Exploring the factors contributing to burnout among social workers at a selected state hospital during the Covid-19 pandemic in Oshana region, Namibia
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Date
2025
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University of Namibia
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges to healthcare and
social service providers worldwide, significantly impacting their physical and mental
well-being. In Namibia, social workers at a selected State Hospital in Oshana Region,
Namibia have faced increased workloads, resource shortages, and emotional stress, yet
limited research has focused on burnout within this key workforce. This qualitative,
interpretivist study explored the factors contributing to burnout among social workers
in the Oshana Region during the pandemic.
Employing a census sampling of all 15 social workers at a selected State Hospital in
Oshana Region, data were collected through face-to-face in-depth interviews and
analysed via thematic analysis. The study identified five core factors contributing to
burnout: workload and staffing challenges, emotional and psychological stressors, lack
of organizational support, inadequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and
resources; and constrained resilience processes shaped by personal, social, and
organizational factors.
The findings reveal that burnout adversely affects social workers’ mental health, job
motivation, and capacity to deliver quality support, leading to increased absenteeism,
staff turnover, and strained personal relationships. To address these issues, the study
proposes enhancing organizational support, implementing programs that strengthen
resilience processes through both individual and environmental resources, improving
resource allocation, adopting flexible work arrangements, establishing peer support
networks, and developing comprehensive policies aimed at burnout prevention. The
insights gained aim to inform policy and practice, fostering workforce resilience,
improving service quality, and safeguarding the well-being of social workers and the
communities they serve in Namibia
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Social Work
Keywords
Burnout, Covid-19, Social workers, Namibia, University of Namibia