Social histories, ecomaps, and genograms are common assessment tools that social workers use to assess
family dynamics, such as patterns of communication and balance of power within the family unit. While
assessing the family, a social worker employs skills with which you are familiar—for example, paying close
attention to verbal and nonverbal messages to gain insight into patterns of communication. Family roles and
how the family interfaces with other systems in its environment, such as employment or school, are additional
factors to observe. As a social worker, one of your goals is to determine if the family is in constant conflict, is
isolated, or relates openly to other systems. Then, your next objective is to develop a plan of action for the
family to address its challenges. In this Discussion, you practice family assessment skills.
To Prepare: Read the following case study. Pay close attention to roles of each family member.
The Werner family of four consists of mom and dad, married for 25 years; a son (age 14) and a daughter (age
12). The son is identified as the “client,” as he is having behavioral and academic issues at school. The
daughter is a “straight-A” student and receives constant praise from the parents. The parents constantly fight
verbally, which is in part due to dad drinking excessively and mom spending excessive amounts of time with
her own mother, often relying on her for family advice and financial support.
Required Readings:
Kirst-Ashman, K. K., & Hull, G. H. (2015). Understanding generalist practice (7th ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage
Learning.
• Chapter 9, “Understanding Families: Family Assessment” (pp. 330–360)
• Chapter 10, “Working With Families” (pp. 361–394)
Use APA 7th edition citation and references. Respond to the following:
A.
• Describe two family roles and one boundary violation that would apply to this family.
B.
Explain how this would affect working with the family.
Sample Solution
