scholarly journals Vicarious Trauma, Secondary Traumatic Stress or Simply Burnout? Effect of Trauma Therapy on Mental Health Professionals

2009 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 373-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grant J. Devilly ◽  
Renee Wright ◽  
Tracey Varker
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Secondary Traumatic Stress ◽  
Vicarious Trauma ◽  
Secondary Trauma ◽  
Theory Development ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Stress Studies

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to perform an assessment for secondary traumatic stress (STS), vicarious trauma (VT) and workplace burnout for Australian mental health professionals involved in clinical practice. Methods: Recruited directly by mail, randomly selected participants were invited to submit a questionnaire by post or online. Of the 480 participants contacted, 152 mental health professionals completed the questionnaire, which contained measures of STS, VT and burnout. Results: Exposure to patients’ traumatic material did not affect STS, VT or burnout, contradicting the theory of the originators of STS and VT. Rather, it was found that work-related stressors best predicted therapist distress. Conclusions: These findings have significant implications for the direction of research and theory development in traumatic stress studies, calling into question the existence of secondary trauma-related phenomena and enterprises aimed at treating the consultants.

scholarly journals Employee Wellness Pilot Program

2020 ◽  
pp. 216507992097652
Author(s):  
Michelle L. Van Kirk
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Compassion Fatigue ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Secondary Traumatic Stress ◽  
Intent To Leave ◽  
Intent To Stay ◽  
Employee Wellness ◽  
Current Position

Background Mental health professionals caring for the veteran population are at increased risk for compassion fatigue, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress based on the nature of their work. While mental health professionals may experience positive outcomes from providing compassionate care to veterans, compassion fatigue can lead to instability of the workforce. Methods A pilot employee wellness program was implemented over a 9-week period, offering a different wellness module weekly during the employee lunch hour. Demographic data were collected pre-program, and mental health employees were surveyed pre- and post-program using an intent to stay scale and the Professional Quality of Life Scale version 5 (ProQOL-5) to measure compassion satisfaction, burn out, and secondary traumatic stress. Findings Pre-program participants ( N = 42) reported significant differences in intent to stay in their current position for the next year compared to the post-program group ( N = 15). Pre-program participants reported no intent to leave their current position, apply for internal or external positions, or retire in the following year. However, post-program participants reported intent to leave their current positions, apply to internal or external positions, or retire. Pre- and post-program compassion satisfaction scores increased and burnout and secondary traumatic stress scores decreased; these scores were not significantly different between groups. Conclusions/Application to Practice While no significant differences were found between ProQOL-5 subscale scores, the change in participants’ scores may indicate some change, potentially as a result of the intervention. This pilot program offered a creative solution to organizations with limited resources to combat occupation-related compassion fatigue.

The Challenges Facing Mental Health Programs for Post-Conflict and Refugee Communities

2004 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derrick Silove
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Adaptive Systems ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Displaced Persons ◽  
Stress Reactions ◽  
Post Conflict

AbstractThe majority of refugees and communities exposed to warfare and oppression live in low-income countries with few resources or special skills. Yet, epidemiological studies have identified high levels of traumatic stress reactions in such populations. These stress reactions can be intensified by harsh policies aimed at deterring survivors from seeking refuge in technologically advanced societies. The scale of the problem of mass violence and displacement creates formidable challenges for mental health professionals in their efforts to develop practical frameworks for responding to the extensive needs of displaced persons. In this article, a model is proposed for low-income, post-conflict countries, based on a two-tiered formulation. At the eco-social level, mental health professionals can play a supportive, but not a lead, role in facilitating recovery of core adaptive systems that hasten natural recovery from stress for the majority of the population. Where small-scale, community mental health services are established, the emphasis should be on assisting persons and their families who are at greatest survival and adaptive risk. Training and promotion of local workers to assume leadership in such programs are essential. In technologically advanced societies in which refugees are in a minority, torture and trauma services can focus more specifically on traumatic stress reactions, acculturation, and resettlement. In a historical epoch in which displaced persons are facing particularly harsh treatment, there is a pressing need for consensus amongst mental health professionals in advocating for their needs.

scholarly journals Victimes d’actes criminels : une intervention professionnelle

Criminologie ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 5-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frema Engel
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Acute Stress ◽  
Crime Victims ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Syndrome ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Victims Of Crime

Victims of crime suffer tremendous psychological damage as a result of the trauma that they experience. The effects can be totally debilitating and can destroy their lives. The author discusses the reactions, symptoms of acute stress and stages of recovery of crime victims. She also discusses post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), and the kind of help victims need to recover from their injuries. Finally, she suggests how mental health professionals in particular and society in general could better respond to crime victims.

scholarly journals Secondary traumatic stress in Norwegian SUD-therapists: Symptoms and related factors

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 522-531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayna B Johansen ◽  
Eva Kristiansen ◽  
Ingerid Bjelland ◽  
Shedeh Tavakoli
Keyword(s):  
Substance Abuse ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Secondary Traumatic Stress ◽  
Secondary Trauma ◽  
Trauma Symptoms ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Leader Support ◽  
Cross Sectional Design

This study examined the prevalence of secondary traumatic stress (STS) among substance-abuse therapists in relation to burnout, work-related stressors, as well as peer and leader support. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional design examining 383 Norwegian substance-abuse therapists. Electronic surveys were distributed to practitioners in Norway via email and social media. Results: A total 22% of the respondents reported experience of secondary trauma, with the most frequently reported symptoms being flashbacks (13%) and intrusive thoughts (13%). More than 72% of therapists had also been exposed to patient direct threats. Female therapists estimated the level of trauma among their patients as higher than did male therapists. Male therapists (32%) were more likely to report secondary trauma than females (19%). Conclusions: The findings indicate a high prevalence of trauma symptoms in substance-abuse therapists, and suggest increased focus on the role of patient direct threats when treating patients with substance-abuse disorder. The study also highlights the need for research that examines variables that interact with gender in predicting STS in therapists treating substance abuse, as well as trauma.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document