What works for whom: The link between process and outcome in effectiveness research

Abstract

To date social work effectiveness research has focused on establishing if social work interventions work without much consideration of why interventions work. This tendency is largely the result of effectiveness research being driven by agendas other than those aimed at enhancing practice. This research tradition is reviewed and contrasted with the similar field of psychotherapy where there has been considerable research into why interventions work. Factors common to a range of treatment modalities have been shown to have a positive impact on client improvement, particularly the therapeutic relationship. Given the central place of the ‘helping relationship’ in social work practice and the commonalities between these fields, it is imperative that social work researchers face the challenge of investigating the process factors impacting outcomes. In the absence of this research, effectiveness cannot be honestly attributed to particular intervention techniques.

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