Beyond case characteristics: Moderating roles of job demand, control, and support in reducing secondary traumatic stress among child welfare workers

Child welfare workers are often at a greater risk of experiencing Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) due to their frequent exposure to children and families experiencing trauma. Existing literature indicates that the severity of trauma cases is a strong risk factor for STS. Drawing on the Job Demand-Control-Support (JDCS) model, we examined the moderation effects of time pressure, job control, and organizational support on the association between trauma case severity and STS among 1, 969 child welfare workers. The results showed that STS significantly increased as child welfare workers managed more severe trauma cases. Time pressure was positively associated with STS, whereas job control and organizational support were negatively associated with STS. Furthermore, time pressure and organizational support were found to be significant moderators. Time pressure intensified the effects of the severity of trauma cases on STS, but organizational support played a buffering role in this association. This study highlights the critical role of JDCS in addressing STS, especially among child welfare workers dealing with severe trauma cases.