Assessing Indirect Trauma Among Master of Social Work Students: Findings for the Practicum and the Workplace

The issue of trauma, vicarious trauma (VT), and retraumatization (RT) is increasingly important in the practice of social work (Badger, Royce & Craig, 2008; Harrison & Westwood, 2009;  Naturale, 2009) as client trauma histories are widely documented among those seeking mental health, public health, and social services (Ko et al., 2008; Pecora, White, Jackson, & Wiggins, 2009) with studies finding that some client populations have up to a 97% rate of trauma histories (reviewed in Goodman, Rosenberg, Mueser, & Drake, 1997). It is therefore imperative that students are ready to work effectively with these clients.

This study examined the extent to which students in the MSW program at a northeastern United States public university had a personal history of trauma and the extent to which students were exposed to clients with traumatic experiences during their field placement. In addition, students were evaluated for signs of vicarious trauma (VT) and/or retraumatization (RT). Quantitative self-report instruments were administered during the fall and spring semester field placements. These instruments screen for a history of trauma and for VT and RT and include: Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire – Mini Version (ACE) Anda (2006); Impact of Event Scale (IES) Weiss & Marmar (1997); Trauma Screening Questionnaire (TSQ) Brewin et al. (2002); Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS) Bride (1999); Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL) Hudnall-Stamm (2009); and Holmes-Rahe Life Stress Inventory (HRLSI) Holmes & Rahe (1967). These same students were also invited to participate in qualitative interviews on a voluntary basis at the end of the spring semester. Semi- structured interviews expand on participant responses to the quantitative instrument and consist of two open ended questions: 1. Please tell me about the events that took place in your field placement that you experienced as traumatizing, and 2. Please tell me about any life experiences you may have had that you think might make you more sensitive to traumatic symptoms, feeling, or other responses. SPSS was used in quantitative data analysis while Atlas ti software facilitated analysis of qualitative data.

Results found that a significant number of MSW students in this program had a personal trauma history putting them at risk for VT and/or RT during their training. Students reported various signs and symptoms of stress due to trauma history and/or field placement experiences.

Being proactive in preparing students to work with clients, most of whom have a trauma history, is imperative in providing students with the skills needed to respectfully work with all clients regardless of their presenting problem, to help them instill hope into client’s lives, and to assist them in supporting the courage clients have in pursing change. The study indicates that students must be prepared to work with clients with trauma histories. This preparation includes classroom presentation of traumatic materials, training in self-care skills and practices, and the appropriate use of supervision.