Personal and professional power perceptions of social workers employed in non-governmental organizations

Non-governmental organizations are actors who are concerned with social problems and are becoming increasingly important in current societies. They are a regulatory tool in the participatory processes based on legal framework in the institutional arrangements of the society carried out by other than the state. They are also defined as organized structures that develop relationships with the society other than the state. Social service provides "aid and support" to the groups with special requirements in these social structures with service works. Social workers increase the life quality of the individuals by empowering them with the aid and support provided. Factors such as workload, organizational pressure or low income and wage problems of the social workers affect their personal and professional power perceptions. Therefore, it is important to present the power perceptions of the social workers trying to empower the people that they provide support to. The aim of this study is to present the personal and professional power perceptions of the social workers employed in non-governmental organizations. "Personal and Professional Power Perceptions of Social Workers" scale adapted by Kırlıoğlu and Karakuş (2019) was used. Surveys were sent to 107 social workers employed in non-governmental organizations by convenience sampling method. In conclusion, having previously worked in a non-governmental organization does not affect the personal and professional power perception.