MSW Direct and Indirect Practice 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A social worker facilitates a support group for survivors of domestic violence. This is best described as which level of practice?
- Micro practice
- Mezzo practice (Correct answer)
- Macro practice
- Community organizing
Correct answer: Mezzo practice
Mezzo practice involves working with small groups and organizations, such as facilitating support groups.
Question 2: Which theoretical framework emphasizes the interaction between individuals and their environments across multiple system levels?
- Psychodynamic theory
- Ecological systems theory (Correct answer)
- Cognitive-behavioral theory
- Solution-focused theory
Correct answer: Ecological systems theory
Ecological systems theory (Bronfenbrenner) examines how individuals interact with nested environmental systems.
Question 3: A social worker analyzing census data to identify underserved populations in a county is engaged in which type of practice activity?
- Direct client intervention
- Needs assessment (Correct answer)
- Case management
- Crisis intervention
Correct answer: Needs assessment
Needs assessment is an indirect practice activity involving data collection and analysis to identify community gaps.
Question 4: During an initial assessment, a client discloses she feels hopeless and has thought about ending her life. The social worker's FIRST priority should be to:
- Refer the client to a psychiatrist
- Complete a suicide risk assessment (Correct answer)
- Contact the client's family
- Document the disclosure in the case file
Correct answer: Complete a suicide risk assessment
A comprehensive suicide risk assessment is the immediate priority to determine lethality and appropriate level of care.
Question 5: The concept of 'starting where the client is' in direct practice reflects which core social work value?
- Social justice
- Dignity and worth of the person (Correct answer)
- Importance of human relationships
- Competence
Correct answer: Dignity and worth of the person
Dignity and worth of the person requires meeting clients at their current level of readiness and self-determination.
Question 6: A social work agency implements a new evidence-based parenting program. Which indirect practice role does the social worker play when training staff to deliver the program?
- Advocate
- Mediator
- Educator/trainer (Correct answer)
- Case manager
Correct answer: Educator/trainer
Training staff to deliver programs is an educator/trainer indirect practice role focused on organizational capacity.
Question 7: A social worker uses motivational interviewing with a client resistant to substance use treatment. This approach is grounded in which principle?
- Confronting denial directly
- Rolling with resistance (Correct answer)
- Setting firm behavioral limits
- Requiring commitment before proceeding
Correct answer: Rolling with resistance
Motivational interviewing uses 'rolling with resistance,' avoiding confrontation and exploring ambivalence collaboratively.
MSW Direct and Indirect Practice 2
A social worker facilitates a support group for survivors of domestic violence.
This is best described as which level of practice?