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Psychological Capital Protects Social Workers from Burnout and Secondary Traumatic Stress

Author

Listed:
  • Delia Vîrgă

    (Department of Psychology, Faculty of Sociology and Psychology, West University of Timișoara, 300223 Timișoara, Romania)

  • Elena-Loreni Baciu

    (The Research-Action Centre on Discrimination and Social Inclusion, Department of Social Work, Faculty of Sociology and Psychology, West University of Timișoara, 300223 Timișoara, Romania)

  • Theofild-Andrei Lazăr

    (The Research-Action Centre on Discrimination and Social Inclusion, Department of Social Work, Faculty of Sociology and Psychology, West University of Timișoara, 300223 Timișoara, Romania)

  • Daria Lupșa

    (Department of Psychology, Faculty of Sociology and Psychology, West University of Timișoara, 300223 Timișoara, Romania)

Abstract

Summary: To counteract the negative consequences inherent to the emotionally demanding professions like social work, we need to advance the understanding of the resources that preserve the employees’ well-being. This study investigated the role of Psychological Capital (PsyCap) in protecting social workers from developing burnout and Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS). The design of the study builds on the job demands-resources model and the conservation of resources theory. A national sample of 193 Romanian social workers participated in the study. We used the structural equation modeling framework for data analysis. We tested two structural models that had burnout as a mediator for the relationship between PsyCap and STS: A partial mediation model and a total mediation model. Findings: The total mediation model was supported by our data suggesting that PsyCap has a protective role against burnout, and subsequently, STS. Moreover, the results indicate that burnout is the critical link between personal resources and STS. Applications: The results of the study contribute to enhancing the protection of the social workers’ well-being in their professional settings, by advancing the knowledge about the resources that need to be developed in order to prevent or reduce the negative job consequences associated with helping professions. As such, increasing PsyCap levels of employees enhance the sustainability of their working conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Delia Vîrgă & Elena-Loreni Baciu & Theofild-Andrei Lazăr & Daria Lupșa, 2020. "Psychological Capital Protects Social Workers from Burnout and Secondary Traumatic Stress," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-16, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:6:p:2246-:d:332021
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Mariano Meseguer de Pedro & María Magdalena Fernández-Valera & Mariano García-Izquierdo & María Isabel Soler Sánchez, 2021. "Burnout, Psychological Capital and Health during COVID-19 Social Isolation: A Longitudinal Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-11, January.
    2. M. Inmaculada López-Núñez & Susana Rubio-Valdehita & Eva M. Diaz-Ramiro & Marta E. Aparicio-García, 2020. "Psychological Capital, Workload, and Burnout: What’s New? The Impact of Personal Accomplishment to Promote Sustainable Working Conditions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-13, October.
    3. Nasser Saad Al Kahtani & Sulphey M. M., 2022. "A Study on How Psychological Capital, Social Capital, Workplace Wellbeing, and Employee Engagement Relate to Task Performance," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(2), pages 21582440221, May.
    4. Wen-Ling Hung & Hsiang-Te Liu, 2022. "Causal Model Analysis of Police Officers’ COVID-19 Fear, Resistance to Organizational Change Effect on Emotional Exhaustion and Insomnia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-18, August.
    5. Guido A. Veldhuis & Teun Sluijs & Marianne H. J. van Zwieten & Jildau Bouwman & Noortje M. Wiezer & Heleen M. Wortelboer, 2020. "A Proof-of-Concept System Dynamics Simulation Model of the Development of Burnout and Recovery Using Retrospective Case Data," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-28, August.
    6. Anca Mihai & Elen Silvana Crivoi & Lucian Alecu & Ovidiu Pop & Daniela Nita & Georgiana Cristina Rentea & Adrian Luca & Florin Lazar, 2025. "Stress and burnout among social workers – a relation mediated by coping styles," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-13, December.

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