Burnout Among Forensic Interviewers, How They Cope, and What Agencies Can Do to Help

Fansher, Ashley K.; Zedaker, Sara; Brady, Patrick Q.

doi:10.1177/1077559519843596

Cited by 21 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…Exhaustion is the physical or cognitive strain resulting from prolonged exposure to stress at work, whereas disengagement is distancing oneself from work (Demerouti et al, 2010). Specifically, burnout is likely problematic due to heavy caseloads, often resulting in the need to conduct several interviews in a single day (Fansher et al, 2019). Compoundingly, interviewers may experience a lack of job support from administrators that do not understand the need for continued professional training and mental health services (Fansher et al, 2019).…”

Section: Burnoutmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Specifically, burnout is likely problematic due to heavy caseloads, often resulting in the need to conduct several interviews in a single day (Fansher et al, 2019). Compoundingly, interviewers may experience a lack of job support from administrators that do not understand the need for continued professional training and mental health services (Fansher et al, 2019). This may create feelings of exhaustion and disengagement commonly associated with burnout (Fansher et al, 2019).…”

Section: Burnoutmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Compoundingly, interviewers may experience a lack of job support from administrators that do not understand the need for continued professional training and mental health services (Fansher et al, 2019). This may create feelings of exhaustion and disengagement commonly associated with burnout (Fansher et al, 2019). Unfortunately, burnout across these two dimensions is linked to depression, anxiety (Siebert, 2004) and even physical complaints (Kim, Ji, & Kao, 2011).…”

Section: Burnoutmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although a limited body of research, previous scholars find that forensic interviewers experience an increased risk of secondary trauma (ST) and burnout related to their repeated exposure to cases of child maltreatment (Bonach & Heckert, 2012; Brady et al, 2019; Fansher et al, 2019; McDonald et al, 2017; Perron & Hiltz, 2006). The current study expands on this by directly examining the influence of job support, funding constraints, agency caseloads and the number of conducted forensic interviews on burnout and ST among forensic interviewers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Additionally, the present study adds to the body of literature by using validated and reliable measures of burnout and ST (Bride, Robinson, Yegidis, & Figley, 2004; Demerouti, Mostert, & Bakker, 2010). The use of validated measures is an improvement over previous research, which has primarily utilized the Professional Quality of Life Scale (Brady et al, 2019; Fansher et al, 2019; Letson et al, 2019). As reported in a meta‐analysis, the Professional Quality of Life Scale is problematic due to the lack of emphasis on exhaustion symptoms, which are common among forensic interviewers (Cieslak et al, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Burnout and secondary trauma among forensic interviewers

Starcher

Stolzenberg

2020

Child & Family Social Work

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Child Advocacy Centers provide a child-friendly environment for the forensic interview and subsequent investigation of child victimization cases. However, very little research has examined the effects of burnout, secondary trauma and organizational stressors on forensic interviewers. The present study examined the following research questions. To what extent do forensic interviewers experience burnout and secondary trauma associated with their profession? How do organizational stressors increase these outcomes among interviewers? Data were collected by conducting an online survey of interviewers working at Child Advocacy Centers across the United States. Results indicate burnout and secondary trauma among interviewers in this sample. Decreased job support, increased funding constraints and heavy agency caseloads all result in burnout and secondary trauma. Policy recommendations include continued training and mental health services for interviewers. Future researchers should conduct qualitative interviews and examine how other factors, such as forensic interviewing protocols, influence interviewers' job experience and mental health. K E Y W O R D S burnout, child abuse, forensic interviewers, mental health, secondary trauma 1 | INTRODUCTION Every year, approximately 311,000 children undergo forensic interviews at Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) across the United States (National Children's Alliance, 2014). The forensic interview is an unbiased, structured interview to uncover potential abuse, as part of a criminal investigation. During the forensic interview, the child often reveals a deeply held secret that she/he has been physically, sexually or emotionally abused. Although the forensic interviewing process is designed to avoid revictimization, only a small body of research has examined the effect of these interviews on forensic

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Section: Burnoutmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Burnoutmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Burnoutmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Burnout and secondary trauma among forensic interviewers

Starcher

Stolzenberg

2020

Child & Family Social Work

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Impact of Traumatic Material on Professionals in Analytical and Secondary Investigative Roles Working in Criminal Justice Settings: a Qualitative Approach

Duran

Woodhams

2022

J Police Crim Psych

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Professionals in analytical and secondary investigative roles are exposed to violent material on a daily basis with full immersion in the details of serious offenses. However, there is limited evidence of the impact of this on their mental health. Therefore, this research aims to explore the impact of traumatic material on the mental health of these professionals in police and law enforcement and the strategies they employ to cope with the nature of their work. Forty semi-structured interviews were conducted with these professionals from UK, Canada, and Europe. Five key themes were identified: “Analyzing material,” “Negative Influences,” “Coping Strategies,” “Additional Risk Factors,” and “Protective Factors.” From the findings, it is evident that these professionals are at significant risk of developing secondary traumatic stress, burnout, and sleep problems. The constant exposure to this material negatively influenced their feelings about their home and social lives. The implications of these findings and avenues for providing a supportive working environment are discussed.

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Evaluating the Facilitating Attuned Interactions (FAN) approach: Vicarious Trauma, professional Burnout, and reflective practice

Hazen

Carlson

Hatton-Bowers

et al. 2020

Children and Youth Services Review

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Background: This evaluation examined the use of the Facilitated Attuned Interaction (FAN) approach to reflective practice among child welfare and early childhood professionals working with vulnerable children and families. Objective: The aims of the current evaluation were to test (a) the role of vicarious trauma in predicting professional burnout, (b) the effect of reflective practice quality in decreasing professional burnout, and (c) the ability of reflective practice quality to lessen the relationship between vicarious trauma and professional burnout. Participants and Setting: The sample included sixty-three professionals across diverse professions including child welfare social workers, early childhood educators, and child welfare attorneys. Methods: Child welfare and early childhood professionals participating in reflective practice with consultants trained in the FAN approach to reflective practice completed surveys measuring their vicarious trauma, burnout, and the quality of reflective practice pre-intervention as well as nine months post-intervention. Results: Results indicated that pre-intervention vicarious trauma directly and significantly increased child welfare and early childhood professionals' post-intervention reports of professional burnout, β = 0.42, [95% CI: 0.08, 0.76]. Post-intervention reflective practice quality did not directly nor significantly reduce professionals' post-intervention reports of professional burnout, β = −0.06, [95% CI: −0.46, 0.36]; however, the relationship between pre-intervention vicarious trauma and post-intervention burnout was significantly diminished by positive perceptions of reflective practice quality, β = −0.36, [95% CI: −0.69, −0.02]. Conclusion: Vicarious trauma was associated with increased rates of professional burnout among child welf essionals. The current evaluation indicates the potential benefit of receiving high quality reflective practice with the FAN approach.

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Burnout Among Forensic Interviewers, How They Cope, and What Agencies Can Do to Help

Cited by 21 publications

References 43 publications

Burnout and secondary trauma among forensic interviewers

Burnout and secondary trauma among forensic interviewers

Impact of Traumatic Material on Professionals in Analytical and Secondary Investigative Roles Working in Criminal Justice Settings: a Qualitative Approach

Evaluating the Facilitating Attuned Interactions (FAN) approach: Vicarious Trauma, professional Burnout, and reflective practice

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