Worker Perceptions of Effectiveness and Minority-Relevant Education as a Function of Worker and Client Ethnicity

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between perceived effectiveness of services delivered to minority clients, and the usefulness of education in the delivery of services, as reported by two national samples of social workers. This relationship was examined by using a national sample of minority social workers and a national sample of caucasian social workers, randomly selected from the Membership Directory of the National Association of Social Workers. The results indicate a stronger correlation between effectiveness and educational adequacy for the caucasian sample compared to the minority sample. In addition, the strength of the correlations change over the years. The data also suggest that the proportion of minority clients in a workers caseload results in differential perceptions of understanding of client problems and the presence of value conflicts.