Social Workers’ Perceptions of Stress and Excessive Workload: Challenges and Coping Strategies

Background
Social service workers providing care for people living with dementia are increasingly exposed to high occupational stress and heavy workloads. This situation is closely linked to population aging and the rising dementia prevalence across Europe, placing growing demands on residential social service facilities and their workforce.
Objective
This study examines perceived stressors, coping strategies, and burnout prevention mechanisms among social service workers in residential social services for people living with dementias.
Methods
A qualitative research design was applied to gain an in-depth understanding of workers’ subjective experiences. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 10 social service workers in residential dementia-care facilities and were analyzed thematically to identify recurring patterns and key themes.
Results
Four main themes were identified: stress and overload, dealing with stress and overload, projecting stress and overload into personal life, and preventing burnout syndrome. The primary stressors reported included insufficient staffing, physically demanding work, emotionally challenging situations such as client deaths, and long working shifts. Participants indicated that work-related stress frequently extends beyond the workplace, manifesting primarily as physical exhaustion and a reduced capacity for personal and family life. Protective factors identified by participants included collegial support, supportive management, regular supervision, access to professional training, informal peer interactions, and leisure activities outside the workplace.
Conclusion
The findings underscore the need for systematic organizational support, improved staffing conditions, and strengthened preventive mechanisms to reduce occupational stress and promote workforce sustainability in dementia care services.