A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Job-strain and well-being among Finnish social workers: exploring the differences in occupational well-being between child protection social workers and social workers without duties in child protection




AuthorsBaldschun A., Hämäläinen J., Töttö P., Rantonen O., Salo P.

PublisherTaylor & Francis

Publication year2017

JournalEuropean Journal of Social Work

Journal name in sourceEuropean Journal of Social Work

Volume22

Issue1

Number of pages16

ISSN1369-1457

eISSN1468-2664

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1080/13691457.2017.1357025

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/28986036


Abstract

Work-related mental distress and its impact on employees’ working life is a mounting issue among Finnish social workers. This article focuses on identifying the factors associated with child welfare social workers’ occupational well-being. The occupational well-being of Finnish child welfare social workers (N = 364) and social workers whose duties do not include child protection work (N = 524) was explored and compared with each other using t-test statistics and logistic regression analysis. The data, collected in 2014/2015, were obtained from an ongoing longitudinal cohort study on work-related well-being among Finnish public sector employees. A multi-dimensional and holistic approach to occupational well-being was used as the outline for the analysis and comparison of the two groups. Child protection social workers reported higher levels of burnout and secondary traumatic stress than social workers without child protection duties. Despite these burdens, both groups showed a similar level of general health, compassion satisfaction and overall occupational well-being. Individual and organizational factors associated with high occupational well-being were identified. Supervision was found to be an important supporting element. This study identified multiple determinants related to social workers’ occupational well-being, comprising positive and negative elements with regard to organizational and individual factors.


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