Resilience of child protection social workers: a scoping review

Abstract

ABSTRACT Child protection social workers (CPSWs) are exposed to several workplace risks, often leaving them vulnerable for negative outcomes like burnout. Some CPSWs do well despite exposure to these risks, which could be described as resilience. This scoping review was guided by the framework of Arksey and O'Malley and the PRISMA checklist. Our findings, from analysing 13 articles on CPSWs resilience, are embedded in the socio-ecological model which reveals that the resilience of CPSWs in included studies was informed by intrapersonal resilience processes (e.g., agency, and having emotional intelligence) and interpersonal resilience processes (e.g., supportive relationships). It appears as if CPSWs mostly initiate and sustain resilience enhancing processes, although supportive ecologies also play a role. Most research on CPSW resilience between 1995 and 2020 was conducted in developed countries, with only three studies done in low-income countries. It is important to understand CPSWs' resilience in developed countries, but there is a lack of research on CPSW resilience in low-income countries, such as Nigeria for instance, where there are high rates of child abuse and a need for effective CPSW services. Continued explorations of CPSW resilience across the globe, is necessary to respect and give voice to individual experiences and diversity.