16 May For this assignment, identify the ethical issues at play in The Case of Marie, describe their potential consequences, and use the NASW?Code of Ethics and other researc
For this assignment, identify the ethical issues at play in The Case of Marie, describe their potential consequences, and use the NASW Code of Ethics and other researched resources to apply a principled framework for resolving the dilemma.
This case involves an ethical dilemma with a diverse family, and the dilemma itself, like most ethical issues in group work, is potentially two-fold:
- The dilemma among the family members, as well as the content and manner of their communication with you.
- The ethical dilemma within yourself, as you examine your own natural preferences and biases in the context of the family and its needs.
At all levels of social work practice (micro, mezzo, and macro), the diversity of personal preferences and biases always presents the possibility of ethical compromise. Combined with potential ethical issues within the diverse situations, beliefs, and actions of the family members themselves, any given situation can quickly become ethically clouded.
Review the NASW resources in the Week 6: Social Work With Family GroupsLinks to an external site. reading list to prepare for this assignment.
In addition, familiarize yourself with the following helpful resources:
- Capella University LibraryLinks to an external site..
- How Do I Find Peer-Reviewed Articles?Links to an external site.
- Social Work Masters Program (MSW) Library Guide.Links to an external site.
- Writing CenterLinks to an external site..
Assignment Instructions
Using this week's readings, The Case of Marie, NASW resources, and scholarly literature, draft a 3–4 page paper that addresses the following:
- Describe an ethical dilemma presented in the case study.
- Identify areas of ambiguity.
- Identify NASW essential steps for ethical problem solving to apply to the case study.
- Identify possible consequences if different steps were chosen.
- Describe personal values and/or biases that could impact the decision-making process when addressing the ethical dilemma in the case study.
- Explain how these values and/or biases could be managed to best maintain an ethical perspective.
- Describe data collection methods necessary to make an ethical decision.
- Analyze the data collection methods to demonstrate how they support ethical decision-making.
- Assess the strengths, needs, and challenges within the client's family system related to the identified ethical dilemma.
- Make recommendations that might help emphasize the strengths, meet the needs, and overcome the challenges.
- Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for members of the social work profession.
- Adhere to the rules of grammar, usage, and mechanics.
- Support main points, assertions, arguments, conclusions, or recommendations with relevant and credible evidence.
- Apply current APA style standards, including paper format, in-text citations, and the references list.
Note: You will also work with Marie and her family in the Week 9 assignment, transitioning from identifying potential ethical dilemmas to planning an approach to group work that will benefit all involved.
Additional Requirements
Your assignment should also meet the following requirements:
- Written communication: Written communication should be scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for members of the social work profession.
- APA formatting: Resources and citations should be formatted according to current APA style and formatting standards. Use Academic WriterLinks to an external site. for guidance in citing sources in proper APA style. See the Writing CenterLinks to an external site. for more APA resources specific to your degree level.
- Number of resources: A minimum of five scholarly sources. All literature cited should be current, with publication dates within the past five years.
- Length of paper: 3–4 typed, double-spaced pages.
- Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.
View Rubric
Ethics and Diversity in Family PracticeCriteriaRatingsPts
Describe an ethical dilemma presented in the case study. (C1.GP.A)
32 to >27.2 pts
DISTINGUISHED
Assesses an ethical dilemma presented in the case study and identifies areas of ambiguity, including the possible consequences.
27.2 to >22.4 pts
PROFICIENT
Describes an ethical dilemma presented in the case study.
22.4 to >0 pts
BASIC
Identifies an ethical dilemma presented in the case study.
0 pts
NON_PERFORMANCE
Does not identify an ethical dilemma presented in the case study.
/ 32 pts
Identify the NASW Essential Steps for Ethical Problem-Solving relevant to the case study. (C1.GP.A)
32 to >27.2 pts
DISTINGUISHED
Identifies the NASW Essential Steps for Ethical Problem-Solving relevant to the case study and explains potential consequences if different steps were taken.
27.2 to >22.4 pts
PROFICIENT
Identifies the NASW Essential Steps for Ethical Problem-Solving relevant to the case study.
22.4 to >0 pts
BASIC
Incompletely identifies the NASW Essential Steps for Ethical Problem-Solving relevant to the case study.
0 pts
NON_PERFORMANCE
Does not identify the NASW Essential Steps for Ethical Problem-Solving relevant to the case study.
/ 32 pts
Describe personal values and/or biases that could impact the decision-making process when addressing the ethical dilemma in the case study. (C3.GP.A)
32 to >27.2 pts
DISTINGUISHED
Analyzes personal values and/or biases that could impact the decision-making process when addressing the ethical dilemma in the case study, and explains how these values and/or biases could be managed to best maintain an ethical perspective.
27.2 to >22.4 pts
PROFICIENT
Describes personal values and/or biases that could impact the decision-making process when addressing the ethical dilemma in the case study.
22.4 to >0 pts
BASIC
Identifies personal values that come into play in making ethical decisions.
0 pts
NON_PERFORMANCE
Does not identify personal values that come into play in making ethical decisions.
/ 32 pts
Describe data collection methods necessary to make an ethical decision. (C7.GP.A)
32 to >27.2 pts
DISTINGUISHED
Analyzes data collection methods necessary to make an ethical decision.
27.2 to >22.4 pts
PROFICIENT
Describes data collection methods necessary to make an ethical decision.
22.4 to >0 pts
BASIC
Identifies general data collection methods.
0 pts
NON_PERFORMANCE
Does not identify data collection methods necessary to conduct an ethical decision.
/ 32 pts
Describe strengths, needs, and challenges within the client's family system relevant to the identified ethical dilemma. (C7.GP.B)
32 to >27.2 pts
DISTINGUISHED
Assesses strengths, needs, and challenges within the client's family system relevant to the identified ethical dilemma, and makes recommendations that might help emphasize the strengths, meet the needs, and overcome the challenges.
27.2 to >22.4 pts
PROFICIENT
Describes strengths, needs, and challenges within the client's family system relevant to the identified ethical dilemma.
22.4 to >0 pts
BASIC
Identifies strengths, needs, and challenges within the client's family system relevant to the identified ethical dilemma.
0 pts
NON_PERFORMANCE
Does not identify strengths, needs, and challenges within the client's family system relevant to the identified ethical dilemma.
/ 32 pts
Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for members of the social work profession.
40 to >34 pts
DISTINGUISHED
Communicates with exceptional clarity in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for members of the social work profession.
34 to >28 pts
PROFICIENT
Communicates in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for members of the social work profession.
28 to >0 pts
BASIC
Communicates in a manner that is professional and consistent with expectations for members of the social work profession.
0 pts
NON_PERFORMANCE
Does not communicate in a manner that is consistent with expectations for members of the social work profession.
The Case of Marie
Marie is 68 years old and is part Scottish and American Indian. She lives in a town that provides a sense of security for her because she lives close to her two daughters. Before her move she lived in the same little rural town for the majority of her adult life.
She started out working for others but in her late 30s, she decided to stop and open her own business instead. That business was very successful but required long hours and hard work. She derived a sense of accomplishment from her business that could not be matched at any time in her life. She loved the interaction with others but could no longer keep up with the physical demands from the business. She retired 3 years ago. Marie is not wealthy but is capable of maintaining her home and lifestyle. She reports that now that she is retired she likes to read and feels most comfortable in her own home.
She currently reports feeling like she has no purpose. About 5 years ago her best friend and husband died of cancer. She and her husband had been married for 47 years at the time of his passing. She was profoundly shaken by this loss. Upon assessing her living arrangements at the time of his death, decisions were made in consultation with her two children to sell the business and move closer to her daughters. The move has had a positive and negative impact – positive due to being around others who care for her and negative due to the stress of being around young children. She reports becoming depressed and anxious around the anniversary date of her husband’s death.
Marie has two children. Lisa who has just turned 50 and Toni who is in her mid 40s. Both Lisa and Toni have young children of their own. Lisa is a single mother by choice with twins who are 4 years of age. Toni is married and has one child who is 5. Both of Marie’s daughters live close by and visit often. When they visit, Marie complains that the children make her stressed and tired. Lisa and Toni are concerned about their mother’s inability to tolerate the activity of the children. They want their mother to enjoy her grandchildren as much as possible.
Lisa is dependent on pain medication due to an injury that she encountered at work several years ago. She still functions fully as far as work and social life. She has challenges with her twins and yells at them frequently, to the point where one of the children is beginning to yell back at her and become defiant. She frequently asks for assistance from Marie with the children. The preschool has reported that this same child is having difficulty with social relationships and emotional connections but reports no negative behavioral issues.
Toni lives with her husband of 10 years and her daughter who is 5 years of age. Marie reports that Toni is supportive of her and provides emotional support when needed. Toni has been caring for her mother during the medical procedure that has been recently conducted.
Marie has just recently undergone an extensive knee replacement and is in physical therapy to regain her mobility. She has been taking prescription drugs for pain but refuses to take them as directed by the physician due to her experience with Lisa. She takes the pain medication only if she is in debilitating pain. Marie often reports having difficulty with her memory because she has to check on things more often, such as closing the garage door when she leaves, locking the door before bed, etc. She is extremely concerned about losing her cognitive abilities.
Toni has privately asked for your help in looking for an assisted living facility for Marie; she believes her mother is having increasing difficulty living on her own and doesn't feel she can provide consistent aid. She also thinks her sister is taking advantage of Marie's availability to watch her children. Lisa has privately urged you to convince her mother to start taking her pain medication, as well as asking you to help explain to Marie how beneficial it is for children to have a grandparent involved in their lives. Marie has recently told you that she thinks Lisa may have taken an unopened bottle of her pain medicine.
Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
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