The role of assertiveness in clarifying roles and strengthening job satisfaction of social workers in multidisciplinary mental health settings

Summary: Eighty-seven social workers, working in nine different mental health settings, were administered four questionnaires tapping the following variables: assertiveness in daily life; assertiveness in the job setting; role clarity; and job satisfaction. Stepwise regression analysis showed assertiveness in the job setting to be strongly correlated with role clarity. Assertiveness in daily life was also significantly correlated with role clarity. Assertiveness in the work setting was significantly correlated with job satisfaction, although it was riot as powerful a predictor of satisfaction as of role clarity. Number of years of job experience was the most powerful predictor of job satisfaction.The implications for social work training and supervision are described in light of the importance of assertive communication in maintaining job clarity and job satisfaction within multidisciplinary settings.