In working with patients with schizophrenia, the social worker is concerned with all but:

• A. Resolving internal psychological conflicts
• B. Managing hallucinations
• C. Addressing delusions
• D. Promoting social functioning

Answer: (A)

The main focus when social workers work with people who have schizophrenia is to reduce distress and improve day-to-day functioning through psychosocial interventions, coordinated supports, and help with community reintegration. This means prioritizing how symptoms affect living, work, and relationships, and helping the person manage those symptoms in daily life.

Managing hallucinations and addressing delusions are practical targets because reducing their impact on safety, decision-making, and functioning is essential for stability and quality of life. Promoting social functioning is also central—because schizophrenia often disrupts social skills, relationships, housing stability, and employment, helping the person engage with others and access resources is a core task.

Resolving internal psychological conflicts, while potentially relevant in some therapeutic contexts, is not the typical primary aim of the social worker in schizophrenia care. Deep intrapsychic work is more aligned with other therapy modalities, whereas the social worker’s role emphasizes present functioning, supports, and coordination to improve everyday life.