Staying motivated by anchoring on values: a mixed methods study on the workplace well-being and addiction beliefs of substance use professionals in Singapore
Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCUAbstract
Purpose: Professionals providing substance use treatment services often report poor workplace well-being. Moreover, professionals’ beliefs about addiction may influence their view of clients, treatment delivery and their wellbeing at work. Most research has been undertaken in Western countries, hence this study investigated workplace well-being and addiction beliefs of substance use (SU) professionals in Singapore. Methods: A mixed-methods design was employed. Fifteen participants completed questionnaires related to their well-being at work and addiction beliefs, before participating in a semi-structured interview. Results: Descriptive analyses revealed that most participants experienced a moderate level of satisfaction with their work and moderate burnout. Reflexive thematic analysis generated four themes: (1) deriving and maintaining meaningfulness; (2) clarity of role and support for effective performance; (3) holding a multidimensional and nuanced view of addiction promotes satisfaction and motivation; and (4) navigating systemic challenges. Workplace well-being was negatively impacted by perceptions of organisational and systemic challenges. Conclusions: SU professionals derived satisfaction and stayed motivated by crafting their work to re-align with their personal values and beliefs, finding role-clarity, adopting a multidimensional and flexible model of addiction and having external support. Implications highlight the role that organisational training, supervision and career development can play in supporting SU professionals.
Journal
Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy
Publication Name
Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy
Volume
20
ISBN/ISSN
1747-597X
Edition
N/A
Issue
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Pages Count
15
Location
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Publisher
BioMed Central
Publisher Url
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Publisher Location
N/A
Publish Date
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Url
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Date
N/A
EISSN
N/A
DOI
10.1186/s13011-025-00691-5