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Building resilience in social work: a multi-level approach

Research Output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter Peer-review

Sustainable Development Goals

  • SDG 13 - Climate Action
    SDG 13 Climate Action

Abstract

Social care work is rewarding, but complex and emotionally demanding. The intrinsic pressures of the role combined with the broader context of contemporary social work presents many challenges and practitioners are vulnerable to work-related stress and burnout. This has negative implications not only for their own wellbeing, but also their ability to work effectively with service users. In this chapter, we focus on the need for a systemic, multi-level approach to building resilience in social work organizations. Firstly, we provide an overview of literature that has examined the wellbeing of social workers and the key risk factors and then highlight the potential for resilience to help them manage the emotional hazards of practice and remain healthy and effective. While resilience is typically characterised by the ability of individuals to learn and adapt to adversity, it is only sustainable when underpinned by supportive organizational policies and practices. We maintain that what is considered "resilience" is shaped by the context within which people operate-the demands they experience, the qualities they require do their job effectively, and the features of their working environment. Drawing on research conducted by ourselves and others, we set out a systemic approach that identifies the meaning of resilience in social work settings and the individual and organizational factors that underpin it. We also identify actions that can be taken at individual, team and organizational levels to foster a workplace climate that builds the capacity for resilience among social workers to support their wellbeing and optimum practice.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter Peer-review

Original language

English

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 141-160 (20 pages)

Publication milestones

  • Published - 08/09/2023

Publication status

Published - 08/09/2023

Publisher

Routledge, United States, United Kingdom

ISBN (Print)

9781032263441

ISBN (Electronic)

9781000957464

External Publication IDs

  • handle.net: 10547/626899
  • Scopus: 85175384223

Host publication title

Resilience in Modern Day Organizations

Host publication editors

  • Ritsa S. J. Fotinatos-Ventouratos
  • Cary L. Cooper
  • Alexander-Stamatios G. Antoniou

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