‘It is not possible to stay on the job for more than ten years’: Interrelations of job-related risk and burnout experiences among child protection social workers in Seychelles

Abstract

Abstract Job-related risk and burnout are prevailing problems among child protection social workers (CPSWs), but this remains an understudied phenomenon in Seychelles. The recent case of the abuse and death of a three-year-old girl in 2023 indicates how crucial child protection is in the country. This case led to heavy criticism of this occupational workforce. However, missing amidst these criticisms were the CPSWs' voices and the myriad challenges they encounter on the job. This study reports findings from in-depth interviews with eleven CPSWs employed by the Legal and Child Protection section in Seychelles to understand the interrelations of job-related risk and burnout experiences. The thematic analysis of transcribed interviews indicated risk factors CPSWs face within the socio-ecological model: intrapersonal risk, interpersonal risk, organizational risk, community risk, and policy risk. Our findings present these risks, and in the discussion section, we show how job risk interrelates with and is a source of burnout for this workforce. This study provides recommendations that can reduce the likelihood of burnout among these workers.

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