The Experience of Secondary Traumatic Stress in Counselors Who Work With Sexually Abused Adolescents
Abstract
The therapeutic treatment of traumatized individuals has steadily increased over the past
several decades due to natural disasters, school shootings, and the increase in physical
and sexual trauma in communities across America. With this increase has also come a
phenomenon known as secondary traumatic stress within the helping professions (Figley,
1995, 1999; Stamm 1995, 1999). This phenomenon, much like Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder, has long lasting effects that can be difficult to manage and overcome.
This qualitative study explored the effect of secondary traumatic stress on
counselors who specifically treat sexually abused adolescents through interviewing
counselors about their experiences and the management of secondary traumatic stress in
their lives. Although the research on secondary traumatic stress continues to expand,
there have been no grounded theory studies, to present, that have discussed the
experience of secondary traumatic stress in counselors who treat sexually traumatized
adolescents. The research findings can be utilized to increase awareness of secondary
traumatic stress in counselors, aide in implementing further training and graduate school
curriculum regarding secondary traumatic stress, and to promote advocacy in the
counseling field regarding secondary traumatic stress in counselors.
Description
item.page.type
Article
item.page.format
Keywords
vicarious trauma, child protection workers, children's advocacy centers, secondary traumatic stress
Citation
Jennings, S. L. (2015). The experience of secondary traumatic stress in counselors who work with sexually abused adolescents (Doctoral dissertation). Texas Tech University.