Feminization and burnout among female social workers

Abstract

Summary Feminization has been and continues to be a characteristic of social work: it has played a role in the profession's lower status. Despite the similarities between feminism and social work, the profession tends to perpetuate systemic structures of gender inequality. These structural features can increase overload and burnout among female social workers. Our study applies the gender perspective to an analysis of the social work profession. It seeks to ascertain the level of burnout of female social workers in Aragon (Spain), the possible determinants that generate it and some preventive strategies identified in the discourse of professionals. We applied a sequential mixed method, combining a quantitative analysis of burnout via the distribution of questionnaires to a sample of 305 active social workers in Aragon (Spain), with the qualitative analysis of the discourse of 42 professionals in interviews and discussion groups. For the analysis, we followed the theoretical approach of communicative methodology. Findings This study concludes that there is a greater degree of burnout and workload among female professionals, a general underrepresentation of women in managerial positions, and a perception that their interventions are undervalued. Applications This work seeks to show some of the structural gender differences that still exist in the profession. In addition, from the understanding of the levels of burnout of female social workers as well as the structural and labour elements that can condition its appearance, this article aims to contribute to the approach to professional care in organizations from a gender perspective.

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