SELF-CARE PRACTICES AMONG THOSE EMPLOYED IN PUBLIC DEFENSE CONTEXTS :
e t o N h c r a e s e AR
PURPOSE The purpose of this Research Note is to provide an overview of a research study that examined self-care practices among those employed in public defense contexts.
Check out this new #Research Note from @UKCOSW and @NAPD2013 about #SelfCare among #PublicDefenders.
WHAT WE KNOW Veritably, working in public defense can be challenging. Research suggests that individuals working in public defense face a host of inimical employment challenges, including poor public perceptions of their work, inordinately high caseloads, and relatively inadequate wages, among other adverse conditions. These conditions can lead to high rates of compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, and professional burnout. Indubitably, these factors can also impact the quality of legal services afforded to clients. Though there is evidence to suggest that self-care can assuage some of these consequences, little is known about the self-care practices of individuals (e.g., attorneys, social workers, etc.) employed in public defender contexts.
WHAT WE DID Researchers at the University of Kentucky College of Social Work’s Self-Care Lab, in collaboration with the National Association for Public Defense, conducted a national study to examine self-care practices of those employed in public defense. This study focused on five domains of professional self-care.
DOMAINS OF PROFESSIONAL SELF-CARE F E S S I ONA PRO UPPORT L S
LIFE SUP
PO
RT
IONA L ESS O F LO PM E N T PR VE E
Y IL
NCE
IV ES E S
DA LA
F-CAR
E
S
EL
BA
D
IT N N G C O ARE AW
WHAT WE FOUND 9,056 participants provided data via an electronic survey.
SURVEY PARTICIPANTS Approx.
42.3
Female .9%
65 White/ Caucasian
Years Old
47.2
hours worked per week
82%
9
.6% 89 Heterosexual
.73
years of PD experience
.4% 69 Married/ Partnered
PUBLIC DEFENDER ROLE
73%
ATTORNEY
INVESTIGATOR
6% 6.3%
SOCIAL WORKER/MITIGATION SPECIALIST/ OTHER SENTENCING ADVOCATE PARALEGAL
2.6% 5.7%
ADMIN/SECRETARIAL
OTHER
6.3%