RT Journal Article
T1 Emotions, Feelings, and Experiences of SocialWorkers While Attending to Vulnerable Groups: A Qualitative Approach
A1 Ruiz Fernández, María Dolores
A1 Ortiz Amo, Rocío
A1 Andina Díaz, Elena
A1 Ortega Galán, Ángela María
AB Social workers in the community setting are in constant contact with the suffering experiencedby the most vulnerable individual. Social interventions are complex and affect social workers’emotional well-being. The aim of this study was to identify the emotions, feelings, and experiencessocial workers have while attending to individuals in situations of vulnerability and hardship. Aqualitative methodology based on hermeneutic phenomenology was used. Six interviews and twofocus group sessions were conducted with social workers from the community social services andhealth services of the Andalusian Public Health System in the province of Almería (Spain). Atlas.ti8.0 software was used for discourse analysis. The professionals highlighted the vulnerability ofcertain groups, such as the elderly and minors, people with serious mental problems, and peoplewith scarce or no economic resources. Daily contact with situations of suffering generates a variety offeelings and emotions (anger, sadness, fear, concern). Therefore, more attention should be paid toworking with the emotions of social workers who are exposed to tense and threatening situations.Peer support, talking, and discussions of experiences are pointed out as relevant by all social workers.Receiving training and support (in formal settings) in order to learn how to deal with vulnerablegroups could be positive for their work and their professional and personal quality of life.
PB MDPI
SN 2227-9032
YR 2021
FD 2021-01
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10272/19577
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10272/19577
LA eng
NO Ruiz Fernández, M. D., Ortiz Amo, R., Andina Díaz, E. ... Ortega Galán, Á. M. (2021). Emotions, Feelings, and Experiences of Social Workers While Attending to Vulnerable Groups: A Qualitative Approach. Healthcare, 9(1), 87. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9010087
NO This research was funded by the University of Almería (project TRFE-SI-2019/010).
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Huelva
RD 30 may 2026