Preparation of undergraduate social work students to cope with the effects of indirect trauma

When working with traumatized clients, social workers can be affected by the trauma. A review of the literature describes the study of trauma and models associated with indirect trauma process which includes secondary traumatic stress, compassion fatigue and vicarious traumatization. The role of higher education in educating social workers about indirect trauma is discussed. The purpose of the study was to examine the inclusion of information on indirect trauma in baccalaureate social work programs in the United States. A questionnaire was used to measure social worker knowledge of indirect trauma. The study showed that recently graduated BSW social workers do not have an adequate understanding of indirect trauma. Implications for social work education and future research are discussed.