This study examined the relationships between the organizational conditions of social workers practicing in mental health agencies and their job satisfaction and intention to leave. A sample of 259 social workers, practicing in sixteen mental health agencies in New York State completed a questionnaire that included several measures: role conflict, role ambiguity, social support, extent of opportunities for professional development, type of work activities, job satisfaction and intention to leave. Results showed that the organizational conditions are strong predictors for job satisfaction and intention to leave. The author suggests that it is possible to find an appropriate balance between the professional expectations of social workers and the business-driven aspect of the mental health care environment.

The study discussed in this article examined the relationship between the degree of involvement with clients with severe mental illness and social workers' job satisfaction and burnout. A total of 128 social workers were administered a questionnaire that included three scales: an involvement scale, a job satisfaction measure, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Greater involvement was related significantly to higher levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. Overall, results suggest that social workers are affected negatively by this type of work. The implications for the social work profession are discussed as well as the importance of social support systems at the work setting that will help social workers cope more effectively with stressful work situations.

• Summary: The new mental health care delivery system in the USA strives to provide efficient quality care at a lower cost. This cost-effective approach and focus on short-term treatment modalities and measurable outcomes has created new challenges especially for those who work with clients with severe mental illness. This study explores the relationships between workplace conditions, role stress, burnout, and intent to quit. The direct and indirect effects of role stress on emotional exhaustion and emotional exhaustion on intent to quit are illuminated in order to better understand the complex process of becoming stressed and disillusioned with one’s work. • Findings: The results support the author’s expectations that role stress mediates the association between workplace variables and emotional exhaustion; and that emotional exhaustion mediates the association between role stress and intent to quit. • Applications: These results indicate that agencies and social work schools need to prepare students and new workers for the realistic aspects of mental health work, and provide them with the necessary skills required in order to balance the financial and the clinical aspects of mental health work. Supervisory support, peer support groups, and in-service training should also be considered as important interventions that can reduce workers burnout and its negative consequences.

This study examined the relationship between social workers' experiences when interfacing with managed care organizations and burnout. A total of 591 social workers completed questionnaires that included several measures: Self-perceived competence in the context of managed care, professional involvement with clients with severe mental illness, and burnout. Results showed that self-perceived competence in the context of managed care had statistically significant correlations with burnout dimensions. The author discusses the role of social work schools in preparing students for the realistic aspects of mental health work, and recommends a partnership between managed care organizations and professionals for best care giving.

The study was designed to further the understanding of transphobia among students majoring in the helping professions including social work, occupational therapy, and nursing. The study's hypotheses examined the effects of transgender content in education (e.g., textbooks and lectures), religiosity, contact with transgender people, and several sociodemographic variables with transphobia. Differences in transphobia levels between social work students and those in aligned professions were also explored. The sample consisted of 600 students of a public, urban university in New York City who participated in an online survey. Measures included transphobia and transgender content scales. Students reported (75%) a deficient amount of transgender content in education, and almost one half of the sample reported moderate to high levels of transphobia. Other findings showed that transgender content in education was positively correlated with transphobia, and 1-way ANOVA showed that transphobia differed significantly across the majors. The author suggestions included increasing transgender content in textbooks, lectures, and class discussions as well as developing field sites that provide students with opportunities to serve this population.