Socio-psychological factors affecting professional burnout among social workers (based on the experiences of students and professionals)

Abstract

The aim of the article is to establish the level of professional burnout and assess it in the context of social-professional characteristics of social workers in Russia. The quantitative characteristics of the studied problem are examined using the survey method in the form of formalized questionnaires and testing. The authors proceed from the notion that the profession of a social worker, which presupposes direct contact with people in difficult life situations, is clearly one of the jobs that are the most conducive to the development of professional burnout syndrome and is viewed by society as such. Low pay grade combined with severe emotional load serve as factors contributing to the professional disorganization of a worker. It is found that in the specific conditions of Russia, the general characteristics of social workers assume not only a desire to continue professional activity within the chosen specialty but also a relatively low percentage of people, in whom a high degree of professional burnout can be found.