This observational study examines the professional quality of life of (para)professionals working in youth care services in Flanders, Wallonia, and France. Youth care providers are frequently exposed to the emotional and psychological impact of working with children and adolescents who have experienced trauma. This exposure may contribute to secondary traumatic stress (STS), burnout, and variations in compassion satisfaction. These factors are collectively conceptualized under the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) model. Understanding the levels, predictors, and consequences of these outcomes is essential for safeguarding the wellbeing of the workforce and ensuring continuity and quality of youth care services.
The study uses an anonymous online survey developed in Qualtrics. The survey includes structured modules that assess personal factors (e.g., demographic characteristics, social support, financial strain, personality traits, self-care behaviors), work-related characteristics (e.g., workload, work-family conflict, organizational support, colleague support, job role, caseload, type of service), and client-related factors (e.g., client trauma exposure, case complexity, involvement with crisis cases, perceived overinvolvement with clients). These domains are followed by validated instruments measuring the primary outcomes: secondary traumatic stress, burnout, and compassion satisfaction, derived from the Professional Quality of Life Scale Version 5 (ProQOL-5). Turnover intention is assessed using items adapted from previous research in child welfare settings.
Data collection procedures ensure anonymity and confidentiality. IP tracking in Qualtrics is disabled, and no identifying information is stored. Data are downloaded from Qualtrics into a secure, password-protected SharePoint environment hosted by the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Only authorized members of the research team have access to the dataset. After the response rate per organization is calculated, the variable identifying the participant's employing organization is deleted to prevent potential re-identification.
The statistical analysis plan includes a combination of descriptive and inferential approaches. Descriptive analyses summarize levels of STS, burnout, and compassion satisfaction across regions. Group comparisons between Flanders, Wallonia, France and The Netherlands are conducted using independent samples t-tests or ANOVA, depending on the number of comparison groups. Predictor analyses include Pearson correlations, t-tests, and ANOVA to identify variables associated with each outcome domain at the exploratory level. Subsequently, separate multiple linear regression models are conducted for burnout, STS, and compassion satisfaction, including predictors that showed relations at p ≤ .10 in preliminary analyses. Turnover intention is examined using hierarchical regression to determine whether STS, burnout, and compassion satisfaction explain additional variance beyond personal, work, and client factors. Differences in outcome levels across types of youth care roles (e.g., residential workers, family support workers, foster care staff) are evaluated using t-tests and ANOVA.
To ensure data quality, the dataset is screened for missing values, outliers, and inconsistencies before analysis. Cases with extensive missingness or extreme outliers may be removed. Analyses are performed in IBM SPSS Statistics version 27. The sample size target of approximately 3,000 participants allows for adequate statistical power to detect differences across subgroups and to estimate multivariable models with sufficient precision.
The study is conducted in accordance with ethical principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki and Good Clinical Practice guidelines. Data collection is entirely anonymous, and informed consent is obtained electronically prior to participation. Participants may complete the survey at their convenience, and the survey duration is approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
Given the growing pressure on youth care systems and the increasing demand for services, understanding risk and protective factors that shape professional wellbeing is highly relevant. The findings of this study will contribute to developing prevention strategies, informing organizational support systems, and guiding policy decisions aimed at improving working conditions and reducing staff turnover. The results will be disseminated through scientific publications, master's theses, and a doctoral dissertation. National and regional research teams in Belgium, France, and the Netherlands will publish region-specific analyses as appropriate.
