Module summary

This module explored the personal toll on service providers from working with immigrants and refugees who experienced trauma. The module examined compassion fatigue, burnout and secondary trauma, and strategies for self-care.

You should now be able to do the following:

Describe the importance of self-care when working with immigrants and refugees.
Define compassion fatigue, burnout and secondary trauma, as well as their common risk factors, signs and symptoms.
Explain the importance of boundary issues in working with immigrants and refugees.
Describe self-awareness and self-care strategies as they relate to working with immigrants and refugees.

Visit our Course Resources page to access the tools and resources featured in this module.

We also have a downloadable toolkit of resources, which is a repository of evidence-based research; it provides information on key models of care and frameworks; and an outline of components that are pertinent to service delivery.

Find the toolkit here.

References

Cetrano, G., Tedeschi, F., Rabbi, L., Gosetti, G., Lora, A., Lamonaca, D., Manthorpe, J., & Amaddeo, F. 2017. How are compassion fatigue, burnout, and compassion satisfaction affected by quality of working life? Findings from a survey of mental health staff in Italy. BMC Health Services Research, 171. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-017-2726-x

Compassion fatigue: Signs, symptoms, and how to cope. n.d.. Canadian Medical Association. https://www.cma.ca/physician-wellness-hub/content/compassion-fatigue

Figley, C. R. 1995. Compassion Fatigue: Coping With Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder In Those Who Treat The Traumatized.

Figley, C. R. 2002. Compassion fatigue: Psychotherapists’ chronic lack of self care. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 5811, 1433–1441. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.10090

Hensel, J. M., Ruiz, C., Finney, C., & Dewa, C. S. 2015. Meta-Analysis of Risk Factors for Secondary Traumatic Stress in Therapeutic Work With Trauma Victims. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 282, 83–91. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.21998

Howatt, B. 2018. Building an effective, respectful workplace with the total health index. Canadian HR Reporter, 317, 15. Retrieved from http://myaccess.library.utoronto.ca/login?qurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.proquest.com%2Ftrade-journals%2Fbuilding-effective-respectful-workplace-with%2Fdocview%2F2092806411%2Fse-2%3Faccountid%3D14771

Johner, R. 2006. Dual Relationship Legitimization and Client Self-Determination. Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics, 31.

Maslach, C. 2003. Job Burnout. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 125, 189–192. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8721.01258

Maslach, C., & Leiter, M. P. 2016. Understanding the burnout experience: recent research and its implications for psychiatry. World Psychiatry, 152, 103–111. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20311

Memish, K., Martin, A. J., Bartlett, L., Dawkins, S., & Sanderson, K. 2017. Workplace mental health: An international review of guidelines. Preventive Medicine, 101, 213–222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2017.03.017

Pearlman, L.A. & McKay, L. 2008. Understanding & Addressing Vicarious Trauma. Headington Institute. https://www.headington-institute.org/resource/understanding-vt-reading-course/

Pfifferling, J., & Gilley, K. 2000. Overcoming Compassion Fatigue. Family Practice Management, 74, 39. https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2000/0400/p39.html

Pross, C. 2006. Burnout, vicarious traumatization and its prevention. Torture, 161, 1–9.

Reamer, F. 2001. Tangled Relationships: Boundary Issues and Dual Relationships in the Human Services. New York Chichester, West Sussex: Columbia University Press. https://doi-org.myaccess.library.utoronto.ca/10.7312/ream12116

Saakvitne, K. W., & Pearlman, L. A. 1996. Transforming the pain : a workbook on vicarious traumatization. W.W. Norton & Company.

Spinetta, J. J., Jankovic, M., Arush, M. W. B., Eden, T., Epelman, C., Greenberg, M. T., Martins, A. C. P., Mulhern, R. K., Oppenheim, D., & Masera, G. 2000. Guidelines for the recognition, prevention, and remediation of burnout in health care professionals participating in the care of children with cancer: Report of the SIOP Working Committee on Psychosocial Issues in Pediatric Oncology. Medical and Pediatric Oncology, 352, 122–125. https://doi.org/10.1002/1096-911x20000835:2

Sprang, G., Clark, J. H., & Whitt-Woosley, A. 2007. Compassion Fatigue, Compassion Satisfaction, and Burnout: Factors Impacting a Professional’s Quality of Life. Journal of Loss & Trauma, 123, 259–280. https://doi.org/10.1080/15325020701238093

You have reached the end of the Immigrant and Refugee Mental Health Project's online course. This course built on your existing work with immigrants and refugees, and aimed to strengthen your knowledge and develop your skills and networks.