Abstract:
The study discussed the phenomenon of burnout among case workers employed in
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) centers, social welfare-oriented
non-government organizations (NGOs) and Social Welfare offices of local government units.
The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a relationship between the level of
burnout experienced by case workers and their quality of life. Mixed methods of quantitative
and qualitative techniques, following the sequential-explanatory design, were applied in the
study. Survey questionnaires were administered to 105 participants and interviews were
conducted to 5 participants using purposive sampling. Measures of statistical tests showed
that the level of burnout and quality of life of case workers have a negative low significant
relationship. However, the support system and coping mechanisms of case workers help them
from further experiencing burnout. Hence, they still view their quality of life as good.
Given the results of the study, it is clear that case workers are vulnerable to burnout
and burnout can affect their quality of life. The findings show the importance of intervention
strategies in order for the case workers to cope with burnout and be able to perform their
tasks much better. By conducting this study, it could raise awareness on the phenomenon of
burnout that exists among Filipino case workers especially that case workers are often
overlooked. Case workers deserve to be provided care and support as well because their
profession is not easy as what most people think it is.
