An Investigation of MSW Practitioners' Use and Efficacy of Differential Practice Skills: Do They Follow Evidence-Based Practices?

Abstract

Evidence-based practices (EBPs) are a major focus in social workand little is known about their use in practice settings. This article addresses a neglected aspect of empirical research regarding what social workers are doing in practice, with what types of clients, and whether these practices parallel the recommendations of EBPs. A cross-sectional survey (66% response rate) was sent to licensed social workers measuring client caseload composition, intervention skills, and perceived self-efficacy in use of practice skills. Preliminary results reveal that social workers are using EBPs for clients with mental health problems including anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders. KEYWORDS evidence-based practice, mental health problems, intervention skills, practice skills, self-efficacySocial work, like the other helping professions, has been influenced by the use of evidence-based practices (EBP) to address a range of psychological problems. In light of this recent movement toward the use of EBPs, practitioner adoption of their use has emerged as an important area of study (Nelson & Steele, 2007). There is a growing body of evidence that identifies effective interventions, but empirical studies of what practitioners are actually doing in clinical settings, and how they implement evidence based

Professional and practice characteristics associated with self-efficacy in assessment and intervention among social workers in aging

“…A survey of clinical social workers in mental health (Kranz, 2011) suggests exposure to certain client characteristics and diagnostic groups may have a bearing on social workers' confidence for key practice functions. In particular, social workers with a greater proportion of clients with major mood disorders were found to be significantly more likely to report increased confidence in providing individual therapy and case management and applying ethical principles to practice.…”