Social Workers’ Knowledge of The Psychological Impact of The Aftermath of Human Trafficking: A Grounded Theory Approach

Abstract

The goal of this study was to explore the knowledge that social workers own about the psychological impacts of the aftermath of human trafficking. This grounded theory qualitative study collected data by utilizing online questionnaires. Participants were asked about their knowledge, the characteristics, prevalence, relationship dynamics, therapeutic alliances, mental health impacts and history of human trafficking. This study was the first to research the awareness that social workers have about the psychological impacts of the aftermath of human trafficking. Results from the study indicated that social workers do not have sufficient knowledge about human trafficking or its repercussions. The findings within the study indicated that social workers were aware of the basic knowledge of human trafficking such as characteristics of victims and the different targeted populations. It was also determined that many social workers are not obtaining educational resources of human trafficking from curriculum or employment. They are learning about the crime through public knowledge, peer review articles or documentaries. Results from the study display the barriers social workers encounter when dealing with the human trafficked population. Furthermore, the study extrapolates that social workers’ can be an asset to the human trafficking population if they have the expertise needed to provide tools and resources to trafficked victims.