När empatin tar slut - En kvalitativ studie om socialarbetares upplevelser av empatiutmattning
(2026) SOPB63 20252School of Social Work
- Abstract
- This study aimed to explore how social workers experience compassion fatigue and identify organizational and individual factors that may reduce it. This study is based on a qualitative interview study with seven social workers at the same workplace in a small municipality in southern Sweden. The data was analyzed thematically and resulted in three themes: (1) How compassion fatigue is experienced, (2) Support in the organisation, and (3) Autonomy as a sustainability factor. In analysing our results, we used Bolman’s and Deal’s Human Resources Frame and Herzberg’s Two-factor theory. The findings indicate that compassion fatigue is experienced as feelings of hopelessness, burnout, and being emotionally detached, and that it could be a... (More)
- This study aimed to explore how social workers experience compassion fatigue and identify organizational and individual factors that may reduce it. This study is based on a qualitative interview study with seven social workers at the same workplace in a small municipality in southern Sweden. The data was analyzed thematically and resulted in three themes: (1) How compassion fatigue is experienced, (2) Support in the organisation, and (3) Autonomy as a sustainability factor. In analysing our results, we used Bolman’s and Deal’s Human Resources Frame and Herzberg’s Two-factor theory. The findings indicate that compassion fatigue is experienced as feelings of hopelessness, burnout, and being emotionally detached, and that it could be a consequence of high workload and low amounts of recovery. To prevent this, the organization could follow the HR Frame and attend to the needs of the staff. Additionally, the organization could prevent compassion fatigue with transformative leadership, increased staffing, and eased workload to achieve Herzberg’s hygiene factors. Furthermore, Herzberg’s motivational factors could be reached by the organization by facilitating an environment for colleagues to support each other and provide mentorship for the staff. Also, if the organisation provides support from managers, this also adds to the motivational factors. These motivational factors also add to the sustainability of social work. Finally, this study also indicates that autonomy is a motivational factor that could lead to sustainability in the workplace. This study highlights the importance of addressing both hygiene and motivational factors at the organizational level to elevate social workers’ well-being and sustainability. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9219408
- author
- Zielinska, Julia LU and Bexell, Filippa LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- SOPB63 20252
- year
- 2026
- type
- M2 - Bachelor Degree
- subject
- keywords
- empatitrötthet, sekundär traumatisk stress, socialt arbete, HR-perspektiv, självbestämmande, Herzbergs tvåfaktorsteori, organisationsteori, empatiutmattning, arbetsbelastning, empati, hållbarhet
- language
- Swedish
- id
- 9219408
- date added to LUP
- 2026-01-19 17:02:34
- date last changed
- 2026-01-19 17:02:34
@misc{9219408,
abstract = {{This study aimed to explore how social workers experience compassion fatigue and identify organizational and individual factors that may reduce it. This study is based on a qualitative interview study with seven social workers at the same workplace in a small municipality in southern Sweden. The data was analyzed thematically and resulted in three themes: (1) How compassion fatigue is experienced, (2) Support in the organisation, and (3) Autonomy as a sustainability factor. In analysing our results, we used Bolman’s and Deal’s Human Resources Frame and Herzberg’s Two-factor theory. The findings indicate that compassion fatigue is experienced as feelings of hopelessness, burnout, and being emotionally detached, and that it could be a consequence of high workload and low amounts of recovery. To prevent this, the organization could follow the HR Frame and attend to the needs of the staff. Additionally, the organization could prevent compassion fatigue with transformative leadership, increased staffing, and eased workload to achieve Herzberg’s hygiene factors. Furthermore, Herzberg’s motivational factors could be reached by the organization by facilitating an environment for colleagues to support each other and provide mentorship for the staff. Also, if the organisation provides support from managers, this also adds to the motivational factors. These motivational factors also add to the sustainability of social work. Finally, this study also indicates that autonomy is a motivational factor that could lead to sustainability in the workplace. This study highlights the importance of addressing both hygiene and motivational factors at the organizational level to elevate social workers’ well-being and sustainability.}},
author = {{Zielinska, Julia and Bexell, Filippa}},
language = {{swe}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{När empatin tar slut - En kvalitativ studie om socialarbetares upplevelser av empatiutmattning}},
year = {{2026}},
}