Comparing the Knowledge and Attitudes of BSW and MSW Students Regarding Substance-Abusing Clients

Abstract

In the Northeast, 248 graduating seniors in 10 BSW programs were compared with 454 graduating students in 3 MSW programs regarding educational and experiential opportunities to learn about working with substance abusers, as well as knowledge and attitudes concerning this population. Results indicated that BSW students had far fewer opportunities than their MSW counterparts to learn about substance abuse through courses, training programs, internships, and employment. In regard to working with this population, MSW students demonstrated greater knowledge than BSW students, but no difference in attitudes. In a multivariate analysis controlling for personal, educational, and employment factors, BSW students demonstrated more positive attitudes about working with substance abusers than did MSW students, but the latter still reported greater knowledge. The findings suggest that educational exposure to the issues of substance abusers positively affects the knowledge and attitudes of BSW and MSW students regarding work with this population.