Secondary Traumatization in Caregivers Working With Women and Children Who Suffered Extreme Violence by the “Islamic State”

Bibliographic Data

ID15525848
AuthorsJana Katharina Denkinger (0000-0002-9032-963X, corresponding author), Petra Windthorst, Caroline Rometsch-Ogioun El Sount, Michael A Blume, Michael Blume, Hes Sedik, Jan Ilhan Kizilhan (0000-0002-2925-101X), Niamh Gibbons (Harvard University), Phuong Pham (0000-0002-5696-2933, Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center), Jennifer Hillebrecht (University of Freiburg), Nora Ateia (University Children's Hospital Tübingen), Christoph Nikendei (0000-0003-2839-178X, Heidelberg University), Stephan Zipfel (0000-0003-1659-4440), Florian Junne (0000-0002-3925-6949)
Year2018
Volume9
Pages234-234
Publication date2018-06-05
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Psychiatry (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1664-0640 • E-ISSN: 1664-0640
PublisherFrontiers Media (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00234
PMID29922186
OpenAlexW2807074625
LanguageEN
Citations received14
References cited42

Introduction: Refugees fleeing persecution, torture, or sexual violence are at high risk of developing both acute and chronic psychological disorders. Systematic violence, as committed against the Yazidi minority in Northern Iraq by the terror organization known as the Islamic State (IS), can be seen as a particularly traumatic burden to the victims, but also to caregivers providing treatments and assistance to them. The intense exposure to traumatic content may cause secondary traumatization in respective caregivers. This study aims (1) to identify the prevalence of secondary traumatization in caregivers working with traumatized women and children from Northern Iraq; (2) to determine the specific distressing factors and resources of the caregivers; as well as (3) to analyze whether caregivers' personal history of trauma or flight, attachment styles, working arrangements as well as support offers qualify as risk or resilience factors for secondary traumatization. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, N = 84 caregivers (social workers, psychotherapists/physicians, and interpreters) in the context of a Humanitarian Admission Program (HAP) for women and children traumatized by the so called IS were investigated about their work-related burdens and resources. Secondary traumatization was assessed with the Questionnaire for Secondary Traumatization (FST). To identify relevant determinants for secondary traumatization multiple linear regression analyses were performed. Results: Secondary traumatization was present in 22.9% of the participating caregivers, with 8.6% showing a severe symptom load. A personal history of traumatic experiences, a personal history of flight, a higher number of hours per week working in direct contact with refugees as well as a preoccupied attachment style were detected as risk factors for secondary traumatization. A secure attachment style could be identified as a resilience factor for secondary traumatization. Discussion: Caregivers working with traumatized refugees are at high risk of developing secondary traumatization. Based on the findings of this study and theoretical considerations, a framework of classification for different types of trauma-associated psychological burdens of caregivers working with traumatized refugees is proposed. Implications for the training and supervision of professionals in refugee- and trauma-care are discussed

Islam · Psychiatry · Clinical Psychology · Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health · History · Homelessness and Social Issues · Medicine · Migration, Health and Trauma · Psychology

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