Stress and Health in Social Workers: Implications for Self-Care Practice

Abstract

Survey research with social workers ( n = 45) investigated the relationship among secondary traumatic stress (STS), health, burnout, compassion satisfaction, and self-care behaviors. The study demonstrated that STS was associated with negative outcomes. Those experiencing higher STS had poorer physical and emotional health, higher burnout, and lower compassion satisfaction and practiced fewer self-care behaviors. In contrast to the negative effects of STS, self-care behavior was associated with positive outcomes. Those practicing more self-care had better physical and emotional health, less burnout, and higher compassion satisfaction. Practical ways for self-care to be incorporated into the workplace will be discussed.