Examining the Relationship Between Vicarious Trauma and Resilience Among Child Welfare

Date

2016

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

California State University, Northridge

Abstract

The objective of this study was to measure the levels of vicarious trauma and its impact on social workers resilience. This study examined the relationship between the vicarious trauma experienced by these individuals in their capacity as child welfare workers and their resiliency to vicarious trauma. The researchers’ hypothesis was that a positive relationship between vicarious trauma and resilience exists because vicarious trauma can lead to resilience. The researchers distributed two surveys to child welfare social workers employed by a child protective service organization in a large metropolitan area. The objectives of the two surveys were to assess the level of vicarious trauma by using the secondary traumatic stress and assess the levels of resilience. The two surveys were necessary to be able to assess the level of vicarious trauma they have experienced by using the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale and the level of resiliency using the Connor Davidson Brief Resiliency Scale. The results of the surveys showed that there is a correlation between avoidance, intrusion and resilience; the higher the intrusion and avoidance, the lower the resilience. (Author Abstract)

Description

Keywords

child abuse, secondary traumatic stress, research, compassion fatigue

Citation

Campos, N. (2016). Examining the Relationship Between Vicarious Trauma and Resilience Among Child Welfare (Doctoral dissertation, California State University, Northridge).

DOI