The Effect of Childhood Trauma, Personal Wellness, Supervisory Working Alliance, and Organizational Factors on Vicarious Traumatization

Abstract

Scholars have identified vicarious traumatization (VT) as one of the most extreme effects of working with traumatized clients; however, not all mental health therapists develop VT (Pearlman & Saakvitne, 1995). Path analytic procedures were used to assess a comprehensive theoretical VT model based on constructivist self-development theory (CSDT). The model explained 46% of the variance in VT in mental health therapists surveyed.

Vicarious traumatisation: risk and resilience among crisis support volunteers in a community organisation

“…Williams et al (2012) state that engagement in personal wellness practices, such as exercise, decreases the risk of vicarious traumatisation. These gatherings also give the crisis interventionists an opportunity to bond and discuss any problems they might have.…”

“…I wouldn't say one person is in charge because we can't tell a person everything So they move around [between senior volunteers]'. Supervisors have the potential to perform a role that is more than merely training but instead provides a space for crisis interventionists to process their responses and facilitate integration of the client's trauma into their cognitive schema (Cyr & Dowrick, 1991;Sommer, 2008;Taylor & Furlonger, 2011;Trippany et al, 2004;Williams et al, 2012). Being accountable to a more senior crisis interventionist compels the trainee to reflect on her emotional responses and deal with the negative effects of working with this vulnerable population before it becomes overwhelming.…”

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

“…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.…”

“…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.…”

Interpersonal leader responses to secondary trauma in nonprofit human service organizations

“…Alternately referred to as "vicarious trauma," "vicarious tramautization," "secondary traumatic stress," or "compassion fatigue" (Figley, ), secondary trauma is concerned with the intrapersonal affective responses an individual can experience during or subsequent to an interaction(s) with another person who recounts his or her personal stories of abuse, trauma, or disempowerment (Williams, Helm, & Clemens, ). Secondary trauma can engender a host of detrimental intrapersonal effects on nonprofit staff who express empathy toward clients experiencing primary trauma.…”