Let not the world change us

Critical consciousness as a moderator in the relationship between role stress and burnout among social workers in China

Bibliographic Data

ID9972926
AuthorsAnna Chen (0000-0002-9270-7796, Central China Normal University, corresponding author), Guanghuai Zheng (0000-0002-8852-2676, Central China Normal University), Xianda Gao (0000-0003-0363-3594, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, China), Yaojian Wu (0000-0001-9426-6464, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China)
Year2022
Volume67
Issue1
Pages151-165
Publication date2022-10-31
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Social Work (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0020-8728 • E-ISSN: 1461-7234
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/00208728221126579
OpenAlexW4307885576
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited46

Critical consciousness, as a core competence of western social workers and a type of personal resource, has been diminished in China. This study examined whether critical consciousness buffered the effect of role stress on burnout with a nationally representative sample. Results showed that critical consciousness prevented emotional exhaustion and depersonalization in social workers suffering from role stress while it did not enable them to perceive personal accomplishment. The results carry implications for maintaining social workers’ workplace well-being and professional pursuits by incorporating critical consciousness into their professional competence and personal resources

Burnout · Competence (human resources · Consciousness · Critical consciousness · Depersonalization · Emotional exhaustion · Moderation · Political science · Social consciousness · Clinical Psychology · Health, psychology, and well-being · Psychology · Resilience and Mental Health · Social Psychology · Social Work Education and Practice · Social Work