Burning the Wick at Both Ends: Strategies Utilized by Domestic Abuse Advocates in Rural Communities to Prevent “Burnout”

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

This study investigates strategies utilized by domestic abuse advocates in a small rural shelter to protect against secondary traumatic stress and subsequent burnout. The definition of "burnout" has evolved throughout the years, but generally refers to the process by which social service professionals withdrawal from the field due to acquiring a feeling of hopelessness, stress, and frustration. Although "burnout" is a risk in many fields, human service professions tend to be at increased risk due to the nature of the work. Moreover, there is some indication that rural human service professionals may be at increased risk of "burnout." The aforementioned intuitively makes sense given the challenges faced by social service agencies operating in rural communities: an adherence among residents to traditional gender roles; increased gun ownership, which heightens the risk of violence; and limited access to other social service agencies to assist in caring for clients. And, although there is some sparse information available that begins to investigate the scope of this problem, an overall dearth of information remains about the risk of secondary trauma and burnout to social service professionals in these settings - or what strategies shelter administrators can utilize to assist their employees.

Authors

• Bethany J. Maynard, Tennessee Technological University

• Mary C. Elliot, Tennessee Technological University

• Maddie E. Beasley, University of Cincinnati

• Jordana N. Navarro, Tennessee Technological University