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

Abstract

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