Thesis (Ph.D.(Psychology))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Humanities, 2013. / The research entailed a comprehensive study of vicarious trauma in short-term insurance claims workers, compared to trauma counsellors and a control group of holiday booking consultants. A well-known, comprehensive model of compassion fatigue/secondary traumatic stress, developed for therapists formed the basis of the study. The research attempted to determine whether this model can be applied more widely to include administrative populations exposed to traumatised clients on a regular basis. To this end, the model was deconstructed into its eleven constituent parts and each element was investigated in addition to other variables of interest to the study. This was done to determine the importance and applicability of each model element and other selected variables to the administrative context. A mixed methods approach was utilised, which combined quantitative and qualitative data. The results yielded by the study were collectively utilised to construct an etic and an emic voice from the research. At the same time, effects from vicarious trauma were considered from an overarching bio-psychosocial stance, systematically gauging effects on various levels of functioning. Scores from quantitative measures on secondary traumatic stress, negative cognitive schemas, empathy, social support and compassion satisfaction were statistically analysed, which revealed significant differences between the worker groups. Widely accepted relationships between the study variables were tested and found to hold true within and across groups. Regression analysis determined the roles of empathy, social support and compassion satisfaction in vicarious trauma, as measured by secondary traumatic stress and negative cognitive schemas. In addition, constructivist selfdevelopment theory was employed to interpret the negative cognitive effects from vicarious traumatisation. Qualitative data were utilised to further elucidate the role and nature of vicarious trauma in each of the worker groups. The themes of exposure to client suffering, detachment, level of empathic engagement, personal trauma history and difficult life demands were unearthed from the qualitative data, which illuminated the importance and role of each of these elements to claims workers. Other areas of interest, being utilisation of sick-leave as a means to cope, work-related illness, attitudes towards professional counselling, feelings evoked by traumatised clients, and the language utilised by workers in response to client traumata were investigated. Further effects on participants as well iv as effects that reach beyond the person were identified and examined. Effects on the social and work contexts were also elucidated. Finally, interesting themes that emerged spontaneously from the data were considered. The consideration of the various model elements and other areas of interest systematically revealed that administrative workers dealing with traumatised clients are also affected by the process of vicarious trauma. Furthermore, the model was found to be largely suitable to the context of claims workers. However, the model was expanded to augment its usability within the more general administrative domain. Finally, the overarching aim was to enrich, contextualise and elaborate on the experiences of claims workers within their unique work context, to facilitate insight and a deeper understanding of vicarious trauma in more administrative populations that have largely been overlooked in research.

Paramedics are exposed to high levels of stress and trauma in their working environment. Research has its focus on the coping mechanisms and trauma incidents escalating into Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. This study examines the paramedics’ working environment in relation to the help available, and suggests a pastoral counselling method which may be utilized as an effective method of assisting in the coping process and prevention of PTSD. Emergency Medical Services as a helping profession is mainly concerned with the welfare of their patients. This study has its focus on helping the helper, with the main focus on assisting the paramedic to cope with his working environment. Implications of the research include kerugmatik counselling and narrative therapy, incorporated in a pastoral counselling method to assist the paramedic with the healing process. The main findings were that stress and coping of the paramedic in his working environment was a reality which was often overlooked, as these paramedics had their focus on caring for their patients. In most cases there is help available, but the paramedic is hesitant to seek it out. Paramedics are mostly self-reliant in their coping mechanisms as their understanding and relationship with God and with the church had been damaged. The researcher followed the four tasks of practical theology as theoretical framework, as explained by Osmer: Descriptive-empirical Task – Priestly listening Interpretive Task – Sagely wisdom Normative Task – Prophetic discernment Pragmatic Task – Servant Leadership / Thesis (MA (Pastoral Studies))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Paramedics are exposed to high levels of stress and trauma in their working environment. Research has its focus on the coping mechanisms and trauma incidents escalating into Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. This study examines the paramedics’ working environment in relation to the help available, and suggests a pastoral counselling method which may be utilized as an effective method of assisting in the coping process and prevention of PTSD. Emergency Medical Services as a helping profession is mainly concerned with the welfare of their patients. This study has its focus on helping the helper, with the main focus on assisting the paramedic to cope with his working environment. Implications of the research include kerugmatik counselling and narrative therapy, incorporated in a pastoral counselling method to assist the paramedic with the healing process. The main findings were that stress and coping of the paramedic in his working environment was a reality which was often overlooked, as these paramedics had their focus on caring for their patients. In most cases there is help available, but the paramedic is hesitant to seek it out. Paramedics are mostly self-reliant in their coping mechanisms as their understanding and relationship with God and with the church had been damaged. The researcher followed the four tasks of practical theology as theoretical framework, as explained by Osmer: Descriptive-empirical Task – Priestly listening Interpretive Task – Sagely wisdom Normative Task – Prophetic discernment Pragmatic Task – Servant Leadership / Thesis (MA (Pastoral Studies))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

This study features an examination of the effects of working with traumatised individuals, namely vicarious traumatisation. Predictor variables such as age, career longevity, personal trauma history and workload were correlated with vicarious trauma. Support systems used by nurses were explored. The questionnaire consisted of items of the TSI Belief Scale, demographic characteristics of persons with a personal trauma history, work related aspects and support systems. Participants were 37 nurses (30 female and 7 male) who render a community mental health service in the Cape Metropole. Results of the study indicate that the variables age and career longevity were statistically significantly related to vicarious trauma. There was no relationship between personal trauma history, workload and vicarious trauma. The nurses identified the psychiatrist and psychologist as their main support systems in dealing with vicarious trauma. Recommendations were made to assist the organisation and nurses on how to deal with vicarious trauma. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

Convergence of technology has made access to the Internet faster, easier and cheaper. Criminals, including paedophiles, child abusers and pornography traders make use of this technology to commit criminal offences. Computer Forensic Examiners (CFEs) are members of the Cyber Crime Unit, a professional, specialised unit of the South African Police Service (SAPS) who are responsible for computer forensic examination including the investigation of child pornographic images. The aim of the study was to seek understanding on what psychological effects the CFEs experienced when working with the images and was conducted from within the social constructionism and the narrative frameworks. The images had a severe impact on the CFEs as was clearly uncovered in the stories of six CFEs who participated in this study. The participants' stories were recorded and transcribed after which the application of thematic content analysis found that the participants all suffered similar negative effects. These findings were integrated with the findings of a focus group as well as with the findings of a similar study that was conducted during the same time by the Crimes against Children Research Center at the University of New Hampshire and resulted in identifying symptoms of trauma and stress experienced by the CFEs. Based on these results recommendations regarding the support for the CFEs were made. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

Background: Compassion-fatigue is a condition which therapists are forced into as a consequence of the nature of their work. The phenomenon has historically, and to some extent currently, been described as secondary trauma, vicarious trauma, secondary traumatic stress and burnout. The goal of this paper is to bring clarity as to what the phenomenon is and how it has been used in research, how common it is, what factors have been identified in the research that increase or decrease risk of developing it and lastly if any attempts have been made to develop a specific approach in preventing and/or treating the condition. Method: This current paper is a scoping review with a systematic approach.12 published studies, quantitative and qualitative in nature, were included and passed for review. Results: The result of the review indicates a deficit in data regarding prevalence of the phenomenon in the population and a general lack of randomized and experimental data. Most of the published studies were exploring psychologist experiences and secondarily attempting to identify factors predicting the development of compassion-fatigue. In conclusion, the phenomenon, regardless of what term is used, seems to be clearly delineated from conditions more akin to exhaustion and depression. Discussion: According to this study compassion-fatigue seems to be a condition that is sparked by the extraneous use of one’s empathic abilities past a tolerable point. Increased exposure by psychologists to work with patients with trauma may increase the risk of developing compassion-fatigue. It is still unknown what the mechanisms are that causes the condition and its prevalence among the population and further research, preferably randomized and experimental with comparison groups, is needed in order for this area to be fully mapped and explained.

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