ASWB ASWB Certifications LCSW Questions & Answers

• Question 161:

  Psychologically abusive indMduals are more likely to also physically abuse by 95%. It frequently occurs concurrently with or prior to sexual or physical abuse. Psychological abuse is defined as explicit and malicious nonphysical acts against whom?

  A. Intimate partner

  B. Child

  C. Dependentadult

  D. All of the above

  Correct Answer: D

  Psychological abuse has been proven to cause long-term mental health problems to its victims. Examples of this abuse include: damaging a victim's property, threatening harm or death, denying victim economic support, and preventing the victim from eating, sleeping or leaving.

• Question 162:

  Karen has been caring for her elderly motherthe last 3 years. During that time, Karen has watched as her parent slowly lost all recollection of her past life and surroundings due to AIzheimer's. A once close -knit relationship has now become a strained one, due to the elderly woman thinking of Karen as a stranger. The daughteris devastated and suffering from high levels ofgrief. Karen is at risk of developing:

  A. A mental disorder

  B. Burnout

  C. A physical illness

  D. All of the above

  Correct Answer: D

  Large amounts of emotional distress put a person at risk for developing pathological coping mechanisms across a variety of venues - physical and emotional. Researchers have long recognized the symptom links between the mind and the body, which is one of the reasons social workers assess a person not only by history and symptoms, but also by environment.

• Question 163:

  When there is death of a loved one, basic assumptions about relationships and emotions begin to change. This is a disruption of what principle of organization?

  A. Homeostasis

  B. Continuity

  C. Holistic

  D. Endurance

  Correct Answer: A

  Homeostasis is the principle where systems attempt to remain constant and consistent. A disruption to the system(s) requires adaption by reorganizing in new ways of thinking or behaving.

• Question 164:

  Survivors of a traumatic experience will often revisit the experience mentally, emotionally, and physically. Some indMduals turn to avoidance techniques. They may shut down emotionally or feel unconnected to the world. Asocial worker may work with such a client by using counter-intuitive methods. This means:

  A. Using your feelings in working with the client instead of your training.

  B. Relying on the cIient's intuition about how to proceed.

  C. Utilizing supervision to develop a treatment plan.

  D. Moving into a space where the client may be afraid to go.

  Correct Answer: D

  Counter-intuitive measures literally mean doing something that does not appearto be logical initially. In the case of trauma, one method of working with clients is to have them CK -visit the tra uma, but process it in ways that are different from the initial reactions, such as the client seeing him or herself as empowered, ratherthan helpless. Because clients are trying to "get awa;/' from the trauma, this approach seems counter to what they are hoping to achieve.

• Question 165:

  A basic model of how people experience grief and loss comes from a well-known theory first posited by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross. It involved five stages that people move through as they work through their loss. Which ofthe following is not one of those stages?

  A. Denial

  B. Bargaining

  C. Resolution

  D. Acceptance

  Correct Answer: C

  Resolution is not one of the stages. They are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

• Question 166:

  Jenny is 13 years old and has started to pull away from her parents in search of her own identity. The adolescent has joined a peer group in an effort to find a safe haven for testing new ideas. Members of a peer group often demonstrate what behaviors?

  A. Dress alike

  B. Have secret rituals or codes

  C. Participate in the same actMties

  D. All of the above

  Correct Answer: D

  Peer groups during early adolescence often consist of non-romantic friendships. When parents attempt to control the teen's behaviors, rebellion is often the outcome.

• Question 167:

  Dysfunctional families do not talk about their feelings or actMties. Non-communication and secrecy is seen as the solution to unsolvable problems. Members within the family feel that opening up to someone will make them vulnerable to judgment. Due to a lack of communication and the existence of secrets, dysfunctional families live with constant:

  A. Emotional abuse

  B. Anger and fear

  C. Unconscious violent behaviors

  D. None ofthe above

  Correct Answer: B

  Dysfunctional families believe their patterns of communication are dependent upon their survival. It is an unwritten rule not to talk about actions or feelings thought to be shameful. Anger and fear become a way of life, rarely noticed by family members. In turn, this causes problems with health, relationships and self-esteem.

• Question 168:

  The purpose of a family is to support each other mentally, physically and emotionally. When these tasks are unfulfilled or only performed with counter-productive methods, what happens to the family dynamics?

  A. Nurturing and love are obsolete

  B. Family dissolves

  C. Mental illness becomes a problem

  D. Family becomes dysfunctional

  Correct Answer: D

  A dysfunctional family may see the basics of life becoming a reason for violence, addiction and lies. The head of household may turn to alcohol to cope with his hatred of a dull job. Harmful actions are repeated and soon become a regular routine for survival.

• Question 169:

  Lisa tells a few of her close friends that her brother was recently diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. One of the friends tells a co-worker that Lisa 's family must be "crazy." Soon the friends start distancing themselves from her and offer no support. Many times families will not mention mental illness due to what?

  A. Stigma

  B. Placing blame

  C. Anxiety

  D. Guilt

  Correct Answer: A

  Many families dealing with a member's mental disability will not discuss the problem with others due to the stigma surrounding this medical condition. Misconceptions and myths abound without proper knowledge. Support from a friend or neighbor is harder to receive than if someone has a physical disability.

• Question 170:

  Madeline is a single parent who works for a very controlling boss. He is demeaning and gives her jobs that others refuse. Madeline is afraid to speak up for herself due to needing the money to support her family. When she comes home in the evenings, immediately Madeline begins yelling at her children because the house is a mess. What behavior is the mother displaying?

  A. Mental abuse

  B. Mental abuse

  C. Displacement

  D. Anxiety

  Correct Answer: C

  Madeline is redirecting her thoughts and impulses onto the children. The mother knows she cannot honestly express her feelings to the boss without losing her employment. This defense mechanism is an ineffective way to transfer anger.