Early Social Workers’ Experiences during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study

IF 1.4 Q2 SOCIAL WORK

SMITH COLLEGE STUDIES IN SOCIAL WORK Pub Date : 2021-08-21 DOI:10.1080/00377317.2021.1967835

Evan Senreich, Amanda Sisselman-Borgia, J. Kahn

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引用次数: 11

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study reports the findings of a qualitative focus group study of 16 recently graduated MSW social workers in the New York City area regarding their experiences working during the devastating initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic from March to June 2020. Each respondent participated in one of two 90-minute focus groups in October of that year. Themes delineated were: Varying levels of agency responsiveness and support; Rapid changes in job functions; Great decrease in availability of client services and resources; Social workers’ difficult emotional reactions; Balancing family circumstances with work responsibilities; Fear of contracting COVID-19; and Professional pride and growth. The findings indicate the need for more holistic supervisory support for beginning social workers, more effective and transparent communication in agency settings, and better preparedness for crisis situations. The results are also a tribute to the dedication of new social workers who worked tenaciously during a global crisis despite their own difficult emotional reactions and family situations.

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COVID-19大流行期间早期社会工作者的经验:一项定性研究

摘要本研究报告了一项定性焦点小组研究的结果，该研究对纽约市地区16名最近毕业的城市生活垃圾社会工作者进行了研究，了解他们在2020年3月至6月新冠肺炎大流行的毁灭性初波期间的工作经历。每位受访者在当年10月参加了两个90分钟焦点小组中的一个。所阐述的主题是：各机构的反应能力和支持程度各不相同；工作职能的快速变化；客户服务和资源的可用性大幅下降；社会工作者的困难情绪反应；平衡家庭环境与工作责任；对感染新冠肺炎的恐惧；以及职业自豪感和成长。调查结果表明，需要对初级社会工作者提供更全面的监督支持，在机构环境中进行更有效和透明的沟通，并更好地应对危机情况。这一结果也向新的社会工作者致敬，他们在全球危机中顽强工作，尽管自己的情绪反应和家庭状况很困难。

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来源期刊

SMITH COLLEGE STUDIES IN SOCIAL WORK SOCIAL WORK-

CiteScore

1.50

自引率

10.00%

发文量

期刊介绍： Smith College Studies in Social Work focuses on the vital issues facing practitioners today, featuring only those articles that advance theoretical understanding of psychological and social functioning, present clinically relevant research findings, and promote excellence in clinical practice. This refereed journal addresses issues of mental health, therapeutic process, trauma and recovery, psychopathology, racial and cultural diversity, culturally responsive clinical practice, intersubjectivity, the influence of postmodern theory on clinical practice, community based practice, and clinical services for specific populations of psychologically and socially vulnerable clients.