The Way in Which Child and Youth Care Workers in South Africa Cope with Psychosocial Challenges

Abstract

Child and youth care workers deal with the psychosocial challenges experienced by young people in their care and may as a result themselves experience stress, anxiety and depression. This paper explores the psychosocial challenges experienced by child and youth care workers in South Africa, and the coping strategies that they apply. A collective case study design within a qualitative approach was used. Purposive sampling was used, with the sample consisting of 93 participants from government and non-governmental organisations based in rural, semi-urban and urban areas across the six provinces of South Africa. An interview schedule was designed to collect qualitative data from 11 focus group interviews. Data analysis was divided into data reduction, data display, and drawing and verifying conclusions. Psychosocial challenges identified by the participants were the inability to disengage from the work environment, disengagement from social activities, personal trauma, invasion of personal boundaries, and emotional well-being issues. The following broad coping strategies were identified: non-existent coping mechanisms, personal missions, substance abuse, withdrawal, and thoughts of quitting. Child and youth care workers experience a range of psychosocial challenges but have established a range of mostly adequate and contextually relevant coping strategies. The paper recommends that child and youth care workers find a healthy balance between their personal and professional life, timeously seek psychosocial support, and keep on developing themselves to acquire skills that will enhance their practice and broaden their scope of practice.

Challenges Experienced by Child and Youth Care Workers in Child and Youth Care Centres Working With Children

“…The guide for CYCWs indicates that in CYCCs, the social worker is responsible for conducting a comprehensive assessment of the child's placement in the facility (SACSSP, 2020 Participants report that social workers tended to be peripheral in the children's lives. These sentiments are consistent with the view that in many practice settings CYCWs often complain about not being given a voice (Molepo, 2020). Dimba-Ndaleni et al (2022) and Mapurazi (2016) identify factors that promote or impede collaboration between social workers and CYCWs.…”

“…Given that Molepo (2020) acknowledges the conflicts between CYC work and social workers, these findings did not come as a surprise. CYCWs report wanting information to be shared between professionals on a need-to-know basis (Molepo, 2020).…”

“…Given that Molepo (2020) acknowledges the conflicts between CYC work and social workers, these findings did not come as a surprise. CYCWs report wanting information to be shared between professionals on a need-to-know basis (Molepo, 2020). CYCWs find panel meetings alienating, intimidating and as inhibiting their participation in multidisciplinary discussions on children's progress.…”

“…CYCWs find panel meetings alienating, intimidating and as inhibiting their participation in multidisciplinary discussions on children's progress. Research shows that residential work can be intense, and the environment is often crisis-driven, resulting in a breakdown of boundaries or blurred boundaries between working staff (Molepo, 2020). CYCWs must manage the activities of day-to-day life and this running of household affairs can lead to conflicts around gossip, lack of trust, cliques and difficult personal relationships (Molepo, 2020).…”

“…Research shows that residential work can be intense, and the environment is often crisis-driven, resulting in a breakdown of boundaries or blurred boundaries between working staff (Molepo, 2020). CYCWs must manage the activities of day-to-day life and this running of household affairs can lead to conflicts around gossip, lack of trust, cliques and difficult personal relationships (Molepo, 2020). It can result in negativity, discord and a lack of satisfaction (Varaden, 2016).…”