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Description

This systematic literature review examines how race-related workplace stressors are associated with burnout among Black social workers and Black mental health professionals in the United States. The literature utilizes the umbrella term "racialized workplace stressors” to identify race-related workplace stressors. In this review, racialized workplace stressors are categorized as race-related workplace experiences such as racial discrimination, microaggressions, race-related stress, cultural racism, and race-based traumatic stress. The review focuses on peer-reviewed U.S.-based literature that explores the connection between these race-related stressors in connection to burnout for the target population ( Black social workers and other Black mental health professionals). Recurring themes in the final 20 chosen articles include racial trauma, emotional exhaustion, diminished belonging, cumulative racial strain, and the influence of leadership and organizational climate on workplace racial stress. According to the research, racialized workplace stressors are frequently linked to burnout and its byproducts, such as diminished organizational attachment, psychological distress, emotional exhaustion, and secondary traumatic stress. The findings suggest that racialize workplace stressors are commonly associated with burnout and burnout adjacent outcomes, including emotional exhaustion, secondary traumatic stress, psychological distress, and reduced organizational attachment. This review exposes the need for greater attention to workplace conditions, which may increase burnout risk for Black social workers and other Black mental health professionals. In addition to the need for ongoing research, policies, guardrails, and preventive interventions to reduce this risk.

Publication Date

4-30-2026

Keywords

Social worker, Burnout, racial stress, workplace racism

Race-Related Stress and Burnout in Black Social Workers and Black Mental Health Professionals: Systematic Literature Review

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