Workplace role conflict toward social workers: Evidence from China

Role conflict within the workplace is a persistent problem in social work practice, especially in China, where its unique practice environment contributes to the severity of the problem. However, few studies have discussed this issue in China. To address this gap, this study explored the experiences and coping strategies of Chinese social workers (CSWs) through semi-structured interviews (N = 28). Findings suggest that CSWs who interact with agencies (government and social work) experience not only some role-concept conflicts but also some role-behavior conflicts. Specifically, four manifestations of role conflict are identified: (1) Concept conflict between efficiency-driven and fairness-driven, (2) behavior conflict between doing professional services and doing administrative work, (3) concept conflict between vulnerable group service-oriented and bureaucratic elite service-oriented, and (4) behavior conflict between doing public welfare and doing business. These conflicts may risk social workers deviating from their professional mission and values. Regarding coping strategies, CSWs tended to adopt more positive coping strategies (i.e. self-exploration and support seeking) in the face of role conflict compared with negative strategies (i.e. retreat and yielding), while some CSWs also employed adjustment strategies, transforming negative coping into positive ones. Implications for policy improvement and social work practice are discussed. Social workers globally share a common mission: to aid those in need and promote social justice. However, workplace role conflict may impede the realization of this professional mission. This study explores the complex experiences and coping strategies of Chinese social workers' (CSWs) role conflicts in interactions with agencies (government and social work), a distinct realm of conflict compared to prior research focusing primarily on client-worker interactions. Findings reveal that within the unique context of Chinese social work practice, CSWs experience both role-concept and role-behavior conflicts, as evidenced by four specific manifestations identified in this study. Moreover, the research unveils five coping strategies (i.e. retreat, yielding, adjustment, self-exploration, and support seeking) that CSWs employ, filling a gap in existing research that primarily focuses on macro and meso-level coping mechanisms. These findings contribute valuable insights for improving social worker work environments and informing social work practice.