The Impact of Clients' Mental Illness on Social Workers' Job Satisfaction and Burnout

The study discussed in this article examined the relationship between the degree of involvement with clients with severe mental illness and social workers' job satisfaction and burnout. A total of 128 social workers were administered a questionnaire that included three scales: an involvement scale, a job satisfaction measure, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Greater involvement was related significantly to higher levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. Overall, results suggest that social workers are affected negatively by this type of work. The implications for the social work profession are discussed as well as the importance of social support systems at the work setting that will help social workers cope more effectively with stressful work situations.