NCJ Number
166780
Date Published
1997
Length
14 pages
Annotation
Mental health and other professionals were surveyed in a preliminary and exploratory study to determine the nature and extent of vicarious traumatization resulting from providing psychotherapy, as well as the coping methods used.
Abstract
Data were collected from four separate groups of persons attending workshops and conferences between 1992 and 1994. Topics of the events included the traumatization of professionals who work with survivors and perpetrators of violence and victimization, therapy involving sexual dilemmas, dissociation and the healing process associated with childhood trauma, and sexual exploitation by professionals. The questionnaire gathered information on demographics, life experiences, adaptations, processes helpful in handling traumatic material encountered during work, wishes for techniques to help handle traumatic material, and other comments. Results revealed that 62 percent of the 135 participants reported that they had been vicariously traumatized. Their specific experiences included experiences of flashbacks, bad dreams, and bad images of their clients' traumatic material. A higher proportion of traumatized than nontraumatized professionals also reported anxiety, worry about their families, not feeling safe at work, and greater isolation from families and friends. The vicariously traumatized group expressed a wish for better ways to handle general stress as well as job strains. Only small differences existed in some areas between those vicariously traumatized and those not traumatized. Findings suggest the need for further research on vicarious traumatization and effective self-care techniques for professionals. Tables and 20 references