This review examined risk and protective factors associated with the consequences of emotional work in social work. Empirical journal articles published in English or Spanish between 2015 and 2024 were searched in Web of Science, Scopus, and SciELO. Studies had to explicitly address both social work and emotional work/labour. No formal risk-of-bias appraisal was conducted. Fourteen studies were included. Most were qualitative and focused on child welfare and other intervention areas. The main protective factors were peer support and professional supervision, while the main risk factors were the lack of organizational support and work overload. Reported consequences included emotional exhaustion, burnout, and identity conflict. Emotional work is central to social work, but its effects are shaped by organizational conditions. The absence of Latin American studies limits regional understanding. The review was registered in OSF: 10.17605/OSF.IO/RPAV5.