A Model for Social Work with Involuntary Applicants in Groups

Labeled "hard-to-reach," "resistant," or "unmotivated," involuntary applicants are referred to social workers by coercion and for reasons not of their own choosing (Goldstein, 1986). Although the number of involuntary applicants has been growing in recent years (Cingolani, 1984; Murdach, 1980), the literature reflects only limited attention to working with them. In spite of the special potential of the social work group for helping such applicants, scarcity of knowledge in this area is striking. This limited attention is curious in a society that values democracy and individual freedom (Harris and Watkins, 1987:16). It is particularly serious for social work because of the profession's special concern for clients' self-determination. It has contributed to social workers' frustration and their loss of credibility in working with involuntary applicants. This paper proposes a general model for social work with involuntary applicants in groups. The paper includes a discussion of the problem and issues, a theoretical perspective, several principles for practice, and application of the perspective and principles to social work with groups.