Stress and Wellbeing of Social Work Students in Field Instruction

ABSTRACT

The study explored the professional and personal stress experienced by the social work students at the Bicol University, Daraga Campus in the Philippines during their field instruction. Furthermore, it sought to discuss the implications for social work education, particularly in the field instruction program. It employed qualitative methods to gather and analyze the data. The study revealed significant and interrelated themes based on the qualitative analysis derived from the conducted focus group discussion and review of documents. In terms of the professional stressors, the following were identified: organizational processes, interpersonal relationships with the staff, agency politics, physical set-up, and characteristics of clients. In terms of personal stressors, the respondents identified the following: academic requirements and pressure, family issues and concerns, financial limitations, and health conditions. These situations affected the students’ physical, psychological, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being. The results of the study suggest that integrating subjects related to the prevention of stress and the promotion of self-care in the social work curriculum and in supervision can help social work students to better cope with professional stress, academic responsibilities, and personal challenges. It may lead to future social workers who know how to maintain healthy well-being, making them more effective, competent, and ethical practitioners.

KEYWORDS:

• Stress
• social work education
• field instruction program
• professional stress
• personal stress

Acknowledgments

The author would like to thank the following people who have been instrumental in finishing the study: Asst. Prof. Florence “Yen” F. Pasos, for her persistence, encouragement, and utmost guidance and support; Assoc. Prof. Yolanda G. Ealdama, for her knowledge and insights to improve the study, as well as, for selflessly sharing her time and effort to make this a success; Asst. Prof. Hazel C. Lamberte, for her objective criticisms, views, and recommendations to enhance the quality of the study; Bicol University CSSP Social Work Department, for participating in the conduct of the study; BS Social Work Batch 2019, for participating in this study and for being responsive with all the requests; Ms. Janne Loisse Ansano, for documenting the focus group discussion and assistance in the data gathering process; Mr. Kevin Cruz, Ms. Cristina Uclaray, and Ms. Nina Rafer, for the technical inputs; the author’s family - Mama, Papa, Ate, and Emman, for their consistent moral support, love and care; the author’s friends for the unwavering support and encouragement; and the Almighty God, the source of everything–for the blessings of good health and wisdom.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).