Preventing secondary traumatic stress in educators

Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2015 Apr;24(2):319-33. doi: 10.1016/j.chc.2014.11.003. Epub 2014 Dec 10.

Abstract

Teachers can be vulnerable to secondary traumatic stress (STS) because of their supportive role with students and potential exposure to students' experiences with traumas, violence, disasters, or crises. STS symptoms, similar to those found in posttraumatic stress disorder, include nightmares, avoidance, agitation, and withdrawal, and can result from secondary exposure to hearing about students' traumas. This article describes how STS presents, how teachers can be at risk, and how STS can manifest in schools. A US Department of Education training program is presented, and thoughts on future directions are discussed.

Keywords: Compassion fatigue; Educators; Posttraumatic stress disorder; Schools; Secondary traumatic stress; Trauma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Burnout, Professional / diagnosis
  • Burnout, Professional / psychology
  • Burnout, Professional / therapy
  • Compassion Fatigue / diagnosis
  • Compassion Fatigue / psychology
  • Compassion Fatigue / therapy
  • Humans
  • School Health Services*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / diagnosis
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / therapy
  • Stress, Psychological / diagnosis
  • Stress, Psychological / prevention & control*
  • Stress, Psychological / therapy
  • Work / psychology*
  • Workforce