Work Experiences of Rural Social Workers in the United States

Walters, J. E.; Jones, Aubrey; Brown, Aaron

doi:10.1080/01488376.2019.1658030

Cited by 8 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 69 publications

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“…However, in-person events provide opportunities for networking and rejuvenation that may be especially important for rural social workers who feel isolated from colleagues (Walters et al, 2020). Study participants from rural areas noted that internet capacity was not uniformly dependable and expressed frustration with limited or repetitive programming in rural communities.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Rural areas are often not perceived as marginalized communities, yet they experience many of the same problems as other locales and have more limited services and supports (Daley, 2015; Walters et al, 2020). The investigators argue that the continued scarcity of social workers in rural areas places these communities at higher risk for social, emotional, and behavioral disorders.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Social workers in rural areas face additional challenges such as geographical isolation and distance from professional supports (Walters et al, 2020). Rural practitioners struggle with role overload stemming from the need to be a generalist practitioner in areas where specialized services are scarce; and often need to balance dual relationships as both community members and community service providers (Humble et al, 2013; Riebschleger et al, 2015; Wright & Harmon, 2019).…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Rural Challenges in Social Work Regulation

Landsman

Rathman

2022

Research on Social Work Practice

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Purpose: Social work practice and its regulation pose special challenges in rural areas. The present study reports findings from a statewide assessment of the social work labor force in a midwestern state, focusing on workforce issues in rural communities. Methods: Researchers used a mixed-methods approach to collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative data through sequenced study phases, conducting focus groups, key informant interviews, and surveys. Results: The statewide assessment identified challenges in rural communities that inform critical issues in recruiting and retaining social workers and in social work monitoring, including access to supervision, continuing education, licensure portability, and equity and justice. Discussion: Study results suggest strategies for improving the recruitment and retention of rural social workers and areas for future research.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Rural Challenges in Social Work Regulation

Landsman

Rathman

2022

Research on Social Work Practice

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“…People residing in rural communities often live much further away from potential mental healthcare resources than they might in an urban location. 20 Rural residents are disproportionately affected by behavioral health issues with this limited availability of mental health providers. These findings of disproportionality are global, with similar observations made in countries in Africa, Australia, and North America.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

What Do Farmers Need for Suicide Prevention: Considerations for a Hard-to-Reach Population

Scheyett,

Marburger,

Scarrow

et al. 2024

NDT

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Purpose Farmers have suicide rates much higher than the general population, with elevated mental health symptoms and high stress levels. Farmers are a hard-to-reach population due to occupational demands and a culture where conversations about mental health are often stigmatizing. This study explored ways to tailor suicide prevention strategies to unique characteristics of farmers by speaking with groups close to farmers who were open to discussing stress and suicide prevention: women married to farmers and agricultural Extension agents. Methods Focus groups with women married to farmers (N=29) and interviews with agricultural agents from the university’s local Cooperative Extension offices (N=13) from rural Georgia counties explored effective ways outreach and education about suicide prevention, mental health, and coping could be provided to farmers. Using a thematic analysis approach, qualitative coding was completed by two researchers (Cohens kappa=0.86), with initial codes collapsed into common themes. Results Four themes were identified: 1) Barriers due to the nature of farming, including time demands of farming and cultural stigma in help-seeking; 2) Acceptable messaging, including framing conversations as part of general health; 3) Make information accessible by making it brief, clear, and omnipresent through multiple media; and 4) Elements of effective information and education, including emphasizing “you’re not alone” and connection, how to access supports and crisis services, educating people close to farmers, and motivating farmers by emphasizing that they could help another farmer with the information. Conclusion Due to farmers’ stoic identities and reluctance to admit mental health struggles, speaking with those close to farmers may help us better understand what is needed to tailor farmer suicide prevention strategies. The insights shared by participants suggest that culturally responsive outreach and education strategies, strengthening relationships through peer support, and gatekeeper training with specific trusted others are important ways to tailor suicide prevention strategies for this hard-to-reach group.

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“…Based on the qualitative nature of the study and its scope, this study used a small sample. Similar studies have used approximately the same number of participants as the current study (Walters, Jones, & Brown, 2020). An idiographic approach to qualitative research, such as this one, involves a small number of participants (Percy, Kostere, & Kostere, 2015).…”

Section: Selection Of Participantsmentioning

confidence: 98%

Exploring child welfare social workers’ experiences and perception of working in rural under-resourced agencies in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.

Dyoda

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Background: The Social Work child welfare system is a rewarding field which is also complex and challenging. Agencies in rural based settings are tormented by increased levels of occupational stress, secondary traumatic stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue. Social workers in these agencies experience continuous transformation in service delivery and resources, as well as working conditions. Aim: This study sought to explore the experiences and perception of social workers in rural based child welfare agencies. The intended motive was to establish an understanding of the experiences of child welfare social workers in rural under-resourced agencies. Methods: The study utilised a qualitative approach, which enables a comprehensive description of the participants‟ feelings, experiences, and perceptions of working in under-resourced agencies. The sample was drawn from the population of three agencies in Mnquma Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape. The municipality falls in the B category and consolidates the towns and rural areas of Butterworth, Centane and Ngqamakhwe. The Municipality is generally rural in nature and relies on social grants. A total of eight child welfare social workers were recruited for this study. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews that were audio-recorded. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data from the transcribed interviews. Results: The results were examined in light of empirical evidence from related literature and the Maslach‟s Multidimensional Theory of Burnout. Seven themes were obtained from the data: (1) Childhood Related Personal Experience, (2) Agency-Based Perception of Burnout, (3) Occupational Stress, (4) Nature of the Working Conditions in Rural-Based Agencies, (5) Inadequate Support for Agency Child Welfare Social Workers, (6) Staff Turnover Rates in Rural Under-Resourced Agencies and (7) Varied Ways of Coping with Stress on the Job. The study has revealed that child welfare agencies face various challenges due to conditions of chronic poverty, unemployment, inadequate transportation, geography, and special health care access. The families with children are vulnerable, since they are most negatively affected. Findings: The research findings have revealed that social workers of the child welfare agencies experience burnout and occupational stress due to rural poverty, leading to staff turnover. The study recommended that agencies should give emotional and clinical support to social workers on a regular basis. Also, the importance of wellness and self-care for social workers should be emphasised. Moreover, there is need to prioritise brief crisis interventions for rural social workers, which include critical incident stress debriefings and psychosocial debriefings, as well as trauma risk management strategies built upon to trauma-focused debriefing principles. Recommendations: The study also recommended that the agencies focus on an organisational culture that reflects a bottom-up management approach. Lastly, there should be additional professional oversight in a form of adequate supervision, as well as a shift in terms of managerial style to an approach that is more strengths-based. These possible recommendations address challenges or barriers faced by social workers, in order to improve the quality of their working experience.

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Work Experiences of Rural Social Workers in the United States

Cited by 8 publications

References 69 publications

Rural Challenges in Social Work Regulation

Rural Challenges in Social Work Regulation

What Do Farmers Need for Suicide Prevention: Considerations for a Hard-to-Reach Population

Exploring child welfare social workers’ experiences and perception of working in rural under-resourced agencies in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.

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