Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Doctor of Social Work (DSW)

School

Social Work

Advisor

Thomas McLaughlin

Abstract

Social workers have been documented both experiencing job satisfaction with decreased levels of burnout and suffering from high stress and burnout. The job demands-resources (JDR) model was used to guide this study. The purpose of this study was to examine how social workers working with the veteran population describe how their job satisfaction affects their perceptions of burnout. A basic qualitative study design was employed with a purposeful sample of 12 social work participants drawn from multiple facilities that provide services to veterans. Data were collected from semistructured interviews and were analyzed using a thematic coding process, validation through member checking, and triangulation with findings in the literature. Emergent themes identified were (a) positive satisfaction, (b) contributors to satisfaction, (c) salary satisfaction, (d) protective factors, (e) contributors to burnout, (f) adverse experiences, and (g) maintaining employment. The findings of this research study may be useful on the practice, research, and policy levels to encourage social workers, supervisors, agencies, and other stakeholders to address burnout through an understanding of how job satisfaction can be supported to maintain a stable social work workforce. Specific potential implications for positive social change on a micro level may encourage social workers to practice self-care as competent practitioners. On a mezzo level, social workers may be empowered to advocate for programs, trainings, and resources to provide education and support for the prevention of burnout. On a macro level, the findings can be used to encourage the development of policies and procedures to address job satisfaction and decrease burnout.

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