Development of the Coping Strategies Inventory for Trauma Counselors

ABSTRACT

There is increasing awareness about the negative consequences of counseling traumatized people. Emanating from qualitative research and clinical reflections, suggestions are frequently made regarding self-care strategies to reduce the impact. However, no tools exist for measuring these strategies to determine the effectiveness of engaging in self-care behaviors. This study evaluates the Coping Strategies Inventory which measures beliefs and behaviors regarding coping in trauma counselors. Items were derived from the practice literature and a focus group with experienced therapists. A factor analysis was conducted with a sample of 259 trauma therapists and 71 hospital workers. Results demonstrated a consistent factor structure with adequate internal reliability. The CSI may thus be useful in research on vicarious trauma and for self-appraisal of counselors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ted Bober

Ted Bober is a graduate of the University of Toronto with over 22 years of experience in the field of mental health and addictions. He works at the Physician Health Program, Ontario Medical Association with, physicians and other health professionals experiencing mental illness and or addictions.

Cheryl Regehr

Cheryl Regehr is a professor of social work at the University of Toronto. She is also the director of the Centre for Applied Social Research at the University of Toronto and a faculty member in the Faculty of Law and the Institute for Medical Sciences.

Yanqiu Rachel Zhou

Rachel (Yanqiu) Zhou is a PhD candidate, Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto. She is currently doing a dissertation on life experiences of people living with HIV/AIDS in China, mainly exploring the effects of this global epidemic at the local level.