Exploring the self-care practices of child welfare workers: A research brief

Child welfare workers and peritraumatic distress: The impact of COVID-19

“…Several entities (e.g., Centers for Disease Control, 2020; National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 2020) have discussed the importance of self-care during the pandemic. This importance has also been discussed in previous research works associated with child welfare workers (e.g., Miller et al, 2018 ). Typical steps in this regard include establishing robust self-care plans, delineating implementation strategies for said plans, and evaluating progress ( Grise-Owens, Miller, & Eaves, 2016 ).…”

“…As well, it is possible, that COVID-19 distress may impact practice decisions. Miller et al, 2018 , Griffiths et al, 2017 suggested that wellness factors, or lack thereof, can negatively impact child welfare workers’ abilities to adroitly manage caseloads. That in mind, the level of distress among participants in the current study, specifically, and in the larger child welfare workforce, more broadly, certainly warrants more critical examination and response.…”

Brazilian Child Protection Professionals’ Resilient Behavior during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Even fewer studies have considered these predictors within a developing economy, such as Brazil’s. Researchers, however, have consistently noted the need for a greater understanding of the role that working environments and professionals’ beliefs have on the utilization of resilient behaviors ( McFadden et al, 2019 ; Miller et al, 2018 ). Here, we attempt to address this gap in the literature.…”

“…Indeed, even in the face of increased stressors, CPPs reported that they were still engaging in resilient behaviors. Similar to studies prior to the pandemic ( Miller et al, 2018 ), CPPs engaged in moderate levels of self-care or resilient behaviors. Professionals whose workplace supported resilient practices were more likely to engage in these behaviors, across all three domains of resilience studied here (i.e., individual, family, and career).…”

“…As the frontline response to child abuse and neglect, CPPs fairly consistently report highly stressful working conditions and frequently report feelings of burnout ( Griffiths & Royse, 2017 ; McFadden, Mallett, Campbell, & Taylor, 2019 ; Miller, Donohue-Dioh, Niu, & Shalash, 2018 ). CPPs, under the best of conditions, navigate the challenges of empathetically responding to abuse allegations and familial distress, as well as supporting individuals facing poverty and vulnerability.…”