1997/98 PCERII Funded Research Abstract

Research Title: Providers of support to Survivors of Torture

Research Team: Dr. Nancy Arthur (University of Calgary) - Principal Investigator

Research Domain(s): Social

The impact of organized violence or torture is evidenced in longstanding physiological, psychological, and interpersonal effects for individuals and families. Symptoms related to the trauma of torture may surface during the migration process or be exacerbated through the stress of resettlement. Interventions designed to assist survivors of torture require a concerted community effort to understand related adjustment difficulties and to develop appropriate interventions. Although community members and professional specialists may be active in assisting migrants, they are often ill-prepared to meet the needs of survivors of torture. Further, providers of support are at risk of debilitating stress reactions, known as vicarious traumatization, in reaction to working with migrants who have experienced the trauma of torture. In order to prepare community members for the role that they may play in the settlement process, this study is an exploratory investigation of experiences and needs of people who provide support to survivors of torture. The study involves two areas, 1) interviews with host volunteers and community professionals who provide support services to survivors or torture, and 2) the development of an annotated bibliography of the literature on vicarious traumatization. The results of both areas of the study will be used as the basis of inquiry for recommendations regarding the training of host volunteers and community professionals who provide services to survivors of torture.