Impacts of Work-Related Stress and Subsequent Coping Responses Among Forensic Interviewers in Children’s Advocacy Centers

The work of forensic interviewers (FIs) is critical to ensuring the safety of children in the U.S., but this weighty responsibility brings with it a high degree of work-related stress, subsequently placing this population at high risk of burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and compassion fatigue.

Currently, however, there is a dearth of research focused specifically on role features and occupational experiences unique to the FI workforce, wherein studies investigating the work-related stress and burnout experiences of this population are particularly lacking.

Utilizing a phenomenological analytical approach, the present qualitative study seeks to bridge this gap in the literature, by increasing understanding of the personal and professional impacts of work-related stress on FIs working in Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs) throughout the U.S.

Participating FIs were asked to respond to three open-ended questions, and responses were analyzed using a six-stage thematic analysis process. Several key themes emerged illustrating how the nature of FI roles within CACs, including both internal and external features of workers’ organizational contexts, can both directly and indirectly influence stress experiences and subsequent coping responses amongst this workforce.

Results imply the need for future studies which develop and/or adapt strategies that effectively support FI functioning and well-being, which can subsequently improve retention of this workforce by employing CACs.