RECOVERY STRATEGIES OF SOCIAL WORKERS WITH DIFFERENT LEVELS OF PROFESSIONAL BURNOUT

Abstract

Social workers face a high risk of professional burnout. The results of an empirical study (N = 100) indicate that a significant proportion of the surveyed social workers experience substantial levels of professional burnout, with moderate levels observed in 62 % and high levels in 33 % of respondents. A high level of emotional exhaustion is present in one-third of the respondents (33 %), a high level of depersonalization is found in one-fifth (20 %), and a high level of reduced personal accomplishment is evident in 68 %. The most critical situation is observed in the indicators of reduced personal accomplishment, reflecting low self-esteem regarding professional achievements, a sense of inefficacy, and diminished motivation. To enhance resilience and recovery, social workers (according to the BASIC Ph model) predominantly choose strategies C (cognition, thinking) and B (beliefs, values). This indicates a reliance on analysis, logic, and awareness in coping with stress and recovery, with significant importance placed on spirituality and moral values. This tendency may be attributed to the specific nature of their work, which demands analyzing complex situations and making well-considered decisions. Correlation analysis revealed a positive relationship between strategy A (affects, emotions) and depersonalization (r = 0.210; p ≤ 0.05), emotional exhaustion (r = 0.308879; p ≤ 0.01), and, overall, high levels of professional burnout (r = 0.219583; p ≤ 0.05). A high level of emotional exhaustion is also positively correlated with a tendency to choose strategies I (imagination) and Ph (physiology). A predominant use of strategy B (beliefs and values) is associated with a decrease in reduced personal accomplishment among social workers (r = -0.389; p ≤ 0.01), which can be considered a protective factor against professional burnout.