Stress and the Life Satisfaction of Black Social Workers

Abstract

T his article reports on a study of the stress, life satisfaction, and social support experienced by 84 black social workers. It was found that the younger workers with BSW degrees, who were in direct service positions had greater stress than did the older social workers, who had higher degrees and were in teaching and administrative positions. Furthermore, those with higher education and higher incomes were more satisfied with life. Although marital status did not affect the subjects' overall life satisfaction, those who had supportive husbands reported lower levels of stress. The implications of these findings are discussed.