ABSTRACT
This chapter describes a training program aimed at helping social service workers acquire skills for marital interventions. A ten session course in assessing marital conflict and effecting intervention was taught to fourteen caseworkers employed in a county department of social services. Marital and family intervention expertise was absent; few workers had training in such areas, so most cases identified as "marital problems" were referred to other agencies, which may seem a constructive approach to handling cases of marital conflict. Workers were encouraged to view marital violence as resulting from multiple, interrelated variables. Workers verbalized their uncertainty in dealing with marital problems. They had exaggerated perceptions of the effectiveness of marital counseling, assuming other professionals had highly developed procedures to alleviate marital distress. Following home observation, the worker was able to determine salient behavior precipitating marital spats. Program evaluation showed workers better able to serve marital and family discord after training than before.
