New research from Macquarie University suggests that criminal law work can have profoundly damaging psychological effects on those who practise in the profession.

While often presenting an image of toughness and emotional detachment, it would seem that criminal defence lawyers and prosecutors are significantly more vulnerable to developing depression, stress and vicarious trauma than their non-criminal law colleagues.

Masters research, undertaken by clinical psychologist and lawyer Lila Vrklevski, investigated vicarious trauma in legal professionals, specifically solicitors engaged in criminal law work.

Vicarious trauma, she explains, refers to the profoundly negative changes that occur in a professional as a result of working with trauma survivors. Such changes can involve disruptions in both self and professional identity, worldview, spirituality, abilities, and cognitive beliefs particularly in the areas of safety, trust, esteem, intimacy and control.

While much previous research has explored the effects of vicarious trauma on professional groups such as doctors and nurses, ambulance officers, mental health staff, and police officers, Vrklevski's study is the first to examine vicarious trauma within the legal profession.

"Solicitors who work in criminal law experience a veritable kaleidoscope of traumatic material in the course of providing legal and other professional services to their clients," she explains. "Dealing with rape, sexual abuse of children, murder and manslaughter on a daily basis, they are exposed to horror in graphic detail through witness testimony, court re-enactments, witness conferencing, photographic and forensic evidence."

The study compared solicitors working with traumatised clients (criminal defence lawyers and prosecutors) with solicitors working with non-traumatised clients (conveyancers and academics) on a number of measures including vicarious trauma effects, coping strategies, the effects of personal trauma history and work satisfaction.

"Results of my research found that the level of vicarious trauma was higher in the criminal law solicitors," she explains. "In particular, criminal law solicitors reported significantly higher levels of subjective distress and self-reported vicarious trauma, depression, stress and cognitive changes in relation to safety and intimacy. This group also reported higher levels of avoidance, intrusions and hyperarousal.

"Nearly twice as many criminal law solicitors sought professional assistance in coping with work related distress than the non criminal law solicitors and a history of multiple trauma was associated with higher levels of vicarious trauma.

"Interestingly both groups reported similar levels of satisfaction with work. Even though working with traumatised clients and traumatic material can be distressing and difficult, there may also be an element of satisfaction in providing assistance to and advocating on behalf of these clients, and ensuring that justice is done."