Burnout and secondary traumatic stress in child protection workers: Untangling the role of personal and work-related factors using meta-analysis.
Jesse Roest, Maria Louison Vang, Geert Jan Stams et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined personal and work-related factors associated with burnout and secondary traumatic stress (STS) among child protection workers. It included 84 studies, representing 72 independent samples and 592 effect sizes. Both outcomes were associated with factors including coping style, support, workload, and organizational conditions. Resilience, self-care, network support, supervisor and organizational support, positive organizational climate, team collaboration, and compassion satisfaction were negatively associated with burnout and STS; quantitative workload, role stress, and work-family conflict were positively associated. Most included studies were cross-sectional, so the findings identify correlates rather than establish causes.
Key findings
- Across 84 studies (72 independent samples), the meta-analysis synthesized 592 effect sizes on burnout and STS in child protection workers.
- Resilience, self-care, network support, supervisor and organizational support, organizational climate, team collaboration, and compassion satisfaction were negatively associated with both outcomes.
- Quantitative workload, role stress, work-family conflict, and emotion-focused and avoidance coping were positively associated with burnout and STS.
- Trauma history, workplace trauma exposure, and coworker support showed stronger associations with STS, while autonomy and financial reward were more strongly related to burnout.
Why it matters
The findings map personal and workplace correlates of two forms of work-related distress in a workforce responsible for vulnerable children. They highlight that associations extend beyond individual coping to organizational support, workload, and team conditions. This broader picture can inform questions for workforce wellbeing and service planning, while the evidence does not establish that changing any one factor will prevent burnout or STS.
What to keep in mind
Most included studies were cross-sectional, so the reported correlates cannot be established as causes or confirmed risk and protective factors in the development of burnout and STS.