Secondary Traumatic Stress in Social Science Researchers of Trauma-Exposed Populations. Issue 5 (28th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Whitt-Woosley, Adrienne; Sprang, Ginny
• Is Part Of: Journal of aggression, maltreatment & trauma. Volume 27:Issue 5(2018)
• Page Start: 475
• Page End: 486
• Publication Date: 2018-05-28
• Subjects: Burnout -- compassion fatigue -- compassion satisfaction -- research -- trauma -- work-related stress; Violence -- Periodicals; Offenses against the person -- Periodicals; Aggression -- Periodicals; Crime Victims -- Periodicals; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic -- Periodicals; Violence -- Periodicals; 616.8582
• DOI: 10.1080/10926771.2017.1342109
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1092-6771

Abstract

ABSTRACT: There is an expanding research database regarding secondary trauma exposure among helping professionals across disciplines and settings. However, there is limited research on the incidence of secondary traumatic stress in social science researchers studying traumatized populations. Various disciplines engage in this area of research, which exposes them to the details of aversive events, especially those engaging in qualitative research. This study explores the impact of such exposure by measuring indicators of secondary traumatic stress (STS), burnout (BO), and compassion satisfaction in a group of 104 researchers. Findings revealed high rates of exposure to traumatic material and a subset of researchers at risk for STS. Regression analyses revealed potential risk factors for STS and BO, and qualitative analysis was conducted to further explore the effects of this work on researchers from multiple disciplines.