Faculty, Staff and Student Publications
Publication Date
4-27-2023
Journal
Journal of Family Violence
Abstract
PURPOSE: Moral distress (MD) refers to the psychological disequilibrium that emerges when institutional policies and/or practices conflict with an individual's professional values and ethics. MD has been interrogated frequently in health care and ancillary medical settings, and has been identified as a critical barrier to enhanced organizational climate and patient care. However, little work has investigated experiences of MD among members of the intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual violence (SV) workforce.
METHODS: This study investigates MD in a sample of IPV and SV service providers via secondary analysis of 33 qualitative interviews conducted with service providers in the summer and fall of 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic response was unfolding.
RESULTS: Qualitative content analysis revealed multiple overlapping vectors of MD experienced by IPV and SV service providers related to institutional resource constraints, providers working beyond their capacity and/or competency, shifting responsibilities within service agencies creating burdens among staff; and breakdowns in communication. Impacts of these experiences at individual, organizational, and client levels were identified by participants.
CONCULSIONS: The study uncovers the need for further investigation of MD as a framework within the IPV/SV field, as well as potential lessons from similar service settings which could support IPV and SV agencies in addressing staff experiences of MD.
Keywords
Moral Distress, Occupational stress, Intimate partner violence, Sexual violence, Workforce issues
Included in
Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence Commons, Family, Life Course, and Society Commons, Marriage and Family Therapy and Counseling Commons, Medical Sciences Commons, Medical Specialties Commons, Psychiatry and Psychology Commons, Psychology Commons
Comments
PMID: 37358973