This study investigated secondary traumatic stress (STS) and secondary posttraumatic growth (SPG) in a sample of Dutch police family liaison officers (N = 224). Our study had two aims: (a) to identify potential risk and protective factors for STS and (b) to investigate the association between STS and SPG. None of the risk (caseload and a personal trauma history) and protective factors (age, work experience, and support by supervisors and coworkers) identified in previous research correlated with STS. However, a small positive association was found between STS and SPG. In the discussion section we warn against the use of interventions that aim to prevent STS until more is known about risk and protective factors for STS and provide directions for future research.

Inleiding'Een luisterend oor, een troostende schouder. Ze moeten meevoelen met het verdriet, zonder zelf mee te huilen. De 106 familierechercheurs die zich met de MH17-ramp bezighouden, verrichten zwaar maar dankbaar werk. Dag in, dag uit; soms 16 uur per dag.' 1