MANAGING PSYCHO-EMOTIONAL RISK FACTORS AND STRESS IN THE WORK ENVIRONMENT OF SOCIAL WORKERS

• Published in: Education. Innovation. Diversity (Online) 2024-06, Vol.1 (8), p.167-176
• Main Authors: Vaivade, Leila, Samuseviča, Alīda
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2661-5401; 2661-5401
• DOI: 10.17770/eid2024.1.7935

The publication highlights a topical and socially relevant issue in the professional reality of social workers - the dangers of psycho-emotional and psychosocial factors in the work environment and possible solutions to reduce them. The aim of the article is to identify and describe the psycho-emotional risk factors in the work environment of social workers, and to offer suggestions for reducing stress and improving job security in the practice of social work. The data for the study were obtained by analysing scientific literature and normative documents, as well as by interviewing 194 social workers from different regions of Latvia. The study identified psycho-emotional risk factors in the working environment of social workers: high professional demands, time-limited work and deadlines, increased responsibility and insufficient availability of personal protective equipment. The publication highlights recommendations, based on theory and practice, on the necessary measures to reduce stress and improve occupational safety of social workers in the provision of social services in Latvia.