Abstract:
ABSTRACT
AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF STRESS AND COPING
by
Jamie Soule
Master of Social Work
California State University, Chico
Spring 2011
This thesis uses a participatory research methodology to explore the stress experiences and coping strategies used by a group of mental health professionals and a group of graduate students in social work. Focus groups were conducted for the purpose of collecting qualitative data from the 17 participants. This data was analyzed to identify themes reflecting various stress appraisals and meaning focused coping strategies used by these human service workers. Participants were also supported in their effort to deal with potential burnout, secondary trauma, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma. Results indicate that members in both groups use cognitive appraisals concerning harm, threat, and challenge posed by stressful events. They also appear to use certain coping strategies, such as finding benefits in their work and infusing ordinary events with meaning. Participants also indicated that they find value in supervision and debriefing with colleagues as a means of coping with occupational stress.
