Exploring the effects of vicarious trauma in New Zealand practitioners

Abstract

Vicarious trauma is an occupational stress reaction that affects health professionals on different levels. This is caused from empathic engagements with clients and being exposed to traumatic material on a regular basis. In this study it was clear that practitioner’s experience negative as well as positive shifts in their world views and sense of self. Eleven health practitioners were interviewed to explore what led them into their desired helping profession and how they have managed to practice effectively. Related concepts of psychological impacts are discussed describing the relationship between posttraumatic stress type features and vicarious trauma that are experienced by health professionals. Information collected from interviews explored the themes between the shared stories and the literature on vicarious trauma effects. Four sections explore: motives for helping, personal experiences of vicarious trauma, identifying it in others and various ways of coping with effects. Various sub-themes are explored from each major theme using the constructivist self-development theory. In conclusion with the findings from the data collected and previous research, this study shares lived experiences of the effects of vicarious trauma.