Stress Management Among DCF Workers
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Tajira Harmon
College:
The College of Health Professions and Human Services
Major:
Forensic Psychology
Faculty Research Advisor(s):
Christine Doyle
Abstract:
The stressful nature of the work completed by child welfare workers continuously challenges them regardless of experience. Stress caused by the work has been linked to mental and physical health problems, burnout, low job satisfaction, and high turnover. These problems can be made worse when a worker is given cases that max out their caseload, therefore increasing the amount of work they will need to do. Conversely, increasing ways workers can relieve stress, which entail healthy coping mechanisms, can reduce likelihood of burnout and help retention of workers. This in turn would reduce the workload as cases are spread out across the workforce. This paper aims to identifyeffective strategies in managing work related stress and burnout among child protective service workers. Additionally, this study seeks to gain an understanding in turnover among the child welfare workforce. Focusing on the factors that lead to burnout and identifying effective methods of managing stress can lead to a better understanding of retention and turnover in the profession.