Early Social Workers’ Experiences during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study

Evan Senreich · Amanda Sisselman-Borgia · Jessica M. Kahn

20 citations0/0 files storedSmith College Studies in Social Work

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Social Work Education and Practice COVID-19 and Mental Health Social Sciences and Policies

Abstract

This study reports the findings of a qualitative focus group study of 16 recently graduated MSW social workers in the New York City area regarding their experiences working during the devastating initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic from March to June 2020. Each respondent participated in one of two 90-minute focus groups in October of that year. Themes delineated were: Varying levels of agency responsiveness and support; Rapid changes in job functions; Great decrease in availability of client services and resources; Social workers’ difficult emotional reactions; Balancing family circumstances with work responsibilities; Fear of contracting COVID-19; and Professional pride and growth. The findings indicate the need for more holistic supervisory support for beginning social workers, more effective and transparent communication in agency settings, and better preparedness for crisis situations. The results are also a tribute to the dedication of new social workers who worked tenaciously during a global crisis despite their own difficult emotional reactions and family situations.

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1985Some guidelines for the phenomenological analysis of interview data 1999An introduction to phenomenological research 2020Loneliness and Social Isolation in Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications for Gerontological Social Work 2009The Impact of Supervision on Worker Outcomes: A Meta‐analysis 2004Compassion fatigue following the September 11 terrorist attacks: a study of secondary trauma among New York City social workers.2020Social work and COVID-19 pandemic: An action call 2020Coronavirus Pandemic Calls for an Immediate Social Work Response 2020Social Work during the COVID-19 Crisis: Responding to Urgent Social Needs

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2023Perceived stress and secondary traumatization in social workers during coronavirus disease 2019: The moderating effect of psychological capital and social work supervision 2025Factors and consequences of information and communication technologies in social work practice: a literature review 2023Ontological (In)security in Early Career Social Work during COVID-19: Experiences in Scotland 2022What did Chinese Social Workers Do at the Worst Moment? ——A Research Based on Social Workers’ Participation in the Fight against COVID-19 at Guangzhou

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