Impact of Altruism, Heroism, and Psychological Distress on Quality of Life Among Social Workers During COVID-19

The primary aim of the current study was to explore the impact of altruism, heroism, and psychological distress on the quality of life among social workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study comprised of a sample of 300 social workers belonging to different nongovernmental organizations and social worker centers. Data were collected through purposive sampling technique with cross-sectional research design during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results revealed that altruism and heroism were positively correlated with compassion satisfaction – a subscale of quality of life, whereas these variables were negatively correlated with burnout and secondary traumatic stress - subscales of quality of life. Additionally, the psychological distress was negatively correlated with compassion satisfaction and positively correlated with burnout and secondary traumatic stress. The results of hierarchical regression revealed that altruism and heroism were positive predictors of compassion satisfaction, whereas they were negative predictors of burnout and secondary traumatic stress. Psychological distress was a negative predictor of compassion satisfaction, whereas a positive predictor of burnout and secondary traumatic stress related to quality of life. The study has concluded and recommended that the appropriate measures should be taken to promote altruism and heroism while the psychological distress upon social workers should be mitigated to minimize their burnout and secondary traumatic stress, and to enhance their compassion satisfaction-quality of life during COVID-19 and/or similar stressful situations like pandemics, floods, earthquakes, droughts, etc. The study has implications for the social and rescue workers, their managers, counsellors, and governing bodies.