Vicarious Trauma Coping and Self-Care Practices Among Trauma

166 Pages·2017·1.62 MB·English

Walden University
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Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Collection
2017
Vicarious Trauma Coping and Self-Care Practices
Among Trauma Therapists.
Annette Zaccari
Walden University
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Walden University

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by

Annette Zaccari

has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects,
and that any and all revisions required by
the review committee have been made.

Review Committee
Dr. Tracy Mallett, Committee Chairperson, Psychology Faculty
Dr. Leslie Barnes-Young, Committee Member, Psychology Faculty
Dr. Rolande Murray, University Reviewer, Psychology Faculty

Chief Academic Officer
Eric Riedel, Ph.D.

Walden University
2017
Abstract

Vicarious Trauma Coping and Self-Care Practices Among Trauma Therapists.
by
Annette M. Zaccari
Proposal Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the
Degree of Philosophy

Health Psychology

Walden University
August, 2017
Abstract
Therapists who specialize in trauma therapy are indirectly exposed traumatic events
presented by clients within the therapeutic relationship. The potential consequences for
trauma therapists may be the risk of vicarious trauma. Effective coping and self-care are
essential in the practice of trauma work. The research question for this study is: Do
coping skills and self-care practices in trauma therapists moderate the disruptive effect of
vicarious trauma on the fulfillment of their psychological needs (trust/dependence and
control)? The purpose of this research study was to examine quantitatively, the role of
trauma therapists’ beliefs in the effectiveness of coping skills and time spent devoted to
self-care practices as moderators of the disruptive effect of vicarious trauma on their
fulfillment of psychological needs of trust/dependence and control. Based on the
constructive self-development theory, this study explored 2 psychological needs areas
including trust/dependence and control. A sample of therapists with 10 years or more
experience in the field and who primarily treated traumatized populations were recruited.
A survey design methodology via a customized internet-based system was used to
administer the trauma and attachment belief scale and the coping inventory scale. A
hierarchical multiple regression analysis was completed to address the research question
and hypotheses. The results of regression analysis supported the research question.
Contributions to positive social change include increased awareness of the risk of
vicarious trauma and potential coping strategies necessary to address this phenomenon.
Therapists may then enhance their therapeutic effectiveness and organizational service
delivery to traumatized client populations.
Vicarious Trauma Coping and Self-Care Practices Among Trauma Therapists.
by
Annette M. Zaccari
Proposal Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the
Degree of Philosophy

Health Psychology

Walden University
August, 2017
Table of Contents
List of Tables .................................................................................................................... v
List of Figures .................................................................................................................. vi
Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study .................................................................................... 1
Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1
Background ..................................................................................................................... 3
Problem Statement ........................................................................................................ 11
Purpose of the Study ..................................................................................................... 13
Research Question ......................................................................................................... 14
Theoretical Framework ................................................................................................. 16
Nature of the Study ....................................................................................................... 17
Definitions ..................................................................................................................... 19
Assumptions, Scope, and Limitations ........................................................................... 20
Significance ................................................................................................................... 23
Summary ....................................................................................................................... 24
Chapter 2 - Literature Review ............................................................................................26
Literature Search Strategy ............................................................................................. 29
i
Theoretical Foundation: Constructivist Self Development Theory (CSDT) ................ 30
Literature Review Related to Key Concepts ................................................................. 33
Psychological Needs .................................................................................................36
Empathy ..................................................................................................................37
Countertransference ..................................................................................................40
Professional Burnout .................................................................................................42
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) .........................................................................44
Vicarious Trauma, Secondary Traumatic Stress, and Compassion Fatigue .......................46
Secondary Traumatic Stress .......................................................................................49
Compassion Fatigue ..................................................................................................51
Vicarious Trauma .....................................................................................................52
Coping and Self-care Practices ...................................................................................55
Stress and Coping .....................................................................................................57
Self-Care Practices ....................................................................................................64
Summary ....................................................................................................................... 66
Chapter 3 - Research Method ............................................................................................68
Research Design and Rationale ..................................................................................... 69
Methodology ................................................................................................................. 71
Population...................................................................................................................... 73
ii
Sampling and Sampling Procedures .............................................................................. 74
Procedure for Recruitment, Participation and Data Collection ..................................... 75
Protection of Participants .............................................................................................. 77
Instrumentation and Operationalization of Constructs.................................................. 78
Data Analysis Plan ........................................................................................................ 82
Research Question and Hypotheses .............................................................................. 82
Threats to Validity ......................................................................................................... 84
Summary ....................................................................................................................... 85
Chapter 4: Results ............................................................................................................88
Data Collection .............................................................................................................. 90
Results ........................................................................................................................... 96
Statistical Analysis ........................................................................................................ 96
Model Summary for Hierarchical Regression Analysis ................................................ 98
Statistical Assumptions ................................................................................................. 99
Moderation of Vicarious Trauma by Coping: Self-Trust ................................................99
Summary of Findings: Self-Trust .............................................................................. 100
Moderation of Vicarious Trauma by Self-Care: Other Trust ......................................... 103
Summary of Findings: Other Trust ............................................................................ 104
Model of Vicarious Trauma by Self-Control .............................................................. 107
iii
Summary of findings: Self-Control ........................................................................... 108
Moderation of Vicarious Trauma by Self-Care: Other Control ...................................... 111
Summary of Findings: Other Control ......................................................................... 112
Summary ..................................................................................................................... 115
Chapter 5: Discussion, Conclusions, and Recommendations ................................................ 118
Interpretation of the Findings ...................................................................................... 120
Limitations of the Study .............................................................................................. 122
Recommendations ....................................................................................................... 125
Implications for Positive Social Change ..................................................................... 126
Conclusion ................................................................................................................... 127
References .................................................................................................................... 129
Demographic Questionnaire ............................................................................................ 148
Appendix A ................................................................................................................. 148
Western Psychological Services ....................................................................................... 150
Limited License Agreement ........................................................................................ 150
Appendix B ................................................................................................................. 150
Constructive Self-Development Theory (CSDT) ................................................................ 154
Permission for use ....................................................................................................... 154
Appendix C ................................................................................................................. 154
iv
List of Tables
Table 1 Trauma Therapists Report of Demographic Variables………………………….93
Table 2 Descriptive Statistics for Study Variables………………………………………97
Table 3 Model Summaries for Hierarchical Regression Analysis………….....................98
Table 4 Coefficients for Moderation Analysis
Vicarious Trauma and Self-Trust……………………………………………...100

Table 5 Coefficients for Moderation Analysis
Vicarious Trauma and Other Trust..………………………………..………...104

Table 6 Coefficients for Moderation Analysis
Vicarious Trauma and Self-Control…………………….………….................108

Table 7 Coefficients for Moderation Analysis
Vicarious Trauma and Other Control………………….……………………..112

v