Measuring the impact of vicarious trauma on substance use providers
The Development and Validation of an Index to Measure Vicarious Trauma Exposure Among Substance Use Providers
This study is looking at how working with people who have experienced trauma affects addiction therapists and case managers, and it aims to create a new tool to measure their experiences with this kind of stress, so we can better understand and support these important helpers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard School of Public Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10621696 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on the health effects of vicarious trauma experienced by substance use providers, such as addiction therapists and case managers, who often deal with clients affected by trauma. The project aims to develop a new index, the Vicarious Occupational Trauma Exposure (VOTE) Index, to accurately measure the exposure of these professionals to vicarious trauma. By assessing the validity and reliability of this index in a national sample, the research seeks to identify the prevalence of vicarious trauma and its sources, ultimately aiming to inform interventions that can protect this vulnerable workforce.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are substance use providers, including addiction therapists and peer recovery specialists, who may be experiencing vicarious trauma.
Not a fit: Patients who are not involved in substance use treatment or do not work in related fields may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved mental health support and resources for substance use providers, enhancing their ability to care for clients.
How similar studies have performed: While the concept of measuring vicarious trauma is recognized, this specific approach with the VOTE Index is novel and has not been extensively tested in previous research.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Harvard School of Public Health — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stelson, Elisabeth Anne — Harvard School of Public Health
- Study coordinator: Stelson, Elisabeth Anne
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.