Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-2025

Identifier

PMCID: PMC12331314

Abstract

Easy access to streaming news and sensational headlines has transformed society's exposure to traumatic narratives. From personal stories on social media platforms to news articles about violence in communities, patients and their caregivers may not recognize their exposure as traumatic nor recognize their psychological sequalae as unhealthy. In addition, youth with trauma-related mental health symptoms are not consistently identified in pediatric primary care clinics. Due to the increase in proximity to traumatic stories, healthcare providers working with youth require additional skills designed to engage patients and families in conversations about exposure to violence via technology and symptoms of vicarious trauma. This article aims to summarize current understanding of vicarious trauma via technology, the impact of vicarious trauma on youth, and provide best practices to improve providers' ability to disseminate evidence-based guidance.

Journal Title

Missouri medicine

Volume

122

Issue

4

First Page

304

Last Page

309

MeSH Keywords

Humans; Health Personnel; Social Media; Compassion Fatigue; Exposure to Violence; Adolescent

PubMed ID

40787018

Keywords

Health Personnel; Social Media; Compassion Fatigue; Exposure to Violence

Comments

Statement regarding Missouri Medicine: The Journal of the Missouri State Medical Association: All issues are open-access. Entire journals will open in a digital journal format in a new window. All articles are owned by copyright Missouri State Medical Association. Publisher's Link: https://www.msma.org/Missouri-Medicine-Library

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