Participatory methods for reducing the ethical strain of social workers amidst the pressures of a changing working environment (SOSE)
Objectives
The need for social services is increasing in Finland. In this project, we examine the development of demands and resources in the work of social workers as well as factors affecting them. Special attention is focused on ethical strain. We will also develop and pilot a participatory workplace intervention that can be used by social work teams to identify ethically straining situations and create solutions for reducing ethical strain.
Data and methods
The data of the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health's ‘Mitä kuuluu?’ (How are we?) study on workplace well-being is used in the project. To assess the effectiveness of the workplace intervention, we will conduct surveys and interviews in the social work units participating in the project in order to determine what factors promote and prevent community-led development.
Results and impact
The project produces valuable information on how the prevalence of ethically straining situations is experienced by social workers in Finland and what kind of risk factors contributing to ethical strain as well as protective factors can be identified based on the extensive follow-up survey. The intervention piloted in the project will be developed into a more broadly applicable model that can be disseminated widely in social work in Finland.
Risto Nikunlaakso
Project Manager, Senior Researcher
Jaana Laitinen, Research Professor
Kirsi Unkila, Senior Specialist
Maarit Kaartinen, Senior Specialist
Pauliina Toivio, Senior Specialist
Partners
The project is implemented in cooperation with the University of Jyväskylä (Mari Herttalampi (project manager of the consortium), Eveliina Peltoniemi, Eveliina Vänskä, Sirpa Kannasoja).
Funded by
The Finnish Work Environment Fund
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