title: The prevalence and correlates of secondary traumatic stress among alcohol and other drug workers in Australia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The high prevalence of trauma exposure and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among clients of alcohol and other drug (AOD) services is well documented. Less is known, however, about the impact this has on workers who assess and treat such clients. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and correlates of secondary traumatic stress (STS) among AOD workers in Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  An anonymous web-based survey was undertaken and completed by 412 Australian AOD workers. The questionnaire assessed current levels of trauma training, extent of exposure to clients with a history of trauma history, AOD workers' own history of trauma exposure and PTSD, and current STS. Analyses compared individuals who currently met criteria for experiencing STS with those who did not.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Despite the high volume of traumatised clients accessing AOD services, less than two-thirds of AOD workers reported having ever received trauma training. The prevalence rate of STS was 19.9% and was independently predicted by a higher traumatised client workload, fewer hours of clinical supervision, and stress and anxiety levels of the worker.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings highlight the importance of providing adequate trauma training and clinical supervision to AOD workers in order to maintain their health and welfare and ensure optimal treatment to clients with PTSD.
authors.affiliation: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Philippa L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Ewer
authors.forename: Maree
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Teesson
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sannibale
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Roche
authors.forename: Katherine L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Mills
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D000068376:Compassion Fatigue / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: PTSD; clinical supervision; secondary traumatic stress; substance abuse; workforce