“It sounds horrible to say, but…”: Examination of Professional Ethical Conflicts Divulged by Politically Conservative Social Workers

Abstract Social work is a values-driven profession with explicit commitments to human dignity, social justice, and the protection of human rights. Simultaneously, ideological diversity within the profession has generated ongoing debate, particularly regarding the role of political conservatism in social work practice. While prior scholarship has examined how conservative and neoliberal ideologies shape social policy and service systems, there remains limited empirical research exploring how conservative political beliefs influence direct social work practice. This exploratory qualitative study conducted in the U.S.A. examined the experiences and perspectives of social workers who identify as politically conservative. Fifteen U.S.-based licensed social workers participated in semi-structured in-depth interviews that were analyzed using a grounded theory approach informed by critical qualitative methods. Critical analysis was applied to how beliefs and attitudes intersected with professional values and ethical practice standards. Findings revealed four overarching themes: (1) conceptualizations of empowerment rooted in traditional values, (2) lack of support for social safety net programs, (3) value conflicts in client interactions, and (4) negative attitudes impacting professional practice behaviors. Participants described beliefs emphasizing individual responsibility, discipline, and self-reliance, which at times conflicted with established social work values and human rights commitments, particularly in work with marginalized populations. The findings illustrate how political ideology can shape clinical judgment, client engagement, and access to affirming care. Implications are discussed for social work practice, supervision, education, and policy, with particular attention to the role of reflective practice and human rights frameworks in addressing ideological bias.