vicarious trauma survey preliminary analysis
TRANSCRIPT
Vicarious Trauma Survey (VTS) Preliminary Raw Data Analysis
Rev. Dr. Avril L’Mour Weathers, Ph.D.,Ebola Task Forcer Research Initiative, Chair
African Methodist Episcopal University
Vicarious Trauma is the traumaexperienced by those in proximity to, but not actually experiencing, the problem.
VICARIOUS TRAUMA
While vicarious trauma is generally ascribed to crisis/aid workers, what happens when those workers are experiencing acute trauma?
Does the experience of vicariousness shift from the crisis/aid sector to the main population?
Primary Assumption:
A Depth and Longevity of Liberian Trauma Triggered by the Crisis
Method of Study
Quantitative
Data Collection
Random Sampling Method
Nine Student Surveyors
Three Communities Red Light SKD West Point
582 Respondents
VTS Frequency Tables
(Demographics)
Descriptive Variables of the Sample
• Gender Identification
• Relationship Status
• Community in Residence
• Years of Age
• Age by Community
• Household Role
• Years in Community
INDICATORS OF TRAUMA
PSYCHOSOCIAL STRESSORS
To what degree is a community experiencing
• The Reality of the Ebola Virus
• The Stressfulness of the Crisis
• Disturbing Memories
• Disturbing Dreams
• Distressing Flashbacks
• Distressing Reminders
• Physical Reactions
• Psychological Avoidance
• Situational Avoidance
• Loss of Normal Interests
• Social Isolation
LIKERT Responses
…fixed choice response formats designed to measure attitudes or opinions
_ Strongly Agree _ Agree _Not Sure _ Disagree _ Strongly Disagree
VTS Frequency Tables
(Cumulative Percentage of Agreement)
Do you agree that the Ebola virus is real?
Indicator: The Reality of the Ebola Virus
The Ebola Virus is Real (97.4%)
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Valid Strongly Agree 453 77.8 78.2 78.2
Agree 111 19.1 19.2 97.4
Not Sure 7 1.2 1.2 98.6
Disagree 5 .9 .9 99.5
Strongly Disagree 3 .5 .5 100.0
Total 579 99.5 100.0
Missing 0 3 .5
Total 582 100.0
Do you agree that the Ebola crisis has been a stressful experience?
Indicator: The Stressfulness of the Crisis
The Ebola Crisis (TEC) is a Stressful Experience (97.4%)
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Valid Strongly Agree 351 60.3 60.5 60.5
Agree 214 36.8 36.9 97.4
Not Sure 5 .9 .9 98.3
Disagree 8 1.4 1.4 99.7
Strongly Disagree 2 .3 .3 100.0
Total 580 99.7 100.0
Missing 0 2 .3
Total 582 100.0
You have had repeated disturbing memories, thoughts, or images of this stressful experience.
Indicator: Disturbing Memories
TEC Events Have Evoked Disturbing Memories (84.7%)
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Valid Strongly Agree 246 42.3 42.6 42.6
Agree 243 41.8 42.1 84.7
Not Sure 59 10.1 10.2 95.0
Disagree 21 3.6 3.6 98.6
Strongly Disagree 8 1.4 1.4 100.0
Total 577 99.1 100.0
Missing 0 5 .9
Total 582 100.0
You have had repeated, disturbing dreams of this stressful experience.
Indicator: Disturbing Dreams
TEC Events Have Evoked Disturbing Dreams (64.7%)
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Valid Strongly Agree 176 30.2 30.3 30.3
Agree 199 34.2 34.3 64.7
Not Sure 109 18.7 18.8 83.4
Disagree 77 13.2 13.3 96.7
Strongly Disagree 19 3.3 3.3 100.0
Total 580 99.7 100.0
Missing 0 2 .3
Total 582 100.0
You have had sudden feelings as if this stressful experience were happening again (i.e., reliving it).
Indicator: Distressing Flashbacks
TEC Events Have Evoked Sudden Flashbacks
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Valid Agree 211 36.3 36.4 36.4
Strongly Agree 189 32.5 32.6 69.0
Not Sure 89 15.3 15.3 84.3
Disagree 47 8.1 8.1 92.4
Strongly Disagree 44 7.6 7.6 100.0
Total 580 99.7 100.0
Missing 0 2 .3
Total 582 100.0
You feel very upset when something reminds you of this stressful experience (e.g. ambulance sirens).
Indicator: Distressing Reminders
TEC Events Have Evoked Emotional Upset (86.7%)
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Valid Strongly Agree 307 52.7 52.9 52.9
Agree 196 33.7 33.8 86.7
Not Sure 25 4.3 4.3 91.0
Disagree 34 5.8 5.9 96.9
Strongly Disagree 18 3.1 3.1 100.0
Total 580 99.7 100.0
Missing 0 2 .3
Total 582 100.0
You have physical reactions (e.g., heart pounding, trouble breathing, or sweating) when something reminds you of this stressful experience.
Indicator: Physical Reactions
TEC Events Have Evoked Physical Reaction e.g. heart pounding (70.1%)
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Valid Strongly Agree 205 35.2 35.5 35.5
Agree 200 34.4 34.6 70.1
Not Sure 68 11.7 11.8 81.8
Disagree 82 14.1 14.2 96.0
Strongly Disagree 23 4.0 4.0 100.0
Total 578 99.3 100.0
Missing 0 4 .7
Total 582 100.0
You avoid thinking about, talking about or having feelings related to this stressful experience it.
Indicator: Social Avoidance
Avoiding Thoughts Related to The Ebola Crisis (60.3%)
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Valid Strongly Agree 147 25.3 25.6 25.6
Agree 200 34.4 34.8 60.3
Not Sure 50 8.6 8.7 69.0
Disagree 95 16.3 16.5 85.6
Strongly Disagree 83 14.3 14.4 100.0
Total 575 98.8 100.0
Missing 0 7 1.2
Total 582 100.0
You have avoided
activities or situations because they remind you
of this stressful experience.
Indicator: Situational Avoidance
Avoiding Situations Reminding of The Ebola Crisis (87.0%)
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Valid Strongly Agree 254 43.6 44.2 44.2
Agree 246 42.3 42.8 87.0
Not Sure 48 8.2 8.3 95.3
Disagree 22 3.8 3.8 99.1
Strongly Disagree 5 .9 .9 100.0
Total 575 98.8 100.0
Missing 0 7 1.2
Total 582 100.0
You have had a loss of
interest in activities that you used to enjoy.
Indicator: Loss of Normal Interests
A Loss of Interest in Normal Activities due to The Ebola Crisis (92.9%)
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Valid Strongly Agree 342 58.8 59.0 59.0
Agree 197 33.8 34.0 92.9
Not Sure 16 2.7 2.8 95.7
Disagree 19 3.3 3.3 99.0
Strongly Disagree 6 1.0 1.0 100.0
Total 580 99.7 100.0
Missing 0 2 .3
Total 582 100.0
17. You have been feeling
distant or cut off from other people.
Indicator: Isolation
An Increased Distance from Other Persons due to The Ebola Crisis (96.2%)
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Valid Strongly Agree 371 63.7 64.3 64.3
Agree 184 31.6 31.9 96.2
Not Sure 10 1.7 1.7 97.9
Disagree 10 1.7 1.7 99.7
Strongly Disagree 2 .3 .3 100.0
Total 577 99.1 100.0
Missing 0 5 .9
Total 582 100.0
