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Secondary Traumatic Stress Syndrome: Understandings and Coping Mechanisms Learned During HIV Prevention Research at The University of Illinois at Chicago Issue: Frequent exposure to the traumatic events in research participants’ lives left staff vulnerable to Secondary Traumatic Stress Syndrome (STS). Project: Finding methods to reduce the effects of STS among a research staff of seven was important and necessary so that our work could be accomplished. STS produces feelings of sadness, anger, despair and helplessness in those who continually listen to the stories of trauma from others. The goal was to enable team members to continue to work effectively with at-risk women who live in an everyday milieu where rape, domestic violence, street violence and death are endemic. Scheduled meetings where staff could discuss their feelings were useful. Staff also learned a specific questioning technique, Critical Incident Debriefing, which allows the "debriefer" to assist the affected staff member to describe in detail the event causing the STS and thus relieve her/himself of their overwhelming feelings. Staff practiced other methods of self-care recommended by trauma therapists: designated stress-relief times at work when staff can eat, laugh, and tell funny stories together as well as careful attention to setting limits on length of work hours and intensity of the work. Results: Staff have profited from the techniques described to enable them to support one another, diffuse overwhelming feelings and return to a better level of efficiency in their work. Lessons Learned: Our trauma is not unlike that experienced by many public or protective service workers. However, training should be initiated for all staff at the outset. They will then be less disoriented by the disruptive psychological effects of STS. We have also learned that if we are able to make meaningful referrals when we hear the traumatic stories, participants have a way of dealing directly with their trauma. This also helps reduce staff feelings of anger and helplessness, and makes the work even more rewarding and meaningful. Carrol Smith
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