Publication Date
2023
Document Type
Dissertation/Thesis
First Advisor
Jaekel, Katy
Degree Name
Ed.D. (Doctor of Education)
Legacy Department
Department of Counseling and Higher Education (CAHE)
Abstract
Student affairs professionals (SAPs) are no strangers to experiencing secondary trauma as their work in multiple fields brings them in close contact with students in crisis. During the COVID-19 pandemic, higher education found its world turned upside down and students were facing heightened trauma due changing class modalities, problematic finances, disruptive living situations, lack of basic needs, as wells as virus-related death and sickness. This phenomenological research study examines the essence of secondary trauma specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic experienced by SAPs who work as Deans of Students, Case Managers, Housing Professionals, and Cultural Resource Center Professionals. This research interviewed 12 participants from across the United States and asked each to bring with them a photo that connected them to their work with students in trauma during the COVID-19 pandemic. What was discovered from this new research was that the SAPs were fundamentally altered as people and professionals by a "Cosmic Ray Phenomenon." Aspects associated with secondary trauma throughout literature such as burnout, surface acting, and compassion fatigue, along with described feelings of helplessness, the impact of institutional abandonment, and just a flickering sense of hope while assisting students during COVID-19 changed SAPs at their core and left them questioning who they are and their futures. This research describes the "Cosmic Ray Phenomenon" from participants’ own words and examines the path forward for SAPs. The findings are relevant as institutions contemplate how to best support students in the years ahead. It is important for institutions to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted their staff emotionally and find ways to help the helpers of students in trauma.
Recommended Citation
Salmon, Jeffrey M., "Who Helps The Helper? a Phenomenology of The Impact of Secondary Trauma During Covid-19 on Student affairs Professionals In Dean of Students offices, Case Management Roles, Residential Housing and Cultural Resource Centers" (2023). Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations. 7353.
https://huskiecommons.lib.niu.edu/allgraduate-thesesdissertations/7353
Extent
148 pages
Language
eng
Publisher
Northern Illinois University
Rights Statement
In Copyright
Rights Statement 2
NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.
Media Type
Text
