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Residential childcare workers in child welfare and moral distress

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  • Brend, Denise Michelle

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Brend, Denise Michelle, 2020. "Residential childcare workers in child welfare and moral distress," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:119:y:2020:i:c:s0190740920320442
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105621
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. McElvaney, Rosaleen & Tatlow-Golden, Mimi, 2016. "A traumatised and traumatising system: Professionals' experiences in meeting the mental health needs of young people in the care and youth justice systems in Ireland," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 62-69.
    2. Hébert, Sophie T. & Lanctôt, Nadine & Turcotte, Mathilde, 2016. "“I didn't want to be moved there”: Young women remembering their perceived sense of Agency in the Context of placement instability," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 229-237.
    3. Sophie Isobel & Melinda Goodyear & Trentham Furness & Kim Foster, 2019. "Preventing intergenerational trauma transmission: A critical interpretive synthesis," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(7-8), pages 1100-1113, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kor, Kenny & Fernandez, Elizabeth & Spangaro, Jo, 2021. "Practitioners’ experience of implementing therapeutic residential care: A multi-perspective study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).

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