Vicarious Traumatization in Therapists: Contributing Factors, PTSD Symptomatology, and Cognitive Distortions

One hundred ninety-one licensed psychologists who work with traumatized clients completed a survey that examines the impact of personal and professional factors on vicarious traumatization. Quantitative results indicated that therapists' personal variables of sex, personal trauma history, and current stressfulness of personal trauma predict PTSD symptoms, while variables that include vicarious exposure to trauma and perceived social support predict hyperarousal symptoms and cognitive distortions above and beyond the effects of therapists' personal variables. Qualitative results revealed the importance of maintaining a balance between professional and personal support, a holistic attention to body and mind that includes physical exercise and self-care, spirituality and meditation, leisure activities, cognitive strategies, and personal growth activities. Implications and recommendations for future research are discussed.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Education

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Lugris, Veronica Maria

Contributors dc:contributor

• Helen Farmer

• Psychology, Clinical

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI9990069

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/80435