by Steve Peterson, Ed.D., M.Ed., MAIS
Photo credit: BigStockPhoto/nexusby
Burnout within the social work community manifests itself from a variety of internal and external influences, many of which are comingled personal and professional stressors. Stress-related burnout, self-induced anxiety, lack of support networks, maladaptive compassion fatigue, job dissatisfaction, ineffective coping mechanisms, and an egregious lack of work-life balance are the most commonly articulated and referenced contributing factors impacting the social work professional. There is a critical need for a call to action: identification of prevalent stressors, self-awareness of patterns of behavior, intentional attention to self-care, and the integration of mindfully holistic stress-reduction strategies.
Review and analysis of empirical, longitudinal, and evidence-based research on the broad topic of social work burnout is difficult to conduct. It does exist, but not with the prevalence, availability, and efficacy evident in similar topic research across other areas of health and medical care. Many therapists, counselors, and social workers are hesitant to share their own personal concerns within a formal therapeutic construct. Often dialogue is anecdotal or casually dismissive as “just part of the job...we all go through it.”
It is not uncommon for clinicians or practitioners to compartmentalize and shelter themselves from the very tenets of care and guidance they are providing to clients and patients. Being responsible for the administration of professionally steadfast neutrality, fairness, and objectivity in treatment plans and client/patient interaction can easily result in an exaggerated and false sense of immunity from any emotional toll. As such, current research lacks an important larger scope of insight because of the hesitancy many social workers have in engaging in formal personal therapeutic interventions, articulating professional concerns, or sharing personal perspectives through a structured research medium.
Research conducted in the United States reveals notable concerns and categorical trends of reported factors contributing to burnout within the social work community.
2015 Study of 1,359 Social Workers (Cooper, 2015; Ratcliffe et al., 2024)
- Elevated levels of emotional exhaustion 73%
- High level of depersonalization 26%
2024 Study of 169 Social Workers (Hale et al., 2024)
- Emotional numbness 49%
- Current organizational interventions ineffective 56%
- Comfortable discussing burnout with supervisors 54%
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health from the National Institutes of Health (Accessed March 1, 2025)
- Emotional Exhaustion 70%
Polls have been conducted utilizing the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) with the following self-reported results.
Multiple Self-Reporting Poll Findings (Maddock, 2024; Maslach & Jackson, 1986; Maslach et al., 1996; Stanley & Sebastine, 2023)
- Prevalence of Burnout 75-79%
- Absenteeism Increase Over Last Year 75%
- Turnover Intentions 52-66%
- Decrease in Job Performance Compared to Previous Year 63%
A similar scope of research conducted over a span of 34 years through an analysis of multiple independent research studies suggests similar categorical trends. What makes this particular collection of data interesting is that seven different European and Asian countries, all with structured social services programs with government oversight of some sort, indicate lower overall burnout rates. It may be assumed that these European and Asian countries offer greater organizational support for therapists and social workers than what is customary in the United States, emphasize self-care, or formalize training to integrate strategies for stress management:
2024 Meta-Analysis (1990-2024) of 16,962 Social Workers from Seven Countries (Gimenez-Bertomeau, et al., 2024)
- Burnout Rate 20%
- Emotional Exhaustion 50%
The overarching problem represented by these data is two-fold: Retention and Attraction. Retention of the existing workforce is of paramount importance for the continuum of care, and attracting the next generation of social workers ensures both stability and growth for an expanding population. It is widely held that the social services community in the United States could soon be facing a significant shortage. Estimated projections indicate a deficit of nearly 200,000 clinicians and practitioners by the year 2030. Two of the major indicators of this workforce concern are advancing diagnosis and treatment to address mental health crises and an aging population requiring expanded skilled nursing and mental health interventions as awareness and identification of Alzheimer’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease Related Dementia is progressing.
As a point of comparison, the nursing community identified and acted upon the projected nationwide nursing shortage through aggressive attention to training, licensure, and credentialing opportunities; professional development; expansion of CEU criteria and offerings; and integration of self-care and wellness coursework as part of college curricula. The time is now for the social work community to do the same.
Mindfulness-Based Self-Care Strategies
- Set Boundaries: “Learn to say no” to extra commitments and leave your work at work. This is crucial for maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
- Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness-based interventions can reduce burnout symptoms.
- Prioritize Physical Health: Physical health is closely linked to mental and emotional well-being. Exercise, nutritious meals, and adequate sleep are important.
- Pursue Hobbies: Engage in activities you enjoy outside of work to recharge. Create a fulfilling life that is separate from your professional identity.
- Seek Support: Connect with colleagues and friends. Do not underestimate the impact of talking things through with someone who understands.
- Use Vacation Time: Take regular breaks to fully disconnect from work.
- Engage in Reflective Practices: Journal or debrief with a supervisor to process challenges. This can help make sense of difficult experiences and maintain sense of purpose.
- Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge daily accomplishments, no matter how small. This can combat the diminished sense of accomplishment that often accompanies burnout.
- Continue Learning: Attend workshops or conferences to stay inspired and grow professionally. Continuous learning can help reignite your passion for social work.
- Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself and recognize that you are doing important, challenging work. You cannot pour from an empty cup.
- Set Realistic Expectations: Recognize that you cannot solve every problem all the time. Focus on the positive impact you can make within the constraints of your role.
- Practice Time Management: Use tools and techniques to manage your time effectively.
Handling Challenging People
Challenging and frustrating encounters in personal and professional scenarios exist. It is human nature to seek positivity and avoid negativity. It is also human nature to carry negative emotions and personal feelings beyond the experience itself. It is important to identify healthy inter- and intrapersonal approaches to managing this stressor. Make the other person lose interest in you as a target for their manipulative or combative behavior.
- Respond with emotional detachment, thereby removing the fuel.
- Combative people thrive on reactions. Respond with neutral phrases when being goaded.
- Stay calm, neutral, or unresponsive.
- Toxic or narcissistic people attempt to elicit strong emotions. Redirect provocations back to the conversation or simply disengage.
- Exit gracefully. Limit duration of interaction when things escalate.
Some Daily Personal Suggestions
- Breathe.
- Realize you do not have a time machine or a crystal ball.
- Be intentional about your diet.
- Rest well.
- Have some fun.
- Lather. Rinse. Repeat. Every day.
Addressing burnout within the social work community requires a multifaceted approach that bridges both individual and systemic change. By fostering open dialogue, reducing the stigma surrounding professional vulnerability, and emphasizing the importance of self-care, the field of social work can begin to dismantle the harmful cycle of stress, emotional fatigue, and burnout. Equally critical is the commitment to advancing comprehensive research and creating supportive environments where social workers feel empowered to prioritize their well-being. Only through these intentional actions can the profession flourish, ensuring that clinicians and practitioners are supported and valued, with the ultimate goal being realized: taking care of clients and patients.
References
Cooper, J. (2015, July 14). Exhausted social workers on the edge of burnout but still achieving positive change - Community Care.
Giménez-Bertomeu, V. M., Caravaca-Sánchez, F., de Alfonseti-Hartmann, N., & Ricoy-Cano, A. J. (2024). Burnout among social workers in social services: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence. Journal of Social Service Research, 50(4), 664–683. https://doi.org/10.1080/01488376.2024.2371847
Hale, L., Huy Dao, H. K. D., & McCord, B. (2024). Burn and beyond: A study on burnout and compassion fatigue among social workers and case managers. https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1021&context=msw-conference
Maddock, A. (2024, March). The relationships between stress, burnout, mental health and well-being in social workers, The British Journal of Social Work, 54(2), 668–686, https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcad232
Maslach, C, & Jackson, S, (1986). Maslach Burnout Inventory Manual (2nd Ed.). CA: CPP, Inc.
Maslach, C, Jackson, S, & Leiter, M, (1996). Maslach Burnout Inventory Manual (3rd Ed) CPP, Inc.
Ratcliff M. (2004, March). Social workers, burnout, and self-care: A public health issue. Delaware Journal of Public Health, 10(1):26-29. doi: 10.32481/djph.2024.03.05. PMID: 38572127; PMCID: PMC10987033.
Stanley, S., & Sebastine, A. J. (2023). Work-life balance, social support, and burnout: A quantitative study of social workers. Journal of Social Work, 23(6), 1135-1155.
Dr. Steve Peterson is an Honors Faculty Associate for the School of Social Work, part of the Integrative Health Initiative at the Watts College of Public Programs for Arizona State University. Dr. Peterson holds a Doctor of Education degree in organizational leadership, specializing in behavioral health.