Journal Article

Available Supports and Coping Behaviors of Mental Health Social Workers Following Fatal and Nonfatal Client Suicidal Behavior

Ting, Laura, Jacobson, Jodi M., Sanders, Sara

2008

Overview

Research indicates that mental health social workers risk being confronted with fatal and nonfatal client suicidal behaviors during professional practice. Although reactions to client suicidal behavior have been documented, there is little empirical evidence about coping behaviors and available supports following client suicidal behavior. This study explores types of supports available, perceived effectiveness of support resources, and coping behaviors of 285 mental health social workers who experienced either fatal or nonfatal client suicidal behavior. Factors predicting positive and negative coping were also explored. Predictors of positive coping included increased levels of secondary traumatic stress, the availability of family and friends, group therapy, religion, older age, and male gender. Predictors of negative coping were increased levels of secondary traumatic stress, male gender, having support from family and friends, and the lack of administrative support. Future research recommendations and implications for social work administrators and practitioners are discussed.

• Publisher: Oxford University Press,National Association of Social Workers,National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
• Subject: Adaptation, Psychological / Administrative agencies / Administrators / Adult / Age Differences / Age groups / At Risk Persons / Behavior / Caseworkers / Client Relations / client suicidal behavior / Clients / clinician-survivor / Company business management / Coping / Coping strategies / Counselor and client / Counselor-client relations / Counselors / Demographic aspects / Educational Needs / Emotional Response / Families & family life / Family Influence / Female / Friends / Friendship / Gender / Gender Differences / Group Therapy / Health aspects / Health behavior / Health Care Surveys / Humans / Influence / Male / Males / Management / Medical practice / Medical social workers / Men / Mental Health / Mental health services / Middle Aged / Personality psychology / Predictor Variables / Psychiatric social work / Psychiatric social workers / Psychological aspects / Psychological stress / Religion / Religious Factors / Social psychology / Social Support / Social Work / social worker / Social Workers / Stress / Stress Variables / Studies / Suicidal behavior / Suicidal behaviour / Suicide / Suicides & suicide attempts / Support / Trauma / Traumatic stress / Vicarious trauma