Stress in Social Work: A Comparative Analysis of Occupational Stress Among Social Service Professionals in Disaster Contexts

Although occupational stress is a well-recognized and extensively studied phenomenon in social work, most research has focused on high-income countries, overlooking the experiences of professionals in middle-income contexts. This gap is relevant, as precarious employment conditions and weaker social protection systems may shape the intensity and nature of work-related stress. This study analyzes the stress experienced by social workers in Chile during the COVID-19 pandemic and compares it with that of other social service professionals. Drawing on the Job Demands – Resources (JD-R) theory, it examines specific stressors associated with social work and considers the influence of gender, socioeconomic status (SES), and workplace inclusion as a moderating factor. Using a longitudinal observational design with 370 participants, multiple regression models show that being a social worker is significantly associated with higher stress levels, even after controlling for demographic factors. Workplace inclusion – both group and supervisory – emerges as a key protective factor.