Date of Paper

5-2012

Type of Paper

Clinical research paper

Degree Name

Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)

Department

Social Work

First Advisor

Katharine Hill

Department/School

Social Work

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to take a closer look at what factors of working at a private mental health agency affect a mental health practitioner's quality of life. This overall research question was broke down into four research questions which are: How does work-life balance impact a mental health practitioner's quality of life, How does workplace culture impact a mental health practitioner's quality of life, How does job-related stresses impact a mental health practitioner's quality of life, and lastly, How does workplace supervision impact a mental health practitioner's quality of life. Using a quantitative design, a survey was administered to 41 mental health practitioners, and 40 surveys were returned. The findings in relation to the research questions indicated that stress from work does affect the relationship with a spouse or partner, the majority of practitioners are at least somewhat satisfied with their job, most caseloads felt about right or too high, the majority experience burnout sometimes, and lastly that they feel they receive enough quality supervision. Implications for social work from this survey is that agency structure should be examined, more specifically in the realm of amount of paperwork and time allotted to this; supervision more specific on how to separate work and family life while having stress from work which leads into another implication of more continuing education on self care.

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