Job Stress during the COVID-19 Pandemic amongst Social Workers: A Comparison between Chinese Mainland and Macao

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic may have resulted in front line social workers experiencing job stress, burnout and other psychological distress. Little is known about the work-related stress experienced by Chinese social workers during the pandemic. This study focused on the job stress of social workers from Mainland and Macao. The research aims of this study included (1) testing whether there is a difference in job stress between social workers from Mainland and Macao during the pandemic and (2) identifying mediating factors that helped explain such regional differences. An online survey collected data from 292 social workers in Mainland China and 108 from Macao in 2020. Mainland participants reported significantly higher job stress than Macao participants. Regional differences in job stress amongst Mainland and Macao social workers were partially attributed to their age and professional role identity. More attention needs to be paid to social workers in Mainland China as they experience higher job stress than their counterparts from Macao. Future research is needed to examine other factors (e.g. job demand and financial compensation) that may contribute to such regional differences. This article studied the job stress of social workers, during COVID-19, in two different Chinese regions. A survey collected data from 292 social workers in Mainland China and 108 social workers in Macao in 2020. The findings showed that the Mainland social workers reported higher job stress than their Macao counterparts. Regional differences in job stress were partially attributed to their age and professional role identity. Future research is needed to examine other factors (e.g. job demand and financial compensation) that may contribute to such regional differences.