Factors affecting trainees' vulnerability to indirect trauma

Psychologists may develop reactions of indirect trauma from trauma work, which consist of secondary traumatic stress (STS; i.e., avoidance, re-experiencing, and hyperarousal), compassion fatigue (CF; i.e., avoidance, re-experiencing, hyperarousal, and changes to work-related behaviors and beliefs), and vicarious traumatization (VT; i.e., changes to beliefs about self, others, and the world). Doctoral psychology trainees, a population minimally studied in this area, may also develop indirect trauma, which may impact training and career trajectories. The present study assessed 74 psychology trainees in their fourth year and above, 48 of whom completed the study (77% women, mean age = 29, range: 25 to 39 years) to determine their lived experiences and personal (e.g., self-compassion), training, and exposure-related factors associated with indirect trauma. Participants completed measures of indirect trauma and answered questions about personal background, training, and clinical experiences. Overall, participants reported STS in the “mild” range, VT in the “average” range, and CF in the “low” range. All forms of indirect trauma were negatively associated with self-compassion. STS varied by total caseload, trauma intervention, trauma-focused externship, graduate program type, and extent of trauma training. VT varied by trauma clinical experience and extent of trauma training. CF varied by caseload total. No evidence was found for associations between indirect trauma and gender, age, personal trauma history, theoretical orientation, trauma caseload, year in program, and amount of supervision. The results suggest that amount and type of trauma training impact vulnerability to indirect trauma. Participants stressed the importance of supportive supervision in trauma training, especially discussion of trainee reactions to trauma work, including the impact of personal trauma history. Many participants (58.7%) expressed a desire to continue trauma work due to its prevalence and rewarding nature. Future studies may use longitudinal assessment of indirect trauma during training to determine the course and impact of risk factors over time. Training and supervision recommendations include increased availability of trauma courses, implementation of programs that foster self-compassion, and the supportive supervision in which discussion of personal reactions to trauma work are openly encouraged.Psy.D.Includes bibliographical referencesby Ashley Lauren Sutto