Stressing vulnerability: stress discourse in the public sector

Author:
MCLAUGHLIN Kenneth
Journal article citation:
Journal of Critical Psychology Counselling and Psychotherapy, 4(4), Winter 2004, pp.223-232.

States that stress in social work emphasises psychology over materiality, positioning professionals as vulnerable to service users. Discusses the social context of stress discourse, stress in social services, problematising stress, stress as metaphor, and mediating the stress discourse. Concludes that, rather than being seen as an 'illness', stress should be seen as a historical development carried in discourse and shaped by political, cultural and social factors. Social workers should take umbrage at their portrayal as weak and vulnerable, unable to cope without expert intervention or protection.

Subject terms:
social workers, stress;
Content type:
research
Link:
Journal home page
ISSN print:
1471-7646

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