Introduction
Individuals may experience various negative and traumatic experiences throughout their lives. These experiences can leave many negative marks. In addition, traumatic events they witness, hear about, or read about can also cause them to experience negative events. In today’s article, we will focus on the concept of secondary trauma and talk about what can be done to prevent it.
What Is Secondary Trauma?
Secondary trauma can be defined as a situation where a person is exposed to a negative experience of another person, which they did not experience themselves, and this situation negatively affects the person (Varan and Demirel, 2024). In cases of exposure, negative emotional states and behavioral changes may be observed in the person (Varan and Demirel, 2024).
What Are The Risk And Protective Factors For Secondary Trauma?
Not every negative event experienced will turn into trauma. There are some personal and organizational factors that are effective in the occurrence or non-occurrence of trauma.
Protective Factors:
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Social support: Having good communication with family members and a social circle can be a protective factor against secondary trauma (Varan and Demirel, 2024).
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Psychological resilience: A high level of psychological resilience can protect a person against secondary trauma (Varan and Demirel, 2024).
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Conscious self-care: Practicing self-compassion and being able to differentiate emotions can help a person with secondary trauma (Varan and Demirel, 2024).
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Professional experience: Although some studies suggest that having more experience in one’s profession may protect a person against secondary trauma, there are also studies that say the opposite (Birinci and Erden, 2016).
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Personality traits: Factors such as a person’s emotional intelligence and stress coping skills – especially problem-focused coping – can also stand out as protective factors against secondary trauma (Varan and Demirel, 2024).
Risk Factors:
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History of past trauma: Traumas experienced in the past can increase the risk of secondary trauma (Zarave İçöz, 2015).
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High exposure to traumatic experiences: High exposure to traumatic events due to a person’s profession can cause the development of secondary trauma (Varan and Demirel, 2024).
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Stress coping style: While problem-focused coping plays a protective role against secondary trauma, emotion-focused and avoidant coping act as risk factors for secondary trauma (Varan and Demirel, 2024).
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Problems experienced at work: Negative experiences a person has at work can play a role in the development of secondary trauma (Varan and Demirel, 2024).
What Occupational Groups May Experience Secondary Trauma?
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Healthcare workers: Individuals working to improve human health are at risk of experiencing secondary trauma. Secondary trauma was also observed in a study conducted with ambulance workers (Birinci and Erden, 2016).
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Mental health professionals: Individuals belonging to occupational groups such as psychologists and social workers who listen to people’s traumatic life stories are also at risk of experiencing secondary trauma (Birinci and Erden, 2016). This risk may be even higher in individuals working in the field of trauma (Demirel and Kökrek, 2024). Those working in challenging geographical areas may have a higher risk of developing secondary trauma compared to those working in other regions (Zara and İçöz, 2015). On the other hand, psychologists may experience less secondary trauma than other occupational groups because they learn to protect themselves against it during their professional training (Birinci and Erden, 2016).
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Criminal justice professionals: Lawyers, due to their profession, witness negative experiences and are therefore at risk of developing secondary traumatic stress (Birinci and Erden, 2016).
What Can Be Done To Prevent Secondary Trauma?
The following can be done in the organizational field:
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Activities should be organized to increase support and cooperation among employees in organizations (Varan and Demirel, 2024).
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Experienced employees should share their experience with those new to the profession (Varan and Demirel, 2024).
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Supervision should be provided for those working in the field of mental health and made accessible to everyone (Demirel and Kökrek, 2024).
The following can be done individually:
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Information about secondary trauma should be obtained (Varan and Demirel, 2024).
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Psychological support should be sought when secondary trauma is noticed (Varan and Demirel, 2024).
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Practices such as increasing social support, implementing conscious self-care practices, and developing problem-focused coping skills should be implemented (Varan and Demirel, 2024).
Conclusion
Secondary trauma is a condition that develops as a result of a person being exposed to traumatic events experienced by others. In secondary trauma, the person may experience intense negative emotions and burnout, and work efficiency may decrease. While factors such as social support, psychological resilience, and coping styles protect the person from secondary trauma, factors such as past traumatic events and exposure to traumatic events due to the profession create a risk of developing secondary trauma. There are some measures that workplaces and individuals should implement to prevent secondary trauma.
References
Birinci, G. G., & Erden, G. (2016). Evaluation of Assumed Trauma, Secondary Traumatic Stress and Burnout in Aid Workers. Turkish Journal of Psychology/Türk Psikoloji Dergisi, 31(77).
Demirel, B., & Kökrek, Z. (2024). Psychological resilience and secondary trauma analysis of psychologists working in the earthquake centered in Kahramanmaraş. The Bulletin of Legal Medicine, 29(3), 230-235.
Varan, D., & Demirel, Ç. (2024). THE INDIRECT EFFECT OF TRAUMA: A REVIEW ON SECONDARY TRAUMATIC STRESS. Istanbul Kent University Journal of Human and Social Sciences, 4(2), 71-86.
Zara, A., & İçöz, F. J. (2015). Secondary traumatic stress in those working with trauma victims in the field of mental health in Turkey. Clinical Psychiatry, 18(1), 15-23.