Social workers' views and experiences of self-care practices: a qualitative interview study

Area of Science:

• Social Work
• Public Health
• Occupational Psychology

Background:

• Self-care is crucial for social worker wellbeing but is poorly understood in practice.
• Limited research exists on social workers' lived experiences and perceptions of self-care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore social workers' views and experiences of self-care practices.
• To understand the challenges and facilitators of implementing self-care in social work.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with nine social workers in Scotland.
• Six-phase thematic analysis informed by vulnerability theory.

Main Results:

• Social workers perceive self-care as individualized, multifaceted strategies for personal and professional wellbeing, with increased awareness post-COVID-19.
• A paradox exists between acknowledging professional vulnerability and managing organizational demands, workload, and inadequate institutional support.
• Sustainable self-care involves individual practices, organizational support, educational preparation, and culturally sensitive policies.

Conclusions:

• Prioritizing structural reforms is essential for enhancing social worker resilience and wellbeing.
• Improved workforce resilience positively impacts service quality and public health outcomes.
• Public health policymakers and healthcare organizations must address systemic issues to support effective self-care practices.