Hartmannová, Hana (2025) Predictors of Secondary Traumatization Symptoms in Mental Health Professionals Working with Traumatized Clients. Research Master thesis, Research Master.
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Abstract
Mental health professionals working with traumatized clients are at risk of developing PTSD symptoms themselves, a phenomenon called secondary traumatization (ST). However, insufficient evidence is available about the predictors of ST. We measured whether indirect exposure to traumatic details predicts ST severity, and if habitual peritraumatic dissociation mediates this relationship. We further investigated empathy as a potential moderator of the indirect exposure and habitual peritraumatic dissociation relationship, and whether indirect exposure and habitual peritraumatic dissociation longitudinally predict ST severity. A sample of German mental healthcare workers filled an online survey at baseline (N = 150) and at 15-month follow up (N = 80). Data was analysed cross-sectionally using moderated mediation, as well as longitudinally using multiple regression. Indirect exposure was not a significant predictor of ST symptom severity or habitual peritraumatic dissociation, and the latter relationship was not moderated by empathy. Even though habitual peritraumatic dissociation emerged as a significant predictor of ST symptom severity in both cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis, in the longitudinal analysis this relationship disappeared when we controlled for ST severity at baseline. These findings suggest that habitual peritraumatic dissociation might play an important role in ST severity, however, no causal conclusions can be drawn. Future research should focus on investigating the stability of ST symptoms, understanding the mechanisms of indirect exposure, as well as clarifying the role of peritraumatic dissociation as a potential emotion regulation strategy.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Research Master) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Daniels, J.K. |
| Degree programme: | Research Master |
| Differentiation route: | Mental health: perspectives from Neuro- and Clinical Psychology [Research Master] |
| Date Deposited: | 04 Jul 2025 14:41 |
| Last Modified: | 04 Jul 2025 14:41 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/5297 |
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