ASWB BSW Exam Questions

Correct answer: It can increase insight into effects of past trauma

Struggles with substance abuse can have significant impacts upon the individual using substances, their family members and friends, and communities as a whole. Some of the most common effects on mental health include behavioral disruption, increased risk of aggressive or violent behavior, issues with memory, increased likelihood of episodes of depression, increased possibility of developing symptoms of psychosis such as paranoia and/or hallucinations, and erratic behavior. 

Substance abuse has not been linked to increased insight into the impacts of past traumatic experiences, though there is a link between having experienced childhood trauma and an increased likelihood of later engaging in substance use. 

Correct answer: In the backseat of a locked car

There are federal, state, and NASW code of ethics guidelines and laws regarding the storage of client medical and therapy records. It is imperative that social workers familiarize themselves with HIPAA regulations as well as state and local laws. The NASW code of ethics provides helpful guidelines to follow, but social workers are also expected to be in compliance with laws surrounding client records. Both HIPAA and the NASW code of ethics require social workers to store records in a "secured" location that is protected from those who should not have access. This includes both physical records and electronic records. As a result, password protected electronic storage, a locked filing cabinet, and a secure warehouse are the seemingly most secure options of the answer choices. 

The backseat of a locked car is the least secure as the windows are see-through, and records could potentially be seen through the glass. Additionally, someone could easily break the window and obtain the records physically. 

Correct answer: Professionals such as social workers

The reason that knowing the ethics and obligations surrounding the protection of clients is so important is that most investigations into abuse and neglect come from social workers and other professionals who are obligated to report such matters. Clients themselves often will not take this step, family members may have fears or agendas about doing so, and the community at large may not be aware of the situation.

Correct answer: Teaching Mark deep breathing exercises to manage his anxiety in the moment

Deep breathing exercises are a commonly used coping skill to manage anxiety in real time. They help regulate emotions and promote relaxation, making them valuable tools for Mark to use during moments of distress. This is an example of a social worker teaching a client to cope in different situations. Social workers may also teach clients strategies for coping by discussing how their history influences their responses, reviewing how the systems they interact with impact them, or referring them to specialists who can assist with a specific need or skill. 

It is not appropriate to advise a client to avoid all situations that trigger anxiety. Avoidance is not an effective long-term coping strategy and may worsen anxiety over time. It's important to teach adaptive skills to manage anxiety rather than avoid triggers. Suppressing thoughts is not a recommended coping strategy because it can lead to increased distress. Encouraging acceptance and effective coping is more appropriate. Excessive screen time may provide temporary distraction but is not a healthy coping mechanism because it can become a maladaptive coping skill and impact other areas of life negatively. The root of the problem should be addressed and healthy coping skills should be taught to manage anxiety in the moment. 

Correct answer: Strengths

A strengths perspective focuses on the positives in a client's life rather than the problems or negatives. By helping clients with self-determination, social workers are encouraging clients to explore their personal strengths and to use them the best way possible.

Person-in-environment is a way social workers explain how people are influenced by their environment and vice versa. The "individual" perspective is not a term used in the field of social work.

Correct answer: To avoid treatments that they otherwise would not have authorized

An advance directive gives another person the legal authority to make decisions on behalf of the injured or ill person. These decisions mostly guide the medical care provided to the sick person if they are unable to make their own choices regarding end-of-life care.

A health care directive may allow a person to be on life support or to extend their length of life, but also might direct a person to refrain from being put on life support if the situation arises. Depending on the situation, conflict may still arise between family members during the time of a person's illness.

Correct answer: Lower chance of defensiveness and criticism 

Peer group supervision is run by equal peer social workers without a facilitator. While there are benefits of this type of supervision, the drawbacks may lead some social workers to seek a different type of supervision. The drawbacks include greater chances for group members to feel defensive and criticize one another, dependence on peers to fulfill their roles to be successful, the necessity of mutual trust and respect for success, and limitations on depth of knowledge due to the number of participants.

The benefits of this type of supervision include opportunities for members to act as teacher and student, sharing of responsibilities between group members, lower chances of having to work with a supervisor one does not want, more opportunities for personal development as a part of the group dynamic, and generally lower costs. 

Correct answer: Revenue generated by the social worker

Evaluations should include a review of both the quality and quantity of the work performed. Some of the areas to be included in a social work appraisal or evaluation are the ability to establish and maintain meaningful, effective, appropriately professional relationships with clients; knowledge and skills; ability to adhere to agency objectives, policies, and procedures; use of supervision; staff and community relationships; professional attributes and attitudes, including adherence to the Code of Ethics; and cultural competence. Some agencies may choose to include quantitative data in evaluations, but it is not expected or the norm.

Correct answer: The social worker

When terminating with clients prior to completion of services or if the client would continue to benefit from services, it is the social worker's responsibility to take actions to ensure that service is not interrupted in a manner that is detrimental to the client. This is true in the event of relocation, illness, disability, and death. The NASW Code of Ethics states, "Social workers should make reasonable efforts to ensure continuity of services in the event that services are interrupted by factors such as unavailability, disruptions in electronic communication, relocation, illness, mental or physical ability, or death." Many agencies will assist in transferring care to other social workers employed there, but it is ethically the social worker's responsibility to do so. 

Correct answer: The client expresses feelings of attraction toward the social worker

The NASW code of ethics directly addresses ethical concerns surrounding termination with clients. It explicitly states that a social worker should not terminate services to pursue any sort of sexual, romantic, or platonic relationship with a client. In the event that a client expresses that they are attracted to the social worker, this in itself is not a reason to terminate services. The client may simply be experiencing transference, and this should be discussed in a therapeutic manner prior to jumping to termination. If the client is no longer able to benefit from treatment with the social worker due to the attraction, then it may be appropriate to refer the client to another provider. 

When terminating, regardless of the reason, it is essential to complete a risk assessment to ensure that the client is not a danger to themselves or others. Social workers are able to terminate services in the event that a client does not pay their bill. However, they must have previously addressed payment requirements and what the consequences of failure to pay would be.

Correct answer: The miracle question 

The miracle question is a therapeutic tool commonly used in solution-focused therapy. It can be implemented in a variety of creative ways, such as, "If you were given a magic wand and with one wave you could change your life, what would it look like after the spell was cast?" or, "If you went to sleep and overnight your life transformed into the perfect life, what would change?" It is less about the specific question asked and more about what the client identifies as changing in their life for the better. Rather than focusing on all the things that are wrong, the client is asked to identify things that would improve their life, a positive (solution-focused) approach to goal identification. Often, when clients are struggling, goal identification can be overwhelming, so taking approaches such as this one can help them break down the steps to get there. 

Mindful approaches emphasize strengthening the awareness of the present without judgment via meditation and other observational exercises. A mindfulness-based approach may be helpful to lessen the client's feelings of dissatisfaction and hopelessness but would be less likely to address the identified lack of clear goals and desire for change. A more action-oriented approach would be a better option for this client. Cognitive behavioral therapy emphasizes identification of harmful patterns of thought and shifting identified patterns to more helpful thought patterns. This approach would help with the client's feelings of hopelessness by addressing unhealthy thinking patterns but would be less likely to help him identify goals to work toward than the miracle question. Dialectical behavioral therapy is rooted in cognitive behavioral therapy but was designed specifically to help individuals who experience strong emotions learn to accept and tolerate them using mindfulness and other techniques. It is less likely to help the client identify goals and develop direction but may be helpful in assisting him tolerate the discomfort of feeling hopeless.

Correct answer: Integration 

The integration stage of spiritual development involves seeking a deeper understanding of religious themes such as good, evil, mercy, compassion, and love. The individual moves away from accepting religious concepts without questioning them. This best aligns with the client's statement of evaluating complex concepts and not following a specific denomination.

The egocentric stage emphasizes the individual's unwillingness or inability to accept a will greater than their own. During this stage, individuals are often rather egotistic, defy authority, and are more likely to engage in criminal behaviors. The conformist stage is first and involves having blind faith in religious authorities and dividing the world into good or evil in a simplistic manner. There is not a recognized stage referred to as "nonconformist," and once individuals pass through the conformist stage, they move into the integration stage. It is important to note that individuals may or may not move through any of the stages and do not necessarily move through all stages during the lifespan. 

Correct answer: Permissive parenting

Permissive parenting, an approach most characterized by a lack of discipline and a more peer-style relationship with children, tends to produce children with authority-related behavioral problems and low grades in school.

The other answers are incorrect. Authoritative parenting (a balanced, nurturing approach that still asserts rules and boundaries) tends to produce children that are well-functioning, able to produce good grades in school, and report higher levels of happiness. Authoritarian parenting (an approach characterized by many rules and lots of discipline but severely lacking in nurturing interactions) often produces children who perform well academically but are less well-rounded socially, less happy, and less confident. Uninvolved parenting (a very hands-off approach with little interaction) is associated with poor academic achievement, lower levels of self-confidence, and poor self-control. 

Correct answer: Childhood diagnoses were separated from other diagnoses 

The DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) is the primary tool social workers use to diagnose clients. The most recent version of the DSM included several major updates: 

• The "Disorders Usually First Diagnosed in Infancy, Childhood, and Adolescence" section was eliminated and its diagnoses were incorporated into other chapters.
• The multiaxial system was completely removed by combining the first three axes, converting axis IV to "significant psychosocial and contextual features," and completely discarding axis V. 
• The WHODAS (World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule) 2.0 was included in the "Emerging Measures" section. 
• "Other specified disorder" and "unspecified disorder" replaced "not otherwise specified."

Correct answer: Summative evaluation

Means of program analysis are varied, and each focuses on a different measurement of success. A summative evaluation focuses on a program's outcomes to measure its effectiveness.

A cost-benefit analysis looks at the balance between a program's costs and its fiscal benefits. A cost-effectiveness analysis is similar to a cost-benefit analysis but looks more closely at benefits not measured in purely fiscal terms, such as lives saved or houses built. An outcome assessment looks at the question of whether a program has achieved its intended goals.

Correct answer: Self-censorship

Self-censorship is identified as one of the causes of groupthink and occurs when an individual chooses not to express an opinion that dissents from a perceived group consensus. Marquita seems to perceive her feelings of anger as a deviation from a consensus that other group members have come to and thus withholds her thoughts and feelings. In reality, it is highly possible that other group members are experiencing the same thing as Marquita but are not comfortable speaking up due to the occurrence of groupthink. 

Groupthink is a phenomenon that entails a group coming to a faulty decision (or decisions) because of group pressure. Illusion of unanimity, collective rationalization, and mindguarding are all considered causes of groupthink. The illusion of unanimity is the perception that all other members of the group are in agreement. Collective rationalization occurs when group members disregard warnings and will not reconsider assumptions. Mindguards happen when members filter information or opinions contrary to group cohesiveness.

Correct answer: "Let's explore the underlying beliefs that contribute to your anxiety and work on changing them."

Rational Emotive Therapy (RET) is based on the premise that irrational beliefs lead to negative emotions. The therapist's role is to help the client identify and challenge these irrational beliefs, ultimately replacing them with rational and constructive beliefs. This answer emphasizes underlying thoughts, focuses on shifting them, and aligns with RET. 

Stating, "I understand that you have these anxious thoughts, but they might not have as much impact as you think" acknowledges the thoughts but does not actively engage in the process of identifying and changing irrational beliefs, which is a key aspect of RET. Stating, "Why don't you distract yourself whenever you start feeling anxious? That should help" suggests distraction as a coping mechanism without addressing the underlying irrational beliefs that contribute to the anxiety. RET focuses on changing the beliefs themselves, not just managing symptoms.

Correct answer: Contemplation

Contemplation is the stage of change characterized by ambivalence; the client will often speak and behave in contradictory ways as they attempt to begin the change process.

The other answer options are incorrect. "Presobriety" is a fabricated term. Early remission may sometimes refer to a diagnosis but, in any case, does not apply here, as the client is still using. Denial is not a stage of change.

Correct answer: To help the client

Social work is a helping profession and is centered around helping the clients they work with, whether those clients are individuals or macro-level clients in system-level social work. As a result, while social workers do get paid for their profession, the payment is not the objective over providing aid to clients. Additionally, social workers train and receive certifications to provide specific types of support and help to clients. A social worker's help generally goes beyond providing company to a client. While an objective or intervention may be to change a client's environment, this is not always identified as a problem for a client and, thus, is not a social worker's objective in most dynamics. 

It is essential that social workers understand that in this helping profession, the emphasis should be placed on empowering clients via increased capability, autonomy, and strengths, rather than providing advice or telling clients what to do.

Correct answer: The boy is being physically abused at home

Physical abuse is nonaccidental trauma or physical injury caused by hitting, beating, kicking, biting, or other forms of aggressive behavior. There are usually physical signs, making it the most visible type of abuse. Indicators of physical abuse include injuries such as broken bones or fractures, lacerations, burn marks, and unexplained bruises. Behavioral indicators of abuse include being wary of caretakers and behavioral extremes such as withdrawal.

This question indicates the boy is fearful that the social worker will call his parents, but this does not mean he has an anxiety disorder. Behavioral signs of sexual abuse can be similar to those of physical abuse, but a broken arm is more likely a result of physical rather than sexual abuse. There is no indication that the boy has a learning disorder.