Mental Health and work-life Balance among Workers in Social Services

Abstract

Objective: This study investigates the relationship between burnout, overtime work, and psychological resilience in social workers in social care centres. The wellbeing of individuals in helping professions, notably social workers in care services, decreased by 15% last two years. Mental health declined by 23.4%, and 36.2% of workers reported increased mental stress. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024 on a sample of 156 social workers. Data were collected using validated instruments assessing burnout, mental stress, resilience, and life satisfaction. Statistical analysis was performed to examine the correlations between burnout levels, overtime hours, and resilience factors, using p-values to assess significance.Results: Burnout was found to be at 30% among social workers, with a direct correlation to overtime hours, averaging 5-8 hours per week during the pandemic. Workers with higher resilience showed better self-confidence, adaptability, and problem-solving abilities. Resilience was strongly linked to self-acceptance, self-esteem, empathy, and social security. Additionally, the pandemic negatively impacted autonomy (p=0.024), self-acceptance (p=0.016), and purpose in life (p=0.037), as measured by life satisfaction scales. Burnout symptoms were reported by 20% of social workers and 11.5% of caregivers, with caregivers showing a higher burnout rate (33.4%) compared to social workers (31.3%). Discussion: The findings highlight the critical role of psychological resilience in managing the emotional demands of social work during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. Higher resilience is associated with improved coping mechanisms and professional growth, while low resilience correlates with increased burnout and difficulties in client management. Workload, financial status, and lack of rest were key predictors of life dissatisfaction, emphasizing the need for systemic interventions to support workers’ mental health and reduce burnout. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated burnout and reduced wellbeing among social workers and caregivers. Enhancing psychological resilience through targeted interventions may help mitigate these effects and improve their capacity to adapt to future stressors. Addressing workload management and providing mental health support are crucial for sustaining professional efficacy in social care services.