Emotional reactions of social workers while experiencing transitions and their behavioral patterns when resolving conflicts  Cover Image

Pokyčius patiriančių socialinių darbuotojų emocinės reakcijos ir elgsenos modeliai sprendžiant konfliktus
Emotional reactions of social workers while experiencing transitions and their behavioral patterns when resolving conflicts

Author(s): Jonas Ruškus, Asta Kiaunytė
Subject(s): Social Sciences
Published by: Lietuvos mokslų akademijos leidykla
Keywords: social work; conflicts; emotional reactions; transitions

Summary/Abstract: Summary The complexity of social work profession is analyzed in this paper. The aim of the analysis is to reveal the ratio between behavioral patterns of social workers when resolving professional conflicts and emotional reactions while experiencing transitions. The research has been conducted in 81 institutions providing social services; 433 social workers participated in the research by filling in a closed questionnaire. The research data show that social work supposes changes, mobility, risks, and thus a multiplicity of emotional reactions of the participants. Professional conflicts and changes may become a source of positive emotional reactions and a motive for the development of an organization. The professional relationship characterized by parity, openness and participation can determine the energy, creativity, enthusiasm of social workers even if changes and conflicts occur. Their emotional reactions may vary. The pattern of organizational culture will determine whether social workers will make use of a complex professional challenge to sustain the professional identity and to develop the professional activity or, on the contrary, they will avoid complex professional challenges and will show the organizational behaviour of professional alienation. Social workers experience complex organizational challenges of changes, conflicts and emotional reactions when solving multiple social problems. The development of a supportive organizational atmosphere stimulating a social worker’s reflexivity and the development of supervision as a professional support are beneficial when dealing with these complex challenges of changes, conflicts and emotional reactions.

  • Issue Year: 2010
  • Issue No: 4
  • Page Range: 268-276
  • Page Count: 9
  • Language: Lithuanian