An exploration of child welfare caseworkers' experience of secondary trauma and strategies for coping

The use of coping strategies can protect against the detrimental effects of many work-related stressors. Given the stressful nature of casework with traumatized children and families, there is a need to better understand how to prevent the experience of secondary trauma.

The goal of this study is to examine child welfare caseworkers' experience of secondary traumatic stress (STS) and the extent to which coping strategies act as a buffer.

This study utilizes both cross-sectional (N = 1968 at baseline) and longitudinal (N = 653 at 3-year follow-up) data from child welfare caseworkers in three states.

Participants were recruited as part of a larger workforce study and invited to complete an online survey.

Results indicated relatively high levels of secondary trauma, with 29.6 % of caseworkers scoring in the "severe" range. Caseworkers' experience of STS was positively associated with burnout and negatively associated with organizational support and coping. Those who utilized coping strategies reported fewer symptoms of secondary traumatic stress both concurrently and three years later. Of the 15 coping strategies explored, the more proficient copers were most likely to have a clear self-care plan, participate in activities or hobbies, and have a work-to-home transition plan.

Study results point to the importance of developing a self-care plan and having organizational supports that help protect child welfare caseworkers from the negative effects of secondary trauma exposure, both concurrently and over time.