Vicarious traumatization

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Vicarious trauma (VT) is a term invented by Irene Lisa McCann and Laurie Anne Pearlman that is used to describe how work with traumatized clients affects trauma therapists.[1] The phenomenon had been known as secondary traumatic stress, a term coined by Charles Figley.[2] In vicarious trauma, the therapist experiences a profound worldview change and is permanently altered by empathetic bonding with a client. This change is thought to have three requirements: empathic engagement and exposure to graphic, traumatizing material; exposure to human cruelty; and the reenactment of trauma in therapy. This can produce changes in a therapist's spirituality, worldview, and self-identity.

Vicarious trauma is a subject of debate by theorists, with some saying that it is based on the concepts of countertransference and compassion fatigue. McCann and Pearlman say that there is probably a relationship to these constructs, but vicarious trauma is distinct. Understanding of the phenomenon is evolving.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms of vicarious trauma align with those of primary trauma. As professionals attempt to connect with their clients emotionally, the symptoms of vicarious trauma can create emotional disturbances such as sadness, grief, irritability, and mood swings.

intimacy, and control.[5][6][7][8][9][10][11]

Contributing factors

Vicarious trauma, conceptually based in

clientele served) and may trigger vicarious trauma. Individuals respond and adapt to, and cope with, VT differently. It has been suggested that traumatization occurs when one's view of the world, or a feeling of safety, is shattered by hearing about the experiences of a client. This exposure to trauma can interrupt a clinician's daily functioning, reducing their effectiveness.[15]

Anything that interferes with a helper's ability to fulfill his or her responsibility to assist traumatized clients can contribute to vicarious trauma. Many human-service workers report that administrative and bureaucratic factors that are an impediment to their effectiveness influence work satisfaction.[16] Negative aspects of an organization such as reorganization, downsizing in the name of change management, and a lack of resources in the name of lean management contribute to burned-out workers.[17][18][19]

Vicarious trauma has also been attributed to the stigmatization of mental-health care by service providers. Stigma leads to an inability to engage in self-care; the service provider may reach burnout and become more likely to experience VT.[20] Research has begun to indicate that vicarious trauma is more prominent in those with a prior history of trauma and adversity.[20] A mental-health provider's defense style might pose a risk factor for vicarious traumatization; mental-health providers with self-sacrificing defense styles have been found to experience increased vicarious traumatization.[21] Among EMS personnel, previous-veteran status increased the likelihood of experiencing vicarious trauma. [22]

Related concepts

Although the term "vicarious trauma" has been used interchangeably with "

work-related stress
," differences exist:

  • Unlike compassion fatigue, VT is a theory-based construct. Observable symptoms can begin the process of discovering contributing factors and related signs, symptoms, and adaptations. VT specifies psychological domains that can be affected, rather than specific symptoms. This may more accurately guide
    self-care
    practices).
  • Countertransference is a
    psychotherapist
    's response to a particular client. VT refers to responses across clients and time.
  • Unlike burnout, countertransference and work-related stress, VT is specific to trauma workers; a helper will experience trauma-specific difficulties, such as intrusive imagery, that are not part of burnout or countertransference.[13] Burnout and vicarious traumatization overlap regarding emotional exhaustion.[23] A worker may experience both VT and burnout, and each has its own remedies. VT and countertransference may also co-occur, intensifying each other.[13]
  • Unlike vicarious trauma, countertransference can provide psychotherapists with important information about their clients.
  • Work-related stress is a generic term without a theoretical basis, specific signs and symptoms, contributing factors, or remedies. Burnout and vicarious trauma can co-exist. Countertransference responses may increase vicarious trauma.[13]
  • Vicarious post-traumatic growth is not a theory-based construct, but is based on self-reported signs.[24]
  • Body-centred countertransference

Mechanism

The posited mechanism for vicarious traumatization is empathy.[13][25][26] Different forms of empathy may have different effects on helpers. Batson and his colleagues have conducted research that might aid trauma helpers in managing empathic connection constructively.[27][28]

Measurement

VT has been measured in a variety of ways. Vicarious trauma is a multifaceted construct, requiring a multifaceted

ego resources, frame of reference (identity, world view, and spirituality), psychological needs, and trauma symptoms.[12][29][14]
They include:

Vicarious traumatizationmay be addressed with awareness, balance, and connection.

coping strategies, which include self-care, rest, escape, and play. A second set of approaches can be grouped as transforming strategies, which aim to help workers create community and find meaning through the work. Within each category, strategies may be applied in one's personal[14][40] and professional lives.[41] Organizations that provide trauma services can also play a role in mitigating vicarious trauma.[42][43]

Many simple things increase happiness, which lessens the impact of vicarious traumatization. People who are more socially connected tend to be happier.[44] People who consciously practice gratitude are also shown happier.[45] Creative endeavors that are detached from work also increase happiness.[46] Self-care practices such as yoga, qigong, and sitting meditation have been found helpful.[47][48][49] Harvard Business Review, in a case study of traumatization, noted the importance of an organizational culture which values social workers and counselors.[50] Research indicates that clinicians exposed to vicarious trauma need targeted interventions such as respite, increasing self-efficacy, and appropriate professional support increase their resilience and act as a buffer against vicarious trauma.[51]

Prognosis

Children have been found to experience vicarious trauma from trauma experienced by their caregivers and peers. Girls experience VT more than boys, and socioeconomic status and race have been found to predict vicarious trauma symptoms.

Counselors and other mental-health professionals have been found to experience vicarious trauma when working with veterans and others who have experienced trauma. Factors that predict vicarious-trauma severity include professional trauma, level of peer supervision, population served by the clinician,[52] defense mechanisms of the therapist,[53] emotional coping strategies, and social-support availability. Foster parents have also been found to experience vicarious trauma related to the trauma of their children. Several studies have found that foster parents experience vicarious trauma, burnout and compassion fatigue, and report emotional disengagement (a common symptom of VT) as a coping strategy.[54][55]

See also

References

  1. doi:10.1007/BF00975140
    . Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  2. ISBN 978-0-12-817872-0
    .
  3. ISSN 1555-0303
    .
  4. S2CID 71313058
    .
  5. ^ Arvay, M.; Uhlemann, M.R. (1996). "Counsellor stress in the field of trauma: A preliminary study". Canadian Journal of Counselling. 30 (3): 193–210.
  6. S2CID 144405929
    .
  7. ISSN 1939-1323
    .
  8. S2CID 140975279
    .
  9. PMID 11217154
    .
  10. ^
    OCLC 828744792.[pages needed
    ]
  11. S2CID 145635689
    .
  12. ^
    ISBN 978-0-87630-594-2.[pages needed
    ]
  13. ^
    ISBN 978-0-393-70183-8.[pages needed
    ]
  14. ^
    ISBN 978-1-886968-08-0.[pages needed
    ]
  15. ISSN 1040-2861
    .
  16. ISBN 978-0-19-061591-8.[pages needed
    ]
  17. S2CID 42874270
    .
  18. S2CID 145581839
    .
  19. doi:10.1037/0735-7028.36.5.544
    .
  20. ^
    S2CID 149202002
    .
  21. ISSN 1931-3926
    .
  22. S2CID 235439364
    .
  23. ^ Gamble, SJ; Pearlman, LA; Lucca, AM; Allen, GJ (1994). Vicarious traumatization and burnout among Connecticut psychologists: Empirical findings. Annual meeting of the Connecticut Psychological Association. Waterbury, CT.
  24. S2CID 145618063
    .
  25. ISBN 978-0-393-70422-8.[pages needed
    ]
  26. ISBN 978-1-135-93746-1.[pages needed
    ]
  27. PMID 3572705
    .
  28. S2CID 2828843
    .
  29. ^ Pearlman, Laurie Anne (2001). "The treatment of persons with complex PTSD and other trauma-related disruptions of the self". In Wilson, J.P.; Friedman; Lindy (eds.). Treating psychological trauma & PTSD. New York: Guilford Press. pp. 205–236.
  30. S2CID 14719358.[dead link
    ]
  31. ^ Weathers, Frank W; Litz, Brett T; Herman, Debra S; Huska, Jennifer A; Keane, Terence M (1993). The PTSD Checklist (PCL): Reliability, validity, and diagnostic utility. Annual convention of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. Vol. 462. San Antonio, Texas.
  32. S2CID 4506565
    .
  33. ^ "Impact of Event Scale – Revised (IES-R)". PTSD: National Center for PTSD. US Department of Veterans' Affairs.
  34. S2CID 144835107
    .
  35. ^ Briere 1996.[full citation needed]
  36. ^ Briere, John (2001). Detailed Assessment of Posttraumatic Stress: DAPS: Professional Manual. Psychological Assessment Resources Lutz, FL.
  37. ISSN 0278-016X
    .
  38. doi:10.1037/t06768-000
    .
  39. ^ Stamm, B.H. (2010). "Professional Quality of Life Scale 5". The National Child Traumatic Stress Network.
  40. ^
    ISBN 978-0-393-70233-0.[pages needed
    ]
  41. ISBN 978-1-60623-039-8
    .
  42. ISBN 978-0-9629164-9-6
    .
  43. ISBN 978-1-886968-07-3.[pages needed
    ]
  44. PMID 11564849
    .
  45. S2CID 6262678
    .
  46. ISSN 1935-990X
    .
  47. S2CID 145411787
    .
  48. S2CID 143592253
    .
  49. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9620.2006.00766.x
    .
  50. ^ Quelch, John A.; Knoop, Carin-Isabel (6 November 2014). "Mental Health and the American Workplace".
  51. ISSN 0360-7283
    .
  52. S2CID 235460538
    .
  53. PMID 34393887
    .
  54. ^ K. B. McLain. The impact of burnout, compassion fatigue, and compassion satisfaction on foster parenting. Unpublished PhD dissertation. State University of New York (2008)
  55. ProQuest 851709362

Further reading

External links
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vicarious_traumatization&oldid=1204933781"