Keywords
How to Cite
Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study is to explore the theoretical frameworks of the concepts of crisis and trauma, and to demonstrate how these influence child protection workers’ motivation, career choice, and professional practice.
Methodology: The article is based on theoretical review and literature references, complemented by fictional case studies derived from the authors’ professional experience, which also outline potential solutions. The paper presents in detail the characteristics of normative and accidental crises, as well as the long-term consequences of early traumatization and complex traumas. The study also addresses the phenomena of vicarious and secondary traumatization, as well as the dynamics of trauma repetition.
Findings: Crises and traumas directly and indirectly affect the psychological functioning, motivation, and professional integrity of child protection professionals. Unresolved traumas and crises increase the risk of burnout and attrition, while processed experiences can serve as resources. The choice and maintenance of a helping profession are closely linked to the extent to which workers are able to integrate their own life-history injuries.
Value: The study emphasizes the indispensable role of prevention, supervision, and psychological support in child protection work. The findings are also practically relevant: they contribute to the preservation of professionals’ psychological well-being, their long-term retention in the profession, and the provision of safe and stable support for children.
References
Baird, K., & Kracen, A. C. (2006). Vicarious traumatization and secondary traumatic stress: A research synthesis. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 19(2), 181–188. https://doi.org/10.1080/09515070600811899
Bányai E. (2016). A trauma szerepe a gyermekvédelemben. Párbeszéd: Szociális Munka folyóirat, 3(3). https://ojs.lib.unideb.hu/parbeszed/article/view/5897
Bóna A. (2015). A krízis lélektana. In Gyöngyösiné K. E. & Sz. Makó H. (Szerk.), Gyász, krízis, trauma és a megküzdés lélektana (pp. 123–138). Pro Pannonia Kiadó.
Boyas, J. F., Moore, D., Duran, M. Y., Fuentes, J., Woodiwiss, J., McCoy, L., & Cirino, A. (2022). Exploring the health of child protection workers: A call to action. Health Promotion Perspectives, 12(4), 381–390. https://doi.org/10.34172/hpp.2022.50
Bryce, I., Pye, D., Beccaria, G., McIlveen, P., & du Preez, J. (2023). A systematic literature review of the career choice of helping professionals who have experienced cumulative harm as a result of adverse childhood experiences. Trauma, Violence & Abuse, 24(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/15248380211016016
Caplan, G. (1964). Principles of preventive psychiatry. Basic Books.
Cloitre, M., Courtois, C. A., Charuvastra, A., Carapezza, R., Stolbach, B. C., & Green, B. L. (2020). Treatment of complex PTSD: Results of the ISTSS expert clinician survey on best practices. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 23(6), 615–627.
Courtois, C. A., & Ford, J. D. (2009). Treating complex traumatic stress disorders: An evidence-based guide. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2009-04501-000
Csuhai Cs K. (2003). Trauma és ismétlés. A poszttraumás stresszbetegség pszichoanalitikus szemmel. Pszichoterápia, 12(2). https://www.mentalport.hu/a-folyoirat/korabbi-szamok/xii-evfolyam/2003-februar/csuhai-cs-klara-trauma-es-ismetles-a-poszttraumas-stresszbetegseg-pszichoanalitikus-szemmel/
DSM-5. (2024). Mentális zavarok diagnosztikai és statisztikai kézikönyve, DSM-5-TR®. Oriold és Társai Kiadó.
Erikson, E. H. (1980). Identity and the life cycle. W. W. Norton & Co.
Figley, C. R. (1995). Compassion fatigue: Coping with secondary traumatic stress disorder in those who treat the traumatized. Brunner/Mazel.
Giourou, E., Skokou, M., Andrew, S. P., Alexopoulou, K., Gourzis, P., & Jelastopulu, E. (2018). Complex posttraumatic stress disorder: The need to consolidate a distinct clinical syndrome or to reevaluate features of psychiatric disorders following interpersonal trauma? World Journal of Psychiatry, 8(1), 12.
Herman, J. (2012). CPTSD is a distinct entity: Comment on Resick et al. (2012). Journal of Traumatic Stress, 25(3), 256-257. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.21697
Kovács P., & Malét-Szabó E. (2025). A kiégés veszélye és prevenciós lehetőségei a gyermekvédelemben: ajánlás egy komplex munkahelyi egészségfejlesztési rendszer kialakítására. Belügyi Szemle, 73(12), xxxx–xxxx. https://doi.org/10.38146/BSZ-AJIA.2025.v73.i12.ppxxx-xxx
Kuritárné Szabó I. (2005). Gyermekkori traumatizáció a borderline személyiségzavar kóreredetében. Psychiatria Hungarica, 20(4), 256-270.
Maercker, A., Cloitre, M., Bachem, R., Schlumpf, Y. R., Khoury, B., Hitchcock, C., & Bohus, M. (2022). Complex post-traumatic stress disorder. The Lancet, 400(10345), 60-72. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(22)00821-2
McCann, I. L., & Pearlman, L. A. (1990). Vicarious traumatization: A framework for understanding the psychological effects of working with victims. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 3(1), 131-149. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.2490030110
Molnar, B. E., Sprang, G., Killian, K. D., Gottfried, R., Emery, V., & Bride, B. E. (2022). Secondary traumatic stress and burnout in child welfare workers: A longitudinal study. Child Abuse & Neglect, 130, Article 105456.
Pearlman, L. A., & Saakvitne, K. W. (1995). Trauma and the therapist: Countertransference and vicarious traumatization in psychotherapy with incest survivors. W. W. Norton & Company.
Pohárnok M., & Lénárd K. (2015). A trauma lélektana. In Gyöngyösiné K. E., & Sz. Makó H. (Szerk.), Gyász, krízis, trauma és a megküzdés lélektana (pp. 221–234). Pro Pannonia Kiadó.
Roberts, A. R. (Ed.). (2005). Crisis intervention handbook: Assessment, treatment, and research. Oxford University Press.
Tedeschi, R. G., & Calhoun, L. G. (2004). Posttraumatic growth: Conceptual foundations and empirical evidence. Psychological Inquiry, 15(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327965pli1501_01
Ujhelyiné Nagy A., & Kuritárné Szabó I. (2020). Az ártalmas gyermekkori élmények hatása a felnőttkori egészségi állapotra – szakirodalmi összefoglaló. Mentálhigiéné és Pszichoszomatika, 21(1), 1–36. https://doi.org/10.1556/0406.21.2020.008
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2026 Academic Journal of Internal Affairs