Secondary traumatic stress, burnout, compassion satisfaction, and perceived organizational trauma readiness in forensic science professionals

The psychological and emotional risks associated with providing care to traumatized populations have been largely overlooked in the literature on non-professional trauma counselling in South Africa. Non-professional or lay trauma counsellors are frontline service providers and typically the first point of contact for people in community contexts who have experienced traumatic events. The main aim of this study was to investigate the professional quality of life including compassion satisfaction, secondary traumatic stress, and burnout of a sample ( N = 146) of lay trauma counsellors in the Western Cape Province. Demographic factors including age and gender were found to be significant. Older age was associated with compassion satisfaction while younger age predicted burnout. Male lay trauma counsellors were more likely to report high burnout and high secondary traumatic stress compared with their female counterparts. The study underscores the need for organizations to incorporate prevention and intervention approaches to mitigate the negative psychological impact of working with trauma. Male lay trauma counsellors and younger counsellors may particularly benefit from interventions that encourage debriefing.

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The role of workplace social capital, compassion satisfaction and secondary traumatic stress in affective organisational commitment of a sample of Iranian nurses

Journal of Research in Nursing ◽

10.1177/1744987118762974 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 23 (5) ◽

pp. 446-456 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Seyyed Abolfazl Vagharseyyedin ◽

Bahare Zarei ◽

Mahdi Hosseini

Keyword(s):

Social Capital ◽

Traumatic Stress ◽

Secondary Traumatic Stress ◽

Early Recognition ◽

Compassion Satisfaction ◽

Organisational Commitment ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The One ◽

Workplace Social Capital

Background Affective organisational commitment (AOC) refers to employees’ emotional attachment to the organisation and identification with it. It is vital that nurses explore contributors to their AOC because they stand as the largest group of employees in healthcare organisations. Aim This cross-sectional, analytical study explored the role of workplace social capital (WSC), compassion satisfaction (CS), and secondary traumatic stress (STS) in AOC in a sample of Iranian nurses. Method The study sample consisted of 250 nurses working in eight hospitals affiliated with Birjand University of Medical Sciences, eastern Iran. Participants’ WSC was measured using the Social Capital at Work Scale developed by Kouvonen et al. (2006). CS and STS were measured using CS and STS dimensions of the Professional Quality of Life measure (Version 5) developed by Stamm (2010). Results Significant positive associations were found between WSC and AOC ( p < 0.001), between the cognitive dimension of WSC and AOC ( p < 0.001), between the structural dimension of WSC and AOC ( p < 0.001), and between CS and AOC ( p < 0.001). The correlation between STS and AOC ( p < 0.001) was negatively significant. Conclusion Effort to promote WSC and CS on the one hand and prevention and early recognition of STS on the other hand can enhance nurses’ AOC.

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Compassion Satisfaction, Burnout, and Secondary Traumatic Stress Among Critical Care Nurses in Iran

Journal of Transcultural Nursing ◽

10.1177/1043659619838876 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

pp. 59-66 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Sedigheh Salimi ◽

Vahid Pakpour ◽

Azad Rahmani ◽

Marian Wilson ◽

Hossein Feizollahzadeh

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Critical Care ◽

Compassion Fatigue ◽

Traumatic Stress ◽

Secondary Traumatic Stress ◽

Compassion Satisfaction ◽

Critical Care Nurses ◽

Professional Quality Of Life ◽

Professional Quality

Introduction: This study investigated the relationship between compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction among Iranian nurses working in critical care units. Method: A cross-sectional, descriptive survey using the Professional Quality of Life instrument was administered to 400 nurses working in the intensive care units of Iranian hospitals. Results: High risk levels of burnout and secondary traumatic stress existed among 42% and 96% of participants, respectively. Significant positive relationships were detected between burnout and secondary traumatic stress. An inverse relationship was detected between measures of compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction. Discussion: To ensure culturally congruent care, it is important to evaluate professional quality of life within the context of specific cultures and societies. Iranian critical care nurses are at risk for burnout and secondary traumatic stress. Personal self-care and organizational wellness approaches that consider cultural norms should be designed to boost compassion satisfaction and reduce negative effects of stressful work environments.

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Psychological distress constructs in police with different roles

International Journal of Emergency Services ◽

10.1108/ijes-06-2018-0033 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 264-279 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Isobel Sheard ◽

Melissa Ellen Burnett ◽

Helen St Clair-Thompson

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Compassion Fatigue ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Traumatic Stress ◽

Secondary Traumatic Stress ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Compassion Satisfaction ◽

Content Type ◽

Police Personnel

Purpose Police personnel report relatively high rates of mental health difficulties, and are at an increased risk of experiencing stress, burnout, secondary traumatic stress and anxiety as a result of the nature of their work and may also experience low compassion satisfaction. However, it is likely that the prevalence of psychological distress varies across roles. The purpose of this paper is to explore psychological distress, in a large sample of police personnel, examining differences between individuals in a number of police roles. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire assessing experience of mental health problems, perceived stress, compassion fatigue (burnout and secondary traumatic stress), compassion satisfaction and anxiety was administered to 602 police personnel, who were classified into one of ten roles (24/7 officers, communications, firearms, crime, resolution without deployment, neighbourhood, custody, safeguarding, operations and other roles). Differences based on role and the requirement for shift work were then examined. Findings 24/7 officers had higher compassion fatigue and lower compassion satisfaction than individuals in a number of other roles. Firearms officers had lower levels of perceived stress and anxiety. Resolution without deployment officers reported higher secondary traumatic stress and compassion fatigue. The findings also revealed that respondents who partake in shift work showed higher levels of perceived stress. Originality/value This is the first study to the authors’ knowledge to investigate experience of mental health problems and reports of psychological distress in different roles within a UK police force. The findings have important implications, for example, in terms of identifying groups who may be particularly at risk from psychological distress.

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