Dina Schupack

"The research I assisted Dr. Miller-Cribbs with presenting at the conference was based on a survey of social workers across Oklahoma. Dr. Shane Brady and Taylor Henson also contributed to the project. We asked social workers across the state about their demographic information, educational background, student debt, income, where they work and what clients they work with, and their perceptions of workforce challenges and what might fix them. We also measured burnout using a validated measure, the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory. We had a lot of results to report on, but some common themes began to emerge. One was the impact of education and income on burnout, with BSW-only social workers showing higher levels of burnout, less satisfaction with social work as a career, lower incomes, and more unpaid debt. Social workers in rural areas reported higher levels of burnout compared to those in mid-sized or urban communities; they also report working with clients experiencing more challenges and barriers. Satisfaction with social work as a career choice was higher for those who anticipate staying in the profession for five or more years, and they report less burnout. Other findings may emerge as we continue data analysis, but we hope to use this data as a starting point to advocate for resources to increase and support the social work workforce throughout Oklahoma.

I enjoyed attending break-out sessions at APM. In one session, I learned about alternative structures in child welfare in other states, hearing from other participants about innovations and challenges in their areas. In another, presenters discussed results from a study of mental health among law enforcement personnel in Florida and discussed the stigma around mental health treatment. Another study relied on photovoice methods and examined perspectives on “wellbeing” among student veterans in Texas. This method is fascinating to learn about and participants contributed interesting insights. I also enjoyed participating in an interactive session with Dr. Noyori-Corbett and her co-presenters about breaking the “bamboo ceiling” in higher education and the profession."