Social service providers under COVID-19 duress: adaptation, burnout, and resilience
Journal of Social Work
; 23(1):85-102, 2023.
Article
in English
| CINAHL | ID: covidwho-2243241
ABSTRACT
Summary:
This article examines the response of social services organizations and their workers to the COVID-19 pandemic in a northeastern U.S. state. Using an exploratory, cross-sectional survey design with a convenience sample (N = 1472), we ask (1) how did agencies and social service workers manage service disruptions associated with COVID-19;(2) how did social service workers perceive shifts in clients' needs;(3) how did social service workers experience the transition to remote interactions with clients;and (4) how did social service workers cope with COVID-related transitions and demands.Findings:
Our findings tell a story of unprecedented crises alongside powerful attempts at adaptation, innovation, and resilience. Faced with extraordinary need among their clients, fears for their own health, and a breakdown of organizational and community functioning and guidance, social workers were able to learn and implement new technologies, adapt to increasing demands, manage new work-life boundaries, and find ways to address gaps in service while experiencing symptoms of burnout. Application The impact of supervisory and administrative fragmentation and communication breakdowns in the face of crisis put social workers in an untenable position despite surprising abilities to adapt, innovate, and manage their professional lives while under duress. Assuring better supervisory/administrative infrastructure to support workers as they deliver services during crises will help in future crises.
COVID-19 Pandemic -- Psychosocial Factors -- New England; Social Workers -- Psychosocial Factors; Adaptation, Occupational; Burnout, Professional; Hardiness; Social Work Service; Human; Male; Female; Adult; Middle Age; Aged; United States; New England; Exploratory Research; Cross Sectional Studies; Surveys; Convenience Sample; Disasters; Patient Safety; Structured Questionnaires; Descriptive Statistics; Quantitative Studies; Univariate Statistics; Thematic Analysis; Qualitative Studies; Aged, 80 and Over; Telehealth; Telemedicine; Coping
Full text:
Available
Collection:
Databases of international organizations
Database:
CINAHL
Language:
English
Journal:
Journal of Social Work
Year:
2023
Document Type:
Article
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