Unit VI PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Unit VI

PERSONAL AND

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

SELF AWARENESS

How?

Self Awareness(SA)

What?

Why?

WHAT IS SELF?

Who am I?

Self-Concept: Who are you?

• Self-concept refers to your subjective description of who you think you are.

• Self-image is your view of yourself in particular situations

Self-Concept Components

• Attitude: a learned predisposition to respond to a person, object, or idea in a favorable or unfavorable way.

• Beliefs: The way in which you structure your understanding of reality (true/false).

• Values: Enduring concepts of good and bad, right and wrong.

One of Many Selves?

• The Material Self

• The Social Self

• The Spiritual Self

The Material Self

• The material self is a total of all the tangible things you own:– Your body– Your possessions– Your home

The Social Self

• The social self is that part of you that interacts with others:– You change based

on interaction with others.

– Each relationship you have with another person is unique.

The Spiritual Self

• The spiritual self consists of all your internal thoughts and introspections about your values and moral standards:– It is the essence of who you think

you are.– It is a mixture of your spiritual

beliefs and your sense of who you are in relationship to other forces in the universe.

How the Self-Concept Develops

• Our communication with other individuals

• Our association with groups

• Roles we assume• Our self-labels

Self-Concept:Association with Groups

• Our awareness of who we are is often linked to who we associate with:– Religious groups– Political groups– Ethnic groups– Social groups

• Peer pressure is a powerful force in shaping attitudes and behavior.

Self-Concept:Assumed Roles

• Your self-concept likely reflects the roles you assume:– Mother– Brother– Teacher– Student

• Gender asserts a powerful influence on the self-concept from birth on.

WHAT IS SELF AWARENESS?Self awareness is the process of understanding one's own beliefs, thoughts. motivations, and recognize how they affect others

(Boyed, 2005)

• SA is a personal understanding of the very core of ones own identity.

• It is the ability to assess one’s personality, behaviors & skills accurately

• SA is the ability to perceive ones own existence including ones own traits, feelings and behaviors

Self awareness Contd…)• It involves objectively examining one’s personal

beliefs, attitudes, motivations, strengths and limitations

• Understanding another begins with understanding oneself….

• To effectively use the self as a tool ‘ nurses must possess knowledge of their personal response pattern s, strengths and limitations

(Stuart & Laaia, 2005; Eckroth-Bucher,2001)

Why Self Awareness?The Social Worker must examine personal feelings, actions and reactions. A firm understanding and acceptance of self allows the Social Worker acknowledges clients differences and uniqueness

Social Workers who care for biological, psychological, and socio-cultural needs of the patient see a broad range of human experience; They must learn to deal with anxiety, anger, sadness and joy in helping people throughout their life.

Why Self Awareness Contd…)

• It allows an individual to interact with others comfortably, to accept the difference in others and to observe each person’s right to respect and dignity

• Self awareness allows the Social Worker to observe, pay attention to, and understand the subtle responses and reactions of clients when interacting with them


• The process of self awareness compels Social Workers to examine their own value positions so these biases and prejudices are not projected on to others, and so Social Workers do not reject others who do not share similar values


• Knowing thyself is a basic principle of Social Workers

• The process of self awareness in important because the Social Workers psychological state influences the way clients information is analyzed

• The process of personal introspection adds dimension to the Social Workers -client relationship and is pertinent to understanding client responses, thus enabling the Social Workers to explore these issues with their client

Why to Become Self Aware

• To improve performance

• To manage yourself– Set appropriate goals, choose appropriate careers,

manage stress

• To understand differences between you and others – Understand why others react to you the way they do– Adapt your communication to others’ needs– Develop interpersonal skills

HOW TO LEARN SELF AWARENESS?

How to Become Self Aware

• Know your prejudices

• Know your motivation and needs

• Know your responses

Feedback from friends & family

Feedback from peers (Active listening and openness)

Feedback from yourself

How to Become Self-Aware: How to Become Self-Aware: Some Ways of Thinking about Some Ways of Thinking about

YourselfYourself

Knowledge

Abilities

Skills

Learning Styles Preferences

Personality

Specific Traits

Values

Goals

Motives

“Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is Enlightenment.”

Tao Tzu

Therapeutic Nurse-Client Relationship

What is the Social Worker-client relationship?series of purposeful, goal directed interactions that

focus on the client’s needs…

– Confidential– Reliable– Consistent– Mutually defined Collaborative– Goal oriented– Professional relationship – With clear boundaries

DYNAMICS OF SOCIAL WORK-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP

(Problem Solving Approach)

• Relationship consistently focused on the client's problems and needs

• Potential solutions to problems discussed

• Explore feelings/ alternate solutions• Discuss strategies for change• Explore strengths and limitation• Assist to select alternative• New coping skills develop

• Behavioral change encouraged

• Give positive feedback for efforts

• Evaluate outcome

Self-Concept:Communication with others

• We don’t come to know ourselves in a vacuum.

• Charles Horton Cooley advanced the notion of the figurative looking glass.

• Self-concept development begins at birth

Self-Concept:Association with Groups

• Our awareness of who we are is often linked to who we associate with:– Religious groups– Political groups– Ethnic groups– Social groups

• Peer pressure is a powerful force in shaping attitudes and behavior.

Self-Concept:Assumed Roles

• Your self-concept likely reflects the roles you assume:– Mother– Brother– Teacher– Student

• Gender asserts a powerful influence on the self-concept from birth on.

Self-Concept:Self-Labels

• Self-concept is affected by others but we are not blank slates.

• Self-reflexiveness is the human ability to think about what we’re doing while we’re doing it.

• Through self-observation we discover strengths which encourage us to assume new labels.

Self-Esteem:What is your value?

• While self-concept refers to your description of who you are, self-esteem refers to your evaluation of who you are.

• Your self-esteem can fluctuate and rise or fall within the course of a day.

Self-Esteem:Gender Differences

• In patriarchal cultures, women and girls suffer loss of self-esteem to a greater degree than men and boys.– Boys often feel better

able to do things than girls.

– Differential reinforcement (athletics)

Self-Esteem:Social Comparisons

• We become more aware of ourselves by measuring ourselves against others, a process called social comparison.

• It can be self-defeating to take social comparisons too far, to cause your self-esteem to suffer because you compare yourself unrealistically to others.

Self-Esteem:Self-Expectations

• Self-expectations are those goals we set for ourselves.

• Self-esteem is affected when you evaluate how well you measure up to your own expectations.

• Be weary of placing unrealistic demands on yourself.

Self-Esteem:Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

• The self-fulfilling prophecy refers to the idea that what you believe about yourself often comes true because you expect it to come true.

• Your level of self-esteem affects the kinds of prophecies you make about yourself and colors your interpretation of events.

Communication & the Enhancement of Self-Esteem

• Our feelings of low self-worth may contribute to many of our societal problems.

• Communication is essential in the process of building and maintaining self-esteem.

Communication & Self:Engage in POSITIVE self-talk

• Intrapersonal communication involves communication within yourself – self-talk.

• Your self-concept and self-esteem influence the way you talk to yourself.

• Your inner dialogue also has an impact on your self-concept and self-esteem.

• Self-talk is related to the building and maintaining of one’s self-concept.

Communication and Self:Visualize

• Visualization involves “seeing” yourself exhibiting some desirable behavior.

• Apprehensive public speakers can manage their fears by visualizing positive results:– Reduce negative self-talk– Enhances confidence and speaking skill

Communication and Self:Develop Honest Relationships

• Have at least one other person that will give you honest, objective feedback.– You need a “straight scoop”

• Stuff that’s the hardest to hear about you• Nobody else would dare tell you• Trust enough to deal with the tough stuff

Communication and Self:Lose your baggage

• Avoid constantly re-living negative experiences.

• Let go of past experiences that cause your present self-esteem to suffer.

Communication and the Enhancement of Perceptual Accuracy

• Increase your awareness

• Avoid stereotypes• Check your

perceptions– Indirect perception

checking– Direct perception

checking

Positive and negative aspects of the worker’s self and their effects on the client and the Social Work Process.

VALUES, ATTITUDES AND

PROFESSIONAL ETHICS

MEANING OF VALUES

Values provide the basic foundation for understanding a person’s attitudes, perceptions and personality. Values contain judgmental element as to what is right, good, or desirable. Values have both content and intensity

attributes. Content attribute describes- what is important; intensity attribute describes- how much is it important.

DEFINITION OF VALUES Edward Spranger defines the values as the

constellation of likes, dislikes, viewpoints, shoulds, inner inclinations, rational and irrational judgements, prejudices, and association patterns that determine a person’s view of the world.

M. Rokeach defines values, as a specific mode of conduct or end-state of existence, personally or socially preferable to an opposite or converse mode of conduct or end-state of existence.

TYPES OF VALUES

G.W. Allport and his associates have identified six types of values.

Theoretical: high importance to discovery of truth through critical and rational approach.Economic: Emphasis on useful and practical.Aesthetic: Highest value on form and harmony.Social: Highest value to the love of people.Political: Emphasis on acquisition of power and influence.Religious: Concerned with the unity of experience and

understanding of the cosmos as a whole.

SOCIAL WORK’S CORE VALUES

1. Value: Service Ethical Principle: Social workers’ primary goal is to help people in need

and to address social problems.

2. Value: Social Justice Ethical Principle: Social workers challenge social injustice.

3. Value: Dignity and Worth of the Person Ethical Principle: Social Workers respect the inherent dignity and worth

of the person.

4. Value: Importance of Human Relationships Ethical Principle: Social workers recognize the central importance of

human relationships

5. Value: Integrity Ethical Principle: Social workers behave in a trustworthy manner.

6. Value: Competence Ethical Principle: Social workers practice within their areas of competence

and develop and enhance their professional expertise.

DESIGNING VALUE BASED ORGANISATION

A value-based organisation promises sustainability and prosperity to its endeavours. For designing value based organisation, based on suggestions of Tannenbaum and Davis, following points may be useful.

Treat people with trust.Be respectful to human being.Treat people as dynamic entity.Accept and utilise human differences.Treat individual as a whole person.Encourage appropriate expression of feelings.Promote authentic behaviour. Use authority and networking for benefit of organisation.Encourage appropriate confrontation.Encourage willingness to take calculated risks.Set process which shall take care of effective accomplishment.Emphasise collaboration.

ATTITUDES

Consider following three statements:

Statement 1 : Male executives are high achievers in comparison to

female counterparts;Statement 2 : Anything with a tag “Made in Japan” is reliable;Statement 3 : Discipline can be established through coercion only.

You might have heard the statements mentioned above, or you might have yourself used such statements sometime in recent past. In all the three statements you are inclined to evaluate something. The first, second, and third statements are attempts to evaluate groups (male versus female), objects (anything made in Japan), and an issue (maintaining discipline) respectively. These statements may or may not be true in overall sense. However a person giving such statements is revealing his/her own attitude towards the groups or objects or the issue.

DEFINITION OF ATTITUDE• According to Baron, Attitude is defined as,

lasting evaluations of people, groups, objects, or issues- in fact, of virtually any aspect of the social or physical world.

• Petty and Cacioppo state, Attitudes are general evaluations people make about themselves, other persons, objects, or issues.

• Breckler and Wiggins state, Attitudes are enduring mental representations of various features of the social or physical world. They are acquired through experience and exert a directive influence on subsequent behaviour.

Functions of AttitudeAccording to Katz, Attitudes serve four

important functions for individuals:• Adjustment Function: People tend to develop favourable

attitude towards rewarding and beneficial functions as well as relationship. Similarly people develop negative attitude towards such functions and relationships, which shall attract punitive actions.

• • Ego-defensive Function: Attitude can serve as devise for protecting self-image.

• • Value-expressive Function: Attitude supports expression of core values.

• • Knowledge Function: Attitude serves as standard or frame for understanding and interpreting people and events around them.

PROCESS OF FORMATION OF ATTITUDE There are basically two sources of formation of attitude:

• Social Learning : It is acquiring attitudes from others. There are broadly three processes of acquiring attitudes through social learning: Classical Conditioning, Instrumental Conditioning, and Modeling.

• Direct Experience : Attitudes are also formed through real life experience, which may be also called as direct experience or personal experience. Various studies suggest that strength of the attitudes acquired through direct experience is stronger than the strength of attitudes acquired indirectly. Attitudes acquired through direct experience are held more confidently and are more difficult to be subjected to change. If you hold strong attitude about an object, issue, or a person, and you want others to properly understand your stand, it is better to let others have direct experience with the attitude object.

Three processes of acquiring attitudes through social learning:

Classical Conditioning is a basic form of learning in which one stimulus regularly precedes another. It is learning based of association, that when first stimulus is present, the second would follow. Prejudices and preferences are created through classical conditioning. Classical Conditioning can play a role in the development of attitudes.

Instrumental Conditioning is concerned with learning to express the “right” views. Instrumental Conditioning is created through rewarding a desirable behaviour and discouraging an undesirable behaviour. Thus a particular type of attitude is created towards a particular type of action through Instrumental Conditioning.

Modeling as a concept, deals with individuals acquiring new behaviours through observing the actions of others. Individuals tend to do what others do, not what others say. Thus attitudes may be transmitted from one person to another, or from one group to another, or from one generation to another.

WORK RELATED ATTITUDESJob Satisfaction: The various attitudes people hold towards their jobs are referred to as job satisfaction. It is individuals’ cognitive, affective, and evaluative reactions towards their

jobs.

Job Involvement: It indicates how far individuals identify Themselves with the job, and whether outcome of the work is attached to self worth.

Organisational Commitment: It explains how people feel toward

their organisations. It is an attitude, which reflect the extent to

which people identify with and are involved with their organisations and are unwilling to leave them.

PERSONAL ATTITUDE OF THE SOCIAL WORKERTHE SOCIAL WORKER IS ALSO A HUMAN BEING.

She /he will experience all the emotions that a human being experiences. As she/ he is in the position of helping others, there is a tendency to feel superior. Sometimes when the client is narrating. His/her sad, past experiences, the social worker will identify with her/his client, experience the same feeling as the client.Sometime the social worker may tend to see the client as a mirror image of herself/himself. All this may have its roots in the worker's early life and experience. She/he has to understand her/his own feelings and control them while being professionally involved in the helping role. She/he must accept the feelings of the client as they are. She/he should not get them mixed up with her/his own. She/he must focus on helping the client by constructive and positive use of the client's emotions and resources.

PROFESSIONAL ETHICS

ETHICS Ethics also called moral philosophy is concerned about what is right

and what is wrong.

It can be divided into two sections - normative ethics and metaethics.

Normative ethics deals with the principles we live by.

Metaethics has a larger concern and its deals with the nature and methodology of moral judgments.

In other words, it deals with the basis on which decisions should be made. Should the ultimate consequences of the decision, for example be promoting happiness or promoting perfectionism in society? Religious people base their decisions on what they believe to be the will of god and on god's word. As social workers we are interested in ethics so that our relationships with clients, our colleagues, our superiors and our subordinates are within the framework of social work values.

The Nature of Ethics

Ethical dilemma: A situation that involves a decision about appropriate behavior. Generally involves situations in which welfare of one or more individuals is affected by the results of the decision.

MEANING: PROFESSIONAL ETHICS

The social worker having a knowledge of theory, training, specialisation and professional

organisation are controlled by professional ethics.

THESE ETHICS ARE RULES OF CONDUCT.

NEED FOR ETHICAL BEHAVIOUR INSOCIAL WORK

• Social workers during their interaction with clients and their significant others have to sensitive information

• Social workers are often in situations where their decisions can cause serious damage to the client

• Social workers occupy positions of authority in governmental and non governmental organisations

• Social workers are often in positions where they can allocate resources

• Social workers have to preserve professional autonomy

PURPOSE OF A CODE OF ETHICSAccording to the National Association of Social Workers, USA (NASW) Code of Ethics serves six purposes:

1. The Code identifies core values on which social work's mission is based.

2. The Code summarizes broad ethical principles that reflect the profession's core values and establishes a set of specific ethical standards that should be used to guide social work practice

3. The Code is designed to help social workers identify relevant considerations when professional obligations confilictual or ethical uncertainties arise.

4. The Code provides ethical standards to which the general public can hold the social work profession accountable.

5. The Code socializes practitioners new to the field, to social work's mission, values, ethical principles and ethical standards.

6. The Code articulates standards that the social work profession itself can use to assess whether social workers have engaged in unethical conduct.

PROFESSIONAL ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF SOCIAL WORK:

A social worker has ethical responsibilities towards his clients, the employing agencies, his colleagues, his community and towards his profession.

The social worker should give greater importance to professional responsibility rather than over personal interests.

The social worker should respect the individual differences among clients and should not any discrimination on a non-professional basis.

The Social worker has an ethical responsibility towards his employers and should be loyal to them.

He/she should provide correct and accurate information to his employer.

The social worker should be held accountable for the quality and extent of service, observing the regulations and procedures of the agency.

The social worker has to respect his/her colleagues and should help in fulfilling their responsibilities.

PROFESSIONAL ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF SOCIAL WORK………..

The social worker should assume the responsibility of adding to Her/his knowledge.

She/he should treat all without discrimination and should cooperate with other research and practice.

The social worker has an ethical responsibility towards the community in protecting it from unethical practices.

She/he has to contribute knowledge and skills for the betterment of the community.

Above all, the social worker has an ethical responsibility towards her/his own profession.

She/he should defend her profession from unjust criticizism or misinterpretation.

She/he should sustain and enhance public confidence through Her/his self-discipline and personal behaviour.

The social worker should always support the view that professional practice requires professional education.

STRESS

What Is Stress…?

• Stress is the body’s automatic response to any physical or mental demand placed on it.

Adrenaline is a chemical naturally produced in our body as a response to stress .

• Experiencing events that are perceived as endangering one’s physical or psychological wellbeing.

• Events = stressors• Reaction = stress response

DEFINITION OF STRESS• Stress is the “wear and tear” our body and mind

experience as we adjust to our environment.

• When we perceive a threat, our nervous system releases hormones which increase heart rate, blood pressure and muscle tension. This is known as the fight-or-flight response.

Examplesgetting into an argument with your roommate, forgetting an assignment is due, giving a speech,

etc.

EXAMPLES OF STRESSFULL EVENTS

• Major changes - affecting large numbers of people, e.g. war, nuclear accidents, earthquakes.

• Major changes – affecting the individual e.g. moving to new area,changing jobs, getting married, losing a friend, serious illness

• Everyday hassles – e.g. losing wallet, stuck in traffic

• Source of stress within the individual – e.g. conflicting emotions or desires

CATEGORIES OF STRESSFULL EVENTS

• Traumatic events

• = Situations of extreme danger outside the range of normal human experience.

• e.g. natural disasters, disasters caused by human activity, physical assaults, catastrophic accidents

GOOD AND BAD STRESS

What the heck is good stress? As stress increases so does performance and

efficiency, but only to a point.

Beyond that point performance and efficiency decreases.

Example-going out on a date

Is All Stress Bad?

• Moderate levels of stress may actually improve performance and efficiency

• Too little stress may result in boredom

• Too much stress may cause an unproductive anxiety level

How do you know you’re over stressed?

There are four areas where Stress affects you:

1. Feelings

2. Thoughts

3. Behaviors

4. Physiological response

Feelings• Anxious

• Irritated

• Fear

• Depressed

• Angry

• Embarrassment

Thoughts• Negative self-talk• Difficulty

concentrating• Forgetfulness• Dwelling on

possible negative outcomes

Behaviors• Acting impulsively• Difficulty speaking• Increased smoking

or alcohol use• Change in appetite• Nervous laughter• Performance

reduction

Physical• Headaches• Sleeping problems• Tight muscles

and/or stomach• Fatigue• Racing heart• Sweaty, cold hands• Neck and back pain

Identifying Stressors

Situations, activities, and relationships that cause ‘trauma’ to

one’s physical, emotional, or psychological self

Stressors

• School• Work• Family• Relationships• Legal• Finances• Health/illness• Environment• Living Situation

Negative Effects of Stress1. Physical- Weight gain/loss- Unexpected hair loss- Heart palpitations- High blood pressure

2. Emotional- Mood swings- Anxiety- Can lead to depression• Can also lead to unhealthy coping

strategies (i.e. alcohol, drugs, etc)

STRESS REACTIONS OF SOCIAL WORKERS

PHYSICAL STRESS SIGNS COGNITIVE STRESS SIGNS

Headaches Exhaustion

Teeth grinding Negative rumination

Insomnia Inability to focus on a task

Irritability, anger Reduced libido

Muscle tension Reduction in joy

Gastric disturbance Mental fatigue

High blood pressure Feelings of futility

Rapid heartbeat Devaluing of co-workers

WHAT IS BURNOUT?

• Burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress.

STRESS VS. BURNOUT

STRESS BURNOUT

Characterized by over engagement

Characterized by disengagement

Emotions are over reactive Emotions are blunted

Produces urgency and hyperactivity

Produces helplessness and hopelessness

Loss of energy Loss of motivation, ideals, and hope

Leads to anxiety disorders Leads to detachment and depression

Primary damage is physical Primary damage is emotional

May kill you prematurely May make life seem not worth living

Social Workers Become Stressed

• As Social Workers---here are talking about professional work ---we are less effective when under extreme stress.

• The purpose of this training is to identify how stress can have a negative impact on us. We will then offer some ways to manage this.

Defining Terms…

There are a number of terms out there as they relate to stress reactions…

• Vicarious Trauma

• Secondary Traumatic Stress

• Compassion Fatigue

• Burnout

Vicarious Trauma• Vicarious Traumatization (VT) (McCann & Pearlman,

1990) refers to harmful changes that occur in professionals’ views of themselves, others, and the world as a result of exposure to graphic and/or traumatic material.

• VT can be seen as a normal response to ongoing challenges to a helper’s beliefs and values but can result in decreased motivation, efficacy, and empathy.

– K. Baird & A. C. Kracen

Secondary Traumatic Stress

• Secondary traumatic stress (STS) (Figley, 1995; Stamm, 1999) refers to a syndrome among professional helpers that mimics post-traumatic stress disorder and occurs as a result of exposure to the traumatic experiences of others.

– K. Baird & A. C. Kracen

Compassion Fatigue

• Compassion fatigue is experienced by caregivers who are overly focused and upset by the cumulative trauma of those they are trying to help.

• The symptoms are similar to those of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Compassion Fatigue• Compassion Fatigue is the cumulative

outcome of caring – caring too much and for too long with no end to be seen.

• You are absorbing the trauma from the eyes and ears of your clients.

• A natural consequence of working with people who have experienced extremely stressful events (Figley, 1995).

So what can I do to be psychologically healthy?

–Address the three primary factors that affect your stress:• Mind

• Situation

• Body

Managing Stress

• Stress Relief Strategies1. Body relaxation exercises

- breathing techniques- guided imagery

2. Physical exercise-yoga-work out routine

3. Meditation4. Counseling

-talk therapy-life coaching

Other Helpful tips

• Changing perceptions and expectations

• Break jobs/tasks into manageable parts

• Set reasonable/realistic goals

• Avoid procrastination

• Set boundaries

• Don’t compromise your values/beliefs

• Schedule “me” time

Managing your stressThe ABC strategy

A=awarenessWhat causes you stress and how do you react?

B=balanceWhere’s your line between positive and negative

stress?

C=control What can you change?

Change your behaviorBecome more assertive

Get organized

Ventilation

Humor

Step away from the stressor

Benefits of Stress Management

• Physical health gets better

-more energy and stamina

• Emotions stabilized

-positive attitude

-hopeful/happier

• Ability to focus improved

-able to learn and achieve

Relax• Our brain fires electrical waves at 14 or more

cycles a second. • These are beta waves and are great for getting

tasks done, but not for learning new things.• Taking a few minutes to relax deeply slows your

brain waves down.• These slower waves are alpha waves.• They occur at between 7 and 14 cycles a second• Studies show alpha waves improve learning.

Burnout

DEFINITION -BURNOUT

• ERIC Thesaurus:

– Burnout: Negative feelings and/or behaviors resulting from unsuccessful attempts to cope with stress conditions -- characterized by physical and emotional exhaustion, chronic negative attitudes, very low productivity, etc.

What Does Burnout Look Like?

• Exhaustion: first reaction to the stress of job demands or major change

• Cynicism: minimize involvement at work and give up on ideals

• Ineffectiveness: growing sense of inadequacy.

Symptoms of Burnout

Physical

• Elevated blood pressure

• Coronary heart disease

• Poor immune system• Increased occurrences

of

illness• Physical exhaustion

Mental

• Depression and mental

exhaustion• Change in professional

goals• Psychological withdrawal

from work• Growing concern for self

instead of others• Negative attitude towards

life in general

Symptoms of Burnout ………….

Emotional Emotional exhaustion or

detachment• Inability to empathize with patrons• Blaming patrons for their inability to understand

concepts or tools• Feelings of reduced personal accomplishment• Seeking non-work pursuits for fulfillment, meaning

and stimulation

SOCIAL

• Feelings of isolation from colleagues and profession

• Rude towards patrons• Irritable or impatient• No time for colleagues or

activities• Unwillingness to help

patrons• Depersonalization

Burnout Symptoms………..• Physical symptoms include:

– fatigue, low energy– poor sleep and headaches– irritability

• Emotional symptoms include:– anxiety and depression – hopelessness– aggression and cynicism– substance abuse

What Causes Burnout?

• Herbert Freudenberger coined the term “burnout” 1974. (1980)

• “over dedication, over commitment, and having unrealistic goals”.

• “…whenever the expectation level is dramatically opposed to reality and the person persists in trying to reach that expectation.”

• “Burnout is pretty much limited to dynamic, charismatic, goal-oriented men and women or to determined idealists.”

(Becker, 1993)

Why Burnout is ThrivingAccording to Christine Maslach, “Burnout is

always more likely when there is a mismatch between the nature of the job and the nature of the person who does the job”

We feel overloaded We lack control over what we do We are not rewarded for out work We’re experiencing a breakdown in

community We aren’t treated fairly We’re dealing with conflicting values

More Contributors to Stress & Burnout

• Technology • Constantly changing• Email• Virtual Reference & Techno stress (Van Fleet)

• Performance anxiety• Info overload• Loss of personal identity

• Downsizing, layoffs and/or retrenchment have forced employees to take on the work of those who have left.

• Public service workers are spending more time on administrative drudgery

• Multitasking

• Bringing work home

• Busy home lives make it difficult to find relief outside of the workplace

• Economic stagnation - salaries vs. purchasing power

Five Steps to Help Burnout

• Recognize the signs of burnout

• Assess what you can handle

• Seek help from others

• Develop prevention techniques

• Emotional Restoration

Recognize the Signs Recognizethe Signs

William Glasser’s Five Basic Needs

Seek Help from Others

• Regular professional supervision with an experienced senior colleague.

• Developing and maintaining professional networks.

• Seek a culture of support (or seek to create this culture in your workplace).

Seek Help from Others

Prevention Techniques

• Schedule “re-charge” times in your day where you cannot be reached (no cell, email or phone).

• Identify healing activities and attend to spiritual needs.

• Learn the techniques of “cycle breathing”

Develop PreventionTechniques

Prevention Techniques

• Take time for relaxation and for lunch, and take at least two consecutive weeks for vacation.

• Take care of your body, through diet and exercise.

• Set boundaries between home and work: Don't play therapist in personal relationships.

Develop PreventionTechniques

Emotional Restoration

Emotional Restoration is the process of reducing mental fatigue, increasing attentional capacity, and restoring emotional well-being.

– Kaplan (1989)



• Create a ‘no-stress zone’ or ‘safe space’ in the office environment such as an outdoor court yard for breaks. Encourage (and model) using vacation days that allow for physical time away.

• Create outdoor break space away from the dumpster and not overlooking the parking lot.



• Boredom is extremely stressful and enhances feelings of burn-out. Change up the office routine, move furniture, do more interesting task at ‘low’ points in the day and get the tedious tasks done first.



• Restorative spaces support the needs and relaxation of the people using them. Don’t take your staff on a nature walk up a mountain if the staff is not a group of hikers.

• Move your ‘no-stress zone’ in the office away from the fax machine and telephone.


How to Help Others

• When approaching your colleagues about their stress, compassion fatigue or burnout---make sure to have this conversation while they are not distracted or overly stressed.

• Identify stress-relief solutions such as retreats and workshops.

Steps for Breaking Out of the Negative Stress Cycle

1. Stop the negative messages flooding your mind.

2. Breathe by taking a deep breath and slowly letting the air out.

3. Reflect on the situation

4. Choose to find a solution

(Managing Stress, p.27)

From: Get a grip! Overcoming Stress and Thriving in the Workplace.

• Find some downtime at work

• Stay away from office politics

• Avoid the grapevine• Deal with change better• Watch what you say to

yourself• Do a plus-minus analysis• Do not bring it home• Find some time to relax at

home• Hang out with positive

people

• Turn off the TV• Count your blessings every

day• Do not sweat the petty stuff• Rituals versus Change• Get a thorough exam• Get enough sleep• Learn to manage your

anger• Share problems with others• Smile a lot!

SOCIAL WORKERS BEWARE

“Whoever battles with monsters had better see that it does not turn him into a

monster. And if you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”

- Friedrich Nietzsche

SELF HELP METHODS

Self-Help Techniques

• Know the normal reactions to stressful events

• Be aware of your tension and consciously try to relax

• Use the buddy system • Talk to someone you trust and with whom

feel at ease• Listen to what people close to you say and

think about the event

Self-Help Techniques (cont.)

• Work on routine tasks if it is too difficult to concentrate on demanding duties

• If you cannot sleep or feel too anxious, discuss this with someone you can trust

• Express your feelings in ways other than talking:– Draw– Paint– Play music– Journal

Self-Help Techniques (cont.)

• Do not self-medicate

• Go easy on yourself

• Avoid inflated or perfectionistic expectations

• Seek professional advice if reactions continue

SELF-LEARNING:

Knowles delineates self-learning with the following justification:

Self-directed learners are better learners.

They learn more things easily.

They are fully capable of taking charge of their own learning. (Therefore self-directed learning is more in tune with natural process of their psychological development).

They look for opportunities for development of appropriate skills.

They are in favour of change in education and learning in

the era of rapidly changing world of knowledge.

Spirituality and Growth

What is “Spirituality”?

The spiritual dimension is considered equal to the physical, psychological and emotional well-being of each person.

For many people, it is the simple yet sacred act of connecting with something greater than oneself – often referred to as your higher power, the divine, or the absolute.

For Marianne Williamson, it is about “inviting God into your life.”

The 3 C’s of Spirituality:

Connection Compassion Contribution

~ Bill O’Hanlon

How do we restore a new energy to our lives? Is there a way of building into our days a ground, a center, and a reminder of what is at the heart of all our endeavors?An extraordinary thing is that it isn’t really the amount of work we do that wears us out. Burn-out has more to do with the absence of enthusiasm and dedication.When we work with a passion, everything changes.

- Daniel O’Leary- Daniel O’Leary

To have a firm persuasion in our work – to feel that what we do is right for ourselves and good for the world at the exactly same time – is one of the great triumphs of human existence.Blake called this sense of dedication a firm persuasion.

““My fingers emit sparks of fire My fingers emit sparks of fire with expectation of my future with expectation of my future labors.”labors.”

- David Whyte- David Whyte

To have a firm persuasion in our work – to feel that what we do is right for ourselves and good for the world at the exactly same time – is one of the great triumphs of human existence.Blake called this sense of dedication a firm persuasion.

““My fingers emit sparks of fire My fingers emit sparks of fire with expectation of my future with expectation of my future labors.”labors.”

- David Whyte- David Whyte

TASK-ORIENTED TASK-ORIENTED VALUESVALUES

PERSON-ORIENTED PERSON-ORIENTED VALUESVALUES

Emphasis on:

Attitudes:

JobProduction

ProductCompetition

EfficiencyComparisonConformity

PersonGrowthFriendsCooperationLoveUniquenessDiversity

Prove yourselfJudgment from outside

(producing feelings of guilt)UtilitarianFunctional

Striving, strainingSense of accomplishment

Time measured by rhythm of clock

Become yourselfJudgment from within(producing conditions of peace)CreativeExpressiveNon-grasping, non-strivingSense of wonderRhythm of nature

The Symptoms of Inner Peace

A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than from fears based on past

experiences. An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment. A loss of interest in judging self and others Frequent overwhelming episodes of appreciation Experiences of deep connectedness with all of creation. Frequent attacks of smiling through the eyes of the heart - Jeff Rockwell

Learn to forgive Practice gratitude Demonstrate appreciation Give and receive Cultivate compassion Honor the sacredness of all life

Putting Spirituality Into Practice

It is not how much you do but how much love you put into the doing and sharing with others that is important.

- Mother Teresa

We are not human beings We are not human beings having a spiritual having a spiritual

experience, we are experience, we are spiritual beings having a spiritual beings having a

human experience.human experience.

Need for Spirituality• It is a motivating force in personal and

public life

• It is connected to moral development and ethical behavior

• Growth, meaning, development and purpose in life are not separate from Spirituality

• Workplace is a critical avenue for the expression of spiritual in contemporary life.

Five Human Values

Human Values at Work (HVW) focuses on how you can work in accord with your own spiritual view of life and five Human Values that are found cross-culturally in all spiritual traditions:– Truth– Righteousness– Peace– Love– Non-violence

learning opportunities

• Identify your spiritual view of life, from which you work and grow your career

• Expand and unfold your natural ability to express each Human Value at work

• Integrate what you think, say and do in accord with your spiritual view of life and the Human Values

• Make your work an arena for spiritual growth, and to apply that growth at work

Inspired by the universal teachings of Sathya Sai Baba

• We are spiritual beings first and foremost.• Divinity is the very core of our humanity.• Spiritual values are Human Values.• All spiritual traditions share five Human Values.• The spiritual essence of the Human Values is

that “Divinity resides in all creation.”• An indicator of spiritual growth is purity and

unity of thought, word and deed.• The workplace is an important arena for

spiritual growth and selfless service.

Benefits of the Human Values at Work

• Truth fosters trust and open, honest communications

• Righteousness fosters high quality work and keeping of agreements

• Peace fosters creative and wise decisions, and a focus on resolving issues rather than blaming

• Love fosters service based on sincere caring for others' well-being

• Non-violence fosters win-win collaboration, with respect for people and the environment

Practices of the Human Values at Work

• Truth – speaking honestly with employees and customers; speaking openly and caringly rather than behind someone’s back

• Righteousness – conducting business with fair prices and ethical practices; keeping agreements with all stakeholders; taking responsibility for problems, rather than making excuses

• Peace – practicing equanimity, even in crises or loss; seeing yourself as the source of your emotional reactions, rather than the victim of others’ behaviour

Practices of the Human Values at Work

• Love – connecting to a higher purpose in life in which you can care for and serve others through your work; listening generously and compassionately to others rather than being judgmental

• Non-Violence – conducting business that is environmentally friendly; finding win-win solutions to problems, rather than winning at another’s expense

Christianity (Gospels in the Bible)

• The truth shall make you free (Truth)

• Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (Righteousness)

• Peace be with you (Peace)

• Love one another (Love)

• Love your enemies (Non-violence)

Confucianism / Taoism (various sources)

• He who knows the truth is not equal to him who loves it. (Truth) Confucianism

• The man of honour thinks of his character; the inferior man thinks of his position. (Righteousness) Confucianism

• To a mind that is “still”, the whole universe surrenders. (Peace) Taoism

• Love the world as your self; then you can care for all things. (Love) Taoism

• All men have a mind which cannot bear to see the suffering of others. (Non-violence) Confucianism

Hinduism (Baghavad Gita Ch. 16)

• Be sincere and truthful (Truth)

• Give freely and control the senses (Righteousness)

• Be fearless and equanimous (Peace)

• Be loving, and show goodwill to all (Love)

• Don’t harm any living creature and don’t slander (Non-violence)

Islam (Hadith – Sayings of Muhammed)

• Speak the truth (Truth)

• Perform what you promise (Righteousness)

• Keep your heart free from malice towards anyone (Peace)

• Do you love your Creator? Love your fellow-beings first (Love)

• Withhold your hand from striking (Non-violence)

Judaism (Book of Proverbs, Bible)

• They love him who speaks what is right (Truth)

• The righteous man walks in his integrity (Righteousness)

• A man of understanding is of a calm spirit (Peace)

• What is desired in a man is kindness (Love)

• If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat (Non-violence)

SPIRITUALITY AND SOCIAL WORK

India is a home for in any religions and has a rich spiritual heritage. In Hinduism the Vedas and the Upanishads form the basis for spirituality. They provide a method to control one's own inner forces to realise the ultimate truth. The truth is the key for knowing one's own identity and the purposes of life. It gives a detachment from oneself and helps in controlling one's own emotions. Similarly other religions also help their adherents to reach these ends.

SERVICE TO MAN IS SERVICE TO GOD

• We believe that service to humanity is service to God. Humanitarianism is the basic principle of social work. It respects the human worth and dignity. Social work believes in the creativity and inherent potentialities of the individuals.

In addition to prayer and study, other spiritual practices include

MeditationCentering exercises such as deep breathing to

reduce stressVisioning exercisesBuilding shared valuesActive, deep listeningMaking action and intention congruentUsing intuition and inner guidance in decision-

making.

SOCIAL WORK AND SPIRITUALITY

Why do Social Workers Pray?

God has called us into a relationship with Himself. Relationships require communication. Prayer is communication between a holy God and a beloved you and me.

God wants to be in relationship with us. And He knows we need what He can give. Through prayer, we experience life-transforming, life-renewing intimacy with the Creator of the universe.

We learn more and more about His character and how His perfect will is working itself out in our own life. Deepening our understanding of God also deepens our faith and desire to worship.

As we become increasingly aware of our limitations, we can rest in the knowledge that our God is omniscient. Availing ourselves of God’s counsel is a blessing of prayer.

We Communicate our Love to God The purpose of the various prayer experiences is for

each individual to be able to find a way to experience God in their lives and to discover God’s intimate will for their lives. To understand the meaning of prayer, we must first believe that God exists, and that Heis a personal being, a person who can be addressed and who responds. We must believe that God knows us, cares for us and loves us, even more than we love ourselves.

In fact, some describe prayer as “talking and listening with God.” Others call it “love letters” to God.

Since prayer engages and expresses our relationship with God, the essence of prayer is communication. The conversation of prayer deepens our intimacy with God by drawing us into the communication with him that leads to ultimate communion. In the process, prayer conforms us to the Lord we love so that, as Saint Teresa of Avila says, “the will becomes united in some way with the will of God.”

Religion, Spirituality and Health

• There is a favorable association between religiousness and suicide risk, drug use, alcohol abuse, delinquent behavior, and criminal behavior (Gartner, Larson & Allen, 1991)

• Couples who attend church regularly as less likely to divorce—of course they may stay unhappily married!

Models of Religious and Spiritual Development

• STAGE 1: RAW CREDULITY– Children believe everything they hear about

religion and spirituality– Children cling to their beliefs because of the

bond with their parents– “Authority based” approach– Sometimes continues to adulthood


• STAGE 2: SATISFYING RATIONALISM– Begins in adolescence– Questioning previously held beliefs– Rebellion/rejection of parental values– Some youth retain their childhood values &

beliefs


• STAGE 3: RELIGIOUS MATURITY– Occurs after adolescence– Ability to remain connected to a tradition but

approach it critically– Keep meaningful beliefs; reject those that do

not make sense– Religion & spirituality are positive


• Some adults retain childhood faith

• Other adults have more faith than doubt

• Other adults have equal amounts of doubt and faith

• Some never reach “religious maturity”

• Some have meaningful life without religion or spirituality

Working with Patients’ Religious and Spiritual Issues

• View the patient as a whole person. Avoid splitting religious and spiritual issues from health or psychological concerns.

• Accept patients’ religious or spiritual stories as just that without attempting to reframe them as psychological

Strategies for Addressing Religion & Spirituality

• SCRIPTURE & SACRED TEXTS– Work within patients’ belief systems– Avoid power struggles & debates– Be prepared to refer– Make use of metaphor and narrative

(Richards & Bergin, 1997)

SOCIAL WORKERS GET :Consolation in Prayer

What are the feelings of consolation in prayer?1. It directs our focus outside and beyond ourselves

.2. It lifts our hearts so that we can see the joys and

sorrows of other people. 3. It bonds us more closely with our human

community. 4. It generates new inspiration and ideas. 5. It restores balance and refreshes our inner

vision. 6. It shows us where God is active in our lives and

where he is leading us 7. It releases new energy in us.

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORK

IN INDIA BILL 1993

NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR SOCIAL WORK THE NEED…? The University Grants Commission had

appointed the Second Review Committee on Social Work Education in 1978 which submitted its recommendations to the UGC. One of the important decisions of this Committee was to establish a National Council on Social Work Education for the promotion and development of Social Work Education in India. As this decision required action to be taken by the Ministry of Welfare, the Ministry constituted a working Group to deliberate on the matter and to prepare the draft Bill for the establishment of the Council.

WHY….?

In order to upgrade and enhance the quality of professional education and practice, and also to make the profession more accountable to the public, that the proposed Bill on the National Council of Professional Social Work in India has been drafted.

WHAT DOES THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORK IN INDIA ACT SAY….

'Professional Social Work' means a form of practice which follows acknowledged methods of social work carried out by professional social workers.

(v) 'Field Work' means the prescribed supervised instructional component of professional training through suitable field placement.

(vi) 'Social Work Professional' means a person who has undergone prescribed courses of study and field work in social work and has passed the examination from a recognised institution at the undergraduate and/or post-graduate level.

(vii) 'Paraprofessional' means a person who holds qualifications other than Bachelor's or Master's degree in social work.

(viii) 'Social Work Educator' means a person who holds a prescribed social work qualification and no is or has been engaged in teaching and research on a permanent and full time basis in a recognised social work institution.

(ix) 'Social Work Practitioner' means a person who holds a prescribed social work qualification and who is engaged in professional social work practice.

(x) 'Social Work Researcher' is a person who holds a prescribed qualification in social work and is engaged in full time research in social work.

IMPORTANCE

It shall be the general function of the Council to take, in consultation with the Universities or other bodies concerned, all such steps as it may think fit for the promotion, maintenance of standards of education, co-ordination of social work education, training, research and practice; and for the propose of performing its functions under this Act, .

Every person, whose name is borne on the Register, shall be entitled to work as Social Work Educator or practice Social Work in any part of India.

• Role of Social Worker and the Government in Promoting Social Work Profession in India.

REFER NCSW

Ethical dilemma in working with individuals and families.

Refer to the written notes……………….

Documents

Unit VI PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT