Secondary Traumatic Stress Symptoms Research Articles

14 Exploring factors contributing to Secondary Traumatic Stress in residents during a child maltreatment paediatrics rotation

Abstract Background Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) refers to the distress and emotional disruption experienced by individuals caring for those who have experienced trauma. STS is increasingly recognised in child serving professions, especially in medical trainees and clinicians working in Child Maltreatment Paediatrics (CMP). Paediatric resident physicians are typically of younger age, work long hours in stressful conditions, and have limited CMP experience. This makes them particularly vulnerable to experiencing STS. In addition to affecting the wellbeing of trainees, STS can impede performance at work and affect patient care. Thus, it is important to understand and mitigate the development of STS among paediatric trainees during their CMP rotation. Objectives This study aims to identify key factors contributing to STS among medical residents at a tertiary care paediatric hospital during a CMP rotation. Design/Methods Qualitative interviews and focus groups were conducted to explore the experiences and perceptions of CMP trainees, staff physicians, and psychologists. Quality Improvement methods including a Fishbone diagram (figure 1), 5-whys analysis, and Pareto analysis (figure 2) were used to analyze the factors that contribute to residents developing STS symptoms. Results Our analysis revealed the following themes contributing to STS symptoms in paediatric residents: (1) limited awareness and education on STS symptoms, (2) lack of planned case debriefing, (3) residency-related burn out, (4) limited experience in CMP, (5) hidden curriculum of residency, and (6) limited opportunity to discuss STS symptoms. Conclusion Our study identified factors related to both limited knowledge around STS, and limited opportunities to debrief cases that may contribute to the development of STS among residents. These factors can, in part, be addressed on a program level. This aligns with existing STS literature which emphasizes implementing program level strategies to support professionals in addition to prioritizing self-care. Next steps involve implementing targeted interventions within the rotation to help mitigate STS effects on trainees.

The Evaluation of a Mindful Coaching Programme to Reduce Burnout in Social Workers in Hong Kong-A Pilot Study.

Social work professionals experience high levels of burnout, emotional exhaustion, and secondary traumatic stress (STS). This paper reports the findings of a pilot test of the Burn-Not-Out programme that aimed to reduce social workers' burnout, STS, and depressive symptoms and to enhance compassion satisfaction (CS), using the mixed methods evaluation methodology. Hong Kong social workers participated in the programme between December 2023 and March 2024 and completed pre- and post-programme self-administered online surveys including the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), healthy alongside self-constructed questions on boundary setting, and post-programme online focus group discussions. The results from 94 paired surveys revealed a concerning mental health profile of the participants at baseline, and, after programme participation, there were statistically significant reductions in burnout (Cohen's d = 0.73) and depressive symptoms (Cohen's d = 0.57) among the participants. The participants in the focus group reported that they valued the programme's emphasis on healthy boundaries, one-on-one coaching, and the sense of being cared for, which contributed to their mental health improvement. This study highlights the urgent need for more research on the role of psychological capital in social workers' resilience and calls for more empirical systemic interventions that can promote social workers' mental wellness, with sustainable policies that ensure manageable workloads and adequate workplace support.

Secondary traumatization in refugee care—EMDR intervention for interpreters (STEIN): a study protocol for a quasi-randomized controlled trial

BackgroundBy the end of 2022, more than 100 million people worldwide fled their homes. Before, during and after their flight, refugees have high risk of experiencing traumatic events. Accordingly, around every third refugee is affected by posttraumatic stress disorder. For adequate mental health care, the service of interpreters is often urgently needed to overcome existing language barriers. However, repeated exposure with details of traumatic narratives, as experienced by interpreters, can be burdensome and can lead to trauma sequela symptoms in terms of secondary traumatic stress. Only few studies have examined the treatment of secondary traumatic stress to date. Based on the recommendations for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder with confrontational methods, this study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of an eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) intervention in a sample of interpreters working in refugee care suffering from secondary traumatic stress symptoms.MethodsTo evaluate the effectiveness of an EMDR intervention for the treatment of secondary traumatic stress symptoms, a quasi-randomized controlled trial using a waiting group design will be performed. Participants will be treated with a maximum of 6 sessions based on EMDR standard protocol. Primary outcome is the symptom load of secondary traumatic stress, assessed with the Questionnaire for Secondary Traumatization, while secondary outcomes comprise further symptom complexes such as PTSD due to self-experienced traumatic events, depression, anxiety, and somatization as well as quality of life, quality of professional life, and psychological wellbeing that will be assessed with the PDS, PHQ-9, GAD-7, SSD-12, SF-12, PROQOL-5, and WHO-5, respectively.DiscussionOur primary interest is to determine the efficacy of an EMDR intervention in interpreters affected by secondary traumatic stress, especially how many sessions are needed for significant symptom reduction. Change of associated symptom complexes and quality of life will be investigated. Reprocessing one’s own stressful experiences may also contribute to this, which is not the focus of the treatment but relevant to the EMDR protocol. This study aims to assess if EMDR could be an acceptable, effective, and time-efficient method for reducing work-related secondary traumatization.Trial registrationGerman Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00032092, registered 16 June 2023.

Individual factors as predictors of secondary traumatic stress and burnout in forensic inpatient staff.

Secondary traumatic stress (STS) is the indirect traumatisation of a person through the stress of helping or knowing about other's trauma. Burnout is gradual exhaustion in response to long-term work-related stress. Both have negative psychological, physiological and/or organisational consequences; however, the existing research in forensic health care professionals (FHCPs) is limited. One study explored STS in FCHPs and found that lower psychological flexibility (ability to adapt) was a predictor of greater STS. Existing research on burnout in FHCPs suggests that individual differences, such as the ways in which we cope (talking to people vs. using substances), may predict burnout levels. Prevalence findings add to the recent evidence base, which also found moderate levels of burnout. However, this study is the first to find high levels of secondary traumatic stress in FHCPs. Similar to existing literature, the study's findings suggest that FHCP's with lower levels of psychological flexibility and more maladaptive coping strategies may experience greater STS and burnout symptoms, while staff who use more adaptive coping strategies may experience less burn-out. Unexpectedly, staff who reported a more anxious attachment style were burnt-out; however, there are limitations to this finding. Policies and practices in forensic settings should reflect the risk of STS and burnout. Practices or interventions should enhance adaptive coping strategies and psychological flexibility, such as Resilience Enhancement Programmes or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). INTRODUCTION: Secondary traumatic stress (STS) and burnout literature in inpatient forensic health care professionals (FHCPs) is limited, despite the psychological, physiological and organisational consequences. This study aimed to further this limited evidence base, investigating predictors of STS and burnout in FHCPs. 98 healthcare professionals working in two UK forensic inpatient settings completed measures assessing: burnout, STS, psychological flexibility, coping style, attachment style and a demographic questionnaire recording length of service and the sex of staff. Results indicated high STS and moderate burnout levels. The main predictors of STS and burnout were poorer psychological flexibility and greater maladaptive coping styles, whereas lower burnout was predicted by greater adaptive coping styles and an anxious attachment style. This study has contributed towards a limited evidence base and indicates poorer psychological flexibility and greater maladaptive coping may be risk factors for STS and burnout in FHCPs, whereas greater maladaptive coping may be a protective factor. The findings suggest that interventions such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and coping skills interventions, may offer protective benefits to inpatient forensic healthcare professionals.

Bouncing back and bouncing forward: coping strategies used by the social workers during COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT Studies have suggested that social workers being indirectly exposed to their patients’ COVID-19-related traumatic experiences may have both negative (i.e. secondary traumatic stress symptoms; STS) and positive psychological consequences (i.e. resilience and vicarious post-traumatic growth (VPTG)). However, less is known about the coping strategies that they use to effectively respond to COVID-19-related challenges. The purpose of this study is to examine the coping strategies that social workers use and their differential association with VPTG, resilience, and STS. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a sample of 133 social workers (86.7% women, mean age 38.1 ± 9.4 years). They completed the Brief COPE, the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS), the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), and the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) to measure coping strategies, STS, resilience, and VPTG, respectively. Social workers demonstrated moderate levels of STS, VPTG, and resilience. Denial was associated with STS, positive reframing, planning, and self-blame (inversely) were associated with resilience, and instrumental support and religious coping were associated with VPTG. The results of this study provide insights on how healthcare policies and interventions can best support professionals during current and future pandemics by alleviating levels of STS and enhancing resilience and VPTG.

Doomscrolling and mental well-being in social media users: A serial mediation through mindfulness and secondary traumatic stress.

Considering that large-scale events such as natural disasters, epidemics, and wars affect people all over the world through online news channels, it is inevitable to investigate the impact of following or avoiding negative news on well-being. This study investigated the effect of doomscrolling on mental well-being and the mediating role of mindfulness and secondary traumatic stress in social media users. A total of 400 Turkish adults completed scales to assess doomscrolling, mental well-being, mindfulness, and secondary traumatic stress. The average age of the participants was 29.42 (SD = 8.38; ranged = 18-65). Structural equation modeling was conducted to examine the mediating roles of mindfulness and secondary traumatic stress in the relationship between doomscrolling and mental well-being. Mindfulness and secondary traumatic stress fully mediated the relationship between doomscrolling and mental well-being. The results are discussed in light of existing knowledge of doomscrolling, mental well-being, mindfulness, and secondary traumatic stress. High levels of doomscrolling, which is related to an individual's mental well-being, can predict the individual's distraction from the here and now and fixation on negative news. This situation, in which mindfulness is low, is related to the individual's indirect traumatization and increased secondary traumatic stress symptoms in the face of the negative news he/she follows.

PRACTICE makes progress, a self-care course for mental health professionals in the child trauma field: A preliminary investigation.

Mental health professionals who work with clients exposed to trauma commonly experience secondary traumatic stress (STS) and burnout, which have a well-documented negative impact on clinicians as well as clients. As self-care has been identified as a protective factor against STS and burnout, the current study aimed to examine the effects of a self-care course for mental health professionals working with trauma-exposed clients. This pretest-posttest pilot study examined the impact of a six-session virtual self-care course on the well-being of 43 mental health professionals previously trained in Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy(TF-CBT), a well-established, evidence-based treatment for childhood trauma. The components of TF-CBT comprise the acronym PRACTICE, and we are referring to this self-care course as PRACTICE Makes Progress (PMP), as participants receive weekly assignments that encourage the use of many of the same PRACTICE skills clients are taught in the context of TF-CBT. Results comparing pre- and postcourse survey responses indicated significant increases in the use of PRACTICE skills (p = .006, d = .44) as well as the utilization of humor as a coping skill (p < .001, d = .53), and significant decreases in STS symptoms (p < .001, d = .63) and burnout (p = .004, d = .47). These results provide preliminary evidence that mental health professionals working with clients exposed to trauma may benefit from participation in an evidence-informed, standalone virtual self-care course. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Secondary Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Social Media Users after the February 6, Kahramanmaraş Türkiye Earthquakes: The Relationship with Social Media Addiction, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Symptom Levels

Secondary Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Social Media Users after the February 6, Kahramanmaraş Türkiye Earthquakes: The Relationship with Social Media Addiction, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Symptom Levels

Navigating the Shadows of Others' Traumas: An In-Depth Examination of Secondary Traumatic Stress and Psychological Distress among Rescue Professionals.

Rescue workers, who often find themselves on the frontlines of traumatic events, face an increased risk of experiencing secondary traumatic stress (STS) and psychological distress (PD). The nature of their work, alongside professional factors, can influence the way these psychological aspects manifest and their level of severity. This study aimed to explore the relationship between STS and PD in rescue workers. Additionally, it sought to understand how factors such as age, years of experience, duration of work, training received and direct exposure to trauma explain significant variations in reporting to STS. To conduct this research, a cross-sectional study design was implemented involving a sample of 80 rescue workers from the Punjab province in Pakistan. Data was collected over eight weeks using the secondary traumatic stress scale (STSS-17) and the general health questionnaire (GHQ-12) as primary assessment tools. Participants' data was analyzed through Pearson correlation analysis, t-tests, and ANOVA. A strong positive correlation between STS and PD among rescue workers was established. Age significantly explains variation in scores, with older workers displaying reduced STS and PD symptoms. Rescue workers working for longer hours reported elevated STS compared to those working shorter shifts. Workers with more extended professional experience showcased lower STS, highlighting the potential resilience acquired over time. The study also underscored the importance of training duration: longer, well-structured training was associated with decreased STS and PD. Interestingly, longer exposure to trauma was found to be related to lower STS scores, albeit this warrants further investigation. This study underscores the intertwined nature of STS and PD among rescue workers and the various modulating factors. The study paves the way for more comprehensive research, expanding geographically and demographically.

Surveying mental health stressors of emergency management professionals: Factors in recruiting and retaining emergency managers in an era of disasters and pandemics.

Emergency managers are responsible for managing crises and disasters, and while their work is essential, it can be stressful and impact their mental health, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to examine the mental health of professional emergency managers and factors associated with their intent to leave the field before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 903 respondents completed an online survey assessing their secondary traumatic stress, emergency reaction strategies, organizational culture, age, length of time in primary position, the highest level of education as well as other metrics. The Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS) was used to determine scores of secondary traumatic stress symptoms, and the Emergency Reaction Questionnaire (ERQ) index was used to evaluate levels of predominant personality types and its tendency towards "fight or flight" reactions in emergency situations. Results revealed significant differences among respondents who reported considering leaving the field before or during the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of secondary traumatic stress scores, ERQ levels, perceived organizational culture (OC), age category, length of time in primary position, and the highest level of education (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis indicated that respondents with higher secondary traumatic stress scores, poorer organizational culture, younger age, less experience, and a bachelor's degree had nearly three times the odds of reporting considering leaving the field (p < 0.05). Additionally, respondents with a graduate degree had nearly four times the odds of reporting leaving the field (p < 0.05), while those who had directly managed between three and five disasters had nearly two times the odds of reporting and considering leaving the field (p < 0.05). These findings underscore the importance of addressing secondary traumatic stress, promoting positive organizational culture, and providing support for emergency managers now and in the future. By addressing the factors identified in this study, such as secondary traumatic stress symptoms, promoting positive organizational culture, and providing adequate support, emergency management organizations can improve the mental health and well-being of their personnel, reduce attrition rates, and ensure that they are better equipped to respond to future crises.

Untangling secondary traumatic stress and vicarious traumatization: One construct or two?

This study examined whether secondary traumatic stress (STS), defined by the expanded DMS-5-TR's depiction of traumatic stress which includes negative mood/cognition symptoms, fully captures the reactions of indirect trauma exposure or if vicarious traumatization (VT) is still a useful and separate construct to assess for. An online survey was completed by 613 professionals working with individuals who experienced trauma. Correlations and network analysis were used to explore the overlap and distinctiveness of STS and VT reactions. High levels of STS and indirect trauma exposure were found in the current sample. A greater dose of daily indirect exposure was associated with a majority of STS and VT domains, and having less professional experience was associated with all STS and VT domains. Results of the network analysis suggested that STS and VT still continue to be unique yet related constructs. Although the negative mood/cognition addition to STS may not fully capture or replace the phenomenon of VT, these additional STS symptoms may further connect the two constructs. This indicates that current measures of STS may capture some but not all of the cognitive impacts of indirect trauma exposure. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Monkeypox-induced secondary traumatic stress: An exploratory analysis of young sexual and gender minority adults living in Illinois

ObjectivePrior epidemic literature suggests that the rapid proliferation of Monkeypox (Mpox) within the United States may trigger severe stress reactions that increase the risk of developing secondary traumatic stress among young adults most at risk of exposure. The present exploratory study aimed to investigate the degree to which proximity to Mpox (i.e. knowing people who acquired Mpox), was associated with symptoms of secondary traumatization. MethodAn online survey was administered to 253 participants enrolled in Keeping it LITE, a prospective U.S. cohort study of ethnically diverse, sexually active, sexual and gender minority persons ages 19–39 in September 2022. A multiple linear regression was used to examine the association between proximity to Mpox and secondary traumatic stress (STS) symptoms. ResultsStudy findings demonstrated that Mpox morbidity was low (1 %); however, 37 % of participants reported knowing at least one person diagnosed with Mpox. For most individuals, this person was a friend (28 %). 16 % of participants were found to have at least one indicator of Mpox-related STS. Results of our multiple linear regression demonstrated a positive association between an individual's indirect exposure to Mpox via their interpersonal relationships and STS symptoms. ConclusionsFindings suggest that the more adults’ interpersonal relationships are saturated with people who have acquired Mpox, the more likely they are to develop symptoms of secondary traumatization. These findings provide tentative initial evidence that secondary exposure to Mpox via one's social network may undermine adults’ mental health even after the conclusion of the outbreak.

The Effects of Internal and External Risk Factors in Forensic Social Workers’ Experience of Secondary Traumatic Stress

Forensic social workers are vulnerable to secondary traumatic stress due to their direct exposure to trauma narratives from sexually abused children. They face the unique challenge of distinguishing between their roles as expert witnesses and therapists. However, research on the risk factors for secondary traumatic stress in forensic social workers is frequently disregarded both internationally and in South Africa. The purpose of this study was to look at the effect of internal and external risk factors on secondary traumatic stress symptoms among forensic social workers. An all-inclusive voluntary sample method was used to include all trained forensic social workers with a master’s degree in forensic practice who graduated from a recognised South African university between 2006 and 2019. The study used a quantitative cross-sectional descriptive design and data was collected using Google Forms, which was distributed via email. IBM SPSS version 27 was used to analyse the data. Internal factors such as race and relationship status as well as external factors such as clinical supervision, social support, and exposure to traumatic experiences were found to have varied effects on secondary traumatic stress symptoms in the study.

The role of cognitive trauma processing in the occurrence of secondary traumatic stress symptoms in professionals working with people after traumatic experiences.

The aim of the study was to establish the relationship between cognitive trauma processing and secondary traumatic stress (STS) in professionals working with people after traumatic experiences. The results obtained from 500 persons representing five professional groups (therapists, paramedics, nurses, social workers and probation officers) were analyzed. The were more women (76.4%) than men (23.6%). The average age of the respondents is 44.09 years (SD = 9.85). The study used two standard measurement tools, i.e., the Secondary Traumatic Stress Inventory (STSI), and the Cognitive Processing of Trauma Scale (CPOTS), allowing assessment of five remedial strategies (positive cognitive restructuring, downward comparison, resolution/acceptance, denial, regret) and a survey developed for the use of the research. The obtained results indicated that medical personnel, including paramedics and nurses, revealed the highest intensity of STS, and therapists - the lowest. STS was associated mainly with negative coping strategies, such as regret and denial, which play the predictive role for STS. There is a need to provide psychological assistance to professionals working with people after traumatic experiences, especially medical staff.

Post-traumatic stress in war veterans and secondary traumatic stress among parents of war veterans five years after the 2014 Israel-Gaza military conflict

ABSTRACT Secondary traumatic stress (STS) has been studied in therapists, spouses, and mainly in children of traumatised individuals. To date, the relationship between children’s posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and their parents’ mental health outcomes have been understudied, and specifically, long term STS symptoms of parents of war veterans were not investigated. The current study examined PTSD symptoms among veterans of the 2014 Israel-Gaza war and STS among their parents, five years after the war. The control group consisted of veterans from combat military units who were on active duty at the time of the war but did not actively participate in the war (stand-by units) – providing a natural experiment condition. We found that PTSD symptoms were almost twice as high in the directly active war veterans (DAV, N = 32) group compared to the indirectly active war veterans (IAV, N = 26) group. Results showed that mothers had higher STS symptoms in general, and DAV PTSD symptoms correlated with their fathers STS symptoms. The current study provides novel evidence for: (a) subclinical PTSD symptoms in war veterans 5 years after the war, and (b) transmission of trauma from war veterans to their parents. The overall negative effect of sending a child to war on the parents are also discussed.

A Socioecological Approach to Understanding Secondary Trauma in Professionals Working with Survivors of Sex Trafficking: A Hierarchical Regression Analysis.

Individuals who are trafficked for sex have high rates of trauma exposure prior to and while being trafficked; therefore, professionals who work with this population are potentially exposed to high levels of trauma details increasing their risk of developing secondary traumatic stress (STS). This study investigated the STS symptoms of professionals working with survivors of sex trafficking utilizing a socioecological framework to guide the design and analysis. An online survey was completed by 583 respondents from a broad range of organizational settings who completed measures tapping into STS symptoms, lifetime trauma exposures, history of being sex-trafficked, dose of direct and indirect trauma exposure at work, use of emotional and instrumental support to cope, state report cards on sex trafficking policies, and organizational-level practices toward being STS informed. STS scores among professionals working with survivors of sex trafficking were high, with those in child welfare settings reporting the highest levels of STS. Hierarchical regression analysis indicates higher STS was associated with variables at all levels of the socioecological model except the macrosystem, with fewer years of experience, a history of being sex trafficked, higher dose of indirect exposure, less use of emotional support, and lower organizational STS scores predictive of higher distress. Together, study findings indicate that STS is a significant concern in the anti-trafficking workforce and that a socioecological framework is useful for understanding STS impacts, highlighting the value of multiple response strategies across levels. This analysis suggests that organizational-level strategies to ameliorate/buffer impacts of occupation-related trauma exposure among these professionals can be especially impactful.

Risk factors of Secondary Traumatic Stress in psychotherapists studied during the COVID-19

Introduction: The aim of the study was: to assess the severity of Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS), to identify ST's predictors, and to assess the model of relationships between predictors of Secondary Traumatic Stress in psychotherapists working during the pandemic in Poland. Materials and methods: The research group consisted of 153 psychotherapists (130 women, 85%) aged 25-66 (M = 39.39; SD = 9.65). The following tools were used to measure the variables: Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), FCV-19S Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S), Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS), Personal Inquiry, Assessment of working conditions during a pandemic. Discussion: It has been shown that 9.8% of psychotherapists working during the pandemic experienced high or very high-intensity of symptoms of Secondary Traumatic Stress. The predictors of STS turned out to be: task-induced stress during the pandemic, emotion-focused stress-coping style, and fear of COVID-19. The proposed model of moderated moderation, which assumes that COVID-19 anxiety that intensifies the emotional style of coping with stress in specialists, has an influence on the relationship between occupational tasks stress during a pandemic and the severity of symptoms of Secondary Traumatic Stress, has not been confirmed. Therefore, there is a need for further exploration of the issue. Conclusions: Research shows an increase in STSD among Polish psychotherapists during covid as well as risk factors intensifying this diagnosis. Keywords: secondary traumatic stress, psychotherapist, anxiety, coping, risk factors

TF-CBT Training Augmented with a Self-Care Focus: Understanding Facilitators and Barriers to Treatment Implementation.

Clinicians working with youth exposed to trauma may be at increased risk for experiencing elevated levels of stress and symptoms of secondary traumatic stress, which can negatively impact clinician wellbeing and ultimately contribute to reduced access to quality care for clients. An innovative Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) training incorporating self-care practices (i.e., Practice What You Preach; PWYP) was developed to help facilitate the implementation of TF-CBT and to enhance clinicians' coping and decrease stress. The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether the PWYP-augmented training met three Objectives: (1) increase clinicians' feelings of TF-CBT competency; (2) improve clinicians' coping abilities/reduce clinicians' stress; and (3) increase clinicians' insight into the benefits and/or challenges clients may experience in treatment. An exploratory aim was also developed to identify additional facilitators and barriers of TF-CBT implementation. The written reflections of 86 community-based clinicians who participated in the PWYP-augmented TF-CBT training were examined using qualitative methods. The majority of clinicians indicated increased feelings of competency and improved coping abilities and/or stress levels; almost half mentioned increased insight into clients' experiences. The most frequently mentioned additional facilitators were related to elements of the TF-CBT treatment model. Anxiety/self-doubt was the barrier most frequently mentioned, though all clinicians who mentioned this barrier indicated it lessened or resolved over the course of the training. Incorporating self-care strategies into trainings may serve as a facilitator for TF-CBT implementation by enhancing the competency and well-being of clinicians. The additional insights into barriers and facilitators can be used to further improve the PWYP initiative and future training and implementation efforts.

30 Monkeypox-Induced Secondary Traumatic Stress: An Exploratory Analysis of Young Sexual and Gender Minority Adults Living in Illinois

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: The rapid spread of Monkeypox (MPV) across the US may trigger stress reactions that increase the risk of developing secondary trauma among those most at risk of exposure. The present study aimed to investigate the degree to which vicarious MPV exposure (i.e., knowing people who acquired MPV), was associated with symptoms of secondary traumatization. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: An online survey was administered to 253 participants enrolled in Keeping it LITE, a prospective U.S. cohort study of ethnically diverse, sexually active, sexual, and gender minority persons aged 19–39 in September 2022. Multiple linear regression was used to examine the association between proximity to MPV and secondary traumatic stress (STS) symptoms. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Study findings demonstrated that MPV morbidity was low (1%); however, 37% of participants reported knowing at least one person diagnosed with MPV. For most individuals, this person was a friend (28%). 16% of participants were found to have at least one indicator of MPV-related STS. Our multiple linear regression results demonstrated a positive association between an individual’s indirect exposure to MPV via their interpersonal relationships and STS symptoms. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Findings suggest that the more adults’interpersonal relationships are saturated with people who have acquired MPV, the more likely they are to develop symptoms of secondary traumatization. These findings provide initial evidence that secondary exposure to MPV via one’s social network may undermine adults’mental health.

The mediating role of cognitive processing in the relationship between social support and secondary traumatic stress symptoms in healthcare professionals

Aim of the studyThe aim of this study was to establish how cognitive processing of trauma may mediate the interaction between social support and secondary traumatic stress (STS) symptoms in healthcare professionals.Subject or material and methodsWe collected data from 419 Polish paramedics and nurses. The age of study participants ranged from 19 to 65 years (M = 39.60, SD = 11.03). We used a custom-developed survey and the Secondary Traumatic Stress Inventory, Social Support Scale and Cognitive Processing of Trauma Scale. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were applied to analyze the relationships between variables. A mediation analysis was used to check a mediating role of cognitive trauma processing.ResultsThe results showed significant links between STS symptoms and social support, as well as cognitive processing of trauma.DiscussionCognitive coping strategies, play the intermediary role in the relationship between social support and STS symptoms, however, this role varies depending on the source of support and preferred cognitive coping strategies.ConclusionsParamedics and nurses have higher risk in developing STS. Our findings show that cognitive trauma processing and social support may play an important role in secondary traumatic stress symptoms. It is crucial to develop and implement programs for the prevention and treatment of STS symptoms, which would take into account the studied variables.