The impact of adverse childhood experiences, work experiences, and demographic characteristics on Professional Quality of Life among homeless services workers

Working in the homeless services sector comes with a range of potential job-related stressors. Additionally, workers’ life experiences, such as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and demographics may impact their work. However, research has not thoroughly examined the prevalence of ACEs among homeless services workers or the impact of ACEs on burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and compassion satisfaction in the sector. The current study uses a national convenience sample of 985 homeless services workers in the U.S. to assess the prevalence of ACEs; the rates of burnout, compassion satisfaction, and secondary traumatic stress; and whether ACEs, work experiences, and demographic characteristics are associated with higher burnout, higher compassion satisfaction, and higher secondary traumatic stress. More than three-quarters of respondents reported at least one ACE, and a higher number of ACEs was associated with higher burnout and higher secondary traumatic stress. Other factors that impacted the outcomes of interest were age, race, gender, time spent in the field, and position type. Research and practice implications are discussed, with attention to developing and testing organizational and self-care strategies to bolster worker well-being in the context of work stress and possible workplace re-traumatization.