5 Occupational stress in social work practice Nikki R. Woolen, HaeJung Kim and Sunday B. Fakunmoju Social work is an occupation vulnerable to high levels of stress due to the nature of the work, the complexity of social problems, and the dynamics of organizational structure, culture and climate. Social work practice involves prevention, assessment and interven- tion with individuals, groups, families and communities in their social environments, as well as advocacy, development and implementation of social policy to promote biopsychosocial spiritual functioning (Hcpworth et al., 2010). The social work profes- sion's mission is to enhance human well-being and meet the basic needs of individuals with special attention to marginalized, vulnerable and oppressed populations (National Association of Social Workers [NASW], 2008). Social workers provide preventive, restorative and case management services to voluntary and involuntary clients across the lifespan from global populations in diverse settings (Hepworth et a!., 2010). The major- ity of social workers have master's degrees, arc licensed, and most commonly practice in mental health, child and family services, and health (Whilaker et al., 2006). As licensed professionals, social workers adhere to values and ethics that promote dignity and worth, equity, informed consent, multiculturalism, client strengths, self-determination, evidence-based practice and lifelong learning (Council on Social Work Education [CSWE], 2008; International Federation of Social Workers [II-'SW], 2000; NASW, 2008). Adhering to the profession's mandates can increase social workers' potential for occupational stress, which may result from the nature of work within public, private, non-profit and international organizations; the severity and chronicity of social prob- lems (e.g. abuse, victimization, natural and man-made disasters); managed care; and state, federal and international policies (Chcrniss, 1980; Hascnfcld, 1983; Kim, 2010). Moreover, client characteristics, role conflict, high workload, and work-life conflicts further impact social workers' stress (Kim, 2010; Newhill & Wcxler, 1997; Storey & !3illingham, 2001). Rather than critiquing the occupational stress literature, this chapter describes the multidimensionality of social workers' stress with emphasis on implica- tions for social work practice and research. A discussion of occupational stress in child welfare, psychotherapy and addictions is provided, in addition to how ethical and legal dilemmas may impact social workers' stress. The chapter concludes with micro- and macro-level strategies for reducing social workers' stress, as well as future directions for the social work profession. SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE AND OCCUPATIONAL STRESS Most stress theories are derived from disciplines other than social work {e.g. manage- ment, sociology). In these disciplines, stress is primarily conceptualized based on the manipulation of inanimate objects (e.g. computers, data and equipment) and employees' concerns, unlike occupational stress in social work, which involves direct relationships 71