Work-life balance, social support, and burnout: A quantitative study of social workers

Abstract

Summary: Stress in social work is frequently experienced by practitioners and is attributed to a range of work-related factors. This study explored the manifestation of burnout, perceived social support, and work-life balance in 73 social workers in two cities in south India. A cross-sectional quantitative design was used. Data were collected based on survey methodology and three standardized instruments were administered to assess the manifestation of our key variables. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify the predictors of burnout. Findings: Results indicated high levels of burnout and low levels of social support and work-life balance in respondents. No significant differences were seen in the key variables of the study based on selected sociodemographic factors. Both social support and work-life balance were extracted as significant predictors of burnout. Application: We suggest that issues related to burnout and compassion fatigue are key aspects that need to be incorporated within the social work curriculum in educational programs in India. A focus on maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and the importance of self-care in maintaining good health and wellbeing are key elements that need to be emphasized. We make use of the literature to offer suggestive measures that can be taken to enhance the provision of social support, maintain better work-life balance and reduce the incidence of burnout in social work practitioners. This will in the long run bode well for the mental health and wellbeing of the professionals besides ensuring better quality of service provision to the community that they work with.

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