Toward Building a Culture of Strengths in U.S. MSW Programs

Abstract

Social work has embraced the strengths perspective as a vital part of micro, mezzo, and macro practice. Yet the authors’ experience suggests that the medical model of deficits, disease, and disorder remains the dominant paradigm. This exploratory study sought to determine how and to what extent strengths-based practice is integrated into the MSW practice curriculum. Forty-four (44) of 181 programs responded to a 12-item web-based survey. Quantitative and qualitative responses indicate an almost universal awareness of and attention to integrating strengths-based content. However, a smaller number of programs appear to be looking beyond curriculum content towards the creation of a broader culture of strengths. Even so, challenges remain toward overcoming a pathological orientation in social work practice curricula.

Positive Development and Resilience in Emerging Adulthood

“…At a practical level, a similarly broad perspective is needed to develop balanced intervention agendas to support adolescents and emerging adults (Held, 2004). A growth in well-being promotion is already becoming evident in the helping professions (Donaldson, Early, & Wang, 2009) and in school-based interventions such as the positive education program described earlier. At the policy level, the economic benefits of interventions oriented toward promoting well-being and competencies are also being strongly argued (Zechmeister, Kilian, McDaid, & the MHEEN group, 2008).…”

Strengths-based Practice and Motivational Interviewing

“…Teaching SBP content is a requirement for reaccreditation by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and the infusion of SBP into social work BSW and MSW programs has been a central theme for many schools of social work (Cox, 2001;Donaldson, Early, & Wang, 2009). In addition, the recent move away from content-based school accreditation toward competence-based school accreditation by CSWE means that a practical means of measuring whether a practitioner is delivering SBP needs to be developed.…”