NCJ Number
214658
Journal
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 15 Issue: 1 Dated: 2006 Pages: 69-85
Date Published
2006
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This study investigated the effects of providing sexual abuse treatment on male and female clinicians’ levels of trust and intimacy with others.
Abstract
Results indicated that clinicians who provided sexual abuse treatment reported experiencing more problems in terms of intimacy with others than other mental health professionals. Clinicians newer to the field experienced more problems with intimacy and trust than clinicians with greater tenure. The majority of clinicians (76 percent) reported experiencing two or more forms of maltreatment as children, although no relationship was discovered between a history of child sexual abuse and vicarious trauma effects. Clinicians treating sexual abuse survivors were more likely to report the use of positive personal and professional coping strategies. The findings suggest that support from co-workers and supervisors may be important in reducing the effects of vicarious trauma, particularly for new clinicians. Participants were 383 clinical members of the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers and the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, 272 of whom provided treatment to sexual offenders and 111 of whom provided treatment to sexual abuse survivors. Participants completed a survey concerning their demographic characteristics, client population, and tenure providing sexual abuse treatment. Standardized measures were also completed that assessed trauma effects and childhood maltreatment history. Data were analyzed using the SAS System for Windows and included t-tests and chi-square analyses as well as sequential multiple regressions. Future research should focus on the temporal relationship between vicarious trauma effects and the use of personal and professional coping strategies. Tables, references