Özet:

Social workers (SWs) face many difficulties and obstacles in serving individuals and groups with psychological, economic and social problems. This situation may cause stress to affect their mental, social, behavioral and intellectual performance negatively. The way SWs cope with these stressors all day long has an important place to be successful or unsuccessful. This research aims to examine the coping strategies of SWs who work under institutions of Ministry of Family and Social Policies, [MFSP] in Ankara, Turkey. A total number of 142 of SWs participated in the study. The Survey and Ways of Coping Inventory (WCI) were used in the study. The general survey method was followed. Since the “full enumeration” method was used, sampling procedure was not required. The analyses were conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) program version 22.0. Parametric tests were preferred for the analysis of data. One-way ANOVA (F), Pearson Moment Correlation (r) and, the t-test were used for analysis. Results show that SWs used the self-confidence approach (x̄: 2,33) mostly and the helpless approach (x̄: 0,60) [range of score: 0-3] at minimum while they cope with stress. Factors such as; marital status, age, educational status, working area and job satisfaction were found to be effective on self confident approach subscale also, gender and working area were found to be effective on submissive subscale; working area on helpless and gender and job satisfaction were found to be effective on seeking social support subscale (p<0.05). The research has shown that it is almost impossible to escape stress in the field of social work. Managers should be able to imagine stress management programs and practices that will increase the salary, the number of qualified personnel, improve working conditions, reduce workload, and provide opportunities for flexible time management for SWs.

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