Resilience Factors of Social Workers Working with Families in Need

Monika Punová, Denisa Kreuzziegerová, Pavel Navrátil

Monika Punová is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Social Policy and Social Work at Masaryk University in Brno. She also works as a certified supervisor in social work organizations. Her research focuses mainly on the topic of resilience enhancement in students, social workers and vulnerable families.

Denisa Kreuzziegerová is a Ph.D. student at the Faculty of Social Studies of Masaryk University in Brno. She focuses her practice and research on the field of social entrepreneurship.

Pavel Navrátil received his MA in Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work from Masaryk University (1996) and his PhD in Social Policy and Social Work (2001). He is currently Associate Professor of Social Work Theory at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Programme Director of the Bachelor of Social Work, Masaryk University Brno, Czech Republic. His primary research interest aims to social work professionalization and institutionalization in the complex postmodern world.

Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of the article is to answer the research question: “Which resilience protective factors do social workers working with families at risk identify within the scope of their profession?”. THEORETICAL BASE: This text focuses on the concept of resilience in the context of the well-being of social workers.
METHODS: Six focus groups with a total of 38 participants were conducted in the Czech Republic among social workers providing services to families in need. OUTCOMES: The research focuses on positive aspects of professional activity, as they may play a key role in the resilience process. Thematic analysis yielded the following themes: (1) connectedness, (2) education and professional experience, and (3) resources based on cooperating with clients.
SOCIAL WORK IMPLICATIONS: Among the research implications we point out the dynamic aspect of resilience as well as the need for support from other environments to manage professional problems, because resilience is not an individualized concept.

Keywords
resilience, protective factor, social work

p. 99-110