Abstract
This study examines secondary traumatic stress (STS), burnout and compassion satisfaction (CS) in Flemish foster care workers (FCW) during the COVID-19 lockdown. Even though child welfare workers are at increased risk for STS and burnout, these constructs have not been studied in FCW so far. Additionally, the COVID-19 measures severely impacted Flemish FCW’s work, personal and client environment, possibly stimulating the onset of STS and burnout and weakening CS. Moreover, this study aims to identify the work, client and personal factors determining high levels of STS and burnout and low levels of CS among FCW during the lockdown. STS, burnout and CS levels from 434 Flemish FCW were inquired with the Professional Quality of Life Scale. Low mean levels of STS and moderate mean levels of burnout and CS were reported during the lockdown. FCW who experienced a negative impact of COVID-19 measures on their work, had a high amount of worrisome placements due to birth parents in their caseload and low emotional stability are an at-risk group for both STS and burnout during the lockdown. CS was strongly determined by the impact of the COVID-19 measures on work and personality traits. Emotional stability determined the three outcome variables, making this a key characteristics for FCW during the lockdown. Consequently, during adverse circumstances, foster care agencies should pay extra attention and offer additional support to those FCW they estimate emotionally less stable and who struggle with the birth parents in their caseload.
Highlights
The COVID-19 pandemic pushed governments all over the world to implement drastic measures impacting us on an individual, organizational and societal level (WHO, 2020)
A slight majority of the foster care workers (FCW) (56.3%) disposed of an enclosed space to work from home and were somewhat disturbed by their children while working (M 1⁄4 3.10, min 1 and max 5). With regard to their clients, 97.6% of the FCW reported to be more worried about either the foster children, foster carers or birth parents they supervise since the lockdown started
FCW have been working for 11 years on average in child welfare work
Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic pushed governments all over the world to implement drastic measures impacting us on an individual, organizational and societal level (WHO, 2020). Flemish foster care agencies had to reorganize drastically to comply with the measures taken. Prohibiting house visits forced foster care workers (FCW) to find alternative ways to provide optimal care to their clients (Agentschap Opgroeien, 2020). Child welfare workers are already at increased risk for developing burnout and secondary traumatic stress (STS) (Dagan et al, 2016; Rienks, 2020). The restrictive measures impacted the work, client and personal environment of Flemish FCW, which could negatively affect their professional quality of life (ProQoL) and increase their vulnerability to burnout and STS (Stamm, 2010). This study assessed the ProQoL of Flemish FCW 6 weeks into the COVID-19 lockdown
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