Abstract
ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant challenges and transformative changes to support services, such as Domestic Violence (DV). Concerns about the psychological well-being of professionals assisting DV victims seem to have been exacerbated by the pandemic period. These professionals have faced additional stressors, including overlapping responsibilities, blurred boundaries between their professional and personal lives, and the need to adapt intervention methods. This probably leads to an increased vulnerability to negative psychological outcomes. The present study’s aim is to explore DV professionals’ understandings about how the pandemic impacted their mental health and self-care practices, in order to present guidelines for future emergency periods. Twenty-four interviews were completed and analyzed through thematic analysis. DV professionals revealed that they have experienced higher levels of depression, anxiety, stress, and fatigue during the pandemic. Additionally, participants pointed out the dual challenge of addressing preexisting DV crises while coping with the pandemic’s impact on their personal lives. However, some professionals reported positive outcomes, including enriched family time and self-care, emphasizing the significance of family support, and maintaining self-care routines. Nevertheless, half of the professionals admitted to neglecting adequate self-care strategies. Results emphasize the importance of promoting mental health through a comprehensive set of guidelines for self-care, addressing both personal and organizational levels of support for DV professionals.
Published Version
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