Attitudes, Perceptions and Workplace Factors Predict Well-Being in Forensic Healthcare Workers Caring for Sex Offenders

Introduction

Forensic healthcare workers in mental health settings face significant challenges when working with sex offenders. Balancing staff wellbeing with effective offender rehabilitation remains critical.

Aim

This study examined how attitudes, perceptions and workplace factors influence the wellbeing of frontline forensic healthcare workers caring for sex offenders.

Method

A cross-sectional design, adhering to the STROBE checklist, was used. Ninety-one participants from UK privatised mental health settings completed an online survey. Wellbeing was assessed using measures of compassion satisfaction, burnout and secondary traumatic stress, with predictors including attitudes, perceptions and workplace factors.

Results

Positive attitudes, such as understanding offender intent, were associated with improved wellbeing, while excessive trust reduced compassion satisfaction. Perceptions like risk awareness acted as psychological buffers. Workplace factors, including environmental safety and quality supervision, enhanced wellbeing, whereas co-worker support unexpectedly reduced compassion satisfaction.

Discussion

The findings highlight the importance of rational attitudes in enhancing wellbeing. While punitive perceptions offered emotional buffering, fostering balanced approaches is essential for improving therapeutic environments.

Limitations and Implications

The study focused on privatised UK settings, limiting generalisability to NHS contexts. Future research should explore broader populations.

Recommendations

Employers should enhance environmental safety, supervision and training to foster rational attitudes and address peer dynamics.