'I'm willing to walk into violence': The impact of personal trauma on staff compassion in secure services

Current evidence on the impact of personal trauma on health care professionals is mixed. Some studies suggest a personal history of trauma can be a risk factor for secondary traumatisation. Other research suggests that personal experiences of trauma can help professionals to better recognise their patients' trauma symptoms. Staff working in forensic mental health services face challenges, such as exposure to patient self-harm and suicide. This study aimed to understand the impact of personal trauma on staff working in forensic mental health services and how this impacts their ability to give compassionate care in a challenging environment.

Qualitative methodology was used. Participant interviews were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.

Seven participants were recruited from forensic mental health services across the Northwest of England who had personal histories of trauma. Participants completed a semi-structured interview and questionnaires recording traumatic life experiences. Interviews focused on how staff were impacted by their experiences of trauma and if this had an impact on them giving compassionate care.

Three main themes were identified from participant interviews: reliving the past in the present, true empathy as both a gift and a burden, and the costs and benefits of gaining personal meaning and being changed by the work.

Participants reported that trauma had both positive and negative impacts on their work. Overall, a common thread that emerged in all interviews was that trauma did not appear to be a barrier to compassion but rather a facilitator.