File(s) under permanent embargo
Workplace stressors for investigative interviewers of child-abuse victims
journal contribution
posted on 2013-01-01, 00:00 authored by Martine Powell, Belinda GuadagnoBelinda Guadagno, P CassematisPurpose - This study aimed to identify the nature and prevalence of workplace stressors faced by interviewers of child sexual assault victims.
Design/methodology/approach - Sixty-eight professionals (police and child protection workers) were invited to anonymously post their perceptions of workplace stressors on an internet forum as part of an investigative interviewing online training course. Specifically, participants were asked to reflect on salient sources of stress encountered in their role of interviewing sexually abused children.
Findings - Three key stressors were identified across the study’s professional groups: (1) inadequate recognition of specialised skills; (2) high workload demands; and (3) interagency tensions. Consistent with previous research, exposure to child abuse reports was not raised as a stressor.
Research limitations/implications - Our study generated suggestions for modifying management practices; however, future research should identify and trial strategies for improving workplace climate in child abuse investigation.
Practical implications - As the stressors isolated by participants related to workplace climate rather than exposure to victims’ accounts of child abuse, minimising negative consequences of work stressors requires changes to workplace culture and practice. Workplace climates need to be modified so that the demands are offset by resources.
Originality/value - Because of its online, anonymous nature, this was the first study to offer participants the opportunity to honestly disclose primary sources of stress in child abuse investigation. The research also makes a much-needed contribution to an area of police practice that is vital yet often overlooked.
Design/methodology/approach - Sixty-eight professionals (police and child protection workers) were invited to anonymously post their perceptions of workplace stressors on an internet forum as part of an investigative interviewing online training course. Specifically, participants were asked to reflect on salient sources of stress encountered in their role of interviewing sexually abused children.
Findings - Three key stressors were identified across the study’s professional groups: (1) inadequate recognition of specialised skills; (2) high workload demands; and (3) interagency tensions. Consistent with previous research, exposure to child abuse reports was not raised as a stressor.
Research limitations/implications - Our study generated suggestions for modifying management practices; however, future research should identify and trial strategies for improving workplace climate in child abuse investigation.
Practical implications - As the stressors isolated by participants related to workplace climate rather than exposure to victims’ accounts of child abuse, minimising negative consequences of work stressors requires changes to workplace culture and practice. Workplace climates need to be modified so that the demands are offset by resources.
Originality/value - Because of its online, anonymous nature, this was the first study to offer participants the opportunity to honestly disclose primary sources of stress in child abuse investigation. The research also makes a much-needed contribution to an area of police practice that is vital yet often overlooked.
History
Journal
Policing: an international journal of police strategies & managementVolume
36Issue
3Pagination
1 - 24Publisher
Emerald Group Publishing LimitedLocation
Bingley, EnglandPublisher DOI
ISSN
1363-951XeISSN
1758-695XLanguage
engNotes
Reproduced with the kind permission of the copyright owner.Publication classification
C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2013, EmeraldUsage metrics
Categories
No categories selectedKeywords
investigative interviewingjob demandswork stresschild abuse investigationSocial SciencesCriminology & PenologyChild-abuse investigationWorkplacePolicePERCEIVED ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORTLEADER-MEMBER EXCHANGEPSYCHOLOGICAL CLIMATEVICARIOUS TRAUMATIZATIONPTSD SYMPTOMSMENTAL-HEALTHWORKSATISFACTIONPERCEPTIONS
Licence
Exports
RefWorks
BibTeX
Ref. manager
Endnote
DataCite
NLM
DC