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St. Catherine University

Vicarious trauma

Publication Year

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Full-Text Articles in Social Work

The Experiences Of Social Workers With Organizational Support For Professional Burnout And Vicarious Trauma, Halaina I. Howard May 2015

The Experiences Of Social Workers With Organizational Support For Professional Burnout And Vicarious Trauma, Halaina I. Howard

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Social workers and therapists have been experiencing professional burnout and vicarious trauma for quite some time. However, the preventative measures, interventions, and responses of organizations to slow down or limit the symptoms of professional burnout and vicarious trauma seem deficient. The purpose of this research study was to explore the experiences of social workers with organizational support related to professional burnout and vicarious trauma. This qualitative study gained insight into the personal experiences of social workers. Eight social workers were interviewed, two of the participants were licensed independent clinical social workers (LICSW), one was a licensed independent social worker (LISW), …


A Systems View Of Early Interventions For Vicarious Trauma: Managing Secondary Trauma Stress, Kelly A. Berscheit May 2013

A Systems View Of Early Interventions For Vicarious Trauma: Managing Secondary Trauma Stress, Kelly A. Berscheit

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

This is a heuristic study of the current prevention and intervention efforts of clinical social workers working with traumatized clients. The purpose of the research was to identify the best mechanisms of prevention and interventions for secondary trauma stress (STS) and vicarious trauma (VT) to develop a systems protocol to shield therapists from the impact of working with traumatized clients. The data was collected through interviews with eight practicing licensed clinical social workers. Findings in this study suggest STS is normal and to be expected if working with traumatized clients and that VT may be prevented. The results of this …


Prevention Of Vicarious Trauma: Are Coping Strategies Enough?, Angie Gerding May 2012

Prevention Of Vicarious Trauma: Are Coping Strategies Enough?, Angie Gerding

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Social workers are increasingly being called on to assist a greater proportion of clients who have experienced trauma. As a result clinicians are exposed to greater chances of developing vicarious trauma. The clinician may experience higher levels of stress, unwanted/distressing images of trauma material, sleep disturbance, and anxiety (Cunningham, 2004). Researchers have found that the signs and symptoms of vicarious trauma can decrease if the clinician uses commonly recommended coping strategies to help control the unwanted disturbances of working with traumatized clients (Bober, Regehr, 2005). These coping strategies include leisure, self-care, supervision, and spirituality activities. A quantitative survey was sent …


Agency Level Interventions For Preventing And Treating Vicarious Trauma: A Qualitative Study, Jessica Johnson May 2012

Agency Level Interventions For Preventing And Treating Vicarious Trauma: A Qualitative Study, Jessica Johnson

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to explore what types of strategies agencies are using to prevent and/or reduce vicarious trauma. To do this, five qualitative interviews were conducted with participants who work directly with individuals who have survived trauma. The findings showed mixed results, as some agencies employed multiple strategies, while others employed few. Agencies seemed to provide adequate benefits and training to employees, and to also encourage them to engage in self-care. While most agencies required supervision/consultation, only one agency encouraged staff members to discuss how they are being impacted by their clients’ trauma. Agencies also did little …


Effects Of Client Trauma On Interpreters: An Exploratory Study Of Vicarious Trauma, Mailee Lor May 2012

Effects Of Client Trauma On Interpreters: An Exploratory Study Of Vicarious Trauma, Mailee Lor

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

This qualitative study explores the experiences of interpreters in mental health settings and examines how working with clients that have experienced torture, trauma, and war can impact their personal and professional lives. The findings from this study are not meant to be viewed as any form of incompetency that needs attention, but rather to shed light on the needs of this population within mental health settings. In working with interpreters, it is the intention of the researcher that mental health practitioners will use these findings to inform and guide their professional work with interpreters in a manner that is ethical …