Susceptibility to Secondary Traumatic Stress in Educators Measured by the Professional Quality of Life Scale

• In Event: Student and Teacher Trauma

Abstract

Secondary traumatic stress (STS) has a significant adverse impact on many educators. STS symptoms are that of extreme stress experienced as a result of direct exposure to traumatized individuals. In the field of education, traumatized individuals can be students and victims of STS are teachers. Several factors have been identified in scholarly literature that potentially make individuals more susceptible to STS. These include gender, history of personal trauma, and a teacher’s status as a novice. STS, along with burnout and compassion satisfaction are measured with the Professional Quality of Life, version 5 instrument. We must prioritize the mental health and wellbeing of public-school teachers in order to retain quality teachers and provide continuity for traumatized students.

Author

• Beth Rankin, Oregon State University
  Presenting Author