The causes of stress at work amongst social workers

Abstract

Social workers work in an ever-changing social, political and cultural environment, they are exposed to contacts with persons of different social backgrounds, people experiencing behavioural and various social problems. In complicated, ever-continuing, multidimensional situations, there arises the risk of stress. In order to manage stress at work, it is important to identify the causes of stress. The objective of this study is to reveal the causes of stress experienced by social workers at work basing on the experience of social workers. Qualitative research type was chosen for the study. The method of a semi-structured interview with social workers, who work in different institutions providing social services, was used. The study revealed both external and internal causes posing stress to social workers at work. The external causes of stress are associated with working conditions, for example, the absence of stability and clarity at work. Social workers often remain alone to resolve problems; they can have a heavy workload. There is the lack of cooperation between institutions, such as the police and other institutions when they inform about the problematic behaviour of their client. Stress is caused by the absence of change and excessively high requirements for an employee. Social workers experience negative behaviour of service receivers, for example, threat of physical violence, psychological violence, and pressure from clients in order to receive something. Relationships with management can also cause stress. There is the lack of incentive, the lack of benevolence, an employee is noticed only when he needs “to be taught a lesson”; the conditions of employment are not satisfactory – an employee is offered only a fixed-term contract, low pay. The internal causes of stress are related to excessively high requirements for social workers, the pursuit of perfection when resolving the problems of service receivers, the fear of failure and an inflated sense of responsibility.

Work-Related Stress and Uncertainty Amid Change: Can Workplace Coaching Make a Difference?

“…In conclusion, the literature has long recognised stress as a significant threat to wellbeing (Raudeliunaite & Volff, 2020). Summarising the discussion in light of the current study's findings and in alignment with existing literature defining wellbeing as feeling good and functioning effectively (Jarden et al, 2015), it can be generally inferred that workplace coaching, with its potential to enhance positive behaviour, increase motivation, and aid in mitigating work-related stress, may also contribute to improved wellbeing.…”

“…If we consider stress a threat to wellbeing, as proposed by Raudeliunaite and Volff (2020), mitigating stress should potentially help to improve wellbeing. As LaMontagne et al (2014) point out, what is important here is that wellbeing does not refer to the absence of the negative; instead, wellbeing is most correctly defined and measured as the presence of positive feelings and well functioning (p. 4).…”

“…Employees work-related stress, one of the potential psychological effects of frequent changes and restructures in the workplace, has been documented by various authors in the literature (Fløvik et al, 2019;Jian, 2007;Li, 2021). This type of stress has the potential to significantly impact employee performance and wellbeing (Raudeliunaite & Volff, 2020;Tran et al, 2020;Tsutsumi et al, 2009). While some studies have highlighted the positive role that co-worker and peer support play in mitigating employee stress (Geldart et al, 2018;Yang et al, 2015), and others have emphasised the benefits of employee assistance programs (Arthur, 2000;Milot & Borkenhagen, 2018), the potential of workplace coaching in this context remains relatively underexplored.…”

Academic Stress Among Students of Higher Educational Institutions in Karach

“…The resulting feeling of stress might be beneficial or harmful (Brody & Dwyer, 2008). It is defined as a particular relationship between a person and their environment that they regard as challenging or beyond their capacity and endangering their wellness (Volff & Raudeliunaite, 2020). Stress sensations may be triggered by multiple external or internal emotions, and they may even have a negative psychological impact on human life.…”

Work-Related Stress and Uncertainty Amid Change: Can Workplace Coaching Make a Difference?

“…Employees work-related stress, one of the potential psychological effects of frequent changes and restructures in the workplace, has been documented by various authors in the literature (Fløvik et al, 2019;Jian, 2007;Li, 2021). This type of stress has the potential to significantly impact employee performance and wellbeing (Raudeliunaite & Volff, 2020;Tran et al, 2020;Tsutsumi et al, 2009). While some studies have highlighted the positive role that co-worker and peer support play in mitigating employee stress (Geldart et al, 2018;Yang et https://doi.org/10.33774/coe-2023-zxnkt-v2 ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7807-5045 Content not peer-reviewed by Cambridge University Press.…”