Tales from the terrain: Lived experiences of care providers in a youth formation center

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ABSTRACT

Care providers’ voices regarding their experiences being in a formation center are less heard. To explore the experiences of care providers and their reasons for joining and staying in the formation center, their relationship with colleagues, and significant encounters with the residents, the Basic Qualitative Research (BQR) was employed. Ten participants who faced the challenges and rewards of their roles and transcended their experiences, still looking forward in the years to come, were purposively chosen. Through in-depth interviews, participants shared their experiences, from which eight themes emerged from the analysis of the interview transcripts: Theme 1. Embracing the Shared Mission: Motivation that Stems from Within and sub-themes "In the Name of Service with a Heart" and "Paving the Way for Gratefulness: The Joys and Benefits of Being a Care Provider." Theme 2. Exploring Relationships that Last: Interpersonal Dynamics at Work had sub-themes "The Good Boss" and "Positive Culture." Theme 3. Life's Uncertainties had sub-themes "Conflict Within Me" and "Stressors Beyond my Control." Theme 4. Tales from the Field: Unveiling the Encounters with the Residents had sub-themes "Positive Encounter with the Residents" and "Bucket of Patience: The Need for Self-Control." Theme 5: Strengthening Resources Within: Different Ways of Coping had sub-themes "Self-care" and "Social Support." Theme 6. Enhancing Comprehensive Services: Secret Weapon to Operational Efficiency had Sub-themes "Strengthening the System" and "Salary and Benefits." The overall experience is both difficult and rewarding, as their desire to help the vulnerable drives them to stay in the social work field. A deeper exploration of the experiences, challenges, issues, and needs of care providers in a formation center is recommended.

Keywords: care providers, coping, formation center