Abstract
The purpose of this research project was to compare stress among professionals in a mental health care setting. This research question sought to answer the following question: Do mental health care social workers experience higher levels of stress in comparison to other mental health care professionals? Empirical research suggests that mental health social workers experience higher levels of stress, than comparable occupational groups therefore this research project explores stress among mental health care social workers in comparison to other mental health care professionals (Lolyd, King, Chenoweth, 2002). In order to compare stress levels among professionals a stress survey was distributed to professionals in a mental health care setting which included; Social Workers, Nurses, Physicians, Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Doctor, Chaplin, Speech Therapist, Occupational Therapist, and Physical Therapist. In order to measure and compare stress among professionals a Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) was distributed (Cohen, Devert, 2012). The results of this survey reported that there is a significant difference between the stress levels of individuals who responded to the survey. According to the results of this survey mental health care social workers experience less stress in comparison to other mental health care professionals, therefore this study rejected this researcher’s hypothesis. While the findings did reject the suggested hypothesis research does indicate that social workers do still experience high levels of stress, which makes this research project important to the field of clinical social work. This research is important to the field of clinical social work because of the implications for future education. In order to deviate from stress in the social work field, self-care is a technique that should be taught in social work programs. In addition, social work programs should integrate mindfulness practice into curriculums, because this practice proves to be an effective technique that alleviates stress.