An ecological description of social worker's mental health

Abstract

In this study the social worker-in-work context relationship in a welfare organization is described within an ecological epistemology so as to construct an alternative view on employee mental health. A literature study shows how descriptions of the interconnectedness between a sense of individuation and a sense ofbelonging creates a double view ofboth levels to form a more holistic view of an ecological relationship system. Organizational interrelationships are described within this framework as being congruent or incongruent and thereby promote or detract from social work practitioner mental health. Conclusions and recommendations discuss the usefulness of such a perspective for social work management practice and suggest a framework for managers to view organizational mental health and to evolve ideas for co-creating a greater sense of coherence in disrupted organizations.