Psychological and the physical health impacts of forensic workplace trauma

Purpose Health-care professionals working in inpatient forensic mental health settings are exposed to a range of traumatic and distressing incidents with impacts discussed variously as “burnout”, “compassion fatigue”, “secondary trauma stress” and “vicarious traumatisation”. This study aims to explore the short- and long-term psychological and physical health effects of trauma exposure in the workplace for frontline staff in a forensic setting. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 nursing staff members working in the male personality disorders care stream in a Medium Secure Hospital. Findings Thematic analysis yielded five themes: categories of trauma; how well-being is impacted; ways of coping and managing; protective factors; and systemic factors, with sub-themes within each of the superordinate themes. Practical implications The findings demonstrate that some staff members were affected both physically and psychologically as a result of trauma-focused work whereas other staff members were unaffected. The psychological and physical health effects were broadly short-term; however, long-term effects on staff member’s social networks and desensitisation to working conditions were observed. A broad range of coping methods were identified that supported staff member’s well-being, which included both individual and organisational factors. Staff member’s health is impacted by exposure to workplace trauma either directly or indirectly through exposure to material, and there is a greater need to support staff members after routine organisational provisions are complete. Staff should receive education and training on the possible health effects associated with exposure to potentially traumatic material and events. Originality/value This research has further contributed to understanding the staff needs of nursing staff members working with the forensic personality disorder patients within a secure hospital setting. This research has identified the following service developments: the need for ongoing support particularly after organisational provisions are complete; further prospects to engage in psychological formulations; greater opportunities for informal supervision forums; staff training to understand the potential health impact associated with trauma-focused work; supervisors being appropriately trained and supported to elicit impacts of trauma-focused work on staff members; and additional opportunities to discuss well-being or monitor well-being.

Career Adaptability: The Key to Tackling Workplace Trauma at Scale

Over the last 12 months we have witnessed an acceleration of change within the traditional workplace. Digital disruption has only been exacerbated by Covid-19, displacement is rife, and the skills gap is widening exponentially. This report explores the concept of career adaptability, it’s origin and development but also how it can form the backbone of the response to overcoming workplace trauma. Exploring a ground-breaking, human centered response that will enable mentoring and employment support, at scale.

A Culture of Healing

The authors of this chapter contextualize terms such as individual trauma, collective trauma, and toxic stress; discuss how trauma impacts school environments; and propose steps to triage traumatic effects among faculty, staff, and students. Based on existing research and studies conducted by the authors of this chapter, strategies are introduced to help school leaders and teachers to overcome the effects of trauma and create a safe culture of healing during and after a traumatic event. While the context surrounding immediate trauma responses may default to macro-level discussions like violence, school shooting incidents, and school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is noteworthy to underscore less-publicized traumatic events such as adverse childhood experiences, adult workplace trauma, and collective organizational trauma. The authors provide case studies to help practitioners process organizational trauma scenarios.

Lives saved: Correctional officers’ experiences in the prevention of prisoner death by suicide

Few researchers have empirically examined completed or attempted death by suicide in prison and, of the available research, most has been conducted in the United Kingdom. Our purpose in this article is to increase awareness and knowledge about “lives saved” in custody drawing on the voices of Canadian provincial and territorial correctional officers (COs; n = 43). We investigate their experiences with attempted and completed death by suicide to shed light on the commonality of such experiences, and their impact on officers over time. Based on an analysis of semi-structured interview transcripts, we explore the effects of exposure to these potentially psychologically traumatic events on COs, specifically their emotional responses, as well as the supports available, both informal and formal, as they navigate their work. We found that the roles of officers, which frequently overlap with the domains of mental health support and first response in a crisis situation, are often under-recognized and underappreciated. Ultimately, we highlight the need for increased dialogue surrounding workplace trauma and mental health in prison and explore the institutional barriers that arise when facilitating discussion about mental health. We show that although some lives are lost in prison, due to natural and nonnatural causes, many lives are saved by prison staff.

You don’t see the world through the same eyes any more: The impact of sexual offending work on police staff

This paper examines the experiences of police staff in England who work with sexual offence material (SOM). Eleven officers completed a questionnaire then took part in semi-structured interviews. The data were analysed in two stages: Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to illuminate the ‘lived experience’ of participants, and establish a theme structure. Clinical models of workplace trauma were then employed to explore the theme ‘Impact of working with sexual offending’. Impact includes cognitive intrusions and increased suspiciousness. The authors identify where officers’ accounts intersect with nascent symptoms of both Vicarious Traumatisation (McCann and Pearlman, 1990) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).