"Vi förväntas tåla ganska mycket" En kvalitativ studie om socialsekreterares upplevelser och hot och våld i arbetet.

Sammanfattning

Threats and violence directed towards social workers have been recognised as a growing occupational issue within social work, both nationally and internationally. Previous research shows that social workers frequently encounter threatening situations in connection with the exercise of public authority and client interactions, which may affect both their work environment and professional practice. This study aims to explore how social workers experience and manage threats and violence in their work, as well as how these experiences may affect their professional practice. The study is based on a qualitative approach and conducted through semi-structured interviews with six social workers within municipal social services. The empirical material is analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. The findings showed that threats and violence were described as recurring aspects of the participants' work and included verbal threats, aggressive behaviour, and diffuse forms of insecurity. The experiences affected participants emotionally and professionally through increased vigilance, emotional regulation, and altered working practices. Different strategies for handling threatening situations were identified, with collegial support, organisational routines, and individual coping strategies highlighted as important.