Resilience of child protection social workers: a scoping review

ABSTRACT

Child protection social workers (CPSWs) are exposed to several workplace risks, often leaving them vulnerable for negative outcomes like burnout. Some CPSWs do well despite exposure to these risks, which could be described as resilience. This scoping review was guided by the framework of Arksey and O'Malley and the PRISMA checklist. Our findings, from analysing 13 articles on CPSWs resilience, are embedded in the socio-ecological model which reveals that the resilience of CPSWs in included studies was informed by intrapersonal resilience processes (e.g., agency, and having emotional intelligence) and interpersonal resilience processes (e.g., supportive relationships). It appears as if CPSWs mostly initiate and sustain resilience enhancing processes, although supportive ecologies also play a role. Most research on CPSW resilience between 1995 and 2020 was conducted in developed countries, with only three studies done in low-income countries. It is important to understand CPSWs' resilience in developed countries, but there is a lack of research on CPSW resilience in low-income countries, such as Nigeria for instance, where there are high rates of child abuse and a need for effective CPSW services. Continued explorations of CPSW resilience across the globe, is necessary to respect and give voice to individual experiences and diversity.

KEYWORDS:

• Child protection social worker
• resilience
• scoping review

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

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Notes on contributors

Mahloma Hebert Molakeng

Mahloma Hebert Molakeng holds a master’s degree in Social Work from the North-West University (Vaal Triangle Campus) and is a qualified social worker employed by Vaal Echoes of Love old age home, South Africa.

Elmien Truter

Elmien Truter (PhD) is a qualified social worker and senior lecturer in Social Work at the North-West University (VaalTriangle Campus) and a researcher in the Faculty of Health Sciences COMPRES research entity, South Africa.

Ansie Fouché

Ansie Fouché (PhD) is a qualified social worker and associate professor in Social Work at the North-West University (Vaal Triangle Campus) and a researcher in the Faculty of Health Sciences COMPRES research entity, South Africa.