Burnout and Secondary traumatic stress among caregivers who work with victims

What is it about?

This study examines the relationship between ethical behavior, seniority and professional quality of life (PQL) among professional and volunteering caretakers who work with trauma victims. Our findings show that unethical conduct may make caregivers vulnerable to the adverse influences of working with victims of trauma and increase the danger of secondary traumatic stress (STS) and burnout. We also found differences between professional caregivers and volunteers in ethical conduct and the tendency to develop STS and burnout. Professional caregivers reported lower levels of STS and burnout, and higher levels of CS and ethical behavior compared with volunteer caregivers.

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Why is it important?

Our findings supported the assumption that ethical behavior may help mental health workers to reduce the harmful effects of treating trauma victims. Although the primary aim of ethical codes is to protect patients from therapists’ amoral or harmful behavior, our findings imply that ethical codes provide protective value for therapists as well. The results of this study suggest that when professional and volunteering caregivers maintain ethical behavior, they may prevent or minimize the risk of enmeshment with their clients, thus contributing to the prevention of secondary traumatic stress (STS) and burnout and preserving healthy levels of compassion satisfaction (CS).

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