The Role of Relational-Oriented Supervision and Personal and Work-Related Factors in the Development of Vicarious Traumatization

The aim of the current study was to identify personal and work-related risk factors for vicarious traumatization among social workers in Israel, as well as the contribution of relational-oriented supervision in mitigating the consequences of working with traumatized clients. Data was collected from 109 social workers who were employed in various agencies. Participants were asked about their personal trauma history, trauma work experience, work-related measures of trauma exposure, and supervision characteristics. Findings showed that social workers with trauma history, who worked mainly with survivors of human-induced trauma, and who had experienced more threat while working with traumatized clients, had higher levels of vicarious traumatization. Furthermore, social workers who reported they were receiving a more relational-oriented supervision and who evaluated their supervision as more effective had lower levels of vicarious traumatization. These findings suggest that beyond personal characteristics, the level of exposure to traumatized clients has a significant effect on social workers’ well-being. Additionally, these findings underscore the importance of a relational-oriented supervision in the context of trauma. Implications for social work practice are emphasized, as well as recommendations for future research.