Vulnerability factors for secondary traumatic stress in psychotherapists who treat traumatized clients /
The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of working with traumatized clients in relation to the concept of secondary traumatic stress (STS). Similar concepts such as vicarious trauma, burnout, occupational stress, and countertransference reactions were described according to a review of...
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
[Place of publication not identified] :
[publisher not identified] ;
1998.
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://proxy.library.tamu.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=737704631&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=2945&RQT=309&VName=PQD |
| Summary: | The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of working with traumatized clients in relation to the concept of secondary traumatic stress (STS). Similar concepts such as vicarious trauma, burnout, occupational stress, and countertransference reactions were described according to a review of the literature. Participants included 214 psychotherapists who were randomly selected from the American membership of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. They varied with regard to gender and age, represented a broad range of disciplines, and worked with a variety of types of traumatized clients. Respondents completed a demographic questionnaire, the Florida Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale, the Impact of Event Scale, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Each research question was analyzed through multiple regression to evaluate relationships between STS and the variables of interest. With regard to exposure to traumatized clients, both current and cumulative exposure had small effect sizes when correlated with STS in therapists. A personal history of traumatization was slightly related to STS symptoms, with the number of traumatic events experienced resulting in a moderate effect size. Finally, years of experience, both general and trauma-specific, was also found to have a small effect size. The small to moderate effect sizes were consistent with prior research in this growing area of interest. Results from the present study indicate that a substantial number (27%, n=58) of the trauma therapists were considerably distressed. This subset of 58 therapists had outlying scores on one or more scales measuring STS symptoms. Recognition of this occupational hazard is important to protect both therapists and clients from harm. Further research in this area is recommended, especially with therapists with less experience who may be more vulnerable to the effects of working with trauma survivors, |
|---|---|
| Item Description: | Vita. "Major Subject: Counseling Psychology". |
| Physical Description: | x, 188 leaves : illustrations ; 28 cm. Issued also on microfiche from University Microfilms Inc. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references: pages 145-169 . |