Self-Care Practices over Time Among Child Welfare Workers: A Longitudinal Growth Curve Analysis

Background/Purpose:
Self-care is increasingly recognized as a critical protective factor for child welfare workers, who face high levels of workplace stress, vicarious trauma, and compassion fatigue. Engaging in self-care practices has been shown to mitigate burnout, promote resilience, and improve workforce retention. However, the dynamic nature of self-care over time and its relationship with employment in child welfare remains underexplored. This study examines how the frequency and perceived importance of self-care practices evolve among child welfare workers over a four-year period and investigates the impact of continued employment in the field on these trajectories. Findings aim to inform organizational strategies that support workforce well-being and stability in child welfare settings.

Method:
This longitudinal study utilized data from the Florida Professionals for Safe Families initiative, which tracked newly hired dependency case managers and child protective investigators over five years. Data specific to self-care practices were collected at three time points: 12 months (Wave 3), 36 months (Wave 6), and 48 months (Wave 8) post-hire. Participants (n = 1,009) reported on the frequency of emotional, physical, and spiritual self-care practices (measured weekly) and the importance they placed on these practices (rated on a four-point scale). Employment status was assessed at each wave, distinguishing between those who remained in child welfare roles and those who had left by Wave 3. A linear growth model was used to assess changes in self-care frequency over time, while controlling for employment status and time-varying importance of self-care. Missing data were addressed using multiple imputation techniques to maximize sample retention.

Results:
The analysis revealed significant differences in self-care trajectories based on employment status. At 12 months post-hire, individuals who had left child welfare reported higher initial self-care frequency compared to those still employed (mean difference = 1.94, p < .001). However, their frequency decreased over time, resulting in convergence with those still employed by the later waves. For individuals remaining in child welfare roles, self-care frequency increased slightly over time (average growth = 0.04 points per month, p < .001). The importance of self-care remained relatively stable across all participants but significantly influenced self-care frequency; higher importance ratings predicted greater frequency of practice (p = .016). Nonlinear patterns were not supported by the data, with linear growth models providing the best fit for both frequency and importance measures.

Conclusion:
This study highlights the dynamic nature of self-care among child welfare workers and its relationship with employment status. While those who leave child welfare initially report higher self-care engagement, their practices diminish over time, suggesting that leaving the field does not necessarily sustain long-term well-being. Conversely, those who remain employed show gradual increases in self-care frequency but at lower levels overall. These findings underscore the need for organizational interventions that prioritize consistent support for self-care among employees, particularly during periods of high stress or transition. By fostering a culture that values and facilitates self-care practices, agencies can enhance workforce resilience and retention while addressing critical challenges in child welfare systems.