Clinical Practice SWES Practice Exam

In the context of treating a married couple, what is the focus of a social worker when one spouse has schizophrenia?

1. Encouraging joint sessions with both parents

2. Promoting the couple's supportive relationship

3. Addressing individual issues separately for better understanding

4. Focusing on medication management alone

The correct answer is: Promoting the couple's supportive relationship

The focus on promoting the couple's supportive relationship is essential in the context of treating a married couple when one spouse has schizophrenia. A supportive relationship can significantly enhance the mental well-being of the individual with schizophrenia and provide a crucial source of stability and resilience for both partners. The social worker plays a vital role in facilitating communication, empathy, and understanding between the spouses, which can help the non-ill spouse better comprehend the challenges that the partner with schizophrenia faces. Strengthening the couple’s bond involves fostering skills that can help them navigate the complexities of mental illness together. This supportive dynamic not only benefits the affected spouse by creating a more understanding environment but also helps the other spouse cope with their own feelings and responsibilities. Emphasizing the couple's relationship can enhance treatment outcomes, as it allows both individuals to address the implications of the illness collectively rather than in isolation. In this scenario, the focus on improving the couple's relationship is more advantageous than solely encouraging joint sessions, addressing issues separately, or concentrating only on medication management, as the latter approaches may overlook the importance of shared experiences and mutual support that are crucial in a marital context affected by a serious mental health condition.