Angela M. Norton, M.S.
and
Terri W. East, Ed.S.
University of Memphis
2780 Ole Pike Drive
Germantown, TN 38138
901-309-5460
During the past few years, burnout has become the focus of many research studies. Consequently, much research has been
conducted among various occupations regarding the effects of stress on the employees. Being able to identify both the
factors that lead to burnout as well as the signs of burnout are important elements in individuals guarding themselves
against burnout. Another important aspect to understanding burnout is learning and implementing techniques that will aid
in its avoidance.
With vicarious trauma becoming a popular topic, research has been developed to determine the nature and the validity of
vicarious trauma. Data was collected regarding burnout and vicarious trauma from the employees of the Carl Perkins
Center in Jackson, TN, whose program is designed to target the physical and sexual abuse in children.
The workers' scores to the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the LA Symptoms Checklist and the Impact of Event Scale
were well below what was expected from an organization that works in highly intense emotional situations. Research
indicates that lesser experienced professionals experience burnout more frequently than more experienced professionals.
However, the Carl Perkins Center in Jackson, TN, where the average years of workers' experience is 2.83, scored low levels
of burnout and PTSD symptomology.
Focus groups composed of the workers indicated that affective, behavioral, and cognitive coping techniques across
intrapersonal, interpersonal, and organizational domains were used by the employees to ameliorate the effects of
traumatized clients and traumatic events the workers experienced. Furthermore, a follow-up session conducted with the
administration revealed that an aggressive approach was already being used to deal with and eradicate the conditions that
foster vicarious traumatization and burnout.
We believe specific variables present in this organization prevent burnout among the workers. We intend to discuss these
variables and invite the audience to participate in the discussion.
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