Lilly P
Dept. of Psychiatric Social Work,
National Institute of Mental Health & NeuroSciences (NIMHANS),
Bangalore, Karnataka 560029 India.
Tel  00 91 80 699 5240,
fax  00 91 80 663 1830
email  mcsrao@nimhans.kar.nic.in

Purpose: Classification of problems or concerns of any profession plays a very significant role in its practice, teaching and research and forms a knowledge base for its existence. Ever since the Social Work practice has evolved as helping activity, the need for a suitable classification of the problems of its concern has been emphasized in the literature. However, not much progress has been made in this area of research, mainly because of the resistance to the labeling approach and an equally focused need for individualized interventions. This paper examines the type of problems dealt in the psychiatric social work practice and suggests for a suitable classificatory system in social work profession

Method: A random sample of 250 detailed case reports from psychiatric social work case records (25% of available reports) were processed using content analysis of data on the nature, duration and associated factors of the problems dealt by the post M.S.W. level trainees of the Department of Psychiatric Social Work, National Institute of Mental Health And Neuro Sciences, Bangalore, INDIA. Two independent raters have participated in the data collection using a semi-structured schedule prepared for this purpose.

Results: The analysis revealed a 3- tier classification of problems, namely; Problems of Materials, Problems of Interpersonal Contexts and Problems of Transition. Of this, the interpersonal problems, particularly, that of primary group predominated the Psychiatric Social Work caseload. The conceptual issues, measurement and multiplicity of problems dealt in practice are noted.

Implications: In view of its implications for building new knowledge for Social Work practice, the need for examining the validity and reliability of the classificatory system emerged from this study is considered for future research. The replication of similar studies with a large number of cross cultural and non clinical populations is suggested.