The well-being and perspectives of community-based behavioral health staff during the COVID-19 pandemic

Morse, Gary A.; Dell, Nathaniel A.

doi:10.1080/00981389.2021.1904315

Cited by 40 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Considering the psychological impact, prolonged stress and higher job demands often associated with the COVID-19 pandemic (Dominelli, 2021;Harrikari et al, 2021;Holmes et al, 2021;Miller and Reddin Cassar, 2021), these results may seem counterintuitive. As indicated in the literature, COVID-19 has been challenging for social workers (Downing et al, 2021;Morse and Dell, 2021). In contrast to the findings of the present study, some commentators outside the UK have argued that social workers are more under pressure and undervalued during COVID-19 times than they were previously (Amadasun, 2020 (Nigeria); Downing et al, 2021 (commenting on rural social work in the USA)).…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 82%

“…However, the easement of lockdown restrictions between July and November 2020 across most of the UK could have influenced workforce pressures and the results, and well-being and WRQoL could have deteriorated between the different surveys. Qualitative findings from Morse and Dell (2021) and Cook et al (2020) found staff finding it difficult to work remotely with a lack of resources, team support and opportunities. Additionally, social work practice during this time was characterised as stressful and overwhelming.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is possible many people working from home have had more opportunity to relax and get outside. Furthermore, the higher scores in 2020 could be associated with workplace well-being promotion, self-care, support services, communication skills training, effective planning systems, flexible work hours and less excessive work demands (Kalliath et al, 2020;Mette et al, 2020;Downing et al, 2021;Miller and Reddin Cassar, 2021;Morse and Dell, 2021). In order to improve WRQoL and reduce the pressures within the social work profession, compassionate and understanding employers and co-workers are important factors alongside regular team communication and support services within the workplace (Cook et al, 2020;Kalliath et al, 2020;Dominelli, 2021).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mental well-being and quality of working life in UK social workers before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: A propensity score matching study

McFadden

Neill

Mallett

et al. 2021

The British Journal of Social Work

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During the COVID-19 pandemic interest into its potential impact on mental well-being has intensified. Within the social care sector, the pandemic has increased job demands and prolonged stress taking a disproportionate toll on the workforce, particularly social workers. This article compares the mental well-being and quality of working life of social workers in the United Kingdom (UK) before and during the pandemic. Data were collected in 2018 (N = 1,195) and 2020 (N = 1,024) using two cross-sectional surveys. To account for the differences between the datasets, propensity score matching was employed prior to effect estimation, utilising demographic and work-related variables common to both datasets. The differences between the two time-points were estimated using multiple regressions. Both mental well-being and quality of working life were significantly higher during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 compared to 2018. This suggests that during the highpoint of the pandemic in the UK, increased support, and changes to working practices, such as reprioritisation of work and other initiatives, may be responsible for increased mental well-being and quality of working life. While acknowledging the known pressures on UK social workers during the COVID-19 pandemic this evidence suggests a mixed picture of the pandemic with lessons for managers and employers.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 82%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mental well-being and quality of working life in UK social workers before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: A propensity score matching study

McFadden

Neill

Mallett

et al. 2021

The British Journal of Social Work

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“…Information and support contributed little to the variance explained in staff resilience. This result contrasts with a mixed methods study of social workers in the mid-west United States that recommended communication and supportive supervision were critical so supporting staff during the pandemic (Morse & Dell, 2021). This suggests that during largescale, intense crises, it is important to acknowledge staff worries and the relationship to staff resilience, in addition to enhancing communications and information.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 57%

Relationship between perceptions of risk of contracting COVID-19 and resilience: a cross-sectional community survey of social service providers in Canada

Benzies

Perry²,

Williams³

2021

Social Work in Mental Health

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This study explored social service providers' perceptions of risk and resilience while caring for their vulnerable clients during COVID-19. Participants (N = 68) from two agencies completed an online survey. Over half of participants had shifted to virtual service delivery; about 30% continued to have direct contact with clients. Using regression modeling, we found that age, gender, confidence in providing COVID-related care, worries about spreading SARS-CoV-2, and information and supports explained 36% of variance (Adjusted R 2 = .357) in provider resilience. Social service agencies need to address provider worries, which may contribute more to resilience than providing information.

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“…Also, certain clients cannot be accessed via telehealth due to a lack of available broadband, especially those living in more rural areas ( Hirko et al, 2020 ), and a lack of privacy and difficulty translating different aspects of service provision to telehealth have been challenges as well ( Hopkins & Pedwell, 2021 ). A mixed-method study by Morse and Dell (2021) with behavioral health professionals in the United States similarly found reported distress related to changes in routines, concerns about COVID-19 infection, challenges to maintaining a work-home balance, technological challenges and changes in communication flow with colleagues.…”

Section: Pandemic-related Impacts On Professionalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Foster care during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative analysis of caregiver and professional experiences

Whitt-Woosley

Sprang

Eslinger

2022

Child Abuse & Neglect

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Background Research is needed to facilitate better understanding of how different groups have been impacted by COVID-19, especially those in already strained service systems such as foster care. These inquiries will support further response, recovery and preparedness efforts. Objective This qualitative study addressed how professionals and caregivers in foster care described being affected by COVID-19 in order to support future research and planning for foster care systems in this pandemic context. Participants and setting A sample of foster parents and foster care professionals (N = 357) from a mostly rural, southeastern state in the U.S. participated in the study. Methods Qualitative analysis was conducted of 357 open-ended responses regarding the impact of COVID-19 from a survey distributed in August 2020. Results The coding process resulted in the identification of 15 distinct themes: Isolation & Loss of Social Support, Work Changes/Stressors, School Issues, Childcare Issues, No Impact/Positive Changes, Financial Problems, Fear of Contagion, Negative Child Welfare Impacts, Mental Health Problems/Stress, Loss of Faith/Trust & Societal Frustrations, Health & Mental Healthcare Access Issues, PPE & Testing Issues, Grief & Loss, and Marital Problems. Secondary impacts rather than direct physiologic effects of the virus were primarily reported. Conclusions This study underscores the various challenges facing foster care systems, and how the pandemic context is exacerbating many of these issues. Further research is needed to ensure the implementation of adequately complex and nuanced responses that target needs and avoid creating further problems for foster care.

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The well-being and perspectives of community-based behavioral health staff during the COVID-19 pandemic

Cited by 40 publications

References 23 publications

Mental well-being and quality of working life in UK social workers before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: A propensity score matching study

Mental well-being and quality of working life in UK social workers before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: A propensity score matching study

Relationship between perceptions of risk of contracting COVID-19 and resilience: a cross-sectional community survey of social service providers in Canada

Foster care during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative analysis of caregiver and professional experiences

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