Laura Ting
University of Maryland
11512 Brandy Hall Lane
Gaithersburg MD 20878
USA
Phone: 301-251-4033
Email: LauraTing@juno.com

Sara Sanders
University of Iowa
70 Lynx Lane
North Liberty IA 52316
USA
Phone: 319-665-6226
Email: sara-sanders@uiowa.edu

Purpose:  Very few studies have examined social workers’ personal and professional reactions to client suicide attempts or completions.  As mental health social workers increasingly work with suicidal clients it is essential that the social work field gain a better understanding of the potential impact these experiences can have on clinicians.

Methods:  This paper reports findings from a national sample of mental health social workers, randomly selected from the National Association of Social Workers (n=516).  Two standardized measures were used to assess the psychological reactions related to working with suicidal clients (Impact of Event Scale-IES and the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale-STSS).  Additionally, participants completed a series of questions related to the suicide/attempt itself, along with their methods for coping (both positive and negative).

Results:  Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) revealed that the type of incident that occurred (attempt or completion) significantly impacted the level of traumatic stress on both the IES and STSS.   Additional analysis using MANOVA revealed that the social worker’s gender and race significantly influenced reported reactions to working with suicidal clients.  The most useful method for coping with a client suicide attempt/completion was clinical supervision, followed closely by peer/collegial support, and talking with family and friends.  A number of social workers reported an increase in ‘negative’ behaviors after a client suicide attempt/completion.  Some of these included increasing alcohol consumption, overeating, cigarette smoking, angry outbursts, and social isolation.

Implications for Practice:  Findings suggest that mental health social workers experience traumatic stress reactions, as well as engage in both positive and negative behaviors to cope with the stress related to working with suicidal clients.  Increased attention needs to be given to the strategies used to prepare social workers for their work with suicidal clients.