Interventions for Secondary Traumatic Stress With Mental Health Workers: A Systematic Review
Abstract
Objective A systematic review was conducted to examine effects of indicated interventions to reduce symptoms of secondary traumatic stress (STS) experienced by mental health workers. Method Systematic review methods were employed to search, retrieve, select, and analyze studies that met study inclusion criteria. Results Over 4,000 citations were reviewed, 159 full-text reports were screened, and two studies were fully coded and determined to be ineligible. No studies met criteria for inclusion in this review. Discussion There is compelling evidence of psychological effects of working with trauma victims; however, no rigorous evidence meeting eligibility criteria was found to inform how to intervene most effectively with mental health workers who experience symptoms of STS. While it is important to provide effective interventions to helpers who may be experiencing symptoms related to secondary trauma, it seems apparent that there is yet more we need to do in order to advance efforts in evaluating the outcomes of practices currently being used and under development.
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Bercier et al attempted to review empathy-based stress interventions for mental health workers but were unable to identify relevant studies and called for more research.
“Bercier et al [34] attempted to review EBS interventions for MHWs, however were unable to identify relevant studies and called for more research.”
From Interventions to address empathy-based stress in mental health workers: A scoping review and research agenda (2024) · cites this paper as [34]
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- Authors
- Bercier, M. L., & Maynard, B. R.
- Affiliations
- Walk and Talk Therapy & Life Consulting, P.C, Elmhurst, IL, USA
- Saint Louis University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Maynard, Brandy R.
- ORCID
- Maynard, Brandy R.
- Venue
- Research on Social Work Practice
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2014-04-20
- Volume
- 25
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 81-89
- ISSN
- 1049-7315 (ISSN-L)
- 1552-7581
- OpenAlex
- W2120469824
- Cited by
- 129
- References
- 56
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 20 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 2
- FWCI
- 4.72
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Research on Social Work Practice (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Public Administration › Social Work Education and Practice
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Stress and Burnout Research
- Keywords
- secondary traumatic stress, mental health professionals, occupational stress, trauma-informed care
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