Files
Abstract
Secondary traumatic stress (STS) is potentially harmful for clinicians working with trauma populations, yet literature is inconclusive about how it may harm clinicians. This study explored the effects of STS on Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs). Using mixed methods research with a critical realist stance, this study employed a sequential explanatory design with quantitative data collected in the first phase and qualitative data in the second phase. This study explored facets of therapists STS experiences and is detailed in two manuscripts. First, the measurement of STS was explored using the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS) in a national sample of MFTs (N = 197). Based on STSS responses, 30.5% of the sample endorsed clinical levels of PTSD. Validity of the STSS for use with MFTs was further examined through dyadic interviews with a subset of MFTs from the larger quantitative survey and their partners (n = 10). Results indicate that the STSS should be conceptualized as a unidimensional construct when surveying MFTs. Not all MFTs endorsed clinical levels of PTSD. However, qualitative interviews highlighted that most therapists experienced symptoms of STS, and even their partners recognized those symptoms they were experiencing. The first manuscript extends mixed methods research by mixing quantitative and qualitative data together and contextualizing how the STSS detects secondary trauma. In the second study, exposure to trauma via trauma clients was examined alongside therapists STS, perceptions of social support, compassion satisfaction, organizational factors, and their reports of intention to leave their work. Secondary trauma partially mediated the association between trauma exposure and therapists intention to leave. Organizational factors and compassion satisfaction were negatively and significantly associated with therapists intention to leave. Implications for training programs and agencies are discussed. Both studies highlight the nuanced experience of STS in a national sample of MFTs. As this study is the first focusing on STS in MFTs, the findings can be used to aid training programs and agencies, and disseminated to MFTs within private practice. Implications for prevention can be applied to agencies seeing an influx of trauma clients and organizations with high turnover rates.