Psychological trauma in professionals working with traumatised children
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JFP-10-2017-0045 |
| Published date | 13 August 2018 |
| Date | 13 August 2018 |
| Pages | 141-151 |
| Author | Carol A. Ireland,Siona Huxley |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Criminology & forensic psychology,Forensic practice,Sociology,Sociology of crime & law,Law enforcement/correctional,Public policy & environmental management,Policing,Criminal justice |
Psychological trauma in professionals
working with traumatised children
Carol A. Ireland and Siona Huxley
Abstract
Purpose –Clinical professionals working with psychologically traumatised children in the care system can
experience potential challenges maintaining their own positive psychological health, and when repeatedly
being exposed to the traumatic histories of those in their care. The purpose of this paper is to increase the
understanding of vicarious trauma and provide a guide for focussing on future research.
Design/methodology/approach –This is a systematicliterature review, considering 13 articles that met the
criteria and identified five main themes linked to secondary traumatic stress/vicarious trauma in staff.
Findings –Five main themes were noted. These are: lack of organisational support; lack of health work-life
balance; lack of appropriate training; failure to use self-care techniques; and staff failure to share when they
are experiencing symptoms.
Practical implications –Various implications are noted from this review. These include: the importance of
education and support for staff, to be mindful that newer staff may be considered an “at risk”group for the
negative impact of such trauma, and to encourage staff in achieving an effective work-life balance.
Originality/value –This is a focussed systematic review on secondary and vicarious traumaon staff working
with children exposed to psychological trauma, such as sexual and physical abuse.
Keywords Staff, Adolescents, Children, Psychological trauma, Compassion fatigue,
Secondary traumatic stress, Vicarious trauma
Paper type Literature review
Introduction
Vicarious trauma is considered as alterations in schemas and core beliefs resulting from
exposure to the trauma of others. Secondary traumatic stress is the transfer and acquisition of
negative affective and dysfunctional cognitive states occurring due to prolonged and extended
contact with traumatised individuals (Motta, 2012). Some researchers define these terms as two
differing concepts, yet they are increasingly being used synonymously, along with compassion
fatigue (Creamer and Liddle, 2005). Mental health workers who are exposed to highly stressful
environments are considered susceptible to burnout, as well secondary traumatic stress
(Wagaman et al., 2015). In a study of house support workers (Bishop and Schmidt, 2011), it was
noted that the majority of participants had heard of the term vicarious trauma, and 61 per cent
identified that their employer had discussed the impact of hearing other people’s traumatic
stories. However, only around a third of the participants had received specific training (Bishop
and Schmidt, 2011).
There is little research looking at vicarious or secondary trauma in residential child placements.
Yet, these are environments where staff can be exposed to the developmental trauma of young
people, such as sexual and physical abuse, as well as being exposed to distress from this
population. As such, research from areas close to this, such as mental health workers and
therapists, must then be extrapolated in order to enhance understanding. Overall, working in
environments where there is psychological trauma and/or mental health issues can be stressful,
as staff can in some instances be exposed to acts of violence (both physical and verbal) and
other distressing events, including hearing distressing details regarding the past traumas of their
clients (Kindy et al., 2005; Weaks, 1999). The same challenges may then be considered when
Received 19 October 2017
Revised 4 December 2017
Accepted 4 December 2017
Carol A. Ireland is a Consultant
Forensic Psychologist at
CCATS: Coastal Child and
Adult Therapeutic Services,
CCATS International Research
Centre, Preston, UK; is at
Ashworth Research Centre,
Mersey Care NHS Trust,
Preston, UK; and is at School
of Psychology,
University of Central
Lancashire, Preston, UK.
Siona Huxley is based at the
CCATS: Coastal Child and
Adult Therapeutic Services,
CCATS International
Research Centre, Preston,
UK; and Maastricht University,
Maastricht, The Netherlands.
DOI 10.1108/JFP-10-2017-0045 VOL. 20 NO. 3 2018, pp. 141-151, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2050-8794
j
JOURNAL OF FORENSIC PRACTICE
j
PAG E 141
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