The effects of student caretaking history on clinical performance

Abstract

Studies of social work students reveal high rates of family dysfunction and trauma (Black, Jeffreys, & Hartley, 1993; Rompf & Royse, 1994; Russel, Gill, Coyne, & Woody, 1993). Object relations theory (Hanna, 1990a, 1990b; Winnicott, 1965) and family systems theory (Lackie, 1983) explain how the choice of a helping profession motivated by unmet dependency needs may lead to problems in clinical performance. This article reports on an exploratory study (n = 15) that found some support for the theoretical link between a history of early, pervasive family caretak‐ing by second‐year clinical MSW students and Winnicott's False Self characteristics. Analysis of process recording data and Working Alliance Inventory (Horvath & Greenberg, 1989) scores suggest some effects of this caretaking history on students’ clinical performance. Implications for social work education and practice are discussed.

Notes

Kathleen Holtz Deal, D.S.W. is assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Social Work, Baltimore, MD. She can be contacted at: [email protected]. At the time this article was written she was assistant professor at the University of Kentucky College of Social Work. The author wishes to thank Janet Ford, associate professor at the University of Kentucky, for her helpful suggestions on an earlier draft.