Collaboration between Social Workers and Families of Patients with Mental Illness

Abstract

The author examines collaboration between families of patients with severe mental illness and inpatient social workers as measured by a study that assessed the degree to which families and practitioners collaborate, factors that influence collaboration, and the effects of collaboration on clinical outcome. Social workers and family members were surveyed at the time of the patient's discharge from the inpatient unit. Findings revealed a relatively high degree of collaboration. The strongest predictor of collaboration was the practitioner's attitude toward family involvement in the patient's treatment. In addition, higher levels of collaboration were significantly correlated with increased family involvement in discharge planning and satisfaction with social work services.

It Takes a Village to Deliver and Test Child and Family-Focused Services

“…The results also support the notion that collaborative efforts lead to “building bridges” that link vulnerable youth and their families to much needed mental health care (Collins & Collins, 1990; DeChillo, 1993; McKay & Paikoff, 2007); therefore, IT TAKES A VILLAGE (of youth, parent advocates, peers, clinicians, and services researchers) to create, deliver, and test child- and family-focused prevention programs and services. Why do we need a village?…”

“…Within the field of child mental health services research, there is a growing trend toward collaborating closely with family members and service providers as a means of overcoming barriers experienced by the most vulnerable youth and their families to help seeking (Collins & Collins, 1990; DeChillo, 1993; McKay & Paikoff, 2007). …”

Family Friendliness of Community-Based Services for Children and Adolescents with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders and Their Families

“…Parents have also reported the lack of family involvement in both service planning and treatment of children with disabilities (Brotherson & Goldstein, 1992;Collins & Collins, 1990;Rosenson, 1987;Tarico, Low, Trupin, & Forsyth-Stephens, 1989). From a systems perspective, family involvement is generally understood to involve the following: (a) treating the family as a partner or collaborator in the service-delivery process; (b) accepting that the family is most knowledgeable about their child's behaviors and problems, even though they may not be able to clearly articulate them; (c) including families in all aspects of services at all times, and genuinely encouraging this involvement; (d) educating the family about the nature of services and how the service system works; (e) including the family in all decision making regarding their children; and (f) keeping the family updated and informed on the process and progress of treatment (Brotherson & Goldstein, 1992;Collins & Collins, 1990;DeChillo, 1993;Tarico et al, 1989).…”

La collaboration entre les parents et les travailleuses sociales oeuvrant dans une clinique spécialisée pour les premières psychoses

“…Des attitudes de soutien et d'empathie à l'endroit des membres de la famille, le partage d'information concernant le trouble mental, la reconnaissance du rôle des familles à titre de ressource indispensable et la réponse aux préoccupations des familles font partie de ces dimensions. Plus encore, le principe de réciprocité, basé sur le partage des responsabilités et du pouvoir, notamment en impliquant les familles dans les décisions prises pendant l'intervention, sont des éléments indispensables pour favoriser l'établissement d'une relation de collaboration (DeChillo, 1993;DeChillo, Koren et Schultze, 1994). Les dimensions multiples incluses dans la relation de collaboration ainsi que les ingrédients essentiels à l'établissement de ce type de relation sont cohérents avec ceux du travail social puisque l'autodétermination est valorisée, les compétences des personnes sont mises de l'avant et soutenues dans leur développement, alors qu'une interaction mutuelle et réciproque est valorisée entre les travailleurs sociaux et le système client.…”