Further exploration of the relationship between demographic characteristics and secondary trauma among child welfare workers

Background and purpose Child welfare workers develop secondary traumatic stress (STS) at high rates. Personal trauma, increased exposure to clients’ trauma, and inadequate social support are known to increase STS risk. However, examinations of relationships between STS and workforce demographics have produced mixed results and have rarely included large, cross-state samples. To advance understanding of caseworker experiences and recommend appropriate support strategies, this study investigated whether caseworkers’ racial, ethnic, and gender identities were associated with STS, and also tested previous findings of curvilinear relationships between age, years of experience, and STS.Methods A child welfare workforce needs assessment survey was conducted in four U.S. states as part of a larger study. Caseworker (n = 992) demographics and STS symptom ratings were examined using descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses.Results African American caseworkers reported lower STS compared with White caseworkers. Increasing years of experience predicted decreased STS.Discussion Results contribute to emerging literature suggesting that caseworkers’ experiences of STS differ based on race. While the mechanisms behind such differences remain unknown, the discussion illuminates potential explanations for this study’s counterintuitive findings and shares innovative solutions.Conclusion STS measures and workplace interventions must be culturally grounded and responsive to support a healthy workforce.