Homework: Military Social Work- Working with Noncombatants-Vicarious or Secondary Trauma
Vicarious trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder are closely related because the symptoms of each condition are similar. What distinguishes each condition from one another is how the trauma was experienced. For this Homework, review Lt. Commander Malstrom's experience with vicarious trauma in the media resources. As a starting point, think about how this individual who is trained military but a noncombatant could have mitigated his trauma. Using this as an example, complete the following homework:
Note that the military personnel in the media discuss graphic details of their combat experiences, which may be disturbing. Please consult your faculty if you experience trauma related to the media. If, after consultation, you feel you need further services, please contact the Walden Counseling Center.
Task (2 to 3 pages):
Scenario:
You are a social worker assigned to a military installation and you are given the task of educating the following individuals (noncombatants) who are preparing to deploy in a combat zone on vicarious or secondary trauma:
1) Healthcare providers-military physicians and nurses
2) Air Force maintenance and logistics support personnel
3) Military reporters
Then provide the following:
1) Describe how you would contextualize vicarious and secondary trauma.
2) Describe risk factors of vicarious and secondary trauma.
3) Identify strategies to avoid vicarious or secondary trauma.
4) Explain how you might encourage support if someone experienced vicarious or secondary trauma.
5) Describe the sensitivities a social worker would need to have in order to educate effectively these noncombatants.
Format your homework according to the following formatting requirements:
(1) The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
(2) The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the homework, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
(3) Also include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.