Feeling with the Victim: Empathy for Suffering as a Job Stressor in Internet Child Exploitation Investigation

Abstract Investigating internet child exploitation cases poses unique stress for investigators routinely exposed to traumatic material. We posit that this stress arises not only from exposure but also from empathy for victims' suffering, which acts as a predominant job stressor. Drawing from the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model, our study examines the relationship between empathy for suffering and burnout, as well as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), among investigators in internet child exploitation cases. We further explore how social support from colleagues moderates these effects. In an online study of 168 investigators (90 women), our findings reveal that empathy for suffering is positively correlated with PTSD and burnout (i.e., emotional exhaustion and cynicism), independent of exposure. While prolonged exposure to traumatic content contributes to PTSD, empathy significantly amplifies stress. Social support from colleagues partially moderates the relationship between stressors and adverse health outcomes, serving as a crucial job resource. Our results suggest that, while exposure to disturbing material is a job hazard, empathy for suffering emerges as the predominant stressor. These findings highlight the importance of addressing both exposure and empathy in risk assessment and health promotion strategies for internet child exploitation investigators, with a focus on enhancing social support within the workplace.