Understanding Vicarious Trauma, Burnout, and Compassion Fatigue in High-Conflict Divorce

Ordway, Ann M.; Moore, Ruth Ouzts; Casasnovas, Arielle F.; Asplund, Nancy R.

doi:10.1177/1066480720904028

Cited by 11 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…The traumatic experience of the caller can be pervasive and directly associated with the emotional experience of the operators operating in a crisis line. The literature has amply demonstrated that, encountering survivors’ narratives, the operator can suffer a secondary (or vicarious) traumatization [ 13 , 18 ]. The present research has highlighted that, in the context of a helpline for traumatic bereavement, the effect of vicarious traumatization can already be experienced during the telephone contact, through the empathic involvement with the traumatic experiences of the callers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The promotion of specific training programs [ 25 ] and guidelines could also facilitate the acquisition of the resources necessary for the management of emergency situations and act as a protective factor against the negative consequences on the helper’s health. Among the most extreme repercussions, we have mentioned the risk of emotional exhaustion and burnout [ 10 ] and secondary traumatization [ 13 , 18 ], the latter yet to be fully explored in the specific area of traumatic bereavement.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The goal of this research was to explore the experience of the operators of a crisis line in supporting traumatic bereavement, in order to analyze the psychological impact of this type of service, and the resources and strategies used by the operators themselves. The helper, in fact, deals with the emotions and experiences reported by the caller, from which feelings of dissatisfaction may emerge during particularly challenging and/or traumatizing calls [ 12 , 13 ]. Difficulties may emerge with regard to the recruitment of volunteers and the high turnover of the same [ 11 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Supporting Traumatic Grief: A Qualitative Analysis of Helper’s Lived Experience

Leo

Torres²,

Giannotti³

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Background: Usually managed by trained volunteers, crisis helplines services are of primary importance in community care. However, literature has shown that volunteers may be exposed to a high risk of developing negative psychological consequences in relation to the service performed. Although there are numerous studies dedicated to the use of helplines, evidence regarding the experiences of helpers in the context of traumatic losses is still limited. Objective: This study aimed to explore lived experiences of the operators of a crisis line supporting traumatic bereavement. Specifically, it analyzed the psychological impact of interacting with the caller, and the resources and strategies used by the operators themselves. Methods: The study considered 35 operators of the helpline provided by the Italian NGO De Leo Fund, which offers psychological support to survivors of traumatic bereavement. The inclusion criteria were: (a) currently being or having been a helper at the De Leo Fund helpline; and (b) having completed at least 10 shifts in the helpline service. Data were collected through an ad hoc questionnaire, filled online. The thematic analysis technique used Atlas.ti software 8. Results: Four thematic areas emerged from the transcription of the semi-structured interviews. These were: (a) motivation and expectations; (b) emotional and relational impact of the experience as a helper; (c) strategies adopted by operators; and (d) criticalities and strengths. Conclusions: Monitoring helpers’ emotional experiences and the impact of their work overtime emerged in a marked way. The analysis of the strategies and experiences of the operators represents a fundamental factor for the implementation of specific training programs for the management of emergency situations.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Supporting Traumatic Grief: A Qualitative Analysis of Helper’s Lived Experience

Leo

Torres²,

Giannotti³

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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“…In high-conflict divorces, this expansion can cause further difficulties as parents become disconnected from the system and therefore focus more on individual concerns based on their current psychological functioning and rationalizations for their perceptions. “It has been said that in criminal court, the worst people are seen at their best, but in family court, the best people are seen at their worst” (Ordway et al, 2020, p. 190). Research suggests that court involvement can increase animosity and hostility and minimize opportunities for positive communication (Bala et al, 2017).…”

Section: Family Court Involvementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Counseling High Conflict: Navigating the Complexities of High Conflict Divorce

Schmidt,

Grigg

2023

The Family Journal

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Practicing counselors will, at some point, work with clients from high-conflict separations/divorces (HCS/D); however, often they have received very little educational training for these experiences. To effectively treat these clients/client families, all counselors should have a working knowledge of the major processes and critical factors involved in these situations. This manuscript emphasizes the role of the counselor within HCS/D, seeks to give both an overview of and describe the complexities of HCS/D that counselors need to understand, and identifies areas of concern and focus for counselors functioning within distinct modalities.

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“…The second problem concerns the latest form of trauma exposure, the Chronic Indirect Vicarious Exposure, which is particularly frequent among first aiders, as it is considered in some studies as a risk factor for burnout ( Boudoukha et al, 2013 ; Ordway et al, 2020 ). Burnout is a mental issue among workers characterised by three set of symptoms: exhaustion, cynicism and low efficacy ( Maslach et al, 2001 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trauma Exposure and Mental Health Prevalence Among First Aiders

2022

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IntroductionFirst aiders are commonly exposed to different forms of traumatic event (TE) during their duties, such as Chronic Indirect Vicarious Exposure which refers to an indirect exposure to aversive details of the trauma (APA, 2013). If the psychopathological impact of TE is well documented, the mental health of first aiders remains neglected. Therefore, our main objectives are (i) to study the link between exposure to traumatic events and psychopathological outcomes and (ii) to quantify the rates of mental health disorders among first aiders.MethodOur sample comprised of 53 volunteer first aiders (21 females and 32 males) with an average age of 32.4 years (SD = 13.6 years). Traumatic event exposure and mental health were assessed through a set of validated questionnaires completed online.ResultsRates of mental health outcomes were higher than within the general population. Females showed higher scores of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than males. PTSD scores were significantly correlated with all mental issues scores, apart from tobacco use and eating disorders scores. There was a significant correlation between the number of traumatic events and the years of experience. Exposure to traumatic events only correlated with nicotine dependency. No other correlation reaches statistical significance.DiscussionThe scores of all mental health outcomes were high; a surprising result, as volunteer first aiders are thought to be recruited for their strong dispositional cognitive and emotional abilities. The high levels of post-traumatic stress disorder and burnout, along with the prevalent anxiety and depression, highlight the need for greater psychosocial support. Resilience training and peer support would be useful interventions in this group.

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Understanding Vicarious Trauma, Burnout, and Compassion Fatigue in High-Conflict Divorce

Cited by 11 publications

References 20 publications

Supporting Traumatic Grief: A Qualitative Analysis of Helper’s Lived Experience

Supporting Traumatic Grief: A Qualitative Analysis of Helper’s Lived Experience

Counseling High Conflict: Navigating the Complexities of High Conflict Divorce

Trauma Exposure and Mental Health Prevalence Among First Aiders

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