ten encouraged to make decisions affecting his
children, grew up as a student having parents life. He was helped to question him about
always protecting him, limiting and strength of his earning. He shared his skill that
controlling his activities, and often thinking he was efficient to teach English language and
for him. Till his schooling, parents were its grammar. He was aided to understand why
supportive any how to afford his study. But he resented his dependency and how to cope
suddenly parents denied him to get higher with this by encouraging him to be self-reliant
education believing that there will only be the and earning and getting higher education
wastage of money and time for higher study. together as well as maintaining good
He tried his best to convince his father and relationship with family also. He was helped
relatives to support and afford his higher to understand his dependency and how to
education but result was zero. The only way handle his relationships with parents and
was to drop the ambition of higher study and relatives without feeling helpless and dejected.
get involved with father’s local business. He • Termination: When Soham engaged himself
was also unable to compromise with the with a coaching centre, started teaching

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English language, and he got first salary, he [6] Parris, M. (2012). An Introduction to
was now just to move on to realize his Social Work Practice: A Practical
Handbook. New York: Open University
capacity to carry on his higher education.
Press.
Conclusion: [7] Skidmore, & et. al. (1991).
Introduction to Social Work. New Jersey:
The purpose of social casework is to help an
Prentice-Hall, Inc.
individual client to solve his/her psycho-social [8] Upadhyay, R.K. (2012). Social
problems in such a way that he/she finds Casework: A Therapeutic Approach. New
himself/herself capable of dealing with such Delhi: Rawat Publications.

problems at present and also may solve in About the author:

future as well if arise. Before studying the Mr. Mohd. Shakil is pursuing Ph.D. in the
problem of client by the caseworker, rapport Department of Social Work, Aligarh Muslim
University, Aligarh since November, 2012. He
building is an inevitable part of social is also availing Senior Research Fellowship
casework process. While involving in the under the scheme of UGC (SRF-UGC). His
social case work process, the caseworker is to research topic is “Children of Incarcerated
Mothers: Study of District Jails of Aligarh and
abide by the professional principles, goals,
Etah, Uttar Pradesh”.
values, and application of social casework
along with its knowledge and skills.

References:
[1] Deol, M. (2012). Social Work: The
Basics. USA and Canada: Rutledge.
[2] DuBois, B. & Miley, K.K. (1999).
Social Work: An Empowering Profession.
Boston: Allyn & Bacon Publication
[3] Lymbery, M., and Postle, K. (2007).
Social Work: A Companion to Learning.
London: Sage.
[4] Misra, P.D. (1994). Social Work:
Philosophy and Methods. New Delhi: Inter-
India Publications.
[5] Perlman, H.H. (2011). Social
Casework: A Problem-solving Process. New
Delhi: Rawat Publications.

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