The impact of adverse childhood experiences: A portfolio of work incorporating an empirical study on adverse childhood experiences in learning disability professionals.
Keeling, N. (2022). The impact of adverse childhood experiences: A portfolio of work incorporating an empirical study on adverse childhood experiences in learning disability professionals.. (Unpublished Doctoral thesis, City, University of London)
Abstract
This study draws on the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) research and Jung’s concept of the wounded healer (1945). The current research aims to extend these concepts to understand the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences in healthcare professionals, along with if this influenced their career choice and experiences within the workplace. Specifically, healthcare professionals working in learning disability services were chosen for this study to extend the research begun by Keesler (2016; 2018). This current study takes a new direction by using a mixed methods approach to investigate the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences in professionals and their experiences working in learning disability services. The structured ACE questionnaire was administered online to professionals working in learning disability services. The score of healthcare professionals was compared to the ACE prevalence of the general population using statistics from Hughes et al. (2020) study. A significant difference between 0 ACE (U=114594, p=.000) and 4+ ACE was found between samples (U=249606, p=.000). A subset of professionals opted in to follow up semi-structured interviews to understand their experiences, analysed using reflexive Thematic Analysis. Major themes from interviews were experiences of help, communication in learning disability services and the journey of services and clients. The study provides evidence for the concept of the wounded healer attracting people to helping professions. Previous adversity interacted with the theme of help, and specific experiences working in learning disability services were explored in the remaining themes. The study provides valuable preliminary information, which could be applied to developing staff support, with the potential to improve staff wellbeing and client care.
| Publication Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology |
| Departments: | School of Health & Psychological Sciences > Psychology School of Health & Psychological Sciences > School of Health & Psychological Sciences Doctoral Theses Doctoral Theses |
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