Strengthening Professional Resilience in Social Work Practice: An Empowerment Approach

Abstract

Social workers often experience complexities and adversities that challenge their professional strengths, well-being, and resilience. This study aims to explore the empowerment-oriented perspectives and coping mechanisms that strengthen resilience among social workers. Grounded in the empowerment framework, the study examines the interaction between individual and organizational factors to maintain professional identity amid complexity, adversity, and high stress. Using qualitative research, an exploratory design was employed to investigate the coping mechanisms and empowerment approach for enhancing resilience in social work practice. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data from the participants, and thematic content analysis was employed for data analysis. The study identified six key findings: individual coping mechanisms; organizational support and empowerment; peer network and organizational resilience; professional identity and meaning-making; barriers to resilience; and the integration of empowerment principles in practice. The study emphasizes the importance of incorporating empowerment principles into social work practice to foster resilience and promote effective coping strategies. Resilience and empowerment entail core human rights obligations that extend beyond professional well-being, encompassing the rights to physical and mental health, favorable working conditions, reasonable workloads, a healthy and safe workplace, and protection from harassment. Grounded in the human rights-based approach, accountability, non-discrimination, and legality clarify the ethical case and strengthen organizational duties for resilience intervention in social work.