PREDICTORS OF STRESS AMONGST SOCIAL-WORKERS - AN EMPIRICAL-STUDY

Much of what is known about stress amongst social workers is anecdotal and there is a dearth of systematic research findings on the subject. This questionnaire study examined the perceptions of work-related str ess, and factors contributing to high and low levels of stress, in a s ample of 243 social workers drawn from four local authorities in north ern England. The sample was broadly based in terms of a range of perso nal background factors, and included social workers in urban, rural an d semi-rural locations. A measure of overall stress was constructed en compassing psychological and physical aspects, and which permitted an analysis of the relative importance of predictor variables. A variety of rating scales was used to assess aspects of the work environment an d perceived stressors. The most powerful predictor of overall stress t hat emerged related to the pressure involved in planning and reaching work targets. The study also identified certain caseload and supervisi on-related predictors of stress, but, apart from age and marital statu s, personal background factors seemed of weak predictive power. Social workers' perceptions of their image in society seemed an additional s ource of pressure. The study findings suggest a need for combining org anizational with individual oriented initiatives to combat stress.