Social Work Examination Services (SWES) Human Behavior Practice Test

When working with a client diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder, how does the social worker typically relate to the client?

1. The social worker becomes a source of dependency

2. The social worker is seen as an audience for the client's stories

3. The social worker frequently challenges the client's views

4. The social worker does not become the object of the client's dependency

The correct answer is: The social worker does not become the object of the client's dependency

When working with a client diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder, it is essential for the social worker to maintain professional boundaries and not become the object of the client's dependency. Clients with this disorder often have fragile self-esteem, and they may look to others to validate their worth or provide support. However, for effective treatment and healthy therapeutic dynamics, social workers should focus on fostering independence and self-reliance in their clients. By not becoming the object of dependency, the social worker helps the client understand their own strengths and capabilities, encouraging a path toward developing a healthier self-image. This approach also minimizes the risk of enabling maladaptive behaviors associated with narcissism, such as manipulation or excessive need for admiration. Maintaining a professional distance allows the social worker to engage in more objective, constructive interactions that can lead to meaningful change in the client's behavior and self-perception. If the social worker were to become a source of dependency, it could reinforce the client's existing patterns of seeking external validation and control, which would not support their progress in therapy. Therefore, the focus remains on empowering the client rather than fostering reliance.