A Qualitative Examination of Client Participation in Agency-Initiated Services

Abstract

Decisions of nonvoluntary clients regarding whether to accept or decline agency-initiated social services were examined in this exploratory study. A qualitative research approach was used to collect and analyze data from 20 potential participants in an early-intervention program for high-risk (child abuse) families. Each was queried as to their decision-making rationale when confronted with an offer of services. Five themes across the participant decision-making category emerged: need, fit, efficacy, cost/benefit, and choice. Practice implications are discussed, with an emphasis on the importance of seeking and respecting clients' perspectives in the offer of service delivery.

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