Strengths-Based Perspective
Illustrate the Assessment and Application of the Strengths-Based Perspective
Working as a social worker can be very challenging. There are so many different people, communities, cultures, and other defining features that make up the population that we have to work with and learn how to be culturally competent. However, on top of that, there are a variety of different theories, evident-based practiced, and other approaches that can be used to help them. So instead of getting overwhelmed by the vast areas that we as social workers need to gain, it is important to just always keep learning. The point of this blog post is to help educate and gain and deeper understanding of the strengths-based perspective that can be used with any person as you engage with them.
Strengths-Based Perspective
So what is the strengths-based perspective? This theory is best applied when used as simply as it sounds. It challenges the social worker and the client to focus on what strengths they encompass and less on problem solving and more on the endless possibilities that their strengths can take them (Lee, 2019).
This perspective was first developed at the University of Kansas by Ann Weick, Charles Rapp, W. Patrick Sullivan, and Walter Kisthardt in July 1989. As social workers, they saw the importance of seeing their clients strengths through the values of the code of ethics. They also recognized the problem with being so focused on clients problems. This seemed to go against the dignity and worth of their clients (Weick et al., 1989).
Pulla (2017) further elaborates on this perspective by stating that these are core elements of the approach:
- Everyone has strengths
- People have the ability to change
- Change is best achieved through their own strengths
- Hardships can overshadow our strengths making us feel weak
- With our strengths we can solve problems
Application
Benefits
- "Feel special and appreciated – strong sense of hope and optimism
- View life as a dynamic journey that involves them writing the next chapters – by how they perceive themselves and who they invite on the trip
- Have learned to set realistic goals and expectations for themselves
- Rely on productive coping strategies that are growth-fostering rather than self-defeating
- View obstacles as challenges to confront – not avoid
- Are aware of their weaknesses and vulnerabilities, but purposefully build on strengths
- Strong self-esteem and sense of competence
- Have effective interpersonal skills and can seek out assistance and nurturance from others (formal and informal relationships)
- Know what they can and cannot control in their lives
- Strong understanding of the need to give back – support others in their journey" (p. 6-7)
Working with Marginalized Populations
Being a social worker entails many aspects of providing help to others. As stated in the Code of Ethics, Social Justice is a core value of a social worker. Valuing social justice means that a social workers serve the vulnerable and oppressed populations to receive not only their basic rights, but also fight to advance their marginalized status (National Association of Social Workers (NASW), 2021).
Applying the strengths-based perspective for people and communities who have been oppressed can be really inspiring and hopeful for both the client and social worker. Often people who have been oppressed experience internalized oppression. They begin to believe the oppression they have experience and in turn start oppressing themselves (Hamby, 2022).
Silverman et al. (2023), share in their paper the profound impact that the strengths-based perspective has had with people who hold marginalized identities. They highlight various ways to view this perspective within the idea of how to apply this theory with this diagram. (p.260).
Now that we have a foundation of what the strengths-based perspective is and how it can help marginalized populations, lets put it to the test. Together let's explore two different hypothetical case scenarios that explore a hardship that marginalized populations can encounter. We will review their situation and how in turn we can help as social workers with the strengths-based perspective.
Indigenous Communities
In a rural area that is populated by an indigenous community, it is not rare to see issues around unemployment, limited resources, and poor public education. Often the source of aid comes from the government who really doesn't understand their culture and way of life. This community is seeking improvement in their day to day life as well as making a better home for future generations.
Understanding the framework of the theory, this approach will focus on what strengths they have as a people and how this can make their community even stronger than it is now. The following strengths and areas of focus could be used to apply this theory.
Strengthening Cultural Identity and Family Connections:
Njeze et al. (2020), examines how embracing their culture and family relationships seemed to help avoid hardships because of the love of their community, work through historical trauma, discrimination, and substance abuse.
Economic Empowerment:
The culture of indigenous communities often come with a variety of unique skill sets and cultural arts. They could raise money by displaying their way of life by creating local shops, businesses that provide those abilities to other communities near them, and galleries that showcase the beauty of their culture.
Education Reform:
Lastly, understanding the concern of poor education in their schools, this community can seek to reform their curriculum to include aspects of their culture and community to continue to reinforce their cultural identity and teach other communities around them about the importance of their way of life.
Outcome:
With these strengths being utilized, this community can see how embracing who they are as a people, can create the best environment for themselves and their future generations.
Member of the LGBTQ+ Community
Scenario:
People who identify as LGBTQ+ are often met with difficulty as they are trying to navigate their lives in a world that often doesn't want to allow their sense of self. This can often lead to depression and low self-esteem (Abreu et al., 2016).
Strengths-Based Approach:
Wanting to empower these individuals to embrace who they are, instead of hiding their very nature, this theory that will maximize on their strengths will serve to hep improve their internal value and help increase pride into their community.
Group Gatherings:
Creating local chapters where members from the community can join and gather to be with like minded individuals can further support that sense of belonging. This can help them see that they aren't alone and create a safe space for them to be who they are.
Role Models:
Further supporting this group is the idea of having role models. Knowing that there is hardships in identifying as LGBTQ+ feeling like you can support others that have just "come out" or have walked a similar path can be empowering. Giving back to a community can provide a further sense of self and increase confidence.
Health Promotion:
Gahagan and Colpitts (2017) studied the importance of having the LGBTQ+ community become involved in their health by identifying health concerns that are important to them and that support them as they are seeking out help. This will help them feel more comfortable and feel seen.
Outcome:
By having this large community come together and rely upon their strengths, they will see that they have so many people to lean on and see the value that they have in the larger communities that they live in.
Conclusion
As seen in these hypothetical case scenarios, the strengths-based perspective can be an effective tool to help any person see the value that they have. They can then use that to continue to build themselves up to see the endless possibilities that they have in their own life. While this theory can be used by social workers with their clients, this theory can also be used as a state a mind that everyone can encompass so that they see just how truly special they are and capable of so much.
References
Abreu, R. L., Black, W. W., Mosley, D. V., & Fedewa, A. L. (2016). LGBTQ youth bullying experiences in schools: The role of school counselors within a system of oppression. Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, 11(3-4), 325-342.
Gahagan, J., & Colpitts, E. (2017). Understanding and measuring LGBTQ pathways to health: A scoping review of strengths-based health promotion approaches in LGBTQ health research. Journal of homosexuality, 64(1), 95-121.
Hamby, S. (2022). Strengths-based approaches to conducting research with low-income and other marginalized populations. Cultural methods in psychology: Describing and transforming cultures, 76-108.
Lee, J. H. (2019). Integration of spirituality into the strengths-based social work practice: a transpersonal approach to the strengths perspective. Journal of Sociology and Social Work, 7(2), 25-35.
National Association of Social Workers (NASW). (2021). National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics. https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English
Njeze, C., Bird-Naytowhow, K., Pearl, T., & Hatala, A. R. (2020). Intersectionality of resilience: a Strengths-Based case study approach with Indigenous youth in an urban Canadian context. Qualitative health research, 30(13), 2001-2018.
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