Prevalence and predictors of secondary traumatic stress symptoms in health care professionals working with trauma victims: A cross-sectional study

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247596
• Publication Date: 2021-02-23T19:17:01Z
• Authors: Nina Ogińska-Bulik; Piotr Jerzy Gurowiec; Paulina Michalska; Edyta Kędra
• Keywords: Denial; Occupational Stress; Compassion fatigue; Traumatic stress

Introduction Medical personnel is an occupational group that especially prone to secondary traumatic stress. The factors conditioning its occurrence include organizational and work-related factors, as well personal features traits. aim of this study was determine Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) indicators in a medical personnel, considering load, job satisfaction, social support, cognitive processing trauma. Material methods Results obtained from 419 professionals, paramedics nurses, were analyzed. age participants ranged 19 65 ( M = 39.60, SD 11.03). A questionnaire developed for research including questions about four standard evaluation tools: Inventory, Job Satisfaction Scale, Social Support Scale which measures support sources (supervisors, coworkers, family, friends) Cognitive Processing Trauma allows evaluate coping strategies (positive restructuring, downward comparison, resolution/acceptance, denial, regret) used the study. results showed main predictor STS symptoms studied satisfaction. Two also turned out be predictors STS, regret relation) resolution/acceptance (negative relation). contribution other analyzed variables, i.e., workload explaining dependent variable rather small. Conclusions Paramedics nurses are at high risk indirect exposure thus may more stress development. It important actions aiming prevention reduction symptoms.