Evelia Murcia Álvarez (Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Vigo, Ourense )
(Spain)
Co-author:
Xoán Lombardero Posada – Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Vigo, Ourense, Spain
Francisco X. Aguiar Fernández – Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Vigo, Ourense, Spain
Antonio González Fernández – Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Vigo, Ourense, Spain
Ana B. Méndez Fernández – Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Vigo, Ourense, Spain
Presenting author: Evelia Murcia Álvarez
Topic: Vicarious trauma among social workers: examining some risk and protective factors
Language: English
Abstract
Due to the indirect exposure to users’ traumatic realities, social workers may experience emotional responses of vicarious trauma. Previous research indicated that risk factors (such as workload and trauma caseload) provoke vicarious trauma and that other factors (such as recovery experiences and organisational support) can protect from vicarious trauma. However, empirical studies testing the association between these variables among social workers are lacking. This study aims to answer two main research questions: (i) Can workload and trauma caseload facilitate the development of vicarious trauma? (ii) Can recovery experiences and organisational support protect from vicarious trauma? A sample of 373 Spanish social workers completed a questionnaire online. The analyses showed that workload and trauma caseload facilitate the emergence of vicarious trauma; furthermore, recovery experiences (psychological detachment and relaxation) and support from supervisors and co-workers protect professionals from vicarious trauma. These results highlight the need for interventions lowering job stressors and enhancing recovery experiences and organisational support as means to decrease vicarious trauma.