Bio-Psycho-Social-Spiritual Assessment

Bio-Psycho-Social-Spiritual Assessment. Social workers understand that assessment is an ongoing component of the dynamic and interactive process of social work practice with, and on behalf of, diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Social workers understand theories of human behavior and the social environment, and critically evaluate and apply this knowledge in the assessment of diverse clients and constituencies, including individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Social workers understand methods of assessment with diverse clients and constituencies to advance practice effectiveness. Social workers recognize the implications of the larger practice context in the assessment process and value the importance of inter-professional collaboration in this process. Social workers understand how their personal experiences and affective reactions may affect their assessment and decision-making. Social workers:

1. Collect and organize data, and apply critical thinking to interpret information from clients and constituencies;
2. Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the analysis of assessment data from clients and constituencies;
3. Develop mutually agreed-on intervention goals and objectives based on the critical assessment of strengths, needs, and challenges within clients and constituencies; and
4. Select appropriate intervention strategies based on the assessment, research knowledge, and values and preferences of clients and constituencies.

Bio-Psycho-Social-Spiritual Assessment

Students will conduct a bio-psycho-social-spiritual assessment demonstrating their critical thinking and social work assessment skills. You may ask a classmate, family member or friend to be your “client” for this assignment. If you work in a social service setting you will need the permission of your direct supervisor before asking a client to help you with this assignment. Let the person know they will need to discuss a problem or concern they are facing (this is important to demonstrate your ability to interview, assess, formulate goals, and identify evidence-based intervention strategies).  

1. Formulation: In this two-part section you will need to apply critical thinking skills to demonstrate your ability to interpret information gathered during an assessment. Include both risk and protective factors in this section.
2. Develop a strengths-based summary of the information gathered. This section should include a narrative of the following areas:
   1. biological,
   1. psychological,
   1. social,
   1. spiritual, and
   1. environmental factors (home, school, work, community)
3. Demonstrate your ability to apply theory to explain the client’s situation. Specifically, apply your knowledge of:
   1. Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory
   1. and at least one additional theoretical framework (e.g. Psychoanalytic Theory/application of defense mechanisms by Ana Freud, Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development, Albert Bandura’s Social Learning Theory, Cognitive Behavior Theory by Aaron Beck, etc.) in your analysis of the assessment data gathered. (Please do not forget citations to sources)
   1. Goals and Objectives: Identify at least one short term goal (broad outcome) along with three objectives (measurable steps that will help achieve the goal), and one long term goal with at least three objectives based on your critical assessment of the person’s strengths, needs, and challenges.