Stress and Self-care Among Graduate Social Work Students


Book Description

This study recorded and identified the perceptions and thoughts regarding both stress and self-care among graduate social work students. The implications stress has on social work graduate students and its effects were also explored in this study. In addition the role self-care plays in the lives of this population was revealed. Qualitative research was utilized and data was collected in the form of one time semi-structured interviews. The sample size of this study consisted of ten second year graduate social work students. The findings of this study indicated that that graduate social work students experience high levels of stress that affect various parts of their lives. In addition the results showed that graduate social work students do engage in self-care activities and perceive that its benefits can positively impact their lives as well as their practice in the field.




Self-care in Social Work


Book Description

Social workers encounter a number of unique forms of occupational stress on a daily basis. The more thoroughly they understand the stressors they face, the better-prepared social workers will be able to manage them successfully. Self-Care in Social Work is a guide to promote effective self-care tailored to the needs of social workers, including both individual and organizational approaches. On a personal level, it goes beyond the typical prescriptions to exercise, eat well, sleep more, and get a massage or meditate. In fact, the book is based on the premise that self-care should not be an add-on activity only happening in the rare instance there is some free time. Instead, it is conceptualized as a state of mind and considered an integral part of a social worker's training. In Self-Care in Social Work, the reader is taught how to approach individually oriented self-care through the development of self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-efficacy. At the organizational level, readers are guided through a process of learning about areas of match and mismatch between themselves and their agency structure and culture. The book is timely in that the economic downturn has put pressure on agencies to do more with less, which ultimately leads to stress. Burnout, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma are topics that students, instructors, practitioners, and administrators are concerned about. A practical guide to stress management and approaches to self-care, this book includes narratives gathered from both students and practitioners in the field. It is an excellent resource for social workers, counselors, and mental health professionals in education.--Back cover.




Stress Management and Self Care Practices Among CSULB Social Work Graduate Students


Book Description

Abstract: This quantitative study measured perceived stress levels, stress management and self-care techniques among social work graduate students at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) School of Social Work. The sample consisted of 60 graduate social work students currently enrolled at CSULB, the majority of whom identified as female. Participants were asked to rate their feelings and thoughts with 10 statements related to perceived stress levels. Participants were also asked to rate their use of coping strategies with 19 statements related to stress management. Study findings indicate that social work graduate students experience moderate levels of stress as well as utilize a wide-range of coping tactics inclusive of healthy/constructive and unhealthy/less constructive strategies. This study’s findings were consistent with the findings of previous research that explored stress levels and coping techniques among students in higher education.




Burnout and Self-care in Social Work


Book Description

"Burnout, one of the primary reasons why committed social workers leave the profession, is a grave and pervasive problem with glaring impact. Those entering social work and all related fields, as well as those already deeply involved, must be educated about its toll and prepared to address and prevent the depletion it causes. This book provides valuable insights for all who carry complex and divergent responsibilities. The author addresses burnout and self-care from the perspective of five arenas: the professional, personal, relational, societal, and physical. She integrates research, case studies, questionnaire responses, and her seasoned experience to identify four major root causes of burnout-compassion fatigue, countertransference, vicarious trauma, and moral distress and injury-and defines creative strategies for individual self-care opportunities. This resourceful guide offers clarification, direction, and opportunity for reflection to help students and professionals in social work, related fields, and beyond find balance in their personal and professional lives as well as ease work-related stress to better serve clients-and, in this way, achieve professional equilibrium, success, and personal fulfillment. This is the second, updated edition of the 2015 original"--




Graduate School Stress Management


Book Description

There is a lack of direction and suggestions passed down from recent Social Work graduates to current Social Work graduate students in regards to managing stress in graduate school. There is sufficient amount of data regarding the causes of stress on Social Work graduate students, however, there were no studies that investigated the impact of stressors related to the poor economy, such as budget cuts to programs, dwindling career opportunities and lay-offs. Given the various stressors experienced by Social Work graduate students such as balancing work schedules, field placements, class load, and personal factors, it would be beneficial to also analyze what impact, if any, the economy has had on stress levels among graduate level Social Work students and what interventions can be developed to address this issue. Sources of Data: The population for this study was social workers that graduated in the last seven years from an accredited university program. In order to participate in this study the participants needed to meet the criteria noted above. A total of 14 MSW graduates aged between 25 to 48 participated in this study. Conclusions Reached: Our findings contribute to the Social Work Department and future students in regards to identifying the types of stressors they may encounter and coping methods to address these stressors. Based on the responses provided by the research participants, the top stressors while completing the MSW program were reported as follows: balancing coursework, internship, thesis/project, and work responsibilities, personal problems (i.e. divorce, living far from home)/lack of social support, financial problems, lack of preparation for work and internship, and health problems. The advice provided to current and future students from recent graduates in regards to how to cope with stressors related to the MSW program were as follows: balance of work and play, maintain social life, vent to supportive people, self-care, maintaining perspective, maintain peer and family relationships, and stay organized. Statement of Collaboration: This research project, including all data collected, was a joint endeavor between Araxia Manukyan and Elisa Olmo.




The A-to-Z Self-care Handbook for Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals


Book Description

Self-care is an imperative for the ethical practice of social work and other helping professions. From A (awareness) to Z (ZZZZ--Sleep), the editors and contributors use a simple A-to-Z framework to outline strategies to help you build a self-care plan with specific goals and ways to reach them realistically. Questions for reflection and additional resource lists help you to dig deeper in your self-care journey. Just as the ABCs are essential building blocks for a young child's learning, you can use the ABCs in The A-to-Z Self-Care Handbook for Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals to build your way to a happy, healthy, ethical life as a helping professional. Includes a self-care planning form to help you set goals and formulate strategies. The A-to-Z Self-Care Handbook for Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals...offers a broad range of concrete suggestions for improving individual self-care that should provide guidance and support to fit a broad range of practitioner needs. The book also includes material in several chapters that notes the important role organizations must take in stress and burnout reduction and support of self-care. SUE STEINER, Ph.D., MSW, Professor, School of Social Work at California State University, Chico, Co-author, Self-Care in Social Work: A Guide for Practitioners, Supervisors, and Administrators ...a caring and useful resource for helping professionals concerned about burnout, stress, staff turnover, and wellness.... By focusing on insights and reflections and providing resources and strategies, The A-to-Z Self-Care Handbook is a practical guide and an empowering book. DR. BARBARA W. SHANK, Ph.D., MSW, Dean and Professor, School of Social Work, University of St. Thomas, St. Catherine University, Chair, Board of Directors, Council on Social Work Education As the leader of a large nonprofit organization, the health and well-being of my colleagues is always top of mind for me. The A-to-Z Self-Care Handbook for Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals is just what an organization like ours needed to promote self-care in a way that makes sense for all of us! JENNIFER HANCOCK, LCSW, President & CEO, Volunteers of America-Mid-States Sometimes there is a book that speaks to what you also have tried to put into words that feels truly hand-in-glove. I see The A-to-Z Self-Care Handbook for Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals as precisely this book. SARAKAY SMULLENS, MSW, LCSW, author of Burnout and Self-Care in Social Work: A Guidebook for Students and Those in Mental Health and Related Professions Grise-Owens, Miller, & Eaves' The A-to-Z Self-Care Handbook for Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals is a much-needed handbook to inspire and guide self-care practice. Its insights are far-ranging, original, practical, and flexible. The short chapter format, focused topics, and fresh tone are both accessible and sure to motivate. Even those who have given a great deal of thought and attention to self-care will find new, exciting, and practicable guidance in its pages. LISA D. BUTLER, Ph.D., Associate Professor, University at Buffalo, School of Social Work, Primary Developer, UBSSW Self-Care Starter Kit




Supporting Student and Faculty Wellbeing in Graduate Education


Book Description

Supporting Student and Faculty Wellbeing in Graduate Education recognizes new pressures impacting graduate students and their supervisors, teachers, and mentors globally. The work provides a range of insights and strategies which reflect on wellbeing as an integral part of teaching, learning, policy, and student-mentor relationships. The authors offer a uniquely holistic approach to supporting the wellbeing of both students and academic staff in graduate education. The text showcases optimized approaches to self-care, self-regulation, and policy development, as well as trauma-informed, arts-based, and embodied pedagogies. Particular attention is given to the challenges faced by minority groups including Indigenous, international, refugee, and immigrant students and staff. Providing a timely analysis of the current issues surrounding student and faculty wellbeing, this volume will appeal to scholars and researchers working across the fields of higher education, sociology of education, educational psychology, and student affairs.







Taking Action Against Clinician Burnout


Book Description

Patient-centered, high-quality health care relies on the well-being, health, and safety of health care clinicians. However, alarmingly high rates of clinician burnout in the United States are detrimental to the quality of care being provided, harmful to individuals in the workforce, and costly. It is important to take a systemic approach to address burnout that focuses on the structure, organization, and culture of health care. Taking Action Against Clinician Burnout: A Systems Approach to Professional Well-Being builds upon two groundbreaking reports from the past twenty years, To Err Is Human: Building a Safer Health System and Crossing the Quality Chasm: A New Health System for the 21st Century, which both called attention to the issues around patient safety and quality of care. This report explores the extent, consequences, and contributing factors of clinician burnout and provides a framework for a systems approach to clinician burnout and professional well-being, a research agenda to advance clinician well-being, and recommendations for the field.




Stress in Master of Social Work Students


Book Description

This is a secondary analysis of Master of Social Work students at California State University, Stanislaus (CSUS) that focused on stress levels and analyzed demographic characteristics and interpersonal issues connected to the levels of perceived stress. The information was gathered using a tool called the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). There were a total of 103 MSW graduate students who participated in this secondary analysis. The statistics indicated that the CSUS graduate students experienced significant levels of stress. One of the contributing factors of stress in regards to demographics was age. Academic mandates and interpersonal issues also caused moderately high levels of stress. Over 98% of the MSW graduate students experienced stress or anxiety within the last thirty days. Additionally, 94.1% of the respondents indicated that the academic components elicited high levels of stress. The implications of this study suggest that self-care, utilization of services available on campus, and support from family and friends are examples of ways to decrease stress during a student's academic endeavors. In fact some universities have implemented awareness by creating a manual on how to decrease stress and various self-care options, providing links on the university websites on how to manage stress and what are the characteristics of stress, and offering seminars on how to enhance coping strategies when stress appears to be impeding students' academic success or personal lives..