Burnout Problems amongst Social Workers - Research Paper Example

Running Head: RESEARCH EXAM Research Exam Name: Institution: Course: Lecturer: Date: Part 1 - Article B Purpose of Research The main purpose of the study was to obtain influential and all-inclusive perspective regarding aboriginal and non-aboriginal people. This was necessitated by conducting a joint learning initiative which would assist in gaining comprehensive knowledge regarding social work activities with the Aboriginal people. Secondly, the study focused on a comparative analysis to survey major differences existing between activity experiences of Aboriginal and the non-Aboriginal social workers. Moreover, the study tried to discover potential influences in which social work with Aboriginal people is build and experienced (Bennett, Zubrzycki & Bacon, 2011). Units of Analysis The units of study strived to explore the overall social-work practice between Aboriginal people and the other community. Therefore, three units of study were used; that is, exploration of working relationship among Aboriginal social workers, Aboriginal people and the entire community; working relationship among non- Aboriginal social workers, Aboriginal people and the communities; exploration of the most suitable and culturally sensitive social work practice amongst the workers. Steps of Study Three broad steps were used to carry out the study. First, the study instilled collaborative research practices, strong commitment and participation. The study was to be based on Maori research which strived on consensus, cultural preferences and aspirations (Lee, McGrath, Moffatt & George, 2003). The second step was to encourage communal work with an aim of gaining empowering outcomes. This was achieved through team discussions and reflections, sharing and physical collaboration (Bennett, Zubrzycki & Bacon, 2011). Thirdly, the study planned on tackling researchers’ outsider and insider status together with the existing relationship with Aboriginal communities through reflection and dialogue. This focused particularly on potential relationships, personal and professional boundaries between researchers and participants (Lee, McGrath, Moffatt & George, 2003). Collection of Data and Analysis The data collection was conducted via qualitative methodology which scaled down on practice narratives. The physical coverage of research was in Western Australia, ACT and New South Wales. Other data collection was done through phone interviews. The sampling technique acted as a supplementary data collection tool and analysis. This facilitated identification of social workers through snowballing. The study strived to ascertain the association of social worker with Aboriginal people at a span of five years (Westerman, 2004). This is commonly referred as vouching where the community provide either positive or negative experience with a social worker. The present study consisted of a sample of 19 people; 7 Aboriginal social workers, 8 non Aboriginal social workers, 1 Maori social worker and 3 Aboriginal elders. Other Strategies Other techniques used to instil quality of the process included conducting of interviews, ethics approval and comprehensive data analysis. The interviews entailed general introduction of the participants and the community, personal responses, effect on social work education, sustainability issues, supplementary knowledge and reasons for taking part in research. Ethics approval required input of UIEC. This would ensure that the study was in line with NHMRC guidelines. Data analysis entailed iterative approach that strived to seek the meaning as well as develop explanations through feedback mechanisms. Research Findings One important study finding was that the nature surrounding social work practises carried out in cahoots with Aboriginal people and other community members never differed from practice context either in respect to location or focus. Secondly, both Aboriginal and non Aboriginal social workers reported limited differences regarding knowledge and skills which they considered critical. There was also consistency of data gathered by social workers after comparing it with research conducted on Aboriginal elders and the Maori social worker. The results showed varied influences regarding cultural identity on worker’s practice (Bennett, Zubrzycki & Bacon, 2011). Own Assessment Social work practices have not been highly considered by the concerned authorities in Australia. The involvement of Aboriginal community would spur balancing of resources, social integration and cohesion. There is therefore a need to allocate adequate resources to warrant frequent conduct of such studies particularly on social work. Part 2 – Burn-out intervention Program Purpose of Systematic Review The main purpose of the study was to gauge effectiveness of the prevailing interventions programs likely to reduce burnouts. Such effectiveness targeted both individuals and organisations. Moreover, the study aimed at conducting comparative analysis of existing interventions programs to gauge the magnitude of their effectiveness. Selection of Studies The study entailed conducting literature search into two phases; that is, literature search 1 and 2. Literature search 1 was conducted in 2006 while literature search 2 was conducted in 2008. The results of both literatures were archived in the Reference Manager. The very interesting titles were selected. Their abstracts were read out by reviewers whilst further analysis was performed to those abstracts passing the selection criteria. The selection process comprised seeking opinion of a third party in case of disagreement. The process was also coupled with hand search of reference list to ascertain those studies that couldn’t have been selected by the systematic review. Evaluation of Study The studies that contained burnout results outcomes or components of burnout were included in research. The relevant media publications also formed part of research irrespective of study design or the target group. The studies that contained only risks and or preventive factors related to burnout were excluded. Secondly, those studies that strived to ascertain the magnitude of improving mental conditions, reduction of stress or general distress in the workplace were left out. Review of occupational parameters was excluded. Moreover, the studies with motives of reviewing reasons to participate in burnout session, those seeking opinion of effectiveness of burnout programs did not form part of the research (Awa, Plaumann & Walter, 2010). Benefits of Review Conducting a thorough analysis about the causes of burnout and mitigating factors is equally important for organisations and individuals working in those organisations. The quality of life is instilled on the individuals while economic losses are avoided within organisations after curbing the effects of burnouts such as absenteeism and high job turnover (Van, Schaufeli & Buunk, 1998). The review contained intervention programs that reduced burnout or its components. The study obtained 80 percent positive effects of burnout and 20 percent negative effects. While conducting person-directed interventions, 82 percent of the respondents reported considerable reduction in burnout within 6 months. The interventions directed on organizations recorded substantial reduction in burnout within a period of a year. The interventions on both individuals and organisations still recorded significant (80 percent) reduction of burnout within a period of one year. Furthermore, some studies failed to provide adequate relevant information regarding study design, intervention timeline and post-test intervals (Awa, Plaumann & Walter, 2010). Limitations of Review The research study was coupled with a number of limitations. First, it had language barrier constraints. Secondly area of study was constrained (only 3 databases within 1995 and 2007 were considered). Thirdly, the supplementary reference list search was unsystematic. Moreover, Criteria for data collection within the review mandated inclusion of a broad range of study designs. This inhibited comparison of results. Implication of Review Findings From the study conducted, it is important to draw important lessons that can guide Gail in the conduct of social work practices, assistance to managers and future research. First, burnout intervention programs can be used as a beneficial element of curbing burnout among social workers. The workers who take part of the programs are less likely to experience burnout that their counter-parts. The interventions programs directed to individuals and the firm are likely to instil positive burnout as well as work-place mental health (Awa, Plaumann & Walter, 2010). Despite the fact that intervention programs are associated with low risks of burnout, only a small number of prevention programs has been carried out or evaluated. This means that effective and evaluated control trials coupled with comparable participants, suitable baseline and more than two post intervention measurement criteria are required in order to draw more reliable conclusions. Part 3 – Research Hypothesis Research Question: Do burnout intervention programs eliminate burnout problems amongst social workers? Research hypothesis: Application of intervention program eliminates burnout problems amongst social workers. By breaking the statement into two, we can have ‘application of intervention program’ as one section (dependent variable) and burnout problems as the other section or the independent variable. The statement creates a prediction that with the application of intervention programs we can reduce burnout problems. This means that we can prove the hypothesis to be correct or incorrect basing on what prevails to tests scores. In case the test score don’t have any variation, then the hypothesis is incorrect so we reject it (McKenzie, 2004). The databases searched to examine interagency collaboration are researchgate.net, nih.gov, nps.edu, oxfordjournals.org and usgs.gov. The major key word used are; interagency collaboration, interagency relationships, measuring changes in interagency collaboration, interagency collaboration survey, interagency collaboration practises and concept of interagency. References Article B: Bennett, B., Zubrzycki, J., & Bacon, V. (2011). What do we know? The experiences of social workers working alongside Aboriginal people. Australian Social Work, 64(1), 20-37. Westerman, T. (2004). Engagement of Indigenous clients in mental health services: What role do cultural differences play? Australian e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health, 3. Retrieved 9 February, 2009 from http://amh.e-contentmanagement.com/ Lee, B., McGrath, S., Moffatt, K., & George, U. (2003). Exploring the insider role in community practice with diverse communities. Critical Social Work, 3, 1_9. Awa, W.L, Plaumann, M., & Walter, U. (2010). Burnout prevention: A review of intervention programs. Patient Education and Counseling, 78, 184-190. Van Dierendonck, D., Schaufeli, W. B., & Buunk, B. P. (1998). The evaluation of an individual burnout intervention program: The role of inequity and social support. Journal of Applied Psychology, 83, 392-407. Aarons, G. A., Fettes, D. L., Hurlburt, M. S., Palinkas, L. A., Gunderson, L., Willging, C. E., & Chaffin, M. J. (2014). Collaboration, negotiation, and coalescence for interagency-collaborative teams to scale-up evidence-based practice. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 43(6), 915-928. Chuang, E., & Wells, R. (2010). The role of inter-agency collaboration in facilitating receipt of behavioral health services for youth involved with child welfare and juvenile justice. Children and Youth Services Review, 32(12), 1814-1822. McKenzie, C. R. (2004). Hypothesis testing and evaluation. Blackwell handbook of judgment and decision making, 200-219. Read More