An Exploratory Study of Vicarious Trauma Among Therapist Trainees
Date
2008
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Publisher
Training and Education in Professional Psychology
Abstract
The current study explored vicarious trauma among therapist trainees in relation to history of trauma,
experience level, trauma-specific training, and defense style. Students in graduate clinical and counseling
psychology training programs (N 129) completed the Trauma Symptom Inventory, Defense Style
Questionnaire, and an experience questionnaire. Results indicated trauma symptoms were significantly
associated with defense style, which appeared to moderate personal trauma history and experience level.
Trauma-specific training was also independently related to trauma symptoms. Notably, over half the
sample reported a self-sacrificing defense style, which was a risk factor for vicarious trauma. Training
implications of the findings are discussed.
Description
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Keywords
vicarious trauma, therapist, research
Citation
Adams, S. A., & Riggs, S. A. (2008). An exploratory study of vicarious trauma among therapist trainees. Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 2(1), 26.