Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Human Services

Advisor

Sarah Matthey

Abstract

The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore the vicarious trauma (VT)experiences of nonlicensed human service professionals (HSPs) between the ages of 30 and 65 from Central Texas who work with male intimate partner violence (IPV) victims. The conceptual framework that guided this study was the constructivist self-development theory. A purposive sample of 11 HSPs who experienced VT because of working with male IPV victims was obtained through flyers posted on social media. Huberman and Miles’s approach to thematic analysis was used to analyze the data and create codes, categories, and themes. The 13 themes that were identified were (a) emotions enable vicarious trauma vulnerability, (b) lack of awareness leads to poor diagnosis, (c) work experience plays a role in associated risks, (d) stigma prevents the professional from seeking help, (e) vicarious trauma impacts mental and physical health, (f) vicarious trauma affects the professional’s productivity, (g) vicarious trauma improves self-care and services offered, (h) preventive strategies minimize risks associated with vicarious trauma, (i) coping strategies limit the symptoms related to vicarious trauma, (j) ineffective coping strategies cause challenges among professionals, (k) availability of employer-sponsored professional support systems, (l) challenges helping professionals faced with employer-funded support systems, and (m) rewards related to utilizing professional support systems. Social change implications include bringing awareness of the impact of VT in HSPs’ personal and professional environments, which may lead to increased availability of work support services and may improve the number of HSPs who seek and participate in employment-offered professional assistance programs.

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