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The present report examines ethical decision-making in a social work setup by analysing a case study. The case study is about Jenny, a 28-year-old client with a 6-year-old son. While working at the Women’s Centre, the case worker noticed concerning signs like the withdrawn behaviour of Jenny’s son with bruises on his legs and arms. When asked about it, Jenny said that the bruises were the result of rough play at school and went on to add that they had been having financial problems ever since her husband lost his previous job as a result of drug abuse.
The Dual-Process Model of Ethical Decision-Making is suggested by placing special emphasis on the fusion of intuitive and deliberate processes. The dual-process model of decision-making is a more comprehensive psychological theory that explains how people make decisions generally without putting a focus on moral issues in particular. It further suggests that two cognitive processes, namely the intuitive (automatic, emotional) process and the conscious process, which necessitates thorough analysis and reasoning, have an impact on the decision-making process (Schwartz, 2016). In this model, the decisions are often a product of the interaction between these two cognitive processes (Berglund, 2014).
In this scenario, the caseworker must identify ethical problems and dilemmas, gather relevant information, and venture into potential courses of action. It must be kept in consideration that the choices must prioritise the safety and well-being of Jenny’s son while maintaining confidentiality and trust. Further, it must empower Jenny to make informed choices at the same time. Adopting this strategy would have the benefit of protecting the child's well-being by upholding moral standards and offering family assistance. On the contrary, the drawbacks can be a strained relationship with Jenny and problems with trust. However, the disadvantages may include trust issues and a tense relationship with Jenny. She may feel like her prerogative to make decisions for herself and her son has been violated (Helfrich et al., 2018).
According to the Dual-Process Model of Ethical Decision-Making, two cognitive processes, namely intuitive and deliberate, govern ethical decisions. Both automatic and emotional reactions are a part of the intuitive process (Dedeke, 2015). Instead, the intentional method entails a careful and logical investigation of the circumstance. The model also suggests that by combining the two processes and allowing for emotional responses as well as thorough consideration, ethical decisions can be improved.
According to Michigan State University (2023), the steps involved in an ethical decision-making process are discussed below:
Step 1: Recognizing and identifying the ethical issue or issues is the first and most crucial step. In this instance, the moral dilemmas relate to worries about Jenny's 6-year-old son's safety and welfare, including his reclusive behaviour and injuries on his arms and legs. Maintaining Jenny's confidence and anonymity is another moral dilemma that needs to be addressed in this case. It may be necessary to involve more agencies in order to address Jenny's worries about her son's safety and well-being. Along with offering Jenny support and knowledge and assisting her in coming to the right decision for herself and her son, this also entails respecting her autonomy and sense of empowerment.
Step 2: The next step shall involve collecting and gathering relevant information about the financial situation of Jenny’s family, her husband’s drug abuse, and any other associated concerns related to the protection of her son.
Step 3: In order to determine the appropriate course of action, it is essential to combine emotional responses with analytical thinking to assess the gravity of the issue and any further potential threats.
Step 4: After carefully weighing the options, the case worker must talk to Jenny about the concerns. In order to recognise her family's financial requirements, she must be provided with help and resources like child protective services and working with other organisations.
Step 5: The most appropriate course of action must be determined while adhering to ethical norms after taking into account all pertinent factors. The safety and well-being of Jenny's son should be taken into consideration when doing this. The strategy must ensure that Jenny's independence and confidentiality are upheld throughout the process.
Step 6: When a suitable course of action is chosen, it should be implemented by offering assistance, making recommendations, and reporting issues to the proper authorities.
Step 7: The last step involves evaluating the consequences of the chosen course of action and its effects on Jenny and her son. The results must constantly be reassessed, and the approach must be adjusted accordingly.
In my opinion, the present scenario involves ethical issues that revolve around maintaining a balance between autonomy of Jenny and safeguarding the best interests of her son. As a case worker, I would prioritise the welfare of the child keeping in mind his withdrawn behaviour and the bruises found on his arms and legs. In this regard, it is important to approach Jenny with empathy and non-judgmental support. I try to gain her trust and make her understand that my role is to provide her and her family with the support they require given the circumstances while respecting their privacy and taking ethical principles into account.
Dedeke, A. (2015). A cognitive–intuitionist model of moral judgment. Journal of Business Ethics, 126, 437-457. https://www.jstor.org/stable/24702760
Michigan State University. (2023, June 16). 6-Step Guide to Ethical Decision-Making. https://www.michiganstateuniversityonline.com/resources/leadership/guide-to-ethical-decision-making/
Radpour, A. (2014). The Dual-Process Theory of Moral Judgments: A Way of Explaining Why VMPFC Patients Make More Utilitarian Judgments in Relation to Harmful Situations. https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:723954/FULLTEXT01.pdf
Schwartz, M. S. (2016). Ethical decision-making theory: An integrated approach. Journal of Business Ethics, 139, 755-776. https://w HYPERLINK "https://www.jstor.org/stable/44164255"ww.jstor.org/stable/44164255
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