Secondary traumatic stress and posttraumatic growth: Social support as a moderator

Abstract

This present study examines (1) the relationship between secondary traumatic stress, perceived social support and posttraumatic growth after secondary exposure to traumatic events and (2) the moderating role of perceived social support on the secondary traumatic stress—posttraumatic growth relation. A sample of 135 nurses completed self-reporting measures describing symptoms of secondary traumatic stress, social support, and vicarious posttraumatic growth. The results indicate that secondary traumatic stress negatively correlates with vicarious posttraumatic growth, while social support positively correlates with vicarious posttraumatic growth. Furthermore, persons who self-report less secondary traumatic stress symptoms also report high levels of posttraumatic growth when they perceive to have a high level of social support. These findings emphasize the value of perceived support for persons indirectly exposed to traumatic events.

Keywords:

• Secondary traumatic stress
• Posttraumatic growth
• Social support
• Medical staff

Acknowledgements

This paper is supported by the Sectoral Operational Programme Human Resources Development (SOP HRD), financed from the European Social Fund and by the Romanian Government under the contract number POSDRU/159/1.5/S/133675.