Treatment Fidelity in Social Work Intervention Research: A Review of Published Studies

Objectives: This study investigated treatment fidelity in social work research. Method: The authors systematically reviewed all articles published in five prominent social work journals over a 5- year period. Sixty-three outcome studies were identified and reviewed for how well treatment fidelity was monitored using eight review criteria. Results: Seventy-one percent of reviewed studies defined each independent variable but more than two thirds lacked information on control measures for the interventions. Only two studies addressed all eight of the fidelity criteria, while five articles provided sufficient information on seven of the criteria. Nearly half (49%) were identified as primarily effectiveness studies. Slightly fewer (43%) were identified as efficacy studies. Conclusions: Greater attention needs to be paid to fidelity in social work intervention research.