Resilient social workers' perspective on their professional work during the COVID-19 pandemic. An interpretative phenomenological analysis

This study aimed to an in-depth understanding and meaning making of the resilience processes of resilient social workers providing services during the COVID-19 pandemic, over a period of two years from the outbreak. A sample of 23 resilient social workers covering a range of different social services organisations in Romania participated in three focus groups. The method of interpretative phenomenological analysis has led to a matrix of four themes: resilience process, resilience factors, the meaning of the pandemic, the focus group experience. Findings showed that resilience processes evolved over three phases interpreted through the lenses of Bridges transitions model: firstly (March 2020-May 2020) 'shock and chaos', secondly (June 2020-February 2021) 'identifying order in chaos'; thirdly, (March 2021-March 2022) 'integration and growth'. Findings indicate that individual resilience factors and team factors prevailed over organisational factors, even though supportive leadership and organisational support acted as resilience enhancers. Within a socio-ecological approach, a focus on individual resilience factors and relationships must not distract from the contribution that structural and social policy changes may have on resilience processes. Lessons learned - can contribute to the development of a resilience-informed approach to social work education and practice at both national and European level. Acest studiu a avut ca scop o & icirc;ntelegere & icirc;n profunzime a semnificatiei proceselor de rezilient & abreve; ale unui grup de asistenti sociali rezilienti care a furnizat servicii & icirc;ntr-un context de schimbare global & abreve;, pe o perioad & abreve; de doi ani de la izbucnirea pandemiei COVID-19. A fost selectat un esantion de 23 de asistenti sociali rezilienti care provin din servicii sociale variate din Rom & acirc;nia. Datele au fost culese prin 3 focus-grupuri. Metoda analizei interpretativ fenomenologice a condus la o matrice de patru teme: procesul de rezilient & abreve;, factorii de rezilient & abreve;, semnificatia pandemiei pentru asistentii sociali rezilienti si experienta grupului de discutie. Rezultatele arat & abreve; c & abreve; procesele de rezilient & abreve; au evoluat de-a lungul a trei faze, fiind interpretate prin prisma modelului de tranzitie Bridges: prima faz & abreve; (martie 2020-mai 2020) "soc si haos" (sf & acirc;rsitul), a doua faz & abreve; (iunie 2020-februarie 2021) "identificarea ordinii & icirc;n haos" (zona neutr & abreve;); & icirc;n al treilea r & acirc;nd, (martie 2021-martie 2022) "integrare si crestere" (noul & icirc;nceput). Rezultatele indic & abreve; faptul c & abreve; factorii individuali de rezilient & abreve; si factorii de echip & abreve; au prevalat & icirc;n fata factorilor organizationali. Lectiile & icirc;nv & abreve;tate de la asistentii sociali rezilienti pot contribui la dezvoltarea unei abord & abreve;ri a educatiei si practicii asistentei sociale centrate pe rezilient & abreve;, at & acirc;t la nivel national, c & acirc;t si european.Trial registration: Netherlands National Trial Register identifier: ntr-.