What Influences Social Workers' Attitudes Toward Working With Clients With Severe Mental Illness?

A national random survey of 2,000 National Association of Social Workers (NASW) members in post-master's degree practice in mental health was conducted to investigate their experiences and attitudes about working with individuals with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI). Through a series of structural equation models we examined the influence of different frustrations reported by the respondents on their attitudes toward working with individuals with SPMI. Results suggest social worker attitudes toward working with individuals with SPMI are primarily influenced by their frustrations related to client behaviors and treatment issues rather than frustrations with system-related issues. Implications for social work practice include burnout and challenges to staff retention. Other implications and directions for future research are discussed.