Poster #116 - Diminished returns: How clinicians’ approach to COVID-19 stress has downstream implications on children and families

• In Event: Poster Session 06

Abstract

The mental health field experiences high levels of demand and stress (Jayaratne & Chess, 1984), resulting in threats to professional quality of life (Figley, 1995; Stamm, 2010). The COVID-19 pandemic has added additional stress (Caldas et al., 2021), likely increasing providers’ risk of poor professional quality of life. The infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH) workforce is an important yet understudied subgroup of helping professions, and encompasses a variety of professionals (e.g., early interventionists, social workers, childcare providers) who work on the frontlines to provide services to infants, children, and their families (Ammerman et al., 2012). Of note, the IECMH workforce is often working with families with high psychosocial needs and systems involvement, and thus is particularly vulnerable to experiencing high stress and secondary traumatic stress and subsequent rates of burnout and turnover (Johnco et al., 2014; Salloum et al., 2015). Beyond concerns for the wellbeing of the IECMH providers, it is important to hold in mind that the wellbeing of the helpers directly impacts the wellbeing of those being helped (Shi et al., 2022). Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory Model can be used to understand how the child served by this workforce can be impacted by the relationships, community, and culture surrounding it (Bronfenbrenner & Evans, 2000). Therefore, the present study examined the effect COVID-19 stress had on the professional wellbeing of IECMH providers, and which coping strategies were most effective protective factors for this workforce. Participants included 108 adults (n = 102 female) in the Tennessee IECMH workforce surveyed at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic (early summer 2020). Most participants identified as White (83.3%), and the sample consisted of a variety of professions within the IECMH workforce. Results indicated that higher COVID-19 stress was associated with higher burnout and secondary traumatic stress (STS), and lower compassion satisfaction (CS). The results also demonstrated that the pathway from COVID-19 stress to burnout was moderated by support-seeking coping strategies (e.g., seeking emotional support) and approach coping strategies (e.g., positive reframing), suggesting possible protective factors of burnout. Furthermore, the pathway from COVID-19 stress to CS was moderated by avoidant coping strategies (e.g., denial), suggesting a possible risk factor for lowered CS. Our results highlight specific targets that providers and supervisors can use to mitigate the stress of COVID-19 on the professional wellbeing of the IECMH workforce. Further, our results highlight the need for systems leaders and policy makers to: (1) Integrate evidence-based support strategies into professional development opportunities for the IECMH workforce; and (2) Direct funding to services and programs that attend to the wellbeing of the workforce (such as reflective supervision/consultation).

Authors

• Megan Wolff, East Tennessee State University
  Presenting Author

• Thomas Boyer

• Vinaya Alapatt, East Tennessee State University

• Diana Morelen, East Tennessee State University