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Cited by 101Mindfulness and Compassion InterventionsStress and Burnout ResearchSocial Work Education and Practice

Building Resilience in Social Workers: An Exploratory Study on the Impacts of a Mindfulness-based Intervention

Crowder, Rachael, Sears, Alexandra·2017·Australian Social Work
DOI 10.1080/0312407x.2016.1203965
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Abstract

Burnout is a frequent and well-documented consequence of social work practice. The literature suggests that mindfulness-based interventions might help develop the mental states and emotional skills that are indicators of resilience. This mixed-methods, non-randomised controlled, exploratory study with 14 social workers in Canada investigated differences in social workers’ levels of stress, resilience, and burnout after a mindfulness-based intervention, compared to a waitlist group. The intervention group was also interviewed about changes in their relationships within the workplace, their perceived sense of mental health, and wellbeing. Results suggested that the mindfulness-based intervention significantly decreased the treatment group’s perceived stress compared to those on the waitlist and continued to decline for 26 weeks post-intervention. Intervention participants reported positive changes in attitudes, perspectives, behaviours, and energy in relation to their workplace relationships with peers and supervisors. Mindfulness-based interventions for reducing stress and building resilience to burnout in social workers and other helping professionals hold promise, and invite further research.

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  • In a recent study, social workers reported significant decreases in stress and more positive relationships with peers and supervisors following mindfulness training compared to a waiting group.

    “For example, in a recent study, social workers reported significant decreases in stress and more positive relationships with peers and supervisors following mindfulness training compared to a waiting group (Crowder and Sears, 2017).”

    From Critical Mindfulness in Social Work: Exploring the Potential of Reflexive Self-Care in the Journey from Student to Social Worker (2022) · cites this paper as Crowder and Sears, 2017

  • Improved attention regulation skills may be an important protective factor against burnout in social work.

    “highlighted the potential for improved attention regulation skills to be an important protective factor against burnout in social work.”

    From Testing Mindfulness Mechanisms of Action on the Stress and Burnout of Social Workers (2024) · cites this paper as Crowder and Sears (2017)

  • There is a scarcity of studies focused on social workers, social work practice, the unique stressors it presents, and how social workers cope with this stress; with a need for high quality randomised controlled trials to inform future provision and add to the evidence base in this area.

    “There is a scarcity of studies that are focused on social workers, social work practice, the unique stressors it presents and how social workers cope with this stress; with a need for high quality randomised controlled trials to inform future provision and add to the evidence base in this area (Beer et al., 2020; Crowder & Sears, 2017).”

    From A randomised trial of Mindfulness-based Social Work and Self-Care with social workers (2023) · cites this paper as Crowder & Sears, 2017

  • The MBI is a reliable and valid measure of work-related burnout utilised in various occupational samples, including social workers.

    “The MBI is a reliable and valid measure of work-related burnout utilised in various occupational samples, including social workers (Crowder & Sears, 2017).”

    From A randomised trial of Mindfulness-based Social Work and Self-Care with social workers (2023) · cites this paper as Crowder & Sears, 2017

  • Four studies reported ethnicity; three had mostly Caucasian participants and one had mostly Chinese participants.

    “Four studies detailed ethnicity information of participants, and there was an overrepresentation of Caucasian participants in three studies (Crowder and Sears 2017; Fortney et al. 2013; Geary and Rosenthal 2011) and an overrepresentation of Chinese participants in another study (Suyi et al. 2017).”

    From The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on the Psychological Functioning of Healthcare Professionals: a Systematic Review (2021) · cites this paper as Crowder and Sears 2017

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Authors
Crowder, R., & Sears, A.
Affiliations
University of Calgary (CA)
Corresponding author
Crowder, Rachael
Venue
Australian Social Work
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2016-08-03
Volume
70
Issue
1
Pages
17-29
ISSN
  • 0312-407X (ISSN-L)
  • 1447-0748
DOI
10.1080/0312407x.2016.1203965
OpenAlex
W2498350540
Cited by
101
References
41
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 5
FWCI
8.94
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Australian Social Work (publishedVersion)
Funders
University of Calgary Research Grants Committee
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Stress and Burnout Research
  • Social Sciences › Public Administration › Social Work Education and Practice
Keywords
mindfulness-based interventions, resilience, burnout, social workers, occupational stress, workplace relationships, well-being, mental health, helping professionals

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