To use the body, mind and soul. A study on social workers' perspective on holistic methods for sustainable social work

Oct 28, 2026

The study explores social workers’ experiences of work-related stress and coping, and how their attitudes shape the use of holistic methods for stress management. Social workers’ elevated risk of burnout makes sustainability a central concern. Qualitative interviews with social workers in different workplaces examine stressors, responses to approaches including mindfulness, body-based methods, and existential health, and organizational barriers to implementation. Findings show strong awareness and interest, requests for more education, and a need for continued research on long-term effects.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages54

Reading Time2 h 16 min

AccessFree to download

Inledning

Problemformulering

Syfte och frågeställningar

Kunskapsläget

Inledning

Sökprocess

Teori

Inledning

Motivering av teoretiskt ramverk

Metod och metodologiska överväganden

Inledning

Förförståelse

Resultat och Analys

Socionomens olika stressorer

Abstract Authors: Isabella Malmberg Klang och Lina Turesson Title: To use the body, mind and soul. A study on social workers' perspective on holistic methods for sustainable social work Supervisor: Jan Magnusson The aim of this study is to explore social workers' experience on work related stress and coping along with their attitudes towards holistic methods as tools for stress management. Since social workers are at high risk for burnout and work related stress, it is of interest to explore whether a holistic approach can contribute to increase the sustainability among social workers. Through qualitative interviews with social workers among different workplaces, their experiences of work related stress and their attitudes towards holistic methods such as mindfulness, body-based methods and existential health are analyzed. The results show that social workers are highly aware of the many stressors they encounter and show a great interest in holistic tools to improve their wellbeing and work environment. However they address organizational and contextual challenges as obstacles to implement the methods. More education on the topic is requested by social workers. Finally the need for continued research is highlighted on long term effects of holistic methods in the profession. Keywords: Holistic methods, social workers, work related stress and burnout, sustainability, existential health, body-based methods, mindfulness Nyckelord: Holistiska metoder, socionomer, arbetsrelaterad stress och utbrändhet, hållbarhet, existentiell hälsa, kroppsbaserade metoder, mindfulness Förord Vi vill ge ett stort tack till alla intervjupersoner som ställt upp och delat med sig av sinaerfarenheter och insikter. Tack vare ert engagemang blev denna studie möjlig. Tack till vårhandledare som kommit med hjälpsamma synpunkter. Till slut vill vi rikta ett varmt tack till vänner, familj och hunden Leia för er uppmuntran och ert eviga stöd. Innehållsförteckning 1. Inledning.......................................................................................................................... 6 1.1 Problemformulering............................................................................................... 6 1.2 Syfte och frågeställningar.......................................................................................7 2. Kunskapsläget................................................................................................................. 7 2.1 Inledning.................................................................................................................. 7 2.2 Sökprocess................................................................................................................8 2.3 Socionomers hållbarhetsutmaningar.................................................................... 9 2.4 Holistiskt förhållningssätt i yrkeslivet...................................................................9 2.4.1 Mindfulness i yrkeslivet............................................................................... 10 2.4.2 Kroppsbaserade metoder i yrkeslivet.........................................................10 2.4.3 Existentiell hälsa i yrkeslivet....................................................................... 11 2.5 Holistiskt förhållningssätt i socialt arbete...........................................................11 2.5.1 Mindfulness i socialt arbete.........................................................................12 2.5.2 Kroppsbaserade metoder i socialt arbete.................................................. 13 2.5.3 Existentiell hälsa i socialt arbete................................................................. 13 2.6 Sammanfattning av kunskapsläget......................................................................14 3. Teori..............................................................................................................................

FAQs

What is the study’s main aim?

To examine social workers’ experiences with work-related stress and coping, and their attitudes toward holistic methods as tools for stress management and sustainable social work.

Which holistic methods are analyzed in the study?

Mindfulness, body-based methods, and existential health are analyzed through qualitative interviews with social workers.

What challenges affect implementing holistic methods?

Organizational and contextual challenges are highlighted as obstacles, and social workers request more education on the topic.

Oct 28, 2026

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