The Impact of Pre-existing Trauma on Professionals in the Field of Social Work

Most social work students enter the profession with the noble ambition of changing the world. This ambition is often driven by the desire to help others, right injustices or perhaps due experiencing personal trauma. This article highlights an exploratory mixed-methods research project conducted with undergraduate and graduate alumni from a faith-based university, utilizing both a quantitative survey and qualitative narrative interviews. The purpose of this research was to gain an understanding of the underlying motivation of why research participants entered social work practice. Specifically exploring the existence of the impact of personal trauma on professional practice, to understand self-care, healing and the impact it holds on those served. Additionally, this exploratory study focused on self-care practices that assisted participants sustain their emotional, mental, and overall well-being in practice addressing existing and secondary trauma relating to professional practice. The testimonies provided within this study attest to the experiences, trauma and passion social work professionals hold as they enter the profession. It is imperative these individuals are met with compassion, care, support and trauma-informed supervision to sustain within practice that will meet them secondary-trauma. The conclusion of this study highlights the need for additional education within the social work curriculum to ensure that students develop a deep-rooted understanding of specific self-care practices before entering direct practice.