Front-line social work jobs and secondary trauma: Impact on parenting

ABSTRACT

This nonrandom pre-experimental posttest only group design study sought to examine levels of secondary trauma in social work professionals and the impact of this trauma on parenting behavior. Participants (n = 421) completed measures focused on demographic data and normed scales in the areas of primary trauma, secondary trauma, and parenting styles. Results noted moderate levels of primary trauma and low moderate levels of secondary trauma. A negative correlation was noted between years of service and overall secondary trauma. Child Protective Services Workers (CPS) were noted to report an increased likelihood of primary and secondary trauma compared to the rest of the sample. Overall, a positive correlation was noted between secondary trauma and authoritarian parenting, and, conversely, a negative correlation was noted between secondary trauma and authoritative parenting. A smaller but significant finding was noted in high secondary trauma and permissive parenting. This information is important for teaching and training opportunities to educate social workers and other paraprofessionals on the impact of secondary trauma on parenting behaviors. Awareness can lead to personal changes, as well as changes in curriculum to support prevention efforts.

KEYWORDS:

• Secondary trauma
• social work practice
• parenting styles
• vicarious trauma