Att möta depression i det professionella arbetet som kurator : En kvalitativ studie om kuratorers attityder, erfarenheter och bemötande

Sammanfattning

Counselors play a key role in encounters with individuals battling depression, where professional attitudes may influence both the approach and the interventions provided. Depression is one of the most common forms of mental illness and constitutes a significant challenge within social work. The aim of this study is to explore how counsellors describe these attitudes. The thesis is based on a qualitative study and on semi-structured interviews with practising counselors. The collected material was analysed by using a thematic analysis. The results show that counselors' attitudes are characterised by empathy and understanding, as well as a need for professional distance. Experience, workload and emotional fatigue emerge as factors that may influence professional practice and risk resting distance in patients encounters. The study highlights the connection between attitudes and treatment that contributes to increased quality in work with people who have depression.