Community Violence and Trauma in El Salvador:  Supporting Teachers to Cope with Traumatic StressLisseth Rojas-Flores, PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychology and Director of Clinical Training Department of Marriage and Family, Fuller Graduate School of Psychology, Pasadena, California
Katharine M. Putman, Assistant Professor of Psychology, Fuller Graduate School of Psychology, Pasadena, California
Sofia Herrera, PhD, Research Assistant Professor, Fuller Graduate School of Psychology, Pasadena, California
David Foy, PhD, Professor of Psychology, Pepperdine University, Malibu, California 

The Community Violence and Trauma in El Salvador study is a collaborative undertaking with the Episcopal Dioceses of El Salvador, the Salvadorian Minister of Education, and Fuller Theological Seminary. The purpose of the project is to document levels of community violence and post-traumatic stress symptoms as well as to identify potential buffers of stress and trauma for teachers in El Salvador. A survey was given to 190 teachers in El Salvador. Measures include religious coping, forgiveness, fatalism, posttraumatic stress symptoms, depression, burnout, and community violence exposure. Results will be reported to the Bishop and Minister of Education in El Salvador. Additionally, manuscripts will be prepared for submission to academic journals for publication and will contribute to our understanding of risk and resilience for caregivers in Central America.