Brazilian Child Protection Professionals’ Resilient Behavior during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Sidnei R. Priolo Filho, Deborah Goldfarb, Murilo R. Zibetti, Carlos Aznar-Blefari - Child Abuse & Neglect

Abstract

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic deeply affected child protection professionals. One potential area of concern is whether and how the pandemic has dampened these individuals’ ability to engage in the resilient practices that are so vital to their wellbeing.

Objective

Within the unique and understudied context of a developing economy facing the strain of an international pandemic, this study sought to expand our theoretical understanding of the individual and socio-ecological predictors of whether child protective services professionals engage in resilient behaviors.

Participants and setting

Three hundred and nine professionals working in child protection related fields (e.g., psychologists, social workers, professors, pediatricians, nurses, and other clinicians).

Methods

Participants were surveyed as to their demographics, current work conditions, their engagement in resilient behaviors, and potential individual and socio-ecological predictors of those behaviors.

Results

Both job support for and individuals’ beliefs of the importance of resilient behaviors predicted their engagement in such behaviors.

Conclusions

Child protection professionals' resilience must be fostered by socio-ecological contexts, such as their workplace and employers, and additional supports are needed during the trying times of the COVID-19 pandemic.