Socialworkers, ethics, urban-rural, standards of practice, practice behaviors-beliefs
Abstract
There is continuing debate within the social work profession on whether
there are significant differences in the practice behaviors and beliefs between rural
and urban clinical social workers and whether different standards should be
applied in defining ethical practices. This study measures those differences with
regard to five practice behaviors: bartering,maintaining confidentiality, competent
practice, dual relationships, and social relationships. Differences were found in
beliefs regarding the appropriateness of professional behavior though such differences
did not translate into practice behaviors.More significantly, the research suggests
considerable confusion about the meanings of ethical standards and the utilization
of intervention techniques without formal training across both urban and
rural social workers.
