Helping victims of terrorism: what makes social work effective?

This study examined factors that contribute to effectiveness of social work for victims of terrorism, as reflected by a reduction of mental distress and promotion of personal growth in clients. Participants were 148 pairs of social workers and clients. Social workers completed questionnaires that assessed the intervention characteristics (micro- and macro-intervention effectiveness, supervision effectiveness, and level of directiveness in treatment), as well as personal resources (empowerment and exposure to terrorism). Clients completed mental distress and growth questionnaires. Micro-in