The Mediating Effect of Rumination in the Relationship between Secondary Traumatic Stress and Self-Compassion in Psychosocial Support Providers

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine whether rumination has a mediating role in the relationship between secondary traumatic stress and self-compassion levels of professionals who provide psychosocial assistance to survivors after the earthquake in Turkey on 6 February 2023. The research was organized in accordance with the relational screening model. Within the scope of Turkey Disaster Response Plan, 153 professionals including social workers, psychologists and psychological counselors who provide psychosocial assistance to earthquake survivors participated in the study. The research data were collected through an online survey link using the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale, Self-Compassion Scale, Ruminative Reaction Scale and Personal Information Form. In the analysis of the data; descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis and PROCESS Macro (Model 4) were used in the mediation test. According to the results of the study, the direct (β = −0.204) and indirect (β = −0.175) effects of self-compassion on secondary traumatic stress are statistically significant and negative. Therefore, it was determined that rumination played a significant mediating role in this interaction. Accordingly, it is understood that increasing self-compassion and regulating rumination reactions are important in reducing the secondary traumatic stress levels of professionals providing psychosocial assistance. There is a need for more research into the factors that influence the secondary traumatic stress of mental health workers who intervene with traumatized people.