Diagnostic and Translational Utility of the Secondary Traumatic Stress Clinical Algorithm (STS-CA)

Objective: Current tools available to assess secondary traumatic stress (STS) do not account for whether the symptoms are functionally related to indirect trauma, determine functional impairment caused by the STS symptoms, and/or consider the duration of the disturbance. This prevents delineation of various expressions of traumatic stress related to indirect trauma that may constitute the phenomenon of STS. The STS Clinical Algorithm (STS-CA) was developed to make these distinctions, so that interventions can be tailored to need. This study investigates the following: (1) the diagnostic concordance between the STS-CA findings and scores on the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS); (2) reasons for diagnostic discrepancies between the STS-CA and the STSS assessments. Method: Three trained interviewers used the STS-CA to guide the determination of clinical outcome ( N = 181) in a diverse group of helping professionals. Results: There was 100% agreement between the CAPS and the STS-CA, and fair agreement (κ =.426, p = .000) between the STS-CA and the STSS. The STS-CA demonstrated more sensitivity in classifying positive cases, and specificity in delineating those with atypical cluster presentations or little to no functional impairment that prohibited a post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis than the STSS. Implications: Effective treatment of STS requires proper identification and the delivery of protocols that are tailored to the unique ways that STS manifests. This study provides some insights into the utility of the STS-CA in guiding this process and creates STS categories to organize and classify intervention strategies.

“Psychological Resilience, Burnout and Secondary Traumatic Stress among Doctors in Covid-19 pandemic”

Pakistan is among the countries affected during the period of Covid-19 pandemic. A high prevalence of psychological distress was observed among the general population as well as doctors in this outbreak. Aims & Objectives: This research was conducted to study the relationship of psychological resilience, burnout and secondary traumatic stress among doctors in COVID-19 pandemic. It also identified the mediating effect of burnout between the relationship of psychological resilience and secondary traumatic stress. Patients and Method: It is a descriptive study with purposive sampling strategy and correlational research design. The sample comprised of 100 doctors from two hospitals of Lahore between September 2020 to February 2021. Participants age range was between 25-40 years. Data was collected by using the following tools, The Brief Resilience Scale (Smith et al., 2008), Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (Bride et al., 2004), and Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (Halbesleben & Demerouti, 2005). Results: Results have signified a negative relationship of psychological resilience with secondary traumatic stress and burnout. Burnout has a significant positive relationship with secondary traumatic stress. Moreover, both subscales of burnout (i.e. disengagement and exhaustion) emerged as mediators in the relationship between one subscale of secondary traumatic stress (i.e. intrusion) and psychological resilience. Conclusion: It is concluded that psychological resilience has a significant negative relationship with burnout and secondary traumatic stress. Future researches can design emotional coping strategies and should try to promote programs that can help doctors to enhance resilience so it helps them combat their stress and burnout. Keywords: Psychological resilience, Covid-19, Secondary traumatic stress, burnout

A Quantitative Analysis of Mindfulness Practice as Self-Care for Social Workers in an Urban Setting

This study examines the relationship between mindfulness and secondary traumatic stress (STS) amongst licensed social workers in New York City. The research that was conducted was a quantitative analysis. Participants consisted of 154 social workers that were employed in a variety of agency based or private practice settings. Participants were asked to complete an electronic survey that included: (1) a questionnaire of professional characteristics and demographic information; (2) Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale - Revised (CAMS-R); (3) Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ); (3) Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS). The data was analyzed by the use of SPSS. The multivariate linear regression analyses revealed that higher level of mindfulness is related to an increase in job satisfaction (B=1.13, SE=.09, β=.73, p.001) and lower STS for social workers (B=-.66, SE=.11, β=-.49, p.001).

Validating the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale for Pediatric Nurses

Background and Purpose: Secondary traumatic stress is a state of mental distress resulting from indirect exposure to the traumatic situation of another individual. The literature indicates that secondary traumatic stress is a problem in some areas of nursing and may cause nurses to leave the profession. This article examines the psychometrics of the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS) with a sample of pediatric nurses. Methods: The STSS was completed by a random sample of 350 Certified Pediatric Nurses. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were completed to assess the STSS and its subscales. Results: Cronbach’s αs ranged from 0.81 to 0.87 for each factor, and was 0.92 for the STSS as a whole. Fit indices were similar for all models. Conclusions: Reliability statistics and fit indices support the previous psychometric studies.