EXPERIENCES OF SECONDARY TRAUMA AMONGST SPOUSES OF EMERGENCY SERVICE PERSONNEL

Authors

  • Kerry Wheater University of the Western Cape
  • Charlene Erasmus University of the Western Cape

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15270/53-4-593

Abstract

This article explored the secondary trauma experiences of the spouses of medical emergency service personnel (ESP). Eight spouses of ESP were interviewed and this produced five themes. Some of the EMS personnel bring their caring and supportive nature into the relationship and use the insight learnt in their role to benefit the relationship. Negative impacts of emergency work on relationships were increased arguments, decreased quality time, distancing from spouses, communication breakdown and fewer social activities. Secondary trauma is characterised by fears about safety of their spouse, behaviour changes from living with their spouses’ emotional reactivity, and social withdrawal from family members.

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Author Biographies

Kerry Wheater, University of the Western Cape

Postgraduate student

Charlene Erasmus, University of the Western Cape

Unit of Child and Family Studies, Department of Social Work, Faculty of Community and Health Sciences

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Published

2017-10-31

How to Cite

Wheater, K., & Erasmus, C. (2017). EXPERIENCES OF SECONDARY TRAUMA AMONGST SPOUSES OF EMERGENCY SERVICE PERSONNEL. Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk, 53(4), 470. https://doi.org/10.15270/53-4-593

Issue

Vol. 53 No. 4 (2017)

Section

Articles

License

This journal is an open access journal, and the authors  and journal should be properly acknowledged when works are cited.

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The following license applies:

Attribution CC BY-4.0

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