Social Work Examination Services (SWES) Human Behavior Practice Test

When dealing with a client's guilt about placing a spouse in a nursing home, what should the social worker prioritize?

1. Minimizing the client's distress

2. Accepting and understanding the client's guilt

3. Encouraging closure on the decision

4. Promoting forgiveness from the spouse

The correct answer is: Accepting and understanding the client's guilt

The focus in this situation should be on accepting and understanding the client's guilt. Guilt is a complex emotion that can stem from a variety of sources, including feelings of betrayal, love, and responsibility. By prioritizing acceptance and understanding of the client's guilt, the social worker creates a safe space for the client to express their feelings openly. This is important because it validates the client's emotional experience and allows them to process these feelings without fear of judgment. Acknowledging guilt as part of the client's experience facilitates further exploration of their thoughts and feelings, which can lead to a deeper understanding of their situation and more effective coping strategies. It also encourages the client to reflect on the difficult decision they made for their spouse, potentially helping them to find meaning in their choice rather than simply feeling overwhelmed by guilt. Additionally, this approach can pave the way for other emotional processes to occur, such as finding closure, making peace with their decision, or exploring avenues for forgiveness. Many other responses may not address the underlying emotional complexities of guilt as effectively. Minimizing distress might lead to avoidance of feelings that need to be processed, while encouraging closure prematurely could dismiss the client's need to work through their emotions thoroughly. Promoting forgiveness may also be less relevant at this stage, as the client