The aim of this study is to examine factors that affect social workers’ health and well-being in their working life. The study is an integrative literature review based on 17 peer-reviewed scientific articles published between 2015 and 2025. The material was thematically analyzed in relation to three research questions: risk factors for ill health, protective factors for health, and preventive measures for social workers.The results, analyzed using the JD-R theory, show that high workloads, role conflicts, and lack of social support from colleagues and managers are common causes of stress and burnout among social workers. At the same time, leadership support, collegial cohesion, and opportunities for self-care strategies, such as personal habits and organizational support, emerge as important protective factors. Several studies emphasize the importance of organizational efforts such as supervision and team development as preventive measures for promoting health, increase job satisfaction and reduce staff turnover. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of how the balance between job demands and resources influences social workers’ health and engagement. The findings provide guidance on which organizational measures should be prioritized to create a sustainable work environment for social workers, and highlight the need for further research on effective preventive strategies.