Professional dissonance: colliding values and job tasks in mental health practice

This study investigated the relationship between individual and job characteristics of mental health social workers and professional dissonance--an experienced conflict between values and job tasks. A 33-item questionnaire, designed specifically for the study's purposes was utilized. A total of 320 usable study questionnaires were returned (44.5% response rate). The primary study hypothesis, that professional dissonance is related to individual and job characteristics, was partially supported by the data. While job characteristics appeared to have little influence on dissonance, several individual characteristics of the respondents were statistically related to level of dissonance. Specifically, men with the most years of experience and with lower reported attachment to self-determination reported higher levels of dissonance. Study participants affirmed the importance of life-long supervision in managing dissonance in practice.