Reading:
Summary
Systemic, ecological, and strengths-based perspective models complement the helpdesk by giving you a broader angle on your analysis and strategies for care and support for the family system. The social work profession has the opportunity to carry out a joint analysis with individuals and subsystems for the development of communication skills, problem solving, and the establishment of healthy relationships among its members.
B. Content
1. Models
Models for practice allow the Social Worker to have guidance and direction in their help process. According to Viscarret (2014), the models for intervention in Social Work aim to offer security to Social Workers in the performance of their duties. The models offer a correct form that guides the action of professionals to achieve the correct results. In social work, models make it possible to understand and explain what is happening, the nature of the problem, and extend to facilitate an effective evaluation of the intervention process. According to the author, the models have an intimately linked theoretical and practical component, which must be coupled to the phenomena on which they intervene.
Viscarret (2014) indicates that the models arise in Social Work as a result of the motivation and need to create various professional practices derived from and related to theoretical approaches related to the profession (p. 301). In the same way that social, individual and family problems have changed and evolved, the methodologies and epistemologies of Social Work have also done so. Several models have served as a guide and framework for action in the profession. Next, the models with the greatest theoretical and methodological consistency, which have most influenced the practice of the profession, are identified. These are:
psychodynamic model
ecological model
Crisis intervention model
Task-focused model
Behavioral-cognitive model
humanist and existential model
critical/radical model
Case management model
systemic model
For the purposes of this module, and the exercise of the analysis of its use in family intervention, we will be concentrating on the systemic model, the ecological model and the crisis intervention model. The strengths perspective and the empowerment perspective will be discussed due to their relevance to service delivery.
2. Systemic Model
The systemic model is attributed to Ludwig Von Bertalanffy, a biologist who defined systems as elements that interact with each other (1968). Essential elements of this model are:
The whole is more than the sum of the parts
The whole determines the nature of the parts.
The parts cannot be understood if they are considered in isolation from the whole.
The parts are dynamically interrelated or interdependent.
A system is an organized set of things or parts that interact with each other and that are interdependent but that are related to form a whole. The systemic model is one of the models that explains social functioning. This model makes it possible to identify and develop an analysis of the events and circumstances that affect the member of a family, and how these circumstances have an impact and effect on the other members. There is interest in the Social Work profession for the systemic approach because it provides a theoretical reference and a methodology that allows analyzing, thinking, identifying and designing strategies for Social Work action.
Goldenberg & Goldenberg (2012) explain that the use of this model allows an analysis of "family relationships" that arise from the needs and impulses of its members. However, through this model, the Worker focuses on the general functioning of the family as a system and not on the pathology of its members or the individual (p. 39). Through this model, an analysis of the changes and interdependencies existing between society and the person can be carried out.
The component parts of the system represent basic functions performed by the system. These are identified as: inputs, processes and outputs.
Inputs – supplies to the system that give it power. They can be material, human or information resources.
Processes – is the transformation of the supplies that enter the system into an output.
Outputs – result of supply processing.
Systems theory is made up of several concepts of transcendental importance. These are:
Relations - these are the links that connect the subsystems of a system. These relationships can be:
Symbiotic - existing dependency on other systems in order to function
Synergy – useful relationship that improves overall system performance but is not dependent on it.
Superfluous - relationships that increase the probability that a system works all the time.
Environment - complex of external factors that act on a system and determine its course and form of existence. The system absorbs aspects of the environment in its relationship.
Energy - supply that remains in a system
Entropy - state of organization that results from the homogenization of the system with the environment.
Negentropy - energy that the system imports from the environment to maintain its organization and survive.
Homeostasis - tendency of a system to remain in some degree of equilibrium that allows the system to correct and balance internal processes.
Models - constructs designed by an observer who seeks to identify and measure systemic and complex relationships.
Boundaries and subsystems - Goldenberg & Goldenberg (2012) define boundaries as "invisible lines of demarcation that separate the family from the unfamiliar external environment" (p. 36). These limits determine who the members of the family system are, their roles, their membership in decision-making, among others. Among the examples of limits in a family, one can distinguish those members of a family nucleus versus close friends of the family who are not part of the system.
Borders - action of "differentiating subsystems" within families. These borders help to define and separate the small units of the total system (pp. 36-37), such as siblings, etc. A subsystem is a system within another system. On certain occasions there may be other types of subsystems such as that formed by a father with a daughter, or two brothers.
These subsystems are developed due to the rapprochement that exists between the parties. The important thing to highlight with the subsystems is the fact that its members determine if another enters it or not. In this sense, the subsystems must be appropriate for the functioning of a family. The moment a subsystem disrupts the proper functioning of the family system, it can result in a negative impact on its stability and dynamics as a total system. An example of inappropriate subsystems might be the absence of a marriage subsystem, or a parent-child subsystem that excludes or dilutes the role of the other parent.
Subsystems can influence each other.
The principles of the model:
Connection - all parts of a system are connected and changes in one part will influence the operation of the others.
Totality: any phenomenon can be understood only by observing its totality.
Feedback principles: the behavior of the system affects its external environment. (Walsh, J., 2013)
Social Worker Response
Improve the interaction and communication of people in the systems
Explore the boundaries between subsystems
The level of connection and impact of the operation of one subsystem on another
Sense of belonging and impact among members
Feedback level between members or subsystems
Improve skills to manage and solve problems
Clarify and strengthen the boundaries of subsystems
Set boundaries and define them clearly
Link people to systems that can deliver services, resources, and opportunities
Foster abilities of the system and its members to develop and maintain homeostasis.
3. Ecological Model
Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Theory (1979) defines an environmental system based on the development of individuals through the different environments in which they develop and that consequently influence their changes and cognitive, moral and relational development.
The ecological perspective emphasizes the importance of transactions or exchanges between systems in the same environment. These transactions are the primary focus of ecological theory. The community is recognized as part of the social system through whose interaction experiences arise that modify or alter the expectations of individuals.
The ecological model focuses on the existing transactions between the individual and his environment. Through this model, the importance of the midpoint in which both sides connect is recognized. This model recognizes other systems around the family system and that there is an impact on both sides. People constantly interact with various systems that surround them and distinguishes the "person in the environment" (Kirst-Ashman & Hull, 2017).
Some important concepts in this model are the following:
Transactions - people communicate and interact
Energy - active participation between people and their environments producing energy that goes in and out
4. Strengths-Based Perspective
The perspective of strengths in the context of Social Work is based on the idea that all people have knowledge and talents, abilities and resources that can be used for the (re) construction of a life under their own terms and goals (Saleebey, 2006). The author states that the Social Worker must concentrate and help the client to recognize his resources, knowledge, experiences, motivations, abilities, among other qualities that can help him to strengthen himself and achieve the change that he himself pursues.
There are strengths at different levels. These levels may include the following:
individuals
families
groups
organizations
communities
In a community there are different resources that represent strengths for the people and for the communities themselves. Among them can be identified recreational, sports, religious and cultural associations of citizens; private businesses; public institutions such as schools, libraries, parks, police and fire stations; nonprofit institutions such as hospitals and social service agencies to improve community functioning and quality of life" (Kretzmann, et al., 1993).
Emphasizing, developing, and nurturing strengths and positive attributes is part of the intent of a social worker. This should seek to increase the power and control that individuals, groups, families and communities have over their destinies. This perspective is closely linked with the intention of promoting his empowerment. Empowerment means believing that people can make their own decisions and choices. It means not only that the human being possesses the strengths and potential to solve his own difficult situations in life, but also that he increases his strength and contributes to the well-being of society by doing so.
The role of the social worker is to nurture, encourage, assist, enable, support, stimulate and unleash the strengths within people; illuminate the strengths available to people in their own settings; and promote equity and justice at all levels of society. To do that, the SW helps clients articulate the nature of their situations, identify what they want, explore alternatives to achieve those desires, and then achieve them" (Cowger, et., Al., 2002, p. 110).
Instructions for the Critical Essay:
After reading, prepare an essay in APA format where you reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of each of the models discussed in the reading, especially: systemic and ecological, mentioning the perspective of strengths and comparing them with each other. Which model do you favor and why?