Research Article

Secondary traumatic stress and self-care inextricably linked

Published: 2019-1-2

Journal: Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment

DOI: 10.1080/10911359.2018.1472703

Abstract

ABSTRACT Increasingly trauma scholars are exploring the susceptibility of mental health providers to secondary trauma reactions. The current study explores the relationship between clinical social work practice with trauma-exposed clients and secondary traumatic stress among social workers. The intent of this study is to identify the role various factors play in the development of secondary trauma (also known as compassion fatigue). A simple random sample of National Association of Social Workers members were asked to participate. Participants completed an online survey that explored their exposure and responses to secondary traumatic stress. The online survey consisted of standardized measures including the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale and The Coping Strategies Inventory which assesses secondary trauma and self-care strategies, respectively (Bober, Regehr, & Zhou, 2006; Bride, Robinson, Yegidis, & Figley, 2003). The magnitude of work (the extent and intensity of time working with trauma-exposed clients) is assessed by a non-standardized measure which consists of clinical caseloads composition questions. Job satisfaction is measured by items taken from the National Association of Social Workers’ workplace questionnaire (Whitaker & Arrington, 2008). 161 social workers completed the online survey. It required approximately 35 minutes to complete. This project empirically demonstrated that high-magnitude social work practice (providing therapeutic intervention to trauma survivors, i.e. military service members and veterans) is associated with higher levels of secondary trauma. There is also empirical evidence that self-care strategies can mitigate the impact of the secondary trauma. Educational and workforce implications for study findings are discussed. KEYWORD: Secondary traumatic stress, social worker self-care, social work education, workforce Additional information Funding The project was funded by a grant from The Atlantic Philanthropies (Grant #25461).

Faculty Members

  • Allessia P. Owens-King - Department of Social Work, Salisbury University, Salisbury, Maryland, USA

Themes

  • Impact of trauma exposure on mental health providers
  • Compassion fatigue
  • Educational implications for social work
  • Self-care strategies for social workers
  • Workforce development in social work
  • Secondary traumatic stress

Categories

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