Mandated reporting: The effects of self-care and professional help seeking behavior on mental health care providers' levels of distress

This study explored the correlations of self-care and professional help seeking behavior on distress levels, related to the role of mandated reporting among psychologists and psychological assistants. Two measures were utilized, the Brief COPE and the PANAS. A demographic survey inquiring about personal and vocational demographics, and perceived distress related to mandated reporting, engagement in self-care and professional help seeking behaviors was used. Additionally a professional help seeking questionnaire inquiring about professional sources of support and the helpfulness when suspected abuse cases arose was implemented. Data was analyzed using correlations. The results revealed those who vented, accepted the situation or utilized self-distraction increased their negative emotional states. Additionally, participants who engaged in individual therapy decreased their negative emotional states. The type of self-care and/or professional help seeking psychologists and psychological assistants utilize to decrease feelings of distress when incidents of suspected abuse arise for these clinicians are essential.