An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the volunteer crisis centre counsellor’s experience of working with victims of crime.
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Date
2016
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Abstract
Objective: It has been argued that vicarious trauma, secondary traumatic stress (compassion
fatigue), burnout and countertransference reactions represent normal responses in helpingindividuals
who work with traumatised individuals. In the literature these phenomena have
been broadly termed ‘the cost of caring’ (McCann & Pearlmann, 1990). In addition to the
cost of caring, the positive effects of working with traumatised individuals have been
explored, largely through the use of the concepts of vicarious resilience and compassion
satisfaction (Hunter, 2012). The present study aimed to understand the relevance of these
phenomena to volunteers of a community-based crisis intervention initiative by exploring
their lived experiences, describing the impact (both positive and negative) that their trauma
work has on them, and identifying the coping strategies and resources that are used in order
to prevent, and/or mitigate, any possible negative effects, and to enhance any possible
positive effects.
Method: A qualitative methodological orientation was used for the present study in the form
of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Qualitative data were collected from six
participants through the use of focused interviews and analysed using thematic analysis, in
line with the IPA approach.
Results: Six superordinate themes emerged: 1) Reasons for joining, 2) Previous training and
experience, 3) Personal history of trauma, 4) The costs of volunteering in the field of trauma
work, 5) The rewards of volunteering in the field of trauma work, and 6) Coping strategies.
Conclusions: The results of the present study provide support for the pathogenic/salutogenic
paradox that has been identified in the research literature. It has been suggested that these two
perspectives are not at odds, but that they are instead complementary, and illustrate the
idiosyncrasies that are involved in the field of trauma work.
Keywords: vicarious trauma; secondary traumatic stress; burnout; vicarious resilience;
compassion satisfaction; debriefing; qualitative; interpretative phenomenological analysis;
lay counsellors
Description
Master’s Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.