Tools for Strengths-Based Assessment and Evaluation

Catherine Simmons, PhD, LCSWiDrs. Simmons and Lehmann have given all of us in the helping professionsopractitioners and researchers alikeoa comprehensive resource for finding and selecting psychometrically sound, practical, strengths-based measures that we can use not only to elook at the resultsi but to do so in a way that we emeasure others by their strengths.i We look forward to seeing this invaluable resourceOon every social workeris desk in the coming years.i -John G. Orme, PhD, MSW Professor, University of Tennessee -Terri Combs-Orme, PhD The Urban Child Institute Endowed Professor Traditionally, assessment and evaluation have focused on the negative aspects or deficits of a clientis presentation. Yet strengths, health, and those things that are going irighti in a personis life are key protective factors in the prevention and treatment of many mental health problems. Thus, measuring strengths is an important component of a balanced assessment and evaluation process. This is the first compendium of more than 150 valid and reliable strengths-based assessment tools that clinicians, researchers, educators, and program evaluators can use to assess a wide array of positive attributes, including well-being, mindfulness, optimism, resilience, humor, aspirations, values, sources of support, emotional intelligence, and much more. These tools provide a clear picture of an individualis strengths while being easy to complete, score, and interpret. The scales and instruments included are consistently formatted, organized according to construct measures, and include tools for working with adults, couples, families, children, and special populations. They represent a wide range of theoretical approaches and were written by a diverse array of professionals, including social workers, psychologists, nurses, physicians, and sociologists. Partial List of Instruments: Assessing Emotions Scale Affective Balance Scale Flourishing Scale Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire Positive States of Mind Scale Measure of Expectations for Partner Multidimensional Sense of Humor Scale Parenting Sense of Competence Scale Personal Well-being Index Proactive Coping Inventory Psychological Empowerment Scale Stress-Related Growth Scale Social Well-being Scales Wellness Beliefs Scale

About the Author :
Peter Lehmann, PhD, is an Associate Professor at University of Texas at Arlington, School of Social Work and co-director of the Community Service Center. Dr. Lehmann's publications include three books, including Strengths-Based Batterer Intervention (with Cathy Simmons) and Theoretical Perspectives for Direct Social Work Practice (with Nick Coady). He has also authored seventeen book chapters and twenty two journal articles focusing on social work practice issues.