The Workers' View: Strategies and Coping Skills in a Family Preservation Program

Abstract

This article examines the family preservation model from the perspective of workers involved in a program using the model. It describes a pilot study using qualitative research methods completed with all workers in a family preservation program. The study's focus explored the coping mechanisms of the workers specifically related to boundary and termination issues, and ways workers viewed families with whom they worked. Boundaries appeared to be managed by workers through cognitive mechanisms, application of program structure with clients, role clarification, supervision, and self-assessment. Role clarification particularly helped workers set limits for tasks that could be accomplished with families in a short-term model. Comfort and discomfort with termination issues included both personal and professional explanations. Coping mechanisms for managing termination issues were similar to those mentioned in regard to the maintenance of professional boundaries.