Conflicts in organizations of social service providers

Abstract

The article explores the issue of the emergence and development of conflicts in social service provider organizations. The main scientific approaches to understanding the concept and nature of conflicts are outlined, with a focus on three key psychological approaches: the psychodynamic approach, the situational approach, and the "principled negotiations" method. It is revealed that conflicts are an integral part of social life and can serve not only a destructive but also a constructive function. The signals of conflict emergence are analyzed. The article also identifies the factors influencing the occurrence of conflicts within social service provider environments, both external (political situation, economic crisis) and internal (inadequate management, violation of labor standards). The relationship between conflicts and the balance of interests in social service provider organizations is established. The concept of a conflict-prone personality among social service recipients, who often face difficult life circumstances, is formulated. It is analyzed how the negative emotional background and accumulated stress in such individuals contribute to the development of conflict behavior, which in turn complicates interactions with social service workers. The types of conflicts that may arise in these organizations, particularly interpersonal, intergroup, and "person-group" conflicts, are highlighted. It is established that social tension, one of the main signals of conflicts, forms due to the recognition of violations of the principle of social justice. The role of mediators in resolving conflicts, who are intended to prevent their escalation, is examined.