Secondary Trauma Among Caregivers Who Work With Mexican and Central American Refugees

Abstract

Thousands of refugees have fled Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador to escape violence, criminal victimization, and persecution as a result of the breakdown of public safety that has accompanied the rise of organized crime and drug-related violence. Many of these migrants have experienced torture, rape, abduction, forced labor, arson, and kidnapping. Caregivers and professionals who work with these refugees, including social workers, volunteers, attorneys, and advocates, have repeatedly witnessed severe trauma among refugees as the migrants recount horrific stories about their journeys. We conducted in-depth interviews with 31 individuals who have worked extensively and repeatedly with traumatized refugees. Participants completed the Secondary Traumatic Scale (STSS) and the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL)-Compassion Fatigue (CF) scale. While most participants reported signs and symptoms of secondary traumatic stress, many also demonstrated high levels of compassion satisfaction. In addition, most were involved in self-care. Hispanic participants reported that elements of their culture were protective.

The Relationship between War Trauma, Secondary Traumatic Stress, and Anxiety Among Health Professionals Working at Emergency Departments in Gaza-Strip

“…The top 3 types of traumatic births described by the CNMs were fetal demise/neonatal death, shoulder dystocia, and infant resuscitation. Our findings of STS was higher that found in Lusk and Sam Terrazas a study of 31 professionals and para-professionals who work directly with refugees in various settings [25], including legal aid offices and counseling centers in United States to address the challenge of coping with traumatized clients showed that 30% of the respondents scored in the severe to high range on the STS. Our study showed that there were statistically significant differences in secondary traumatic stress according to sex toward male professionals.…”

Working conditions, mental health and coping of staff in social work with refugees and homeless individuals: A scoping review

“…In a cross‐sectional survey of service providers for the homeless population, 65% believed that their work positively influenced people's lives, and 83% felt at least moderately successful in their work with clients (Hagen & Hutchison, ). Similarly, among caregivers working with refugees, all participants reported being proud of their work and 90% gained satisfaction from helping people (Lusk & Terrazas, ). Two studies found that seeing change in refugees and homeless individuals and receiving their gratitude was most rewarding to staff in social work (Guhan & Liebling‐Kalifani, ; Kidd et al, ).…”

“…Four studies in the refugee sector and three studies in the homeless sector identified encountering clients' suffering and regularly hearing clients' stories and traumatic experiences as a major demand (Ferris et al, ; Grimm et al, ; Guhan & Liebling‐Kalifani, ; Kidd et al, ; Kosny & Eakin, ; Lusk & Terrazas, ; Robinson, ). The inability to change the situation of their clients or the little success staff experience in their work were also frequently reported (Chapleau et al, ; Kidd et al, ; Lusk & Terrazas, ; Robinson, ; Sutton‐Brock, ). Furthermore, ethical questions played a role: in one study, staff members of a refugee centre experienced distress caused by moral dilemmas in situations in which they became aware of unlawful behaviour of their clients (Guhan & Liebling‐Kalifani, ).…”

“…In three studies, refugee workers struggled with negative reactions from family, friends or the general public towards their work. Specifically, they reported a lack of understanding from others in relation to their work and feelings of isolation (Guhan & Liebling‐Kalifani, ; Lusk & Terrazas, ). Moreover, they described discrimination and racism by mainstream providers and members of the public and even physical attacks on themselves by members of the public (Robinson, ).…”

“…In most studies, support from the team was mentioned as an important job resource concerning social relations (Ferris et al, ; Kidd et al, ; Lusk & Terrazas, ; Mowbray et al, ). Kidd et al () noted that youth workers described the importance of a good leader in the development of a collaborative working environment.…”