Date Approved

5-3-2005

Embargo Period

4-18-2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A. in School Psychology

Department

Educational Services and Leadership

College

College of Education

Advisor

Klanderman, John

Committee Member 1

Dihoff, Roberta

Subject(s)

Child welfare workers--Job stress; Social workers--Job stress

Disciplines

Educational Psychology

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine if social workers in a child protection agency report greater levels of stress than individuals working in other professions. Paper-and-pencil versions of the Pressure Management Indicator (PMI) questionnaire were distributed to all participants as a measure of occupational stress. Participants' responses were analyzed using an independent samples t-test to examine whether there was a statistically significant difference between the responses of the two groups. There were significant findings in nine out of twenty-four subscales of the PMI. The results from these areas show that the social workers feel more insecure about the stability of their organization, feel more anxious, and they have less energy and feel more tired when compared to those in other professions. Further, social workers report greater pressure as a result of workload, organizational climate, personal responsibility, home/work balance, and daily hassles. The results also show that social workers utilize social support more than other types of employees. Implications of the results are discussed.

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