Addressing Secondary Traumatic Stress in Pediatric Emergency Room Social Workers: A Toolkit for New Graduates

Abstract

AbstractSecondary traumatic stress (STS), the emotional duress that results when an individual hears about the firsthand trauma experiences of another, is a significant concern for many social workers, particularly those in high-stress and trauma-exposed environments such as emergency rooms or psychiatric hospitals. Newly graduated social workers are especially susceptible to STS due to their limited experience and exposure to the emotional distress of clients. Yet, limited studies have focused on newly graduated social workers and STS. This study is twofold: (1) it attempts to provide insight into the experiences of pediatric emergency room social workers (PERSW) with STS, and (2) to explicate the utility of the findings in practical strategies to assist newly graduated and current social workers entering high-stressful work environments. A thematic analysis and semi-structured interviews were used with twenty-three pediatric emergency room social workers with at least one year of experience. The analysis revealed three themes: (1) the trauma of the job, (2) the effects of STS, and (3) coping strategies for STS. The findings underscore the need for a specialized toolkit for new graduates in pediatric emergency social work, offering resources and strategies tailored to the unique challenges of this field.