Patrick Q Brady1, Ashley K Fansher2, Sara B Zedaker3. 1. Department of Criminology, The University of West Georgia, 1601 Maple Street, Carrollton, GA, 30118, United States. Electronic address: pbrady@westga.edu. 2. School of Social Sciences, Avila University, 11901 Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO, 64145, United States. Electronic address: Ashley.Fansher@avila.edu. 3. School of Arts & Sciences, University of Houston-Victoria, 3007 N. Ben Wilson, Victoria, TX, 77904, United States. Electronic address: zedakers@uhv.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Forensic interviewers are at a heightened risk for secondary traumatic stress (STS) due to their frequent interactions with victims of child maltreatment (Bonach & Heckert, 2012). To date, however, few studies have examined the negative effects of this work on interviewers' social and emotional well-being. OBJECTIVE: The present study seeks to explore the effect of STS on the relationships of forensic interviewers, including those with friends, family, and their respective children. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Data are derived from a sample of 367 forensic interviewers (FIs) recruited from across the United States. METHODS: The current study used a cross-sectional research design to obtain qualitative and quantitative data from an online survey of certified forensic interviewers. RESULTS: Personal-level predictors of STS included interviewers' sex (β = 0.11, p = 0.02), trauma history (β = 0.13, p = 0.004), and frequency of socializing with family members outside of work (β = -0.12, p = 0.01). Work-related predictors included the frequency of direct (β = 0.10, p = 0.04) and indirect exposures to graphic details of child maltreatment (β = 0.09, p = 0.05), burnout (β = 0.58, p = 0.000), and years of experience investigating crimes against children (β = 0.10, p = 0.03). Factors such as parental status and external social support were not significantly associated with STS in the qualitative analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Forensic interviewers experience both positive and negative effects of exposure to crimes against children, with work-related factors being particularly impactful on the potential for STS.
BACKGROUND: Forensic interviewers are at a heightened risk for secondary traumatic stress (STS) due to their frequent interactions with victims of child maltreatment (Bonach & Heckert, 2012). To date, however, few studies have examined the negative effects of this work on interviewers' social and emotional well-being. OBJECTIVE: The present study seeks to explore the effect of STS on the relationships of forensic interviewers, including those with friends, family, and their respective children. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Data are derived from a sample of 367 forensic interviewers (FIs) recruited from across the United States. METHODS: The current study used a cross-sectional research design to obtain qualitative and quantitative data from an online survey of certified forensic interviewers. RESULTS: Personal-level predictors of STS included interviewers' sex (β = 0.11, p = 0.02), trauma history (β = 0.13, p = 0.004), and frequency of socializing with family members outside of work (β = -0.12, p = 0.01). Work-related predictors included the frequency of direct (β = 0.10, p = 0.04) and indirect exposures to graphic details of child maltreatment (β = 0.09, p = 0.05), burnout (β = 0.58, p = 0.000), and years of experience investigating crimes against children (β = 0.10, p = 0.03). Factors such as parental status and external social support were not significantly associated with STS in the qualitative analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Forensic interviewers experience both positive and negative effects of exposure to crimes against children, with work-related factors being particularly impactful on the potential for STS.
Authors: Marie-Louise Sharp; Noa Solomon; Virginia Harrison; Rachael Gribble; Heidi Cramm; Graham Pike; Nicola T Fear Journal: PLoS One Date: 2022-06-15 Impact factor: 3.752