Burnout among Social Workers in Iran: Relations to Individual Characteristics and Client Violence

Mojgan Padyab,Jörg Richter,Lennart Nygren,Mehdi Ghazinour

doi:10.5539/gjhs.v5n4p142

Mojgan Padyab, Jörg Richter + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5539/gjhs.v5n4p142

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Abstract

Social workers are considered a professional group at high risk of burnout. Noticing the insufficient human resource management and understaffed social work centers, Iranian social workers are faced with a considerable level of physical and mental stress, which can lead to burnout. A national study on 390 social workers was conducted. Among social workers, 10.9% had experienced burnout and 17.4% are at risk of developing burnout. Social workers scored higher in burnout if they were dissatisfied with their income, had experienced violence, or had lower self-esteem. Findings are discussed with regard to Iranian context and recommendations for authorities of Iranian state welfare organizations are made.

Highlights

Ever since the 1970s, the interest in burnout among researchers, practitioners and general public has been dramatically increased almost everywhere around the globe (Schaufeli et al, 2009)
Noticing the insufficient human resource management and understaffed social work centers, Iranian social workers are faced with a considerable level of physical and mental stress, which can lead to burnout
Iranian social workers are faced with an increasing number of problems in their daily work and yet, no investigation is available on their work related health conditions including burnout

Summary

Introduction

Ever since the 1970s, the interest in burnout among researchers, practitioners and general public has been dramatically increased almost everywhere around the globe (Schaufeli et al, 2009). Social work burnout has received great research attention as social workers constantly face limited resources while meeting demanding clients that require immediate attention (Söderfeldt et al, 1995). Social workers’ burnout has become a crucial managerial issue because of its negative impacts on quality and consistency of client services (Kim & Lee, 2009); and its association with job dissatisfaction, which results in leaving the job or professional misconduct (Jayaratne & Chess, 1984; Kim & Stoner, 2008; Reamer, 2006). Iranian social workers are faced with an increasing number of problems in their daily work and yet, no investigation is available on their work related health conditions including burnout

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