Journal of Social Work Values & Ethics

Abstract

Given the recent terrorism events in the U.S. and the ongoing threat of additional acts, it is imperative that social workers consider the ethical implications that affect the ability to provide for clients, students, and ourselves. This paper examines the role of core values of the NASW Code of Ethics, personal values, fears, safety concerns, limitations, and strengths as social workers practice in the new era of terrorism. 

This paper is a discussion about the legitimization of non-sexual dual relationships in social work practice. Social work ethics and standards require social workers to be cognizant of dual relationships and boundary issues. What happens when the practice arena legitimizes dual relationship actions that ethically do not uphold professional social work standards? What ethical dilemmas does this have for social work practitioners and for their client's right to self-determination? This paper will explore these questions through the utilization of a case study example. Unless the practice arena remains vigilant in monitoring ethical standards of conduct, the helper role will become blurred with personal assumptions about what is right and wrong, and ultimately good.

 
Abstract 

 
This study investigated the attitudes of 320 seasoned mental health social workers toward the social work value of self-determination. Social workers were asked to rate the importance of self-determination in their daily practice, both as a guiding value and in actual practice and were asked to describe, in relation to their practice history, any changes they had experienced in the importance of the value. The majority of participants responded that they thought more about self-determination now than in the past. Surprisingly, they also reported being relatively untroubled when practice situations conflicted with the value of self-determination, such as when a client was in need of involuntary treatment interventions. Participants provided rich information about why they believed changes had occurred in the way they thought of self-determination and how they implemented self-determination in practice with mental health clients.

Michael R. Daley, Ph.D., ACSW, University of South Alabama, and Michael O. Doughty, Ph.D., MSSW, Stephen F. Austin State University 

 
Abstract 

A common theme in rural social work is that ethical concerns of confidentiality and dual relationships are greater than in urban communities.  This study compared rural and urban social workers’ reported ethics violations and found complaint profiles for rural and urban social workers to be similar.    

 
Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine ethical decision-making among hospital social workers.  The primary intent was to examine the extent to which social workers in health care identify an ethical dilemma, provide a rationale for the basis of their decision, and subsequently follow a process for ethical resolution.  A pattern that emerged was reliance on rules and laws rather then using systematic frameworks.  The findings suggest the need to understand ethical decision-making as part of a thoughtful, ongoing process.

Abstract