Does attending to extremely poor clients increase the burnout of social workers?

Abstract

This study examines how working with extremely poor clients contributes to social worker burnout. Previous research has shown that the emotional labour social workers perform on a daily basis may have negative consequences such as job stress and burnout. Studies have also reported that clients’ poverty may increase these consequences through several mechanisms. Based on these findings, we hypothesised that social workers working with extremely poor clients will be more likely to burn out than those working with less poor clients. Data from a survey of Hungarian social workers in child and family welfare services were analysed using linear regression models. Burnout was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) distinguishing three dimensions of burnout: emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, and personal accomplishment. Results show that working with extremely poor clients is not associated with higher emotional exhaustion and higher depersonalisation, but it significantly decreases the perceived level of personal accomplishment. This finding highlights the importance of addressing the significant chronic stress experienced by those working with the extremely poor, which exposes them to various mental and physical illnesses in the long term. The study also discusses the methodological implications of our findings on the applicability of the MBI.