Effective Program Reduces Stress Among Child Welfare Professionals

Child welfare professionals often operate in high-stress environments, frequently witnessing families at risk of child removal or experiencing abuse, leading to occupational trauma, burnout, and health issues. A recent study conducted by researchers from the University of Kansas highlights an intervention that effectively reduces secondary traumatic stress (STS) and enhances resilience among these workers.

The intervention, called Resilience Alliance, was delivered remotely over 12 weeks to a group of 175 child welfare caseworkers across Kansas. It aimed to help participants recognize signs of secondary traumatic stress, develop coping strategies, and build resilience skills to manage the emotional demands of their work. The study found that all participants experienced a significant decrease in STS and an increase in resilience, regardless of whether they also practiced loving-kindness meditation, which did not provide additional benefits.

Participants were evaluated before and after the program through surveys assessing sleep quality, stress levels, anxiety, and other health indicators. Results confirmed improvements in psychological well-being and reductions in trauma-related symptoms. The program's shorter duration and remote delivery make it a feasible option for agencies to implement, reducing both financial and time burdens.

The research team emphasizes that resilience should be viewed as a skill that can be developed, not merely an innate trait. By empowering child welfare workers to manage their emotions and reactions, the intervention could lower burnout rates, improve staff retention, and lead to better outcomes for families served.

Funded by an $8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the study was published in the journal Traumatology. The findings support ongoing efforts to enhance workforce well-being and suggest that scalable, cost-effective strategies like Resilience Alliance can make a meaningful difference in supporting frontline child welfare staff.

For more information, see https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-10-effective-stress-child-welfare.html