Text in Afrikaans / Na aanleiding van die vraag of die ldientsisteem aan wie die maatskaplike werker hulp verleen, stres ervaar en hoe die klient in hierdie verband deur die maatskaplike werker gehelp kan word, is die doelwitte van die studie geformuleer. Die doel van die studie was om (1) 'n teoretiese stresmodel vir die maatskaplike werk daar te stel, (2) die stresverskynsel by 'n geselekteerde klientsisteem te beskryf, (3) die daarstelling van 'n praktykmodel vir die implementering van streshanteringsprogramme deur maatskaplike werkers en (4) die loodsimplementering en -evaluering van die voorgestelde model. Die studie is ondemeem binne die raamwerk van die ontwikkelingsnavorsings- en -benuttingsmodel. Daar is hoofsaaklik van 'n beskrywende navorsingsontwerp gebruik gemaak en kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe metodes van datainsameling is aangewend. 'n Stresmodel wat deur maatskaplike werkers benut kan word om stres by klientsisteme te beskryf en te verklaar, is daargestel. Hierdie model berus grootliks op die model van ekologiese kongruensie en is versoenbaar met die ekologiese sisteembenadering in maatskaplike werk. In die empiriese ondersoek na die voorkoms van stres by die klientsisteem, is gevind dat die betrokke kliente nie alleen meer stres as nie-kliente ervaar nie, maar ook dat kliente op hulp met betrekking tot die bantering van hulle stres aangewese is. Ten einde maatskaplike werkers in staat te stel om kliente op 'n doelgerigte wyse met die hantering van stres te help, is 'n praktykmodel, gebaseer op die model van stres-inokulasieopleiding, ontwikkel. Hierdie model vir die implementering van streshanteringsprogramme deur maatskaplike werkers, is kongruent met maatskaplikewerk-waardes en die - hulpverleningsproses. Hoewel die bevindings van die loodsondersoek nie veralgemeen kan word nie, is daar tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat die model moontlik maatskaplike werkers in staat kan stel om klientsisteme met stresverwante probleme te help. Daar word voorgestel dat die model aan meer omvangryke en intensiewe evaluering blootgestel moet word. / The goals of this study were formulated in response to the question of whether the client system to whom the social worker directs help, experiences stress and to the question of how the client can be assisted in this regard by the social worker. The aims of the study were to ( 1) create a theoretical stress model for social work, (2) describe the stress phenomenon in a selected client system, (3) create a practice model for the implementation of stress management programmes by social workers and (4) execute the trial implementation and trial evaluation of the proposed model. The study was undertaken within the framework of the developmental research and utilization model. A research design which was chiefly descriptive, was used and qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection were applied. A stress model. which can be utilized by social workers to describe and explain stress within client systems was created. This model is based on the model of ecological congruence and is compatible with the ecological systems approach in social work. In the empirical investigation of the prevalence of stress in the client system, it was found that clients not only experience more stress than non-clients, but also that clients are in need of help in managing their stress. To enable social workers to help clients purposefully in the management of stress, a practice model, based on the model of stress inoculation training, was developed. This model for the implementation of stress management programmes is consistent with social work values and the helping process in social work. Although the findings of the trial investigation cannot be generalised, it was concluded that the model could enable social workers to help client systems with stress related problems. It is recommended that the model be subjected to more extensive evaluation. / Social Work / Ph. D. (Maatskaplike Werk)

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. February 2016 / South Africa is regarded as one of the most violent countries in the world. Colonialism and apartheid laid the foundations for a divided and segregated society where violence was accepted as a legitimate means of conflict resolution in order to ensure the domination of one racial group over all other groups. As social and economic inequalities have become more entrenched in South African society, criminal violence has escalated. However, the nature of violence in the country has changed from political violence to criminal violence. Against this backdrop of violence and associated trauma, the South African Police have the insurmountable task of trying to maintain law and order. The science of traumatology is a burgeoning field; traditionally empirical research has focused on the responses of primary trauma victims. However, in recent decades the secondary effects of traumatisation on those who counsel the victims of primary trauma, has received significant attention. Located within the South African Police Service, is an often forgotten secondary group of professionals who assist the police officials through assuming the roles of occupational and forensic social work. The profession of social work is inherently stressful and demanding, especially in a country like South Africa, where social problems are ubiquitous and pervade every facet of South African society. Furthermore, a particular occupational stressor significantly impacting on these social workers as they investigate child abuse or provide counselling for a police officer, is secondary traumatisation. The questions arise: firstly, how these social workers are affected by the amount of traumatic material to which they are exposed by the very nature of their work, and secondly, what coping strategies they employ. It was therefore deemed imperative to explore the effects of secondary traumatisation experienced by these social workers in the South African Police Service in order to understand and ameliorate the negative effects of secondary traumatic stress. Furthermore, social work supervisors can enhance the quality of care their social workers provide to clients if they are adequately supported. It was therefore also considered necessary to explore the stressors these social workers experience and to identify the necessary support mechanisms appropriate to such therapeutic endeavors. The primary aim of this study was therefore to explore the nature and extent of secondary traumatic stress experienced by social workers employed by the South African Police Service. The research design adopted for this study was exploratory, descriptive and correlational, while the research methodology employed was a hybrid of both quantitative and qualitative paradigms. As this study involved an in-depth analysis of a bounded system comprising social workers employed at SAPS, the research was considered a case study. The study comprised two phases: In the first phase questionnaire booklets containing seven standardised research tools and open-ended questions, were administered in group settings. In addition, questionnaires were posted to social workers who were not able to attend the group meetings along with a self-addressed envelope. The research tools measured the nature of secondary trauma exposure, levels of secondary traumatic stress, vicarious trauma, compassion satisfaction, burnout, coping resources and dimensions of the work environment. Two hundred questionnaire booklets were distributed and 128 usable questionnaires were returned. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the quantitative data, through the use of statistical programmes, SAS and SPSS. In the second stage of the study, 30 participants who participated in the first part of the study and who indicated that they were willing to be interviewed, were purposively selected. A structured research tool was used to guide the interview in order to explore the participants’ perceptions and experiences of secondary trauma while working for SAPS. The interviews were conducted either face-to face, telephonically or through Skype. The qualitative data that emerged from the interviews were analysed through the use of Atlasti, a qualitative computer programme, which assisted the researcher in the thematic analysis. Through the process of incorporating qualitative techniques, the researcher also made use of reflexivity when analysing the qualitative data. In total 128 social workers participated in the study, of whom 102 were occupational social workers while 26 were forensic social workers, all located within South Africa. The extent of exposure to secondary trauma varied substantially between both occupational and forensic social work when considered as separate divisions, as well as within each discipline. This variation manifested in frequencies and duration of cases. In the interviews forensic social workers identified particularly traumatic cases as those where the sexual abuse was severe or the child had died as a result of extreme abuse. In comparison, occupational social workers identified some of the worst cases they had dealt with as cases where the police officers became disabled; and where they were required to deal with police suicides and police family murders or femicide-suicides. Most participants presented with high or average levels of secondary traumatic stress and vicarious trauma as well as with moderate and low levels of burnout. Furthermore, there was a strong positive correlation between levels of secondary traumatic stress and burnout. The majority of participants experienced average levels of compassion satisfaction from their work. Participants identified various coping strategies and resources incorporating different individual dimensions, namely, physical, emotional, cognitive, social and spiritual. Participants showed high levels of resilience and findings indicated that resilience was negatively correlated with vicarious trauma. There were numerous significant differences between the different ranks of the participants. Participants of higher rank reported greater trauma exposure and had significantly higher secondary traumatic scores. Coloured participants experienced significantly lower levels of vicarious traumatisation than Black participants. Furthermore, there were numerous statistically significant differences apparent between the forensic and occupational social workers. Forensic social workers manifested significantly higher levels of vicarious trauma than occupational social workers, and forensic social workers had greater distortions regarding self-intimacy than occupational social workers. In addition, forensic social workers presented with lower coping resources and lower levels of resilience than occupational social workers. Participants also experienced below average levels of satisfaction within the work environment at SAPS. The results from the work environment scale showed that in particular the relationship aspects in the work environment were problematic and that colleague support levels were below average. There were also significant differences in work satisfaction levels between Black and White participants. These findings enhance understanding of trauma in racially polarised societies. Multivariate analysis revealed the complex relationships existing between the numerous variables in the study, further contributing to the theory of trauma in divided societies. Two structural equation models were developed to show the relationships of the variables measured in the study which were identical apart from the vicarious trauma variable which was separated to incorporate beliefs about self and beliefs about others. The models revealed that coping mechanisms moderated the relationship between traumatic stress exposure and vicarious trauma (self) and that such mechanisms moderated the resilience and burnout relationship. These findings of the study highlight the need to involve social workers at SAPS in the drafting and implementation of a self-care policy which would help to promote empowerment and responsibility of social workers for their own mental health. Recommendations for social work policy, education, practice, supervision and support as well as future research are also provided. / MT2017

Text in Afrikaans / Na aanleiding van die vraag of die ldientsisteem aan wie die maatskaplike werker hulp verleen, stres ervaar en hoe die klient in hierdie verband deur die maatskaplike werker gehelp kan word, is die doelwitte van die studie geformuleer. Die doel van die studie was om (1) 'n teoretiese stresmodel vir die maatskaplike werk daar te stel, (2) die stresverskynsel by 'n geselekteerde klientsisteem te beskryf, (3) die daarstelling van 'n praktykmodel vir die implementering van streshanteringsprogramme deur maatskaplike werkers en (4) die loodsimplementering en -evaluering van die voorgestelde model. Die studie is ondemeem binne die raamwerk van die ontwikkelingsnavorsings- en -benuttingsmodel. Daar is hoofsaaklik van 'n beskrywende navorsingsontwerp gebruik gemaak en kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe metodes van datainsameling is aangewend. 'n Stresmodel wat deur maatskaplike werkers benut kan word om stres by klientsisteme te beskryf en te verklaar, is daargestel. Hierdie model berus grootliks op die model van ekologiese kongruensie en is versoenbaar met die ekologiese sisteembenadering in maatskaplike werk. In die empiriese ondersoek na die voorkoms van stres by die klientsisteem, is gevind dat die betrokke kliente nie alleen meer stres as nie-kliente ervaar nie, maar ook dat kliente op hulp met betrekking tot die bantering van hulle stres aangewese is. Ten einde maatskaplike werkers in staat te stel om kliente op 'n doelgerigte wyse met die hantering van stres te help, is 'n praktykmodel, gebaseer op die model van stres-inokulasieopleiding, ontwikkel. Hierdie model vir die implementering van streshanteringsprogramme deur maatskaplike werkers, is kongruent met maatskaplikewerk-waardes en die - hulpverleningsproses. Hoewel die bevindings van die loodsondersoek nie veralgemeen kan word nie, is daar tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat die model moontlik maatskaplike werkers in staat kan stel om klientsisteme met stresverwante probleme te help. Daar word voorgestel dat die model aan meer omvangryke en intensiewe evaluering blootgestel moet word. / The goals of this study were formulated in response to the question of whether the client system to whom the social worker directs help, experiences stress and to the question of how the client can be assisted in this regard by the social worker. The aims of the study were to ( 1) create a theoretical stress model for social work, (2) describe the stress phenomenon in a selected client system, (3) create a practice model for the implementation of stress management programmes by social workers and (4) execute the trial implementation and trial evaluation of the proposed model. The study was undertaken within the framework of the developmental research and utilization model. A research design which was chiefly descriptive, was used and qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection were applied. A stress model. which can be utilized by social workers to describe and explain stress within client systems was created. This model is based on the model of ecological congruence and is compatible with the ecological systems approach in social work. In the empirical investigation of the prevalence of stress in the client system, it was found that clients not only experience more stress than non-clients, but also that clients are in need of help in managing their stress. To enable social workers to help clients purposefully in the management of stress, a practice model, based on the model of stress inoculation training, was developed. This model for the implementation of stress management programmes is consistent with social work values and the helping process in social work. Although the findings of the trial investigation cannot be generalised, it was concluded that the model could enable social workers to help client systems with stress related problems. It is recommended that the model be subjected to more extensive evaluation. / Social Work / Ph. D. (Maatskaplike Werk)

Thesis (M Social Work (Social Work))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: An exploratory and descriptive research design, in combination with quantitative and qualitative research approaches were utilised to elucidate the experiences of newly qualified social workers in NGOs, with regards to occupational stress and the coping strategies employed by these workers in response. The motivation for this study came from a distinct lack of research related to the experience of occupational stress by newly qualified social workers working within NGOs. The goal of this study is thus to gain a better understanding of the experiences of occupational stress by newly qualified social workers practicing in NGOs, as well as elucidating the coping strategies they employ, so as to make recommendations focussing on key areas, where alleviation of occupational stress is vital. The literature study first focussed on the South African NGO, and the newly qualified social worker within the NGO, to provide a contextual basis for the experience of occupational stress by newly qualified social workers. The literature study then explored the range of occupational stressors that might be experienced by newly qualified social workers, to gain a better understanding of the diversity of stressors present within NGOs, and their aetiology. Lastly, the literature study focussed on the variety of coping strategies available to newly qualified social workers, for coping with, and alleviation of occupational stress. The researcher utilises a purposive sample of 20 newly qualified social workers, These workers had practiced for up to 24 months, in the Boland area of the Western Cape. An interview schedule was used as measuring instrument. The result of the investigation confirmed that particular occupational stressors affecting newly qualified social workers Whilst there were a wide spectrum of stressors experienced by newly qualified social workers on an occasional basis, occupational stressors such as very heavy workloads, unsatisfactory remuneration and the multivariate problems of the client population stood out as stressors experienced on a very frequent basis. The second conclusion to be drawn from this study was that personality traits may play less of a role than expected in determining how much newly qualified social workers experience occupational stress. The third conclusion to be drawn from this study was that a wide range of coping strategies were not only available to newly qualified social workers but that a great deal were effective in helping newly qualified social workers to alleviate their occupational stress. Recommendations made by this study pointed to the importance of NGOs as well as government targeting stressors such as heavy workloads and remuneration, with the aim of retaining skilled social workers just entering into the industry. Another recommendation focussed on the fact that newly qualified social workers have to take ownership over their occupational stress, and actively work to alleviate it in a positive manner. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: ‘n Verkennende en beskrywende navorsingsontwerp, sowel as 'n gekombineerde kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe navorsingsbenadering is benut om die ervarings van pas gekwalifiseerde maatskaplike werkers in nie-regeringsorganisasies se werkstres en streshanteringstrategieë te ondersoek. Die studie is gemotiveer deur 'n gebrek aan navorsing oor die ervarings van werksverwante stres by pas gekwalifiseerde maatskaplike werkers wat by NROs werksaam is. Die doel van die studie was dus om 'n beter begrip vir die ervarings van werksverwante stres by pas gekwalifiseerde maatskaplike werkers in NROs te ontwikkel, sowel as om die betrokke maatskaplike werkers se streshanteringstrategieë te belig, ten einde aanbevelings te kan maak oor sleutelareas waarop gefokus behoort te word in die verligting van werksverwante stres. Die literatuurstudie fokus op die NRO-sektor in Suid-Afrika en die pas gekwalifiseerde maatskaplike werker, ten einde 'n kontekstuele grondslag vir die ervarings van die betrokke maatskaplike werkers se stressors te bied. Die literatuurstudie eksploreer voorts die reeks van stressors wat deur die betrokke maatskaplike werkers ervaar kan word, ten einde 'n beter begrip van die diversiteit van stressors en die etiologie van die stressors te ontwikkel. Die studie fokus ook op die verskeidenheid strategieë wat beskikbaar is aan pas gekwalifiseerde maatskaplike werkers, om hulle werksverwante stres te verminder. Die navorser het 'n doelbeswuste steekproef van 20 pas gekwalifiseerde maatskaplike werkers benut. Hierdie werkers is almal die afgelope 24 maande werksaam in die Boland area van die Wes-Kaap. 'n Onderhoudskedule is as navorsingsinstrument benut. Die bevindinge van die navorsing bevestig dat die pas gekwalifiseerde maatskaplike werker wel spesifieke werksverwante stressors beleef. Alhoewel 'n groot verskeidenheid stressors soms aanwesig is, kom werksverwante stressors soos groot werksladings, onbevredigende numerering en die verskeidenheid van die verbruikersisteem se probleme meer algemeen voor. Die tweede bevinding vanuit hierdie studie dui daarop dat persoonlikheidstrekke speel waarskynlik 'n mindere rol as wat verwag word, in die aanwesigheid van stres by die pas gekwalifiseerde maatskaplike werker. Die derde bevinding dui daarop dat 'n groot verskeidenheid stresverligtingstrategieë beskikbaar is om werksverwante stres te verlig en dat hierdie strategieë wel effektief aangewend kan word. Die aanbevelings vanuit hierdie studie wys op die belangrikheid daarvan dat NRO's en die regering stressors soos groot werksladings en numerering verlig, ten einde pas gekwalifiseerde maatskaplike werkers vir die praktyk te werf. Ander aanbevelings fokus op die feit dat pas gekwalifiseerde maatskaplike werkers eienaarskap van hulle werksverwante stressors moet aanvaar deur aktief hulle werkstres op 'n positiewe wyse te hanteer.

A research report submitted to the Department of Social Work, School of Human and Community Development, Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Occupational Social Work, 2016 / The primary purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of occupational stress among social workers employed by the Department of Social Development in Mpumalanga Province, Ehlanzeni District. Mpumalanga Province is predominantly rural and the assumption is that work-related challenges for social workers in rural areas are different from urban areas. There are theoretical basis suggesting that people view and respond to stress differently thus their coping strategies even in identical situations are different. The study has therefore focused on the experiences of occupational stress among social workers, the contributory factors that led to occupational stress, the impact of occupational stress, the social workers’ coping strategies with occupational stress; and the availability and effectiveness of organisational support offered to employees experiencing occupational stress as perceived by social workers. The research used both qualitative and quantitative methods. The researcher utilised a questionnaire consisting of open-ended questions, together with the Work-Related Quality of Life scale consisting of closed questions that measured work stress, administered to 40 social workers employed at Ehlanzeni District offices. One year’s working experience as a social worker in the Department of Social Development was a qualifying criterion in the study. Thematic content analysis and descriptive statistical analysis were used to analyse data. The findings of the study suggested that unsatisfactory salaries, working conditions, high workload, lack of recognition and a lack of support were the main stressors for social workers in this study. The research concluded with recommendations that will hopefully assist in improving the quality of work-life of the sound workers and facilitate a balanced understanding between the employees and the employer. / GR2017

This work was based on an investigation of the subject of burnout, as observed by the researcher among social workers that worked for various social services organizations - both Government Departments and Non-Governmental Organizations - based in the Eastern Cape Province. The study of burnout was conducted with the aim to obtain information from the respondents about their conditions at work, and how those conditions contributed, as alleged, to burnout experienced by them. A qualitative research method was used as an approach that the researcher found best in that it allowed for an in-depth probe into the circumstances of the respondents (including the attitudes and emotions of the respondents), to give a broad picture of the situation as experienced by the respondents at work. A qualitative method was handled through the exploratory research principle of sampling and gathering of data, as the researcher felt it a sufficiently appropriate route to help yield the required outcomes of the study. The researcher's motivation to pursue the research was prompted by several indicators which included an article in the Daily Dispatch of 26 August 2003 that wrote 'Social workers quit in droves' and some personal contact with graduated students of social work, recently employed as social workers in various settings. Interesting dynamics about social work practice and its frustrations surfaced, and out of that premise, the researcher felt that it was an opportune moment to carry out an investigation to discover the facts about burnout as experienced by social workers. The findings on the research would be published, and the researcher intended to inform the social work community about the outcomes of research, hoping that the information would become useful to them in curtailing or preventing future encounters of burnout as experienced by them at the work place. In other words, recommendations for solutions would be provided based on the findings as an outcome of that investigation. To allow for the success of the research process, the researcher planned to draw from several resource centers and other researchers' data, any valuable piece of information, record, or existing data that could assist in evaluating information that became available during data collection. Such information was seen as very important since it helped in making the data analysis process easier and more than enough information could thus be obtained. Finally the researcher had found the study quite fascinating in that it addressed human concerns in the form of social work issues at work, which the researcher personally considered important and shared as one of the issues affecting social work professionals.

On t.p.: Master of Arts in Social Work (Welfare Programme management) / Thesis (MA(MW))--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Medical social workers working in children's wards are more prone to burnout because of the stressful nature of their work. Because social work requires emotional involvement, it is not uncommon for workers to be emotionally drained and frustrated, which might lead to burnout. Stress amongst social workers is an important issue, as a stressed workforce can negatively affect the quality of service. This study was undertaken with the aim of providing guidelines for handling stress amongst medical social workers working in children's wards, in order to promote job satisfaction and enhance work performance. Chronically ill children who are hospitalised, often suffer from behavioural and emotional problems that require social work intervention, which in turn puts pressure on the social worker. Concurrent stressors on the children and their families may exhaust their normal coping capacity and further complicate the child's adaptation to hospitalisation. The role of the medical social worker is to provide social support to the child and the family in order to promote positive coping in the child during and after hospital treatment. The demands put on the social worker by hospitalised children can cause stress, which could adversely affect their work performance and job satisfaction. Social workers therefore, have to carefully select an appropriate practice framework when dealing with hospitalised children. This entails the selection of appropriate perspectives, theories and models to ensure effective intervention. These frameworks provide structure and directive to social work intervention, and combined with supervision, can promote job satisfaction amongst medical social workers. The study was undertaken amongst medical social workers working in paediatric wards within hospitals in the Cape Metropolitan area. The empirical study focused on an investigation of factors, which might contribute to the experience of burnout amongst the social workers. Work-related stressors playa major role in increasing the likelihood of burnout amongst social workers. If these stressors are not properly dealt with they might lead to burnout amongst medical social workers, which will have a direct bearing on the child's benefit from medical services. A combination of both organisationally based and individually based strategies should be implemented in order to overcome job-related stress and to prevent burnout. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Mediese maatskaplike werkers wat in kindersale werk, is meer geneig tot uitbranding as gevolg van die stresvolle aard van hulle werk. Maatskaplike werk vereis emosionele betrokkenheid. Dit is dus nie ongewoon vir maatskaplike werkers om emosioneel gedreineerd en gefrustreerd te voel nie. Laasgenoemde is kenmerke van uitbranding. Oormatige stres by maatskaplike werkers kan 'n negatiewe uitwerking op die kwaliteit van hul dienslewering hê. Hierdie navorsingstudie was onderneem met die oog op die daarstelling van riglyne vir die hantering van stres by mediese maatskaplike werkers, wat in kindersale werk om sodoende werkstevredenheid en -verrigting te bevorder. Kroniese siek kinders wat gehospitaliseer word, presenteer dikwels met gedrags- en emosionele probleme wat uiteraard tydens intervensie addisionele druk op die maatskaplike werker plaas. Gepaardgaande stressors kan daartoe lei dat pasiënte en hul gesinne afwyk van hul normale funksionering wat weer die pasiënt se hanteringsvermoë en aanpassing by die hospitaalopset belemmer. Die rol van die mediese maatskaplike werker is om sosiale ondersteuning aan bogenoemde partye te gee ten einde positiewe hanteringsvermoë tydens en na mediese behandeling, by pasiënte te vestig. Die eise wat deur pasiënte aan maatskaplike werkers gestel word kan stres veroorsaak wat hul werksverrigtinge en tevredenheid negatief kan affekteer. Maatskaplike werkers moet dus versigtig te werk gaan in die keuse van 'n gepaste praktykraamwerk vir intervensie ten opsigte van gehospitaliseerde kinders. 'n Verantwoordbare keuse van perspektiewe, teorieë en modelle lê ten grondslag van effektiewe maatskaplike werk intervensie. Hierdie raamwerke bied struktuur en rigting aan maatskaplike werk intervensie. Laasgenoemde, tesame met Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za superviste kan werkstevredenheid onder mediese maatskaplike werkers bevorder. Stressors wat met werk verband hou, speel 'n groot rol in die toename van uitbranding onder mediese maatskaplike werkers. Indien hierdie stressors nie effektief hanteer word nie, kan dit tot uitbranding by maatskaplike werkers ly wat dan weer die pasiënt se benutting van mediese dienste negatief beïnvloed. Die ondersoekgroep het bestaan uit tien mediese maatskaplike werkers wat werksaam was in paediatriese sale in hospitale binne die Kaapse Metropool. Tydens 'n empiriese ondersoek is gefokus op faktore wat moontlik aanleiding kan gee tot die uitbranding van maatskaplike werkers. Dit word dus aanbeveel dat 'n kombinasie van strategieë van beide die orgarusaste en die persoon geïmplementeer moet word om werksverwante stres te oorkom en dus uitbranding by mediese maatskaplike werkers te voorkom.

Thesis (M Social Work)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study attempts to investigate the sources of stress and burnout in the social work profession and specifically in mental health settings. In order to achieve this, a literature study is undertaken which identified the sources of stress and burnout as external and internal stresses. External stresses can be identified as the administrative function of supervision, the educational function of supervision, and the relationship between the supervisor, the social worker and the client, aspects in the social work profession and the organisation. The personality and gender of the social worker are discussed as internal sources of stress. Social workers' experiences of stress and burnout are explored against the background of the socio-economic and political changes after the first democratic election in 1994 in South Africa. The literature review also indicated that there are peculiar stresses in mental health settings due to the clients' mental conditions. An exploratory study was undertaken in which 17 social workers in the Peninsula, working in mental health settings, participated. Information on the research topic was obtained by means of anonymous questionnaires. A group interview was arranged to ensure that all the questionnaires were received. It was found that since the 1994 democratic election, social workers worked under more stressful circumstances due to limited resources, restructuring, decreased manpower, a higher caseload, deinstitutionalisation of mental patients and an increased amount of uncertainty with regard to job security. Aspects in the social work profession that caused the most stress were identified as insufficient salaries and limited opportunities for promotion. The participants revealed uncertainty with regard to their future in the social work profession. Social workers acknowledge the importance of the supportive function of supervision but are also of the opinion that individuals should take responsibility to address burnout. Strategies that can be used by the social worker, the organisation and the supervisor to address burnout, are discussed. On the basis of the results and conclusion of the study, recommendations are made to supervisors, as well as further research. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie studie word ondersoek ingestel na die bronne van stres en uitbranding in die maatskaplikewerkberoep en spesifiek in 'n geestesgesondheidsopset. Ten einde hierin te slaag, word 'n literatuurstudie onderneem en word die bronne van stres en uitbranding geïdentifiseer as eksterne stressors soos byvoorbeeld die administratiewe funksie van supervisie, die onderrrigfunksie van supervisie, die verhouding tussen die supervisor en die maatskaplike werker, die klientsisteem, aspekte in die maatskaplikewerkberoep en die organisasie, en interne stressors waaronder die maatskaplike werker se persoonlikheid en geslag bespreek is. Die sosio-ekonomiese en politieke veranderinge wat ingetree het na die eerste demokratiese verkiesing in 1994 in Suid-Afrika is in ag geneem en maatskaplike werkers se belewing van stres en uitbranding is teen hierdie agtergrond verder ge-eksploreer. Die literatuurstudie dui aan dat eiesoortige stressors in 'n geestesgesondheidsopset bestaan wat hoofsaaklik verband hou met die unieke kliëntsisteem en hul siektestoestand. 'n Verkennende studie is onderneem waartydens maatskaplike werkers in die skiereiland wat in 'n geestesgesondheidsopset werk, betrek is. Inligting is bekom deur middel van anonieme vraelyste. 'n Groeponderhoud het verseker dat al die vraelyste terug ontvang is. Daar is bevind dat maatskaplike werkers onder meer stresvolle omstandighede voor die 1994 verkiesing vanwee beperkte hulpbronne, herstrukturering, verminderde mannekrag, verhoogde gevalleladings, deïnstitusionalisering van pasiënte en groter onsekerheid met betrekking tot werksekuriteit. Aspekte in die maatskaplikewerkberoep wat die meeste stres veroorsaak is onder andere onvoldoende vergoeding en beperkte bevorderingsgeleenthede. Die respondente weerspieël 'n onsekerheid met betrekking tot hul toekoms in die beroep. Maatskaplike werkers erken die belangrikheid van die ondersteuningsfunksie in supervisie, maar is ook van mening dat individue 'n verantwoordelikheid het om self uitbranding aan te spreek. Strategieë wat die maatskaplike werker, die organisasie en die supervisor kan aanwend om uitbranding aan te spreek word derhalwe bespreek. In die lig van die bevindinge van die ondersoek, word aanbevelings aan supervisors gemaak ten opsigte van verdere navorsing.

OPSOMMING Die doel van die navorsingstudie is om die voorkoms en hantering van werksres by maatskaplike werkers in die Paarl-omgewing te ondersoek ten einde aanbevelings aan die bestuur van welsynsorganisasies te maak met die oog op die bevordering van effektiewe stresbestuur by maatskaplike werkers. Elf welsynsorganisasies in die Paarl-omgewing is in die ondersoek betrek en twintig maatskaplike werkers het aan die ondersoek deelgeneem. Na aanleiding van die empiriese ondersoek is daar tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat maatskaplike werkers in die Paarl-omgewing wel werkstres ervaar en dat die meerderheid welsynsorganisasies in die Paarl-omgewing nie oor programme vir streshantering vir hul maatskaplike werkers beskik nie. Daar word onder meer aanbeveel dat beide die maatskaplike werker en die bestuur van die welsynsorganisasie mede-verantwoordelikheid moet neem vir die maatskaplike werker se effektiewe stresbestuur deur middel van individuele- en organisatoriese streshanteringstrategieë. SUMMARY The purpose of this research study is to investigate the occurrence and management of work stress by social workers in the Paarl-vicinity in order to make recommendations to the management of welfare organisations regarding the promotion of effective stress management of social workers. Eleven welfare organisations in the Paarl-vicinity were involved in the investigation while twenty social workers participated in the investigation. With reference to the empirical study, it was concluded that social workers in the Paarl-vicinity do experience work stress and that the majority of the welfare organisations in the Paarl-vicinity do not have programmes for stress management available for their social workers. Based on these conclusions it was recommended that both the social worker and the organisations must take co-responsibility for the social workers effective stress management by utilizing individual- and organisational stress management strategies. / Social work / M.Diac.

Organisasieverwante stres onder maatskaplike werkers is ‘n internasionale verskynsel (Shweta & Siebert, 2007). Maatskaplike dienslewering gaan gewoonlik gepaard met organisasieverwante eise wat ‘n negatiewe uitwerking op die maatskaplike werker sowel as die kwaliteit van dienslewering kan hê indien dit nie vroegtydig geïdentifiseer en voorkom word nie (Werner, 2007:320). Ten spyte van die feit dat maatskaplike werk as een van die mees stresvolle beroepe beskryf word, het organisasieverwante stres binne die maatskaplike diensveld eers in die laaste paar jaar aandag begin geniet (Dillenburger, 2004:213). In die literatuur word daar na drie vlakke van intervensie verwys, naamlik primêre, sekondêre en tersiêre intervensie (Departement van Arbeid, 2003:14; Cooper, Dewe & O’Driscoll, 2001:189). Sekondêre en tersiêre intervensies word as die mees algemene strategieë vir die bestuur van stres in ‘n organisasie geïdentifiseer (Cooper et al., 2001:190; Grobler, Wärnich, Carrell, Elbert & Hatfield, 2002:441). Kritiek op die genoemde vlakke van intervensie sluit in dat die verantwoordelikheid op die maatskaplike werker alleen geplaas word om sy/haar stres te hanteer. Primêre intervensie behels dat die oorsprong van die probleem voorkom word, in plaas daarvan dat die simptome behandel word nadat dit reeds voorgekom het (Satcher, 1999). Hierdie navorsingstudie plaas die fokus op die primêre-intervensiestrategie, nadat daar ‘n leemte in die literatuur in hierdie verband geïdentifseer was. Die doel van die navorsing was om die aard van voorkoming van organisasieverwante stres onder maatskaplike werkers, deur middel van primêre-intervensiestrategieë deur maatskaplikewerkbestuurders, te verken en te beskryf ten einde ‘n voorkomingsriglyn te ontwikkel. Ten einde die navorsingsdoel te kon bereik is die kwalitatiewe navorsingsbenadering in hierdie studie gebruik, aangesien dit die mees geskikte wyse sou wees om die verkennende en beskrywende aard van die studie te ondersteun (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2007:12). Die populasies vir hierdie kwalitatiewe studie was: • Alle maatskaplikewerkbestuurders wat by regerings- of nie-regeringsorganisasies werksaam is. • Alle maatskaplike werkers wat by regerings- of nie-regeringsorganisasies werksaam is. Binne die raamwerk van die kwalitatiewe navorsingsbenadering is daar van ‘n nie-waarskynlikheidsteekproefmetode en die doelgerigte en sneeubal steekproeftegnieke gebruik gemaak. Die navorser wou gebruik maak van haar eie oordeel oor wie die navorsingsvraag die beste sou kon beantwoord. Die steekproefgrootte was bepaal deur data-versadiging wat waargeneem was na nege onderhoude met maatskaplike werkers en nege onderhoude met maatskaplikewerkbestuurders. Die navorser het by beide populasies semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude as die metode van data-insameling benut. Tesch soos aangehaal in Creswell (2009:186), se agt stappe vir kwalitatiewe data-analise het die navorser ondersteun om die data op ‘n sistematiese wyse tot temas en sub-temas te kodeer. Die data is na afloop van die identifisering van die temas en sub-temas beskryf en gekontroleer met bestaande literatuur. Guba het (in Krefting, 1991:214-222) ‘n model saamgestel om met die verifikasie van kwalitatiewe data te help. Hierdie model is op die volgende vier aspekte gegrond en in hierdie studie benut: geldigheid van die waarheid, toepasbaarheid, bestendigheid en neutraliteit. Die volgende etiese aspekte is tydens die beplanning en uitvoering van hierdie studie in ag geneem: Vermyding van skade; vrywillige deelname; ingeligte toestemming en anonimiteit en konfidensialiteit. Die benutting van bovermelde metodologie het die navorser in staat gestel om voorkomingsriglyne te ontwerp en om gevolgtrekkings en aanbevelings te maak. / The goal of this research was to explore and describe the nature of prevention of organisation-related stress among social workers through primary intervention strategies by social work managers to develop a prevention guideline. The qualitative research approach, together with the case study, contextual, explorative and descriptive research designs were used in the study. The two populations included a) all social work managers and b) all social workers that work for government or non-government organisations. Samples from the populations were obtained through the non-probability sampling method and the purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews. Tesch’s framework for qualitative research analysis supported the researcher to identify themes and sub-themes, while Guba’s model was used to assist with the verification of qualitative data. The empirical findings provided the foundation for the development of a prevention guideline. / Prevention of organisation-related stress amongst social workers by social work managers / Prevention of organisation related stress amongst social workers by social work managers / Text in Afrikaans, with abstract and title in Afrikaans and English / Department of Social Work / Ph. D. (Social Work)