Post on 18-Dec-2015
Ameliorating the Effects of Vicarious Trauma in the Workplace
Romaine Mossromaine.moss@dbb.org.
au
Our Out of Home Care Service
Category 6 Intensive Support Service6 residential care houses -accommodate
up to 4 young people (10-18 years)70 residential care workers – permanent
& casual24/7 rostered Residential Care WorkersStaff range in age, educational and
employment backgrounds
Background
• High turnover – loss of knowledge & consistency • High number of incident reports• Complex and costly workers compensation
claims• Disempowered Staff – unconsciously identifying
as victims
Elements of VT• Burnout - long-term exhaustion & diminished
interest
• Secondary Traumatic Stress – similar symptoms to PTSD
• Compassion Fatigue – gradual lessening of compassion
• Vicarious Trauma – “The effects of hearing about or
witnessing the aftermath of traumatic events”
• Often suffered in helping professionals where workers are required to take part in empathic interaction with trauma survivors (Pearlman & Saakvitne, 1995)
Vicarious Trauma
Detrimental Effects
Secondary Traumatic Cognitive ChangesStress Re-experiencing Frame of Reference
changesAvoidance Self CapacitiesHyper arousal Disruption to psych needs
Pearlman’s ABC Model of Managing VT
Awareness of the effects of VT
Balance of work and life
Connection with people and community
Essential Components of our VT Management Program
1. Education2. Risk reduction strategies 3. Monitoring for VT symptoms 4. Early Intervention of VT symptoms 5. Promoting longer term wellbeing
Aim to retain staff in better psychological health to improve outcomes for Young People in care
1. Education
Acknowledge that VT is inevitable in this work
Understand the construct of VTRecognise the symptoms of VTStrategies to manage VT
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2. Risk Reduction Strategies – Leaving work at work
Risk Reduction strategies thatReduce exposure to trauma content by
building capacity for individual to “leave work at work”
Physical & psychological ritualsFlexible work arrangements
3. Monitoring for SymptomsCritical incident monitoringVT Testing – Biannual
1. Compassion Fatigue Self Test for Practitioners
(CFST – Figley 1995)Scores for risk of Compassion Fatigue & Burnout
2. Trauma Attachment Belief Scale (TABS – Pearlman 2003)
Scores for cognitive schemas about self & others10 subscales – (Safety, trust, esteem, intimacy &
control) x (self or others)
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4. Early Intervention of Symptoms
SupervisionDefusing/debriefing following critical
incidentsEmployee Assistance Program (EAP)VT Intervention Support Line
5. Promoting Wellness - Self Care
Self Care strategies that:Address the individual’s VT profile -
target symptoms most experienced or most severely.
Actively oppose the results of VT – attempt to offset symptoms & reduce problematic impacts on the worker
Funded and non funded
Research Project (2013 – 2015)
MethodologyCombined quantitative and qualitative methods in 2 phase
process.Phase 1:
Comparative analysis of VT testing (2 x biannual tests – CFST & TABS)
12 month qualitative survey12 month analysis turnover, sick leave & worker’s
compensation data.Phase 2
Repeat above analysis in 12 months Evaluation of tailored individual self care plans and VT
Intervention Support Line
Phase 1 results (2013 -2014)
Qualitative Survey (n=38)No difference in change in VT levels (n = 34) TABS – average to low average range, slight
downward trend but not significant CFST - population at high risk for
experiencing secondary traumatic stress symptoms
Organisational bottom line - drop in turnover, sick leave, & workers compensation leave
Recommendations to Manage VT
Acknowledge the risks – build a culture of inevitability
Reduce the risk – Professional development, supervision & shift handover
Early Intervention – debriefing, VT Support, EAP.
Monitor Symptoms – direct & indirect monitoring
Build Resilience – individual nature of VT, tailored self care
Quotes:“Becoming a Therapist: When trying to
help a broken person always remember that you will be hurt by their shattered pieces and that is okay.” (Cornercanyoncounselling.com)
“In dealing with those who are undergoing great suffering, if you feel “burnout” setting in, if you feel demoralised and exhausted, it is best, for the sake of everyone, to withdraw and restore yourself. The point is to have a long term perspective” Dalai Lama
Thank You...
I would like to acknowledge the work & dedication of Michael Cashin (OOHC Manager), our 6 coordinators and their staff for the amazing work that they do.
I would like to thank the following organisations for their support of our program.Catholic Social Services Australia (CSSA)Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia
Contact details: Romaine Moss (romaine.moss@dbb.org.au)