ABSTRACT

This study reports the findings of a qualitative focus group study of 16 recently graduated MSW social workers in the New York City area regarding their experiences working during the devastating initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic from March to June 2020. Each respondent participated in one of two 90-minute focus groups in October of that year. Themes delineated were: Varying levels of agency responsiveness and support; Rapid changes in job functions; Great decrease in availability of client services and resources; Social workers’ difficult emotional reactions; Balancing family circumstances with work responsibilities; Fear of contracting COVID-19; and Professional pride and growth. The findings indicate the need for more holistic supervisory support for beginning social workers, more effective and transparent communication in agency settings, and better preparedness for crisis situations. The results are also a tribute to the dedication of new social workers who worked tenaciously during a global crisis despite their own difficult emotional reactions and family situations.

摘要

本研究报告了一项定性焦点小组研究的结果，该研究对纽约市地区 16 名最近毕业的 MSW 社会工作者进行了研究，了解他们在 2020 年 3 月至 6 月 COVID-19 大流行的毁灭性初始浪潮中的工作经验。每位受访者都参与了一项同年 10 月的两个 90 分钟焦点小组会议。描绘的主题是： 不同级别的机构响应和支持；工作职能的快速变化；客户服务和资源的可用性大幅下降；社会工作者的困难情绪反应；平衡家庭环境和工作责任；害怕感染 COVID-19；以及职业自豪感和成长。调查结果表明，需要对初级社会工作者提供更全面的监督支持，在机构环境中进行更有效和透明的沟通，更好地应对危机情况。这些结果也是对新社会工作者的敬意，他们在全球危机期间顽强地工作，尽管他们自己有困难的情绪反应和家庭状况。