Vicarious resilience among employees and volunteers at a rape crisis center

Vicarious resilience is a newer concept to combating burnout and improving the health and wellness of sexual assault trauma workers at rape crisis centers (RCCs). The primary goal of the study was to explore the predictive nature of intrapersonal and interpersonal and organizational factors for vicarious resilience among trauma workers at a RCC. A targeted cross-sectional research approach was used to predict the relationship between: 1) intrapersonal factors and vicarious resilience; and 2) interpersonal and organizational factors and vicarious resilience. A quantitative questionnaire was administered to trauma workers at a RCC in North Central Texas (n=46) using the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, subscales from the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire III (COPSOQ III), the Vicarious Resilience Scale, and questions based on recommendations from experts in the field. A descriptive analysis was used to establish the context of trauma worker demographics and work environment. Multiple linear regressions were used to determine whether trauma workers’ intrapersonal, interpersonal, or organizational factors were predictive of high vicarious resilience. The results of the multiple regression analyses indicated statistical significance for intrapersonal factors (total time of service in IPV field, age, and chronic health conditions) and interpersonal and organizational factors (coping strategies) predictive of high vicarious resilience. Findings from this study may be used for RCC management to improve trauma worker wellness and expand trauma-informed training curricula beyond self-care strategies for sexual assault trauma workers. Vicarious resilience is a promising multidimensional approach to adapting to trauma work and transforms trauma workers’ perspectives on a valued field.