Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Date of Degree

6-2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Program

Social Welfare

Advisor

SJ Dodd

Committee Members

Barbra Teater

Vicki Lens

Subject Categories

Social and Behavioral Sciences | Social Work

Keywords

Vicarious trauma, vicarious post-traumatic growth, social work, intimacy

Abstract

Working therapeutically with trauma survivors, such as survivors of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) carries a risk of vicarious traumatization (VT) for social workers, as well as the potential for vicarious post-traumatic growth (VPTG). This phenomenological study sought to explore and understand how vicarious exposure to trauma affects social workers who treat survivors of IPV and their intimate relationships positively and negatively. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 15 social workers working directly with survivors of IPV in New York while being involved in their intimate relationships.

Utilizing the constructivist self-development perspective, the study found social workers experienced physical, emotional, and psychological symptoms commonly associated with vicarious trauma as a result of their work with survivors of IPV. Their worldview shifted, especially around the issues of safety and intimacy. The social workers shared in great detail the ways working with their clients’ traumatic events resulted in fears and expectations of danger, betrayal, or potential harm within the social workers’ own current or future relationships. However, some social workers reported experiencing vicarious post-traumatic growth and described how their work resulted in having more appreciation and gratitude for the safety they feel in their relationships. Therefore, this study led to a better understanding of how vicarious experiences with survivors of IPV impact social workers’ intimate relationships both positively and negatively.

This study offers several implications for practice. The importance of addressing the issue of vicarious trauma in graduate school, especially for those who are training to work directly with traumatized populations. Vicarious-informed supervision, a type of supervision that is designed to support helping professionals such as social workers who work with survivors of trauma, can be incorporated into a clinical supervision model and be potentially helpful in mitigating vicarious trauma. Clinical supervision from an outside contractor can be a valuable tool for social workers looking to improve their skills and knowledge, and ensure they are comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings about their vicarious exposure without the worry of being viewed negatively by a direct supervisor or denied the opportunity to process their experiences. Finally, institutionalized peer support can help social workers who have experienced vicarious trauma by providing a safe and supportive environment to discuss their experiences with other social workers who have gone through similar situations.

Implications for future research include: Exploring gender differences in the phenomenology of vicarious exposure to gender-based trauma; Assessing the effectiveness of creating a vicarious informed organizational culture; Identifying protective factors that will facilitate vicarious post-traumatic growth in social workers; Examining the impact of on-call policies on social workers’ personal lives and relationships; and Learning the benefits of utilizing outside contractors for clinical supervision.

This phenomenological study offered a description of the lived experiences of social workers who work on a day-to-day basis with survivors of IPV to better understand the influence, both positive and negative, that vicarious exposure has on social workers and their intimate relationships. It also outlined the ways graduate schools and organizations can support social workers doing this critical work.

Download

Included in

Social Work Commons

Share

COinS