Depression in North Carolina Social Workers: Implications for Practice and Research‪.‬

This article explores depression in social workers, examines the potential negative professional consequences--that is, impairment--and investigates the personal and occupational variables associated with depression. One thousand active NASW members were anonymously surveyed as a part of the study "Work and Well-Being: A Study of North Carolina Social Workers," which explored a variety of health, work, and personal variables. The study found that 19% of the sample scored above the threshold on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale measuring depressive symptoms, 16% had seriously considered suicide at some time in their lives, 20% were currently taking medication for depression, and 60% self-evaluated as depressed either currently or at some time in the past. Both occupational and personal variables were related to depressive symptoms. Key words: depression; impairment; social workers