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An Investigation of Factors Impacting Vicarious Traumatization and Vicarious Posttraumatic Growth in Crisis Workers: Vicarious Exposure to Trauma, Feminist Beliefs, and Feminist Self-Labeling

Fedele, Katherine
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1519564198322496

Abstract Details

2018, Doctor of Philosophy, University of Akron, Counseling Psychology.
Crisis workers who aid trauma victims may experience long-term negative and positive changes in various ways. Vicarious traumatization (VT), a potential negative consequence of working directly with trauma victims, involves experiencing distressing changes in beliefs about oneself, others, and the world (McCann & Pearlman, 1990). At the same time, vicarious posttraumatic growth (VG) may be a positive outcome, consisting of perceived positive changes in one’s self, relationships with others, and a changed philosophy of life (Arnold, Calhoun, Tedeschi, & Cann, 2005). Prior works suggest that degree of vicarious exposure to trauma, feminist beliefs, and feminist self-labeling may influence VT and VG outcomes (Cohen & Collens, 2013; Ullman & Townsend, 2007). Despite the inherently demanding work of serving a vulnerable population, the literature is limited regarding the specific outcomes crisis workers may experience, as well as the factors that may influence those outcomes. In the current study, data were collected from 149 female-identifying crisis workers (employed by domestic violence agencies, rape crisis centers, victim’s assistance programs, child protective services, and other organizations primarily involving crisis work). Moderation analyses revealed significant main effects for feminist beliefs and feminist self-labeling on VT (b=.32, p=.048; b=15.5, p=.03, respectively), with stronger feminist beliefs and feminist self-labeling leading to greater VT. A significant main effect also emerged for feminist beliefs on VG, with stronger feminist beliefs leading to greater VG (b=.21, p=.02). Contrary to prediction, the relationships between degree of vicarious exposure to trauma, VT, and VG were not significantly correlated. Feminist beliefs and feminist self-labeling also did not emerge as moderators of these relationships. Results add to the literature that feminist beliefs and feminist self-labeling may influence both distress (VT) and growth (VG) in crisis workers. The current study suggests the importance of continued exploration of factors such as feminist beliefs and feminist self-labeling impacting VT and VG outcomes in order to provide efficacious trainings and interventions to empower crisis workers, which may in turn positively impact the populations they serve.
Dawn Johnson, Ph.D. (Advisor)
John Queener, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Charles Waehler, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Ingrid Weigold, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Lori Kidd, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Counseling Psychology
vicarious traumatization; vicarious posttraumatic growth; crisis workers

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Fedele, K. (2018). An Investigation of Factors Impacting Vicarious Traumatization and Vicarious Posttraumatic Growth in Crisis Workers: Vicarious Exposure to Trauma, Feminist Beliefs, and Feminist Self-Labeling [Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1519564198322496

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Fedele, Katherine. An Investigation of Factors Impacting Vicarious Traumatization and Vicarious Posttraumatic Growth in Crisis Workers: Vicarious Exposure to Trauma, Feminist Beliefs, and Feminist Self-Labeling. 2018. University of Akron, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1519564198322496.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Fedele, Katherine. "An Investigation of Factors Impacting Vicarious Traumatization and Vicarious Posttraumatic Growth in Crisis Workers: Vicarious Exposure to Trauma, Feminist Beliefs, and Feminist Self-Labeling." Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1519564198322496

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by University of Akron and OhioLINK.
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