A Resilience-Enhancing Stress Model: A Social Work Multisystemic Practice Approach

The Resilience-Enhancing Stress Model (RESM) is an outgrowth of the professions interest in strength-based person-environment approaches, grounded in generalist social work practice that offers a range of intervention practice methods with diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. RESM was developed to provide the skill set for working with clients and constituencies across the individual-family-community configuration during times of distress. It can also be a welcomed addition to social work practice with people undertaking life transitions and overcoming disruption to individual, family, and community function.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 166 pages
Publication date: 25 August 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

Social work practice has undergone significant evolution to address the changing needs of society, complex problems, and the ever-expanding knowledge and skills available. In the face of rapidly changing and stressful environments, political, economic, demographic, sociocultural, and ideological changes have significantly impacted how practice is defined. To meet these challenges, innovative theoretical concepts and intervention strategies are essential. This textbook addresses the contemporary context of social work practice, which requires a deep understanding of personal and social relationships, the historical flux of the times, and the constant anxiety and threats that individuals face daily.

The text is grounded in the belief that social work practice requires a research and theoretical foundation that enables practitioners to build on a client's ability to persist in the face of life's challenges and to move forward positively with life events. The Resilience-Enhancing Stress Model (RESM) is an outgrowth of the profession's interest in strength-based person-environment approaches, rooted in generalist social work practice that offers a range of intervention practice methods with diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. RESM was developed to provide the skill set for working with clients and constituencies across the individual-family-community configuration during times of distress. It can also be a valuable addition to social work practice with individuals undergoing life transitions and overcoming disruption to individual, family, and community function.

The textbook explores various topics, including an evolving resilience-enhancing stress model, interviewing to promote resilience among marginalized populations, co-creating a grand narrative: the intersection of individual, family, and community, and more. It provides a comprehensive and practical guide for social workers, offering insights into the latest research, theories, and practices in the field.

One of the key concepts explored in the textbook is the Resilience-Enhancing Stress Model (RESM). RESM recognizes that individuals have varying levels of resilience, which can be enhanced through various interventions. The model emphasizes the importance of building on a client's strengths and resources, rather than focusing solely on their weaknesses. It also acknowledges the impact of stress on individuals and communities and provides strategies for managing stress effectively.

The textbook also discusses the importance of interviewing to promote resilience among marginalized populations. Marginalized populations face unique challenges and barriers that can impact their well-being. Interviewing can be a powerful tool for building trust, understanding, and empathy and can help individuals identify their strengths and resources. The textbook provides practical tips and techniques for conducting effective interviews with marginalized populations.

Co-creating a grand narrative: the intersection of individual, family, and community is another important concept explored in the textbook. This concept recognizes that individuals are part of a larger social and cultural context and that their experiences and perspectives are shaped by this context. The textbook provides strategies for working with individuals and communities to develop a shared understanding of their challenges and to work together to address them.

In addition to these topics, the textbook also covers a range of other important social work practices, such as case management, advocacy, and community development. It provides practical guidance on how to apply these practices in real-world situations and emphasizes the importance of collaboration and partnership with other professionals and organizations.

Overall, the textbook is a valuable resource for social workers, providing a comprehensive and practical guide to contemporary social work practice. It emphasizes the importance of building on a client's strengths and resources, managing stress effectively, and working collaboratively with other professionals and organizations to address social and economic challenges. By reading this textbook, social workers can gain the knowledge and skills necessary to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals and communities.

Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031081149
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022