Secondary Trauma in Children and School Personnel

Abstract

A review of childhood secondary trauma is presented. Secondary trauma involves the transfer and acquisition of negative affective and dysfunctional cognitive states due to prolonged and extended contact with others, such as family members, who have been traumatized. As such, secondary trauma refers to a spread of trauma reactions from the victim to those who have close contact with the traumatized individual. Children can acquire secondary trauma reactions from parents who have PTSD. School mental health workers and teachers might also acquire secondary trauma reactions from the children with whom they work. It is claimed by some that exposure to intense video presentations of traumatic events can also lead to secondary traumatization especially when viewed by children. Assessment devices are reviewed and most of these appear to be designed to assess secondary or vicarious traumatization in therapists rather than in the general population of adults. The majority of scales lack cutoff scores and this is a significant weakness. The modified Stroop procedure is presented as non-paper-and-pencil method of assessing secondary trauma reactions. The evaluation of the efficacy of therapeutic interventions for secondary traumatization is nearly nonexistent. Systematic studies of secondary trauma are in their infancy and a good deal of further research is needed.

Health Care Professionals and Family Perspectives of Youth’s Trauma: Suggestions for Coaching and Self-Leadership

“…The effect of secondary trauma may surface as health problems, stress, burnout, reduced productivity and capacity for empathy and compassion. This in turn may have an impact on the care that the youth receive from both their family and the community [37]. The health system should thus make major departures from traditional ways of working in being responsive to youth's and parent's needs [48].…”

“…• Community involvement negative affective and dysfunctional cognitive states due to prolonged and extended contact with others, such as family members, who have been traumatized [37].…”

Psychological trauma in professionals working with traumatised children

“…Therapists have also reported experiencing physical symptoms, such as headaches, nausea, and body aches (Motta, 2012;Neumann & Gamble, 1995), alongside psychological symptoms, such as emotional numbing, hypervigilance and personal difficulties, such as feeling discouraged and cynical (Neumann & Gamble, 1995;Pistorius, 2006;VanDeusen & Way, 2006). Others report experiencing decreased self-esteem and sexual difficulties (Braley, 2010;VanDeusen & Way, 2006), whereas some begin to feel shame as they experience the negative symptoms of vicarious trauma, losing trust in their own ability, especially in less-experienced therapists (VanDeusen & Way, 2006).…”

Child Sexual Abuse Workers’ Emotional Experiences of Working Therapeutically in the Western Cape, South Africa

“…Ralph (2001) explains that ''[h]aving a space to think about the processes and mechanisms that are enacted when working with [sexually abused] children is crucial'' (p. 287). Supervision and personal therapy play an essential role in helping participants make sense of their work (Didhama et al 2011;Goddard and Hunt 2011;Motta 2012;Samios et al 2012;Sommer 2008;Williams et al 2012 The literature suggests that a supportive, physically secure, and respectful work environment can ameliorate the stress of child sexual abuse work (Bonach and Heckert 2012;Brady et al 1999;Brockhouse et al 2011;Choi 2011;Coster and Schwebel 1997;Williams et al 2012). Participants corroborate this: ''My work environment must feel safe.…”

“…Participants were interviewed after providing written informed consent, and on condition that they could access a supervision or therapy environment should distressing material emerge during interview they may not have been consciously aware of (Agass 2002;Didhama et al 2011;Etherington 2000;Motta 2012;Sommer 2008;Williams et al 2012). They were offered the opportunity for feedback during the research process.…”