Mindfulness, Subjective Well-Being, and Social Work: Insight into their Interconnection from Social Work Practitioners

Abstract

Subjective well-being (SWB), the social scientific concept of happiness, is analyzed in social work practitioners in relation to the act and state of being mindful. From an initial survey of 700 social workers, we interviewed the 13 respondents with the highest SWB scores: a cohort that can teach us much about creating and sustaining SWB. Respondents affirmed that being mindful affected their overall SWB, but also suggested there were particular aspects of their life about which they needed to be mindful. These included reflecting on and developing a personal identity, thinking about issues related to control and openness, being aware of oneself internally and externally, reflecting on pivotal moments in one's life, and maintaining a balance between work and personal life. Concluding remarks describe the interrelationship between personal life and work for social workers, indicate ways to incorporate this research into the education and training of social workers, and suggest directions for future research.

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