Vicarious Post-traumatic Growth in Professionals Exposed to Traumatogenic Material: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Repeated exposure to traumatogenic material as part of work with traumatised individuals can have detrimental effects on professionals’ well-being. Growing research has explored this phenomenon, known as ‘vicarious traumatisation’. Nevertheless, little research has focused on the positive effects of this work on professionals, namely, ‘vicarious post-traumatic growth’. This literature review aims to identify existing research demonstrating mental health professionals’ experiences of growth, along with environmental and personal factors that facilitate this growth. Eight qualitative and seven quantitative articles were identified following a systematic search of six electronic databases and assessed for their quality using standardised checklists. Qualitative studies were assessed using the Quality Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Studies (NICE, 2012), and quantitative studies were assessed using the Appraisal Tool for Cross-Sectional Studies (Downes et al., 2016). Professionals described changes in the way they view themselves, the value they place on their relationships and their appreciation for life. Important organisational factors and personal traits were identified as significant predictors for professionals’ growth. Our findings have the potential to inform practical recommendations and directions for future research.

From self‐care to compassion resilience: Extending the model of protective factors for humanitarian practitioners

“…In a recent and comprehensive systematic literature review of post‐traumatic growth studies, findings indicate that adversity is necessary for personal growth. Post‐traumatic growth evolves from rising to the challenge of the adversity and the consequent new and positive or productive meanings that are created based on the practitioner's reflection on the experience (Tsirimokou et al, 2023). However, Tsirimokou et al also note that increased and continuous exposure to trauma is connected to lower levels of growth, suggesting that prolonged and consistent exposure to trauma over the practitioner's career has a diminishing growth effect.…”

Control beliefs about stress and post‐traumatic growth in nurses during the COVID‐19 pandemic: The mediating roles of basic psychological needs satisfaction and optimism

“…Several studies have reported negative outcomes of the COVID‐19 pandemic for healthcare workers, such as anxiety symptoms, depression, insomnia, high levels of stress and post‐traumatic stress disorder (Batra et al., 2020; Spoorthy et al., 2020). However, besides these negative effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic, several constructive outcomes have been observed, such as post‐traumatic growth (PTG) (Tsirimokou et al., 2022). PTG refers to the positive psychological changes experienced while struggling with traumatic negative life events and situations (Tedeschi et al., 2017).…”

From negative to positive effects of secondary exposure to trauma – the mediating role of cognitive coping strategies

“…Like PTG, SPTG consists of positive changes in psychosocial functioning which relate to self-perception, relationships with others, and philosophy of life [5,6,[16][17][18][19][20]. However, despite their similarities, SPTG and PTG are not identical constructs, and some differences between them can be distinguished in appreciation of their own work and spiritual sphere [17,21]. The SPTG has also been observed as a positive effect of working with victims of traumatic experiences, and this seems to be an important indicator that influences the quality and effectiveness of the work done [22].…”