Ethics & Professional Standards Flashcards

Which of the following best describes 'vicarious trauma' in social work?

Answer: Emotional impact from indirect exposure to clients' traumatic experiences

Vicarious trauma (also called secondary traumatic stress) refers to the psychological impact on practitioners resulting from indirect exposure to clients' traumatic material.

According to NASW ethical standards, sexual relationships with former clients are:

Answer: Always prohibited

The NASW Code of Ethics prohibits sexual activities or romantic relationships with former clients due to the potential for exploitation of the therapeutic relationship.

Cultural competence in social work practice requires the social worker to:

Answer: Develop awareness, knowledge, and skills to work effectively with diverse populations

Cultural competence requires ongoing self-reflection, knowledge of diverse cultures, and skills to adapt practice to meet clients' cultural contexts.

Which term describes the practice of using evidence-based interventions while also considering client values and practitioner expertise?

Answer: Evidence-based practice (EBP)

Evidence-based practice integrates the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and client values to guide decision-making.

A social worker who accepts expensive gifts from a client is most likely violating which ethical principle?

Answer: Professional boundaries and conflicts of interest

Accepting expensive gifts blurs professional boundaries, creates a potential conflict of interest, and can compromise the therapeutic relationship.

When a social worker disagrees with an agency policy that appears to harm clients, the NASW Code of Ethics recommends:

Answer: Working to change the policy through legitimate means

The Code encourages social workers to challenge unjust policies through proper channels—advocacy, supervision, and organizational processes.