Page 50 - IJPS-9-2

International Journal of
Population Studies Professional quality of life – a mediation model

ACEs. The present investigation found a correlation the current results, it is evident that a longitudinal format
between ACEs and compassion satisfaction, indicating would further reinforce the connections between the
that early life challenges may have an adverse impact variables.
on workers’ capacity to experience gratification from The second limitation refers to the sample size. Less
assisting those in need. The direction of the relationship than half of the respondents who began the survey
is similar to the one declared by Steen et al., 2021, even finalized it. Some possible reasons for this situation
though they didn’t find an association between ACEs and could be connected: (1) The limited access to the targeted
compassion satisfaction in their sample (n = 3,566) of population, where the information about the study and the
social workers. necessary questionnaires were sent by the Child Protection
Second of all, the mediating role of attachment Services Bureaus to their employees; (2) the respondents
security and closeness in the child-employee dyad in were not provided with incentives; and (3) regarding foster
the relationship between ACEs and the ProQOL was parents, the authors believe that not having the exercise
examined. This study examined mediators since having of completing questionnaires and having small children
or not having negative childhood experiences among in their care could be some of the reasons for the high
social workers cannot determine if an individual will face number of unfinished surveys. Not engaging directly
more or less challenges in achieving success compared with the foster parents raises another limitation regarding
to others (Hiles Howard et al., 2015). Thus, the indirect perceived confidentiality. The authors now consider that
effect of ACEs on the ProQOL can be explained through more authentic information can be collected in the future
attachment security and closeness in the child-employee through interviews with foster parents.
dyad. In this study, the more secure the attachment of the
employees, the better it can protect against developing 5. Conclusions
burnout and STS, in connection with the adverse This study is the first to propose the mediating potential of
experiences one had in their childhood, and can facilitate attachment security and closeness towards another person in
the development of compassion satisfaction. Similarly, the relationship between personal ACEs and the components
being close to the children they work with represents a of ProQOL in a sample of child protection professionals.
protective factor against developing burnout and STS, and Furthermore, it is the first study to test this mediation model
a compassion satisfaction enabler, in connection with the with a structural equation model. The authors emphasize
adverse experiences the employees had in their childhood. that the effect of ACEs on the ProQOL of child protection
Regarding attachment theory, the findings of this research professionals, such as foster parents, psychologists, and
support the belief that the caliber of childhood bonds social workers, can be better explained through the indirect
affects the style of attachment in adulthood across one’s effect of attachment security and closeness in the child-
entire life (Bowlby, 1988). The role of attachment security employee dyad. Moreover, this research highlights that
as a mediator was also tested in a study performed by greater attachment security of employees and feeling close
Munoz et al. (2021). The results showed that ACEs to the children in foster care can represent protective factors
negatively influenced attachment styles that lead to for employees who experienced adverse events in their
lower hope among a sample of adults. Bifulco et al. childhood. Furthermore, this can positively reflect on the
(2006) and Dimitrova et al. (2010) have both examined ProQOL outcomes, by developing compassion satisfaction,
how attachment plays a part in the correlation between the positive emotional response that results from helping
childhood hardships and psychological health. Dimitrova others, and being protected from burnout and STS.
et al. (2010) additionally discovered that maintaining a Last, but not least, it is the first study that takes
relationship with attachment figures as an adult appears into consideration a more diverse population of child
to help numb any lingering effects of sexual abuse during protection workers, more precisely consisting of foster
adolescence on one’s mental well-being. parents and specialists – social workers and psychologists
This study has clear limitations. To begin with, the working in foster care. To the present day, studies have
suggested mediation model underwent testing utilizing been conducted that investigated the presence of STS
cross-sectional data. Although evaluating a model and vicariant traumatization among professionals in
founded on beforehand theory is deemed the most child welfare (Bolic, 2019), and studies that analyzed the
effective approach for assessing linear relationships with development of CF and compassion satisfaction in foster
the use of cross-sectional data, it is crucial to note that parents (Bridger et al., 2019; Hannah & Woolgar, 2018),
findings from such assessments should only be taken as a without considering these employees as a single group of
tentative indication (Munoz et al., 2021). Upon examining professionals.

Volume 9 Issue 2 (2023) 44 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.0884