What Factors Impact on School Social Workers Wellbeing - Literature review Example

Literature Review: What Factors Impact on School Social Workers Wellbeing 1.0 Introduction Social workers play a very important role in society. Not only do they act as agents of positive change in society but they also empower and implement interventions that enhance the wellbeing of individual and families that they work with (Dominelli, 2009; Shier & Graham, 2010).In the school context, the role of social workers is also very essential. Schools today face a wide range of challenges that require the intervention of well-trained and professional social workers. School social workers have a multifaceted role that generally entails; aiding schools to develop and implement programs and facilitating direct intervention with students and parents facing challenges and conducting assessments to ensure that student’ school and home environment are conducive among other roles (Openshaw 2012). In order for school social workers to effectively carryout their roles, their wellbeing is essential. In the course of their school duties, social workers experience a wide range of challenges that affect their overall wellbeing (Heugten, 2010; Whitaker, 2012). A considerable number of studies have examined the factors that impact on the wellbeing of school social workers (Davenport et al, 2005; Coffey, Dugdill & Tattersall, 2009; Whitaker 2012). This section will explore various studies that have examined the factors that impact on the well being of social workers. The findings of this paper will be based on a critical review of various literature sources. Foremost, it will depict the search strategy used to locate various relevant literature sources. Subsequently, it will explore the findings of these studies, compare their consistency with other studies and identify possible research gaps. 1.2 Search Strategy The findings depicted in this section are based on a critical review of different relevant literature sources. Some of the literature sources used in this study include; books, journal articles and official research reports. The search for relevant literature sources that address the identified research topic was carried out by entering the key words “Impact, “School Social Workers” and “Wellbeing.” Through online data bases such as ProQuest, Elsevier, EBSCOhost, Sage Journal and Taylor and Francis journals, over 415 journal articles were retrieved. Among these journal articles 12 were found to be most relevant to the research topic. In addition to this, several books were reviewed through online platforms such as Google books and Amazon.com. Most of the literature reviewed in this study dated from 2004 to 2013.However, in order to draw comparison with previously conducted studies, few of the literature sources reviewed were older. 1.4 Factors that impact on School Social Workers Wellbeing A study carried out Shier & Graham (2010) explored the work-related factors that impact on the subjective well-being of social workers. This study was among the first to critically examine issues that affect social work practitioners’ subjective wellbeing in the workplace. Following a survey and interview of 646 and 14 social workers respectively within the province of Alberta, Canada, it was established that there are three major factors that significantly impact on the wellbeing of social works. They include; the work environment, interrelationships at work and specific job aspects. Although this finding were solely based on the experiences of social workers who practice within the province of Alberta, considerable number of studies from different contexts have also echoed or reflected the findings established in Shier & Graham’s (2010) study. The subsequent sections of this chapter will critically examine the three major factors that affect the well-being of social workers as identified by Shier & Graham (2010). Work Environment Physical aspects Over the years, very few studies have looked into the impact that physical aspects of an environment affect the well being of social workers (Weeks, 2004). Past studies carried out by Breton (1984) and Gutheil (1992) only examined physical elements in social services work environment that promote competency. However years later, Shier & Graham (2010) looked into how physical aspects of a work environment can impact on the wellbeing of social workers and found that physical aspects such as ambiance, adequate space and connectedness caused social workers to feel a sense of wellbeing and happiness in their workplace. Based on these findings, it is evident that the scope Shier & Graham’s (2010) study is limited in the sense that it only explores the positive aspects of a physical environment and how they impact on the wellbeing of social workers. Unlike Shier & Graham (2010), Colier (2006) and Pugh & Cheers (2010) examined the negative aspect of a physical environment that may impact on the wellbeing of social workers. In their books, they observed that social workers working within the school context especially those working in schools based in rural and remote areas face a myriad of challenges pertaining to the nature of their physical environment. These challenges range from limited space and facilities to harsh weather conditions. Due to these conditions many socially workers often feel demoralized, isolated, confused and uncertain (Colier, 2006; Pugh & Cheers, 2010). Organisational Culture and Systemic Aspects A considerable number of studies have shown a close correlation between organisational factors and the wellbeing of social workers (Gavin & Mason, 2004; Kim & Stoner, 2008; Shier & Graham, 2010). A study carried out by Kim & Stoner (2008) suggests that social support from school leadership can impact on the wellbeing of social workers. In this context, social support can be defined as supportive exchanges or interactions within the work environment. Similar to the findings of Kim & Stoner (2008), evidence from studies carried out by Houkes et al. (2003) and Nissly, Mor Barak, & Levin (2005) also suggested that the presence of social support from school leadership is a work condition that minimises work-related stress amongst social workers. Social workers perceived social support in their workplace helped to minimise the likelihood of burnout and turner over intention. Based on these findings, it is plausible to argue that social support from school leadership is an important factor that positively impact on the wellbeing of school social workers. However, these studies fail to show how the lack of social support can impact on the well-being of social workers. Shier & Graham (2010) also argue that organisational structure can impact on the wellbeing of social workers. In their study they found that factors such as the rules, size, hierarchies, organizations of departments and programs influenced the well being of social workers. Some social workers felt intimidated by existing organisational structures, hierarchies and rules. Some expressed that they “hate” some organisational programs (Shier & Graham , 2010). These findings are somewhat contentious since they fail to show how organisational structures directly affect the wellbeing of social workers. Given the findings of this study were substantially based on interview responses, it is likely that the responses provided were based on participants views and feelings rather than objectively observed implications of organisational structures on social workers wellbeing. Converse to other studies which view work environment in terms of the physical aspects and organisational structures, Yamano (2011) argues that work environment factors such as violence have a profound impact on the wellbeing of school social workers. He observes that incidences of violence are prevalent in schools in Osaka, Japan. For instance in 2008, over 60, 000 incidences of violence were reported in Japanese schools. Regular occurrences of violence incidences in schools where social workers work may significantly affect their mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. Social workers who are constantly exposed to violence my experience psychological health issues such as depression, anger, grief, trauma, anxiety, stress and distress. In the long-term, they are also likely to experience psychological health issues such as; eating disorders (over-eating or under-eating), debilitation, lack of sleep and even muscle tension (Chappell & Di Martino, 2006). Similar to the findings of Yamano (2011), studies carried out by White (2008) and Daniels, Bradley & Hay (2011) also concur that violence in school is major factor that impacts on the overall well being of social workers. White (2008) notes that in some schools, social workers have been victims of violence. Although social workers are trained to handle issues revolving around violence in schools, in circumstances where they are exposed to extreme threats or actual incidences of violence, many social workers experience trauma and fear for personal safety (White, 2008 & Daniels et al., 2011). Interpersonal Work-Relationships As evident in Shier & Graham’s (2010) study, interpersonal work relationships play a critical role in determining the well-being of social workers. Helliwell & Huang (2005) also suggest that there is a close link between social networks in the workplace and the well being of social workers. In essence, when social workers have amicable work relationships with teachers, staff and other professional working within the school setting they are likely to experience a sense of support, belonging and fulfillment this in turn improves their overall wellbeing. Abu-Bader (2005) further argue that professional and amicable work relationships between social workers may help avert or reduce work burnout and increase work satisfaction. Conversely, some studies have explored the impact that negative interpersonal relations have on the well being of social workers. Workplace bullying is a good example of a negative interpersonal issue in the workplace that can have a significant impact on the wellbeing of social workers (Brohl, 2013; Heugten, 2010; Whitaker, 2012). Studies by Brohl (2013) and Heugten (2010) have reported that, although social work is a helping profession that specialises on impacting positive change in the society, many incidences of workplace bullying have been reported. In Heugten’s (2010) study it was established that 52% of the social workers participated in the study, 52% have been at some point in the careers as social workers been targets of recurring bullying in their workplace. Bullying in their workplace significantly impacted on their physical and psychological wellbeing, their personal and collegial relationships as well as their capacity to work. Most of the social workers involved in this study reported that, following the recurring incidences of bullying they experienced issues such as; stress, anxiety, loss of self-esteem, insomnia, eating disorders, isolation and withdrawal. Similarly, Davenport, Schwartz & Elliott (2005) argue that, bullying exposes social workers to high levels of stress, depression and burnouts, this in turn impacts on their overall wellbeing and effectiveness at work. Based on these findings, it is evident that interpersonal relationships within the workplace play a significant role in determining the wellbeing of social workers. Job Aspects Furthermore, job aspects such as the type of work and workload have been found to impact on the wellbeing of social workers. Shier & Graham (2010) and Borzaga & Tortia (2006) argue that, the kind of work that social workers undertake affects their subjective well being. In essence, this study suggests that there is a close relationship between work type and employees overall wellbeing. Although there is little research in this area, some studies have postulated an indirect connection between work type and the well being of employees (Herleman, 2009; Macdonald, 2005). In addition to this, Shier & Graham (2010) suggests that the amount of work or workload that social workers have can impact on their well-being. A number of studies have shown that social workers with high workload often experience stress and burnout (Doel, 2012; Hamama, 2012; Langan-Fox & Cooper, 2011). Conclusion Generally, this section has examined the factors that impact on school social workers wellbeing. Following a review of various relevant literature sources, it is established that there are three major factors that impact on the wellbeing of school social workers. These factor include; the work environment, interrelationships at work and specific job aspects. Based on the literatures reviewed, physical aspects of a work environment such as ambiance, adequate space and connectedness were found to impact on the wellbeing of social workers. Furthermore, violence in the work environment was found to impact on the psychological and physical wellbeing of social workers. Moreover, some studies found a correlation between organisational factors and the wellbeing of social workers. Interpersonal relationships within the workplace were also found to contribute to the well –being of social works. In addition to this, some studies found job aspects such as the type of work and workload to impact on the wellbeing of social workers. References Abu-Bader, S. H. 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