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Responding to secondary traumatic stress: A pilot study of torture treatment programs in the United States
Author(s) -
AkinsulureSmith Adeyinka M.,
Keatley Eva,
Rasmussen Andrew
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of traumatic stress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.259
H-Index - 134
eISSN - 1573-6598
pISSN - 0894-9867
DOI - 10.1002/jts.21684
Subject(s) - torture , anxiety , medicine , traumatic stress , population , compassion fatigue , clinical psychology , psychiatry , suicide prevention , poison control , psychology , medical emergency , environmental health , burnout , political science , law , human rights
Providers who care for torture survivors may be at risk for secondary traumatic stress, yet there has been little documentation of the effects of repeated exposure to traumatic issues on their emotional health or exploration of the support systems and resources available to address their emotional needs. This study assessed the secondary stress experiences of service providers ( N = 43) within the National Consortium of Torture Treatment Programs in the United States and examined the supports offered by their organizations. The study found a significant correlation between rates of anxiety and depression among providers, r (34) = .49, p = .003. Although these participants reported that their work with survivors of torture was stressful, 91% indicated that their organizations offered a variety of stress‐reduction activities. Overall, participants reported that their own personal activities were the most‐effective stress reducers. The results are discussed in light of challenges that professionals who work with this population face and the effectiveness of support systems available to support their work.