Search

This article analyzes the characteristics of psychosocial factors that affect social service professionals in their workplaces. Engagement, passion for work, organizational commitment, structural empowerment and burnout are examined, factors that, according to the literature, are closely related to outcomes for social services professionals. These psychosocial variables and their relationships are analyzed using a sample of 501 Spanish professionals through a quantitative research. Information that addressed the study objectives was collected via a questionnaire that was administered individually, voluntarily, and anonymously. The data were analyzed using Stata software and by calculating descriptive statistics and performing bivariate correlations, t-tests for independent samples, and ANOVAS. The obtained data allowed us to establish a psychosocial profile of professionals in which medium–high scores were notable for most of the positive psychosocial variables analyzed. In contrast, lower scores for variables related to negative aspects are observed, such as burnout and obsessive passion, which could indicate an opportunity to develop strategies to enhance these positive aspects. For future research, regression analysis could be considered to calculate the predictive value of some psychosocial variables over others as well as their mediating or moderating roles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The family institution is a key aspect of the welfare regimes of southern Europe, a crisis-affected situation in which social workers play an important role. This paper analyzes the statements of social workers regarding professional intervention and the families with whom they work within the Spanish context, which involves a strong economic crisis and the reduction of public policies. A relational and qualitative study was conducted of 15 professional perceptions of cutbacks, family demands, the profiles of the user families, and the privatization of social services. In addition, proposals for improvement and challenges are analyzed. The main results involve the relationships among dwindling resources, increasing family demands and family dependence on the system, the disadvantages of privatization, excessive bureaucratization, and adverse labor conditions. The main conclusions include the inadequacy of public policies to meet the needs of at-risk families in a crisis context. About future, the research on professional decision making and professional intervention models will be studied in greater depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]