Predictors of ethical stress, moral action and job satisfaction in health care social workers.
Value conflicts can be a source of ethical stress for social workers in health care settings. That stress, unless mediated by the availability of ethical resource services, can lead to social workers' dissatisfaction with their positions and careers, and possibly result in needed professionals leaving the field. This study explored social workers' experiences in dealing with ethical issues in health care settings. Findings showed the inter-relationship between selected individual and organizational factors and overall ethical stress, the ability to take moral actions, the impact of ethical stress on job satisfaction, and the intent to leave position.
Center for Ethics, Inova Health System, 8003 Forbes Place, Springfield, VA 22151, USA. patriciaodonnell@inova.com
Patricia
P
O'Donnell
Adrienne
A
Farrar
Karlynn
K
BrintzenhofeSzoc
Ann Patrick
AP
Conrad
Marion
M
Danis
Christine
C
Grady
Carol
C
Taylor
Connie M
CM
Ulrich
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006298:Health Services Administration / Q000941:ethics*; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009014:Morals; D016272:Occupational Health; D015279:Organizational Culture; D012947:Social Work / Q000941:ethics* / Q000458:organization & administration; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires