Development of the Vicarious Resilience Scale (VRS): A Measure of Positive Effects of Working With Trauma Survivors 

Kyle Killian, Pilar Hernandez-Wolfe, David Engstrom, David Gangsei 

This study introduces and validates the Vicarious Resilience Scale (VRS), the first quantitative instrument designed to measure the positive psychological impact experienced by helping professionals through their work with trauma survivors. While much of the existing literature emphasizes the negative consequences of trauma work, such as vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue, this study focuses on vicarious resilience, a transformative process in which therapists draw inspiration and strength from witnessing their clients’ resilience and recovery.