Residential childcare workers in child welfare and moral distress

Denise Michelle Brend

Children and Youth Services Review, 2020, vol. 119, issue C

Abstract: Residential childcare workers in child welfare (RCWs) can suffer negative impacts as a result of exposure to distressing experiences at work, such as violence and details of child abuse. These impacts undermine the well-being of RCWs and the children in their care. One dimension of the suffering RCWs can experience is psychological distress. An exploratory theoretical thematic analysis of the narratives of RCWs was performed to further understanding about the nature of the psychological distress reported by RCWs. This secondary analysis of ten semi-structured interviews identified a novel source of psychological distress unrelated to potentially traumatic experiences. This source of distress, described thematically as a “barriers to care,” was related to the nature of RCW work. This study introduces moral distress as a relevant concept towards explaining this theme and expanding understanding about the impacts of residential childcare work on RCWs. The implementation of system-wide trauma-informed care is proposed as preventive strategy and response to moral distress. Further research using validated measures to capture the impacts of implementing trauma-informed care on RCW psychological distress generally, and moral distress more specifically, is indicated.

Keywords: Moral distress; Residential child welfare; Residential childcare worker; Trauma; Psychological distress (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:119:y:2020:i:c:s0190740920320442

DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105621

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