Factors Influencing Clinical Social Workers' Willingness to Address Clients' Social Support Needs

Enhancing clients' capacities to use social support is central to social work; however, experience suggests that social workers in private practice may not be attending to this concern. This exploratory study uses focus groups, questionnaires, and interviews to explore how social workers in private practice incorporate different dimensions of social support in their work. Findings demonstrate that participants have an understanding of social support's importance and a willingness to work with family and friends but not with other more formal networks. This reluctance seems related to concerns about professional status and restrictions of the managed care environment.