Abstract This systematic review examines the occupational well-being of child welfare workers, a group highly vulnerable to stress and burnout. Following PRISMA guidelines, 30 peer-reviewed studies published between 2012 and 2025 were analyzed. Thematic synthesis identified risk and protective factors at individual, organizational, and systemic levels. Individual risks included burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and work–life conflict, while resilience, coping strategies, and occupational commitment emerged as protective resources. Organizational risks centred on high workloads, role ambiguity, and limited support, whereas positive work climate, adequate resources, and professional development were protective. Systemic risks included policy instability, underfunding, and negative societal perceptions, with coherent frameworks and workforce investment providing protection. The findings highlight the need for multi-level strategies to sustain worker well-being, support retention, and ensure quality services for children and families.
Toros et al. (Tue,) studied this question.