The Hidden Costs of Security: Examining the Impacts of Exposure to Violent Material

• In Event: Workplace Violence, Exposure to Violent Material, and Vicarious Trauma in Security Research

Abstract

In their work, the United States counterterrorism workforce is exposed to varying degrees of violent and traumatic material ranging from violent images to first-hand accounts of abuse/trauma. This study aims to understand the effects of exposure to violent materials on the mental health and employment-related outcomes of these workers? We rely on an original survey (n = 477), as well a series of in-depth interviews (n =15) with counterterrorism practitioners to examine the mechanisms through which direct and indirect exposure to violent/traumatic materials affect individuals’ mental health and job-related outcomes. Using survey data, we estimate a structural equation models and two-stage least squares models to consider the effect of exposure on vicarious trauma, secondary traumatic stress, and burnout, and the subsequent impact of these factors on job-related outcomes. CT/CVE practitioners reported higher exposure to violent material relative to similar government employees. When accounting for resilience, prior trauma, and demographic factors, this corresponded to higher levels of vicarious trauma, secondary traumatic stress, and burnout. In turn, this corresponded to diminished task performance, more counterproductive work behaviors, and lower job satisfaction. However, individual resilience mitigated negative intermediate impacts and organizational mental health resources limited the incidence of burnout. Our findings highlight that 1) exposure to violent material negatively impacts the counterterrorism workforce, and 2) organizational and individual-level attributes can mitigate these impacts.

Authors

• Daisy Muibu, Africa Center for Strategic Studies

• Sarah M. Lynch, American University

• Michael H. Becker, American University

• Ethan Ferguson, University of Alabama