Effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions on the well-being of social work practitioners in social services: a systematic review

This article presents a systematic review evaluating the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) on the well-being of social workers, a group particularly vulnerable to high levels of stress, anxiety, burnout and empathy fatigue. Through a search of academic databases, seven studies were selected that examine the effects of MBM on social workers in the social services field. The results show that IBMs are effective in reducing stress and burnout, and improving self-compassion and compassion satisfaction, critical variables for emotional well-being and quality of professional practice. However, limitations were identified in the reviewed studies, such as the lack of robust control groups, small sample sizes and the absence of long-term follow-up. Although the findings are promising, further research with rigorous designs recommended to confirm the benefits of CBIs in this context. IBMs offer significant potential for promoting well-being and improving professional ethics in social work, opening up new lines of intervention in this field.