Symptoms of secondary traumatic stress in assisting professions
Abstract
The article presents the results of an empirical study on the specificity of secondary traumatic stress disorder (STSD) symptoms among assisting professions. Specialists with assisting roles are at an increased risk of experiencing occupational stress and STSD, making it necessary to differentiate STSD from other similar conditions. Russian studies of STSD among assisting specialists have mainly investigated its association with professional burnout. At the same time, issues relating to job satisfaction, the subjective assessment of professional success, individual characteristics, self-regulation skills, and the establishment of psychological boundaries have not been addressed by any research. The aim of the study was to identify the specificity of STSD symptom expression in assisting specialists, depending on the nature of their professional activities. The study sample consisted of 399 assisting specialists. The group of social workers was subdivided into those who provide support to the families of SMO (Special Military Operation) participants (n=58). The second group consisted of social services staff who perform regular duties without additional workloads (n=274). The third group included medical workers (n=67). The severity of STSD symptoms was assessed using the “Secondary Traumatic Stress Assessment Scale”. The author’s questionnaire was used to clarify subjective attitudes toward various aspects of professional activity and working conditions, as well as to analyze sociodemographic features. The results were analyzed and interpreted using descriptive statistics, and the non-parametric Kruskal–Wallis (H) test was used for intergroup comparisons. During the study, differences in the etiology of STSD symptoms among helping professionals were identified. Medical workers exhibited the most pronounced STSD symptoms. All respondents with pronounced STSD symptoms reported feelings of emotional desolation, underlying irritation, and persistent mental preoccupation with work-related issues after work hours. Significant differences in the prevalence and qualitative content of individual STSD symptoms were found among respondents in different groups with pronounced STSD symptoms.
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