| Abstract: | Indirect exposure to traumatic events or to survivors of trauma can itself be traumatizing and lead to symptoms similar to those of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a phenomenon known as secondary traumatization. Undergraduate students enrolled in courses on trauma are potentially vulnerable to secondary traumatization, although no research on them has been conducted. Literature on trauma therapy and the prevention of secondary traumatization is reviewed and suggestions are made for generalizing those findings to the university classroom. Issues of trauma exposure, safety, education, self-care, empowerment, and social support are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved) |
