Social Work Examination Services (SWES) Human Behavior Practice Test

A social worker should encourage a self-critical client to?

1. Focus on negative experiences

2. Reflect on positive qualities

3. Ignore their feelings of inadequacy

4. Challenge their thoughts without exploration

The correct answer is: Reflect on positive qualities

Encouraging a self-critical client to reflect on positive qualities is a constructive approach to help them build self-esteem and a more balanced self-image. When clients are overly self-critical, they often focus exclusively on their perceived flaws and shortcomings, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy and depression. By shifting their focus to positive attributes and experiences, the social worker can assist the client in recognizing their strengths, achievements, and the value they bring to their own lives and to others. This strategy is particularly effective because it provides a counterpoint to negative self-perceptions. It fosters resilience and self-acceptance, allowing clients to recognize that they are multifaceted individuals, not defined solely by their mistakes or negative experiences. Additionally, reflecting on positive qualities can encourage clients to adopt a more compassionate and forgiving attitude toward themselves, which is essential for personal growth and healing. In contrast, focusing on negative experiences would likely reinforce the client’s self-critical tendencies, while ignoring feelings of inadequacy could lead to unresolved emotions that may impact their mental health. Challenging thoughts without exploration may miss the opportunity for deeper understanding and growth, as clients may need to explore their feelings and the reasons behind their self-criticism for effective change to occur.