Social Work for Sociologists: Theory and Practice

Key Social Work Frameworks for Sociologists ● 31

Aleena develop new identities alone would not be sufficient because this
would fail to address wider structural issues. New organizational and political
approaches would also be required to deal with the structural challenges.

Narrative, Strengths, and Solution-Focused Frameworks

Dybicz (2012) considered narrative therapy, the strengths perspective, and
a solution-focused approach as a group of ideas and practices informed by a
postmodern framework. As such, they fit within a critical reflective practice
approach. Each of these approaches enables a focus on strengths, competencies,
and success; they have been widely applied in fields of social work, including
legally mandated work with clients (De Jong and Berg 2001; Dybicz 2012).
A narrative approach focuses on examining the stories that people construct
about themselves and how these stories shape their identities, experiences, and
opportunities in life (Healy 2005). From a postmodern perspective, narratives
can have both negative and positive impacts on people and can therefore be
a helpful site for intervention; professionals can help service users to identify
and challenge damaging narratives of their lives and to develop new narratives
that enhance their well-being (Fook 2012; Healy 2005). Narratives construct
lived experiences, and using the story as a starting point enables professional
helpers to gain understanding of people’s issues from their point of view, to
co-construct new knowledge, and to assist people in developing the capacity
to transform their thinking and take action (Fook 2012; Lehmann 2006).
The strengths framework, while having elements of postmodern thinking,
is also connected to concepts from humanism and person-centered theory.
The strengths framework developed as a social work practice approach during
the 1980s; it incorporates principles of respect and positive regard for clients,
worker genuineness, client self-determination, and the ability of clients to
reach their potential (Healy 2005). Sanders and Munford (2010) suggested
that strengths and solution-focused approaches can be viewed as part of the
same framework, although others distinguish the two as distinct frameworks
(De Jong and Berg 2001; Dybicz 2012). Strengths and solution-focused
work focus on the strengths, capacities, resources, and successes of families
who struggle and attempt to maximize the benefits of these positive qualities
(Sanders and Munford 2010). Strengths and solution-focused frameworks
are future-oriented and do not focus on remedying problems of the past; they
instead assist clients or communities in planning future strategies that will
solve the major issues they face (Healy 2005).
The work of Saleebey (2002), Rapp (1998), and Kisthart (2002) has been
particularly influential in developing the strengths model, and that of De Jong
and Berg (2001) in developing the solution-focused model. These writers,