The Role of Satisfaction With Job and Cognitive Trauma Processing in the Occurrence of Secondary Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Medical Providers Working With Trauma Victims

Piotr Jerzy Gurowiec; Nina Ogińska-Bulik; Paulina Michalska; Edyta Kȩdra; Aelita Skarbalienė

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.753173

The Role of Satisfaction With Job and Cognitive Trauma Processing in the Occurrence of Secondary Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Medical Providers Working With Trauma Victims

Front Psychol. 2022 Jan 6:12:753173. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.753173. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Piotr Jerzy Gurowiec¹, Nina Ogińska-Bulik², Paulina Michalska², Edyta Kȩdra³, Aelita Skarbalienė⁴

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Health Sciences, University of Opole, Opole, Poland.
² Department of Health Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland.
³ State Higher Vocation School in Glogow, Medical Institute, Glogow, Poland.
⁴ Faculty of Health Sciences, Klaipeda University, Klaipėda, Lithuania.

Abstract

Introduction: As an occupational group, medical providers working with victims of trauma are prone to negative consequences of their work, particularly secondary traumatic stress (STS) symptoms. Various factors affect susceptibility to STS, including work-related and organizational determinants, as well as individual differences. The aim of the study was to establish the mediating role of cognitive trauma processing in the relationship between job satisfaction and STS symptoms among medical providers. Procedure and Participants: Results were obtained from 419 healthcare providers working with victims of trauma (218 nurses and 201 paramedics). Three questionnaires, namely the Secondary Traumatic Stress Inventory, Work Satisfaction Scale, and Cognitive Trauma Processing Scale, were used in the study, as well as a survey developed for this research. Correlational and mediation analyses were applied to assess relations between variables. Results: The results showed significant links between STS symptoms and both job satisfaction and cognitive processing of trauma. Three cognitive coping strategies play the intermediary role in the relationship between job satisfaction and symptoms of secondary traumatic stress. However, this role varies depending on preferred strategies. Conclusion: Nurses and paramedics are significantly exposed to the occurrence of STS. Thus, it is important to engage health care providers in activities aimed at preventing and reducing symptoms of STS.

Keywords: STS symptoms; cognitive trauma processing; job satisfaction; medical providers working with trauma victims; secondary trauma.