Massey, K, Horvath, MAH, Essafi, S et al. (1 more author) (2019) Staff experiences of working in a Sexual Assault Referral Centre: the impacts and emotional tolls of working with traumatised people. The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology, 30 (4). pp. 686-705. ISSN 1478-9949
Abstract
This study considers the impacts on staff of supporting people who have reported sexual violence and attend a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC). This paper focuses on the staff’s perspectives of the stresses and emotional tolls they experience including the coping mechanisms they utilise. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 staff, and a focus group was held with a further four staff of a SARC. The data were examined using thematic analysis. Findings indicated that staff experienced positive emotions connected to the meaningfulness of the work and team spirit as well as a range of unpleasant emotions. Staff also reported emotional numbing, in connection to the specificity, volume and sometimes unpredictable nature of the work. Coping mechanisms used by staff focused on the supportive connection to family, nature, and other team members; the value of clinical supervision; and the avoidance of topics related to work.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2019 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology on 22 Apr 2019, available online: https://doi.org/10.1080/14789949.2019.1605615. |
Keywords: | Vicarious trauma; sexual assault; coping mechanisms; qualitative |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Medicine and Health (Leeds) > School of Healthcare (Leeds) > Nursing Mental Health (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 03 May 2019 12:05 |
Last Modified: | 22 Apr 2020 00:38 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Taylor & Francis |
Identification Number: | 10.1080/14789949.2019.1605615 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:145656 |