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Coping with Secondary Traumatic Stress

Author

Listed:
  • Maša Vukčević Marković

    (Laboratory for Research of Individual Differences, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
    Psychosocial Innovation Network, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Marko Živanović

    (Laboratory for Research of Individual Differences, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
    Psychosocial Innovation Network, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
    Institute of Psychology, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

Abstract

Exposure to the traumatic experiences of others can lead to secondary traumatization (STS) , a condition comprising trauma-related symptoms. There is a lack of evidence on efficient ways to mitigate STS among professionals working with refugees, who are secondarily exposed to traumatic content. This study examines the latent structure of coping mechanisms and explores the predictive power of coping strategies for STS in a sample of professionals working with refugees. A total of 288 participants (age: M = 34.01, SD = 10.03; 57.3% female) working with refugees completed the COPE Inventory and Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale. Factor analysis of the COPE Inventory showed that coping mechanisms are grouped around four interrelated factors—Problem-focused, Socially supported emotion-focused, Avoidant, and Passive coping—which accounted for 46.7% of the variance. The regression model showed that Avoidant coping positively predicts negative alterations in cognition, mood, and reactivity (NACMR) and intrusions , and Passive coping was positively associated with NACMR and avoidance . Problem-focused coping was related to lower NACMR and avoidance , while Socially supported emotion-focused coping was not associated with any of the STS symptoms. In total, coping factors accounted for 10.8%, 6.3%, and 4.3% of the variance of NACMR , intrusions , and avoidance , respectively. The study provides a foundation for programs to mitigate STS among professionals working with refugees.

Suggested Citation

  • Maša Vukčević Marković & Marko Živanović, 2022. "Coping with Secondary Traumatic Stress," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-13, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:19:p:12881-:d:936290
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Maria Caterina Gargano & Dean Ajduković & Maša Vukčević Marković, 2022. "Mental Health in the Transit Context: Evidence from 10 Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-18, March.
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