Vicarious Trauma

Definition of vicarious trauma

The term 'vicarious trauma' was first proposed by McCann and Pearlman (1990) to describe the impact of the work of dealing with the trauma of a therapist. This concept is also used to describe the effects of trauma on the lives of client's therapist. Vicarious trauma (hereinafter referred to as VT) based on the Constructivist Self Development Theory (CSDT). The hypothesis of this theory is that humans have the ability called ego resources, to support and strengthen stability, self-perception and view of the world and himself. When individuals face the traumatic event would change his view of the world (Janoff-Bulman in Pickett, 1998). The explanation is related to the conditions experienced by providers of human services or mental health workers who often deal with trauma victims. Traumatic events experienced by the victim makes the therapist become awakened to the horrors that occurred in the world, and this made him more aware of weaknesses and vulnerabilities of their own lives (McCann and Pearlman; Pearlman and Saakvitne, in Pickett, 1998).

Based on this theoretical perspective, the McCann and Pearlman (in Stamm, 1999) define VT as:

    "The transformation in the inner experience of the therapist That comes about as a result of empathic engagement with client's trauma material (p.31).

Based on the above definition, then VT is the result of an experience of transformation within the individual caused by a therapist's empathic engagement with client's trauma material. Pearlman and Saakvitne (in Lonergan, 1999) further revealed that the VT is a process and outcome of the cumulative impact of trauma therapy with some clients. Thus VT is not the result of a static scene or the handle of the client only. The basic premise of VT is that there are major changes that took part in the psychological aspects of the therapist. These changes include changes in identity and point of view, as well as their ability to maintain positive feelings toward themselves and others and to control the feelings of meaning. Kognitifpun scheme is relatively disturbed, which includes beliefs about safety, self esteem, confidence, reliance, control, and intimacy.

There are two main factors that contribute to the occurrence of VT, namely (a) specific and contextual aspects of the therapy itself, such as the type of client, social environment and work climate, and (b) the characteristics and durability are owned by the therapist, as well as how the therapist works. External factors also play a role of material injury in the development of VT (Pearlman and Saakvitne, in Steed and Downing, 1998). The inability of clients to social functioning, including the very demanding nature, oppose, suspicious, or hostile to the therapist, can add a dimension of interpersonal relationships which may reduce confidence in the ability of the therapist or his empathy with the client. In addition to social, work and organizational factors have the potential to increase the likelihood of someone having VT. Demands a time consuming task, the cases are too much, the pressure to take more responsibility, business plans and the lack of funding thereby affecting the service are all factors that may increase the risk of VT (Pearlman and Maclan in Picket, 1998). In addition to these factors, the therapist who consider work as an important factor in their self-identification would be more likely to develop VT as compared to therapists who work with glass eyes look more realistic.

Self Constructivist Developmental Theory: A description of the occurrence of vicarious trauma

CSDT states that individuals construct a personal reality and establish their self-esteem through a scheme or cognitive point of view and beliefs about the world (Pickett, 1998). Dynamics of the VT is more seen as a constructivist model of development and, where meanings and relationships are an integral part of human experience. Therefore, further efforts are needed to understand the experience of the therapist or the way they take the meaning through their experiences. Thus, it will help us to understand the development of VT, the risk factors associated and the right kind of intervention, by way of understanding the experience of the therapist or the way they explain their experiences (Mc.Cann Pearlmann, in Lonergan, 1999).

Individuals construct personal realities that evolve through a complex cognitive structure, called a "scheme". This scheme includes a number of beliefs (beliefs), assumptions, and expectations about ourselves and the world and help individuals to make sense of them. McCann and Pearlman (in Hesse, 2002) hypothesized that traumatic experiences can cause a serious disruption in some aspect of one's scheme, and that working with traumatized clients can also give the same effect on the therapist. Schema belief, assumptions, and expectations are disrupted or undergo a change in the therapist will differ from one another, and it depends on two factors, namely: employment aspects (environmental) and intrinsic aspects of the individual. Aspects of work include the type of client, organizational factors, social and cultural issues. Intrinsic aspects, including personality, past experiences, individual current environment, and professional level.

There are five main schemes identified impaired or change if the therapist is involved in the matter of the client's trauma and trauma (Pearlman and Saakvitne, in Pickett, 1998). These five schemes are: a sense of security, trust, esteem, intimacy and control.

Safety

Safety turned out to be the psychological needs of the most vulnerable to material injury. When these needs are influenced by information about the traumatic event, the therapist became concerned on the safety of himself and those he loves. Safety of themselves and the people who loved to be the top priority of someone who has been disrupted sense of safety. Behavior is often found in this state is anxiety and excessive security checks, avoiding crowds, and increased self-criticism.


Trust
Companion who work with traumatized clients also learn about the crime, betrayal, violence or atrocities committed by a person or the public against his client. It can affect confidence in a companion so that ultimately makes them cynical, suspicious of others and it is difficult to trust others. This can affect the personal lives of therapists because it is very possible if they see others such as friends, couples, and families with a sense of disbelief. VT impairs the ability of the therapist to feel safe and protected in their dealings with others.




Control
This scheme is expected to begin disrupted when therapists were identified by loss of control of the client at the time of the traumatic event occurred. Interference control scheme is often associated with feeling less able to control the behavior itself, was influenced by others, and questioned the ability to bring change to her own life. Disturbance in the control scheme to clarify the fragility of confidence in a just world and the ability to control the world, showing how irregular the various aspects of life. In line with the fear they experience, in the end a sense of helplessness when helping her clients and feels that he should have control over the client's recovery. When he realized that he did not have the strength and control of it, it can cause frustration and feeling more helpless.


Self-esteem
When therapists experienced disruptions in the scheme self-esteem, they develop a negative view of themselves as professionals, to begin to question her abilities as a friend, spouse, or a human. Judgment and respect for others can also be disrupted, so that the therapist is experiencing VT tend to view others (including clients) are negative. This negative generalizations can result in lack of good relations between himself and others, so the more disturbing and professional identity.


Intimacy
In her work with clients who had experienced trauma, which occurred on the client's progress is often extremely slow and the therapist may feel that he has more to do bad and dangerous. Companion effort to keep themselves from the effects of trauma experienced by clients, allowing them to withdraw from the client is perceived as a source of disappointment and pain. Withdrawal may reduce empathy in therapeutic relationships. Attempts to inhibit the pain associated with trauma material can also reduce the ability of the therapist to experience positive emotions such as love, joy, and enjoy the fun and creative activities. Withdrawal of the therapist will also have an impact on his personal life as he began to see family and friends as being less important. He may avoid family, couples, and friends, so it would further reduce the level of support for him. In addition, the loss of faith in humanity will lead the therapist to be cynical about other people and affect their relationships with family, friends, or loved ones.


VT will bring a huge impact for professionals who are experienced. For example, lack the ability to recover its clients (Pearlman and Saakvitne in Stamm, 1999). By the time they are failing to help his client, it may indirectly have the potential to reduce confidence in their abilities as professionals and interfere with their professional identity.