Social workers employ various theoretical frameworks when addressing various cases presented to

Social workers employ various theoretical frameworks when addressing various cases presented to them by different clients. Essentially, the discipline of social work entails working with individuals, families, groups or communities with the primary goal of enhancing the overall well-being of the community as well as its social function (Hatton, 2015). The following assignment examines the application of theoretical frameworks by a social worker to resolve family challenges of a young couple. The report focuses on developing an understanding of the best assessment and intervention strategies for use in handling social work cases, in addition to putting into practice various social work theoretical frameworks in addressing presented social work cases, thereby ensuring positive patient outcomes (Taylor, Killick & McGlade, 2015). In this particular case study, the social worker applies the theories of Cognitive Behavioral Theory, Systems Theory, as well as Solution Focused Approaches geared at addressing the challenges brought into the family by Liam, the husband to Asia. The case presented before the social worker relates to the family challenges of Liam and Asia, a young couple that has been married for two years with and are blessed with an 18 months old baby girl named Fatima. Asia is a 26 years old Asian woman of Islamic faith while Liam is a British young man. The couple is experiencing challenges in their relationship, in which Asia has threatened severally to walk out of the marriage. The marital challenges arise from the physical and emotional abuse from Liam towards his wife and their young child. To begin with, Liam is a jobless alcoholic hooked on drugs. Therefore, not only affects Asia’s marriage but also contravenes with the teachings of her faith. Secondly, Liam is against her furthering her education to become a nurse, as he does not want to remain alone with the baby. To make matters worse, he does not bring anything to the table, as he is jobless, in addition to being very abusive. In this regard, Asia wants to call off the marriage as she does not benefit anything from the relationship. In planning for the intervention, the social worker must first identify the challenges that the case presents, and then match each challenge with the right theoretical framework to use in addressing the challenge. In the case of Liam, there are three main dimensions that need help, and three different theoretical frameworks used in addressing each problem. Analysis of Liam’s Case From the presentation of the case, it is evident that the main cause of the challenges that the family is experiencing is Liam, and to make it worse, he is not making any efforts to change the situation (Bryman, 2016). To begin with, he is not educated and lacks proper qualifications. Therefore, he is not in a position to secure sustainable employment opportunities and support his family as the man and breadwinner in the family. In fact, he has been jobless for the past 6 months, depending on his wife Asia, whose income is not adequate to cater for the entire family’s expenses. His state of joblessness has also affected his parenting skills, in addition to increasing his levels of anxiety (Bartley, 2016). As a result, he takes out his stress in alcohol and drugs, leading him to forget taking his anxiety medicine. When under the influence of these drugs, he abuses his wife both emotionally and physically, in addition to blocking her from pursuing her dreams of becoming a nurse. Therefore, Liam needs assistance in three main dimensions. The first dimension is assistance in becoming employable and a valuable member to his family (Fook, 1996). If he is in a position to support and provide for his family, he will not be in distress, and neither will his wife bear the undue burden of catering for their family on her own. The second dimension is assistance in quitting his drugs and substance abuse. As mentioned in the case study, he is addicted to alcohol and drugs, which are against not only Aisha’s Islamic faith beliefs but also a threat to their marriage as he becomes abusive to his spouse when under the influence. Therefore, if Liam quits alcohol and drugs, he will be in a much better position to control his anger and emotions, thereby refrain from hurting his wife both physically and emotionally. He will also be in a position to think objectively and be a loving and understanding husband to his dear wife (Ginor, 2017). The third dimension is assistance in his psychological stability, as we see him relying on medicine to remain stable, such that failure to take the drugs makes him a very violent person. Liam should be in a position to control his emotions freely without having to rely on medications, as the situation may deteriorate into a serious psychological complication.The analysis of Liam’s case points to his drugs and substance abuse as the key factor that creates or exacerbates the risk not only to his family but also himself and the public. The reason for this assertion is that when Liam is sober, he can control his emotions, think straight, and even go look for odd jobs to support his family. However, when he is under the influence of drugs and alcohol, he cannot do any of these, largely because he loses control of his mind, as well as the fact that he also forgets to take his anxiety medicines. As a result, he becomes violent towards his wife, abusing her both physically as well as emotionally and Fatima witnesses all these that can lead safeguarding concern for Fatima. Applying Theoretical Frameworks in Addressing Liam’s Case The three theories proposed for application, in this case, are the Cognitive Behavioral Theory, the Systems Theory, and the Solution Focused Approaches. Social work theories are integral in promoting positive outcomes for social workers by providing general explanations on how to deal with different cases through evidence obtained through scientific methods. Therefore, a theory is effective in explaining human behavior, such as describing how a human reacts to given stimuli or interacts with other humans (Hatton, 2015). In this case, different practice models of social work describe how social workers can implement theories in their practice.In fact, these practice models outline a blueprint that social workers can adhere to when dealing with different cases presented at their hands by their clients, based on the underlying provisions of applicable social work theories (Taylor, Killick & McGlade, 2015). As such, a theoretical framework is used in explaining what happens to a particular case, whereas a practice model shows how the theory is used in creating the desired change in a given perspective (Gray & Webb, 2012). The following analysis shows how the three social work theories mentioned above are used in addressing Liam’s case and finding a permanent solution to his family challenges.a) The Solution Focused ApproachesThe first problem that Liam is experiencing is the lack of finances that he requires to support his family as its breadwinner and head (Healy, 2014). Therefore, he needs solutions to make him employable, especially considering the fact that he does not have any qualifications. As such, it is difficult for him to secure good jobs. He ends up taking what he is offered, and in most cases, this is never enough to cater for his needs and those of his family. In addition, his lack of proper qualification makes it impossible for him to secure long-lasting employment opportunities, as evidenced by the case of his joblessness for a period of six months (Hepworth, et al., 2016). Therefore, application of the solution-focused approaches would be an effective strategy in addressing this case, especially with regard to providing him with alternative means of becoming employable.As such, this approach will enable me the social worker to think through with Liam and identify his hidden skills and talents that he can exploit and make a living out of, instead of simply sitting idle and waiting for someone to employ him (Howe, 2017). In this case, he can start up something tangible on his own that ensures sustainable income for use in supporting his family. For instance, he can apply for a loan or borrow money to start a business, and from the proceeds of the business, support his family. Similarly, he may choose to exploit one of his idle talents, such as juggling, dancing, acrobatics, painting, or singing and earn an income from it to support his family. b) Systems TheoryThe second problem that Liam is facing is his addiction to alcohol and drugs (Padgett, 2016). Liam needs help to overcome his addiction to hard drugs and alcohol, as this addiction is negatively affecting the peace and stability of his home (O’Connor, 2015). The best theoretical framework to apply in handling this predicament is the systems theory. The systems theory is suitable in this case in the sense that it describes the human behaviors in terms of complex systems (Payne, 2014). The systems theory is premised on the ideology that an effective system relies on the needs of an individual, rewards, attributes as well as the expectations of those people living within the system. As such, the theory ascribes that family members, couples, as well as members of an organization have a direct role through active participation to resolving a problem at hand; even it is an individual issue. In this case, Liam’s addiction to alcohol is an individual problem, but it requires the right system to assist him to overcome the problem that he is facing. Therefore, this theoretical framework will involve his family in supporting him to overcome his addiction to alcohol and drugs (Reinharz, 2017). Liam needs to understand that his addiction has become a major impediment to happiness and stability of his home and marriage, and his wife Asia needs to support him through the rehabilitation process to enable him to overcome his addiction to alcohol and drugs. c) Cognitive Behavioural Theory The third problem that Liam is facing is psychological, where he is considered to be suffering from an anxiety problem, and as such, is forced to rely on medication to control his emotional outbursts and anxiety attacks (Rubin & Babbie, 2012). Some of the negative effects attributable to his psychological complications include violence and abusive behaviors (Saulnier, 2014). He, therefore, needs help to control his emotional complications, and the best theoretical framework to apply in handling his case would be the Cognitive Behavioral Theory, a psychosocial intervention focused on improving the mental health of an individual. The reason for this assertion is because CBT focuses on challenging as well as unhelpful cognitive distortions, such as attitudes, beliefs, and thoughts, as well as behaviors in order to improve an individual’s emotional regulation (Rubin & Babbie, 2012). Furthermore, CBT also supports the development of personal coping strategies that target to resolve current problems.As presented in Liam’s case, he is not sure of his parenting skills, and as such, this causes him to become very anxious. His joblessness, as well as addiction to alcohol and drugs, make matters worse, and as a result, he can easily flip off and become abusive to his loving wife (Stepney & Ford, 2000). Therefore, with the use of CBT, Liam will be in a position to overcome his emotional complications, especially the anxiety, and learn to become the model husband and father that his young family needs.Review of the Case Study after Intervention The application of theoretical frameworks in intervening the challenges faced by Liam has proven to be very successful for the social workers. In this case, the systems theory was effective in enabling Liam to overcome his addiction. The cognitive behavioral theory was effective in enabling Liam to overcome his anxiety and emotional instability. The solution-focused approach was effective in enabling Liam to get himself an income generating activity. Furthermore, after the counseling therapy, the social worker can follow up Liam’s case trough visitations to see how he is holding up, and if his changes are permanent.What Would Happen in the Absence of Theoretical Frameworks or Intervention Methods? In the absence of theoretical frameworks, the best approach that the social worker would use in addressing Liam’s case would be the narrative approach. In this case, the social worker would rely on the information provided regarding the case through the narrations of both Liam and his wife. Thereafter, the social worker would identify the key presenting issues in each case, and begin to resolve it from the root, eliminating the cause of each challenge. The above case study focused on the application of social work frameworks in addressing a case presented to a social worker. The case was about Liam, a husband and a father, who was facing serious challenges in his marriage because of his joblessness, abusive behaviors, and addiction to alcohol and drugs. As such, the social worker applies three theoretical frameworks in handling the case, which include the systems theory, the cognitive behavioral theory, and the solutions focused approaches, which were effective in addressing his three main problems identified in the case. Therefore, the assignment affirms the success in utilizing theoretical frameworks in handling social work cases.