In the course of their daily work, investigators of internet child exploitation encounter numerous distressing images and videos. While the profession can be rewarding due to successful investigations, it also carries the emotional toll of exposure to the victims' suffering (Brady, 2017; Perez et al., 2010). Consequently, investigators may grapple with feelings of burnout and the long-term development of posttraumatic stress disorder (Burns et al., 2008; Craun et al., 2014; Perez et al., 2010).
However, existing research on internet child exploitation investigation has yet to distinguish between the frequency of exposure—defined as the work-related trauma confrontation involving being exposed to victims’ suffering (Fischbach, 2020; Kleineidam & Fischbach, 2023)—and empathy for the victims’ suffering, representing the underlying psychological process wherein perceiving others’ suffering becomes one’s own (Klimecki & Singer, 2011; Singer & Lamm, 2009). The critical inquiry lies in understanding when exposure and empathy in internet child exploitation investigation contribute to impairing investigators’ mental health. To safeguard the health and well-being of internet child exploitation investigators, it becomes imperative to not only identify and alleviate job stressors but also recognize and bolster job resources (Santa Maria et al., 2018; Schaufeli & Bakker, 2004).
Building upon the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model (Bakker et al., 2023; Schaufeli & Bakker, 2004), we propose that empathy for suffering serves as a stressor in child exploitation investigation. This is because empathy prompts investigators to personally experience the suffering and pain of their victims (i.e., 'feeling with' the victim; Singer & Lamm, 2009). These emotional responses deplete investigators’ energy reserves, potentially resulting in burnout, characterized by emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced personal accomplishment (Maslach et al., 2001). In severe cases, investigators may also manifest posttraumatic stress symptoms and, at worst, develop posttraumatic stress disorder, encompassing negative emotions, intrusive thoughts, and avoidance behavior (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).
Furthermore, our hypothesis suggests that exposure to disturbing material independently contributes to burnout and posttraumatic stress disorder by further depleting investigators’ energy. In this context, social support from colleagues emerges as a crucial job resource capable of buffering the impact of both empathy for suffering and exposure to disturbing material on burnout and posttraumatic stress disorder.
To sum up, our model proposes that empathy for suffering and exposure to disturbing material trigger stress responses, while social support functions as a protective resource. The crucial role of social support lies in mitigating the adverse effects of empathy and exposure on both burnout and posttraumatic stress disorder. This underscores the significance of supportive workplace relationships within the context of child exploitation investigation. Our study aims to empirically test this proposed model.
Our study seeks to make a significant contribution to the understanding of exposure, empathy for suffering, and social support in internet child exploitation investigation. Firstly, we refine existing research by distinguishing between exposure and empathy for suffering, categorizing exposure as a work-related trauma confrontation (Fischbach, 2020; Kleineidam & Fischbach, 2023). Exposure to disturbing material is an inherent and essential task in internet child exploitation investigation (Brady, 2017; Stewart & Witte, 2020). However, prolonged exposure to traumatic experiences of child abuse at work can directly lead to posttraumatic stress disorder in the long run (American Psychiatric Association, 2013), previously identified as an indirect or secondary form of traumatization (Parkes et al., 2019).
Secondly, we identify empathy for suffering as a primary job stressor in internet child exploitation investigation, refining the research focus that has predominantly centered on exposure (Bourke & Craun, 2014b; Brady, 2017; Burruss et al., 2018; Craun et al., 2014; Perez et al., 2010).
Thirdly, we present empirical evidence supporting the mitigating effect of social support in coping with the suffering depicted in the material. While previous research has primarily explored the direct effects of social support on health (e.g., Bourke & Craun, 2014b; Burns et al., 2008; Craun et al., 2014; Perez et al., 2010), our study sheds light on the crucial role of social support as a job resource in dealing with disturbing material and the associated suffering. This knowledge is of utmost importance for healthcare and prevention in internet exploitation investigation.
Exploring the Job-Demand-Resources Model in the Police Context
We utilize the well-established Job-Demand-Resources (JD-R) model (Bakker et al., 2023; Schaufeli & Bakker, 2004) as a foundational stress model within the police context (Santa Maria et al., 2018; Wolter et al., 2019) to elucidate our hypotheses. Initially, we posit that exposure and empathy represent work characteristics that deplete energy and contribute to adverse health outcomes, such as burnout or physical health problems (Schaufeli & Bakker, 2004). Additionally, we assert that social support functions as a job resource capable of mitigating the costs associated with job stressors (Schaufeli & Bakker, 2004). The subsequent sections delve into a detailed exploration of our proposed model.
Exposure to disturbing material constitutes a significant aspect of investigators' daily work, involving the routine analysis of traumatic and distressing images and videos portraying the suffering of children (Brady, 2017; Burns et al., 2008). This continuous exposure to distressing content can be viewed as a work-related trauma confrontation, encompassing traumatic events at work that may lead to long-term posttraumatic stress disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Aligned with the JD-R model (Bakker et al., 2023; Schaufeli & Bakker, 2004), we contend that exposure to disturbing material depletes remaining energy and, consequently, may facilitate the development of burnout or posttraumatic stress disorders—a notion supported by previous research (Brady, 2017; Burruss et al., 2018; Craun et al., 2014; Perez et al., 2010). Thus, we propose the following hypotheses:
Hypothesis
a: Exposure is positively related to burnout.
Hypothesis
b: Exposure is positively related to posttraumatic stress disorder.
Empathy for suffering, defined as feeling what the sufferers feel (Bloom, 2016, 2017; Jordan et al., 2016), emerges as a noteworthy job stressor in child exploitation investigation for two key reasons. First, investigators engage with negative expressions or envision the suffering of children depicted in the material, potentially eliciting empathetic suffering (de Vignemont & Singer, 2006; Singer & Lamm, 2009). Second, prolonged exposure to empathetic suffering can result in stress and anxiety (Klimecki & Singer, 2011), blurring the distinction between investigators and the victims and transforming the experienced suffering into their own (Klimecki & Singer, 2011; Singer & Lamm, 2009). Drawing on the JD-R model (Bakker et al., 2023; Schaufeli & Bakker, 2004), empathy for suffering depletes energy for tasks, subsequently leading to adverse health outcomes such as burnout and, at worst, posttraumatic stress disorder. Recent scholarly work has reinforced the association between empathy for suffering and burnout among human service workers (Kleineidam & Fischbach, 2023). Consequently, we propose the following hypotheses:
Hypothesis
a: Empathy for suffering is positively related to burnout.
Hypothesis
b: Empathy for suffering is positively related to posttraumatic stress disorder.
Social support, recognized as a crucial job resource (Bakker et al., 2023; Schaufeli & Bakker, 2004), plays a vital role in promoting the health and well-being of investigators (Bourke & Craun, 2014a, 2014b; Burns et al., 2008; Craun et al., 2014; Perez et al., 2010). Following House's (1981), multidimensional perspective, social support encompasses various facets, including emotional support (showing understanding), instrumental support (offering immediate help), informational support (providing helpful information and advice), and appraisal support (showing appreciation and affirmation).
While prior research has highlighted the direct negative impact of social support on traumatic stress symptoms or burnout in internet child exploitation investigation (Bourke & Craun, 2014a, 2014b; Craun et al., 2014; Perez et al., 2010), there's also an assumption of a buffer effect (Cohen & Wills, 1985). According to this perspective, social support can mitigate the stressor-strain relationship, aiding in coping with job stressors and weakening their negative effects (Bakker et al., 2023; Cohen & Wills, 1985). Specifically, investigators derive substantial benefits from colleagues' support, involving the sharing of personal and work-related experiences, expressing concerns, offering understanding, and providing advice and help in dealing with disturbing material (Powell et al., 2014a). Consequently, investigators can better cope with exposure and empathetic suffering. Aligning with empirical evidence supporting the buffering effect of social support (e.g., Bakker et al., 2005; De Jonge et al., 2008; De Jonge & Dormann, 2006), we posit the following hypotheses:
Hypothesis
a: Social support from colleagues attenuates the relationship between exposure and burnout.
Hypothesis
b: Social support from colleagues attenuates the relationship between exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder.
Hypothesis
c: Social support from colleagues attenuates the relationship between empathy for suffering and burnout.
Hypothesis
d: Social support from colleagues attenuates the relationship between empathy for suffering and posttraumatic stress disorder.