A Study on the Adoption of Trauma-Informed Care Framework Among Social Workers in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) framework is known worldwide for its potential to change especially how social workers in different settings help people who have been through trauma. Yet, putting this idea into practice in the field of Sri Lankan social work is still a topic that doesn't get much attention or care due to the lack of awareness about this concept. This study aims to discover the types of trauma social workers in Sri Lanka encounter most frequently, the settings most in need of trauma-informed care, and how to adapt the TIC model to the Sri Lankan context. The study used an exploratory research design with a qualitative approach to explore the experiences and perspectives of key informants, social workers student social workers, and parasocial workers, about trauma and its effects. The sampling methodology includes non-probability techniques from various settings, including hospitals, schools, and rehabilitation settings. The sample size is 20 participants, with an equal distribution of social and parasocial workers. Data collection tools include interviews, focus group discussions, and case studies, and thematic analysis is used for data analysis. It also reviewed the literature on trauma-informed care and how it affects social work practices. The study shows that social work practice in Sri Lanka lacks proper ways of managing trauma, and a lack of training, scarce resources, and ignorance of the long-term effects of trauma may all be responsible for that disparity. The analysis indicated that social workers commonly encounter vicarious trauma, organizational trauma, and secondary traumatic stress as the major types of trauma in their practices. The study intended to close these gaps and bring insights into the importance of trauma-informed approaches in social work practices by studying the application of the TIC framework.