Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This study aimed to understand the plight of social welfare workers, including the challenges they faced in delivering services amidst the pandemic. The research questions focused on the experiences of social welfare workers as they provided social services, how they coped with challenging situations while performing their roles, and what insights they could share from those experiences. This research utilized a phenomenological design, with data gathered through in-depth interviews using a semi-structured interview guide. Twelve (12) participants were selected to take part in the study. The themes were classified according to the study's objectives. The first objective focused on the experiences of social welfare workers in delivering services during the COVID-19 pandemic, with identified themes including Community Collaboration and Partnerships, Resource Limitations and Optimization of Alternatives, Increased Workload and Stress, and Fear of Infection. The second objective addressed the coping mechanisms of social workers in overcoming challenges, with themes such as Self-Care Practices, Flexibility and Adaptability, Emotional Resilience, and Team Support and Collaboration. Finally, insights drawn from their experiences include Resilience and Adaptability, Digital Transformation of Transactions, and Vulnerability and Equality. The study’s findings suggest that, despite recognizing systemic and technical issues that affected workers' well-being, welfare, and performance, the social welfare workforce was generally happy and fulfilled.
Authors: Ronald Ryan Cui, Helen Querubin
Institution: University of Mindanao
Language: English
Subfield: Public Administration
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4409394698