Transformation and personality development: the outcomes of client’s violence in the professional relationship of social workers

Violent behaviors in professional relationships of social workers have become a growing concern for the international society. The outcomes of violence are effective in the professional relationships. The purpose of this study was to better cognition the consequences of violence in the professional relationships of Iranian social workers for improve their performance and coping skills.

The study was carried out through qualitative content analysis and carrying out 20 semi-structured interviews with 17 social workers. The participants were selected through purposeful method and data gathering was stopped after data saturation.

Two main categories including “distress” and “development opportunity” and four subcategories including “distress and social worker’s reactions,” “distress and client’s reactions,” “personality development,” and “reinforcement of professionalism” were identified.

The cognition of violence consequences can improve professional performance and learn coping skills in professional communications of social work. The Paying special attention to the distress and violence results and making appropriate decisions using scientific and practical trainings in workplaces and educational settings can help social workers in preventing and reducing violence. Although social work experiences are not enough, it is suggested to look at this from a macro-social and organizational perspective and plan both at the micro and macro levels to reduce violence.