Conflict Theory and the Social Worker-Client Relationship
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To prepare:
Review the following article listed in the Learning Resources:”Engaging Families in Child Welfare
Services: Worker Versus Client Perspectives” by Altman.
Submit a 2- to 3-page paper that succinctly addresses the following:
Summarize conflict theory in 3–4 sentences.
Interpret the research article findings about communication using conflict theory.
In other words, how might a client’s desire be understood within the context of conflict
theory?
Interpret the research article findings about the relationship between social workers and
parents within the context of conflict theory.
For example, what might be a barrier to social workers being empathic and supportive
from the perspective of conflict theory?
In 3–4 sentences, explain how you would reframe the term compliance or resistance using
conflict theory.
In reviewing the research article findings, analyze the goals and values of each party (i.e., the
social worker and the parent) as they enter into the relationship. Provide 3–4 sentences for
each party.
Using conflict theory to inform social work practice interventions on either the micro, meso,
and/or macro levels, describe two recommendations to improve the social worker-client
relationship within the context of child welfare based on the knowledge you gained from the
research article. Provide 2–3 sentences for each recommendation.
Provide a 2–3 sentence concluding statement about the relationship between conflict theory
and social work practice/interventions.
