© British Association of Social Workers
Stress and Coping in Social Workers: A Preliminary Investigation
P. Bennett obtained a BA in Psychology and a M.Sc. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Plymouth, and a Ph.D. in Psychology from Birmingham University. He has worked as a clinical psychologist and research officer and is now a lecturer in health psychology at the University of Wales College of Cardiff. His research interests include issues in health promotion and coping with chronic disease.
A. J. Tattersall gained a BSc in Occupational Psychology from the University of Wales in 1984 and a D.Phil, in Experimental Psychology from the University of Oxford in 1987. He spent two years as a research scientist at the MRC/ESRC Social and Applied Psychology Unit at Sheffield and is now a lecturer in Psychology at the University of Wales College of Cardiff. His research interests include complex task performance, workload and occupational stress.
Correspondence to Dr Paul Bennett, School of Psychology, University of Wales College of Cardiff, P.O. Box 901, Cardiff CF1 3YG.
Summary
Three groups of social workers (child, adult mental health or handicap, elderly or physical handicap) completed a questionnaire examining sources of stress, coping strategies, and stress outcomes (e.g. anxiety, depression). All respondents reported high levels of stress, although stress resulting from factors intrinsic to the job, relationships with other people, and from the organizational structure were greatest among childcare workers. In addition, these workers reported greater emotional involvement with their clients and higher levels of general anxiety and depression, as well as job related mental distress. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to training, job design and support of social workers.
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