Emotionell belastning : Socionomers upplevelse av sin psykosociala arbetsmiljö

Emotional Strain - Social Workers Experience of their Psychosocial Working There has been a rise in work-related mental health issues that leave people sick and absent from work. This is especially true for people in social work and in municipal social services with exercise of public authority. The employer has the legal responsibility for a healthy work environment, yet the responsibility for this is mainly put on the individual. The aim of this study is to explore how social workers understand their psychosocial working environment and profession in view of the emotional strain that social work can entail. Thereby we want to gain a better understanding about the character of social work and how it can be viewed in relation to its structural pre-conditions. The study has used qualitative method and the data was obtained through seven semi-structured interviews with social workers in the municipal social services. The theories used in the analysis are from the Karasek & Theorells demand-control-support model and Lazarus & Folkman's coping theory. This study found that there is a bigger emotional strain on new workers as they have to deal with a lot of emotions while adjusting to the reality of social work. They also feel that there is a gap in what they have been taught and the demands put on them early on. All this gets better with experience and as they gain more control over their work. In conclusion, if the psycho-social environment doesn't give an adequate introduction or in other ways support the individual to handle the strains of social work through healthy strategies, the strain can cause health issues