Social Workers and Distress: Implications for Sustaining a Healthy Workforce

摘要

Social workers are affected by multiple stressors in their personal and professional lives creating a vulnerability to distress. This article examines substance use, depression, caregiving characteristics, and relationship problems among 215 social workers in Kentucky and reports how these factors are related to distress. Regression analysis found that these risk factors accounted for 49% of variance in K10 symptom scale scores. This study's findings have important implications for social service organizations, managers, BSW and MSW programs, and professional organizations. Social workers work with underserved populations, making health and wellness in the workplace of vital concern to ensure good client outcomes. A multilevel systemic approach is needed to address the health of the workforce.