[Self-compassion and secondary traumatization: results of an observational study carried out in Covid hospital ordinary units].

Abstract

Summary: Introduction. The relationship between Self-compassion and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder does not appear to be investigated among health professionals, in the period of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This study intends to examine it in a hospital unit, where ordinary units have been converted into units for those infected with the virus. Materials and Methods. The cross-sectional observational study was carried out at a hospital in Central Italy, proposing the self-administration of the IES-R Impact Event Stress-Revised and SCS Self-Compassion Scale to nurses. The data were collected, from 10 January to 10 February 2021, on paper; the forms were handed over to the nursing coordinators, who distributed them to the operators. Results. The convenience sample includes 60 nurses, mainly female (76.7%), with an average age of 43 years (sd = 11.9) and with a presence in service of 14.6 years (sd = 11.7). The average level on the total scale Self-compassion 3.02 (ds = 1.26); the average level of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is 2.4 (sd = 0.64); there is a direct correlation between the common Humanity dimension and the intrusive symptoms and the mean total level of PTSD and between the Self-Criticism dimension and the avoidance symptoms. Discussion and Conclusion. The sample shows a good level in the positive dimensions of Self-compassion and low secondary Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Further studies, transversal, on specific more representative samples of nurses, and longitudinal, are required to evaluate the relationship between the two variables, even in the period of COVID-19. The acquisition of a personal attitude is recommended, which increases the positive dimension of Self-compassion, for one's personal well-being in the helping profession.