Supporting your colleagues: yes, but how? Exploring the positive and negative support offered by colleagues to child protection workers exposed to a potentially traumatic event at work

Abstract

Background

Child protection workers (CPWs) are frequently exposed to potentially traumatic events (PTE) at work. These events have many psychological and organizational consequences. Without adequate intervention, these effects can persist and worsen over time. Social support is known to be a determining factor in the recovery of individuals exposed to a PTE, particularly support from colleagues in the work setting. However, little is known about how this support from colleagues manifests itself after a PTE or how it is perceived by the individual involved.

Objective

The current study sought to explore the support offered by colleagues after a PTE and identify supportive actions perceived as either positive or negative by the victims.

Method

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 CPWs in the Montreal area of Canada, all of whom had been exposed to a PTE within the previous 0–30 days. The interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results

Supportive actions reported by participants fell into four categories: emotional, instrumental, informational or evaluation support. Regardless of whether participants received one or multiple types of support, emotional support emerged as the most appreciated according to the participants’ experiences. Positive support offered by colleagues aligned with the key principles of early post-traumatic intervention, while negative support was mainly explained by a lack of organizational resources and a work-culture that trivialized violence.

Conclusion

The study suggests that organizations should prioritize approaches that recognize and validate emotions before introducing other types of support.