Secondary traumatic stress effects of working with survivors of criminal victimization

Abstract

This paper focuses on the consequences for providers of working with survivors of traumatic events, particularly criminal victimization. The paper reviews the relevant research and treatment literature associated with secondary traumatic stress (STS) and related variables (burnout, compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, and countertransference). The latter part of the paper identifies the most important mitigating factors in the development of STS. These include good training specific to trauma work, a personal history of trauma, and the interpersonal resources of the worker. Implications for treatment, prevention, and research are discussed.

Compassion fatigue and psychological distress among social workers: A validation study.

“…Figley (2002b) has suggested, however, that secondary trauma is not the same as burnout syndrome and that each should be treated as having a unique effect on a professional's well-being (see also Jenkins & Baird, 2002;Sabin-Farrell & Turpin, 2003;Salston & Figley, 2003). Burnout syndrome is often defined as a response to prolonged exposure to demanding interpersonal situations and is characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment (Maslach, Schaufeli, & Leiter, 2001).…”

“…For example, a history of trauma, lower social support, and an inability to cope with the demands of caregiving are thought to increase the likelihood of developing CF. Previous research has tended to support the hypothesized relationships between these risk factors, CF, and psychological distress (Figley, 1995(Figley, , 2002aNelson-Gardell & Harris, 2003;Sabin-Farrell & Turpin, 2003;Salston & Figley, 2003;Schauben & Frazier, 1995). Schauben and Frazier (1995), for example, found that female psychologists and violence counselors with a higher percentage of sexual violence victims as clients reported more vicarious trauma and that this was related to greater psychological problems.…”

“…This type of vicarious trauma often is referred to as secondary traumatic stress in the literature (Boscarino, Figley, & Adams, 2004). Thus, when therapists, doctors, nurses, or child protection workers report symptoms related to reexperiencing the client's traumatic event, wishing to avoid both the client and reminders of the client's trauma, and feeling persistent arousal due to intimate knowledge about the client's traumatic experiences, they are likely suffering from secondary trauma (Figley, 1995(Figley, , 2002bJenkins & Baird, 2002;Schauben & Frazier, 1995).More recently, Figley (1995Figley ( , 2002aFigley ( , 2002b and others (e.g., Gentry, Baranowsky, & Dunning, 2002;Jenkins & Baird, 2002;Nelson-Gardell & Harris, 2003;Salston & Figley, 2003;Stamm, 2002) have observed that secondary trauma and what has been termed job burnout overlap, in that both are characterized by the emotionally exhausting nature of working with survivors of trauma. Figley (2002b) has suggested, however, that secondary trauma is not the same as burnout syndrome and that each should be treated as having a unique effect on a professional's well-being (see also Jenkins & Baird, 2002;Sabin-Farrell & Turpin, 2003;Salston & Figley, 2003).…”

Untitled

“…In regards to forensic interviewing specifically, the participants reported a mean of 5.5 years of experience, with a range of 0.5 to 18 years. All of the participants reported that they had experienced vicarious trauma symptoms, which were indicated by physical symptoms, emotional symptoms, behavioral symptoms, work related issues, interpersonal problems, and/or professional efficacy such as a decrease in concern and esteem for clients (Baird & Jenkins, 2003) [11,[24][25][26][27][28]; Perry, 2003; [29]. Researchers did not inquire about historical mental health and/or trauma of participants prior to the commencement of the study.…”

Fostering Compassion Satisfaction Among College & University Title IX Administrators

“…Employees may lack the experience of satisfaction when there is closure to an interaction because their clients face ongoing, complex, and emotionally laden issues (Guy et al, 2008). Due to this high-stress environment, many researchers, including Salston and Figley (2003), have pointed to compassion fatigue as a constant risk of working in an emotionally intense job. Emotional labor can result in increased absenteeism, increased use of health benefits, poor performance, high turnover rates, more workers' compensation claims, lower morale, and increased substance abuse or misuse (Jacobson, Paul, and Blum, 2005).…”