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Assessing Positive Posttraumatic Changes Among Professionals Working With Trauma Victims: The Secondary Posttraumatic Growth Inventory

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Ogińska-Bulik, Nina, Juczyński, Zygfryd·2022·Roczniki Psychologiczne
DOI 10.18290/rpsych2022.0006
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Abstract

By providing constant help to trauma victims, the helpers themselves run the risk of secondary traumatization. As a rule, research focuses on the negative consequences of secondary trauma. Meanwhile, there are also positive changes in the form of Secondary Posttraumatic Growth (SPTG). The present study describes the design and testing of a new tool for measuring SPTG. Thirty items were presented to employees from five different professions constantly working with trauma victims (N = 580). A 4-factor solution (PCA) turned out to be clear and unambiguously interpretable. After excluding items based on their component loading and redundancy, the tool was pared down to 12 items. A separate sample used in confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) yielded good fit indexes. The four dimensions were given the following designations: 1. New challenges and an increase in professional competences, 2. Increase in spiritual experiences and a greater sense of responsibility for others, 3. Greater confidence in oneself and appreciating life, 4. Increased acceptance and actions for others. Cronbach’s alpha was .90. The inventory demonstrated high stability, as indicated by the two-month test–retest stability value (.78). The theoretical validity was estimated by comparing SPTGI scores with other measures which should be associated with secondary positive changes. The SPTGI is a new, reliable, and valid instrument for measuring positive posttraumatic changes among professionals exposed to secondary trauma. It can be useful in scientific research and in clinical practice.

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  • Processes occurring in the client (PTG) and in the therapist (VPTG) are not identical, as indicated by Polish authors.

    “Procesy zachodzące wkliencie (PTG) oraz terapeucie (VPTG) nie są jednak tożsame - na co wskazują polscy autorzy [13].”

    From Does it only benefit the patient? Potentially positive impact of psychotherapy of traumatized people — on the therapist (2025) · cites this paper as [13]

  • Although some therapists noticed awareness of negative consequences of work, this awareness led to a deeper understanding of the complexity of human functioning.

    “Mimo iż część terapeutów dostrzegała świadomość negatywnych konsekwencji pracy, to świadomość ta prowadziła do głębszego zrozumienia złożoności funkcjonowania człowieka.”

    From Does it only benefit the patient? Potentially positive impact of psychotherapy of traumatized people — on the therapist (2025) · cites this paper as [13]

  • In comparing potential changes in therapists, authors note an increase in practical wisdom, kindness, self-esteem, greater acceptance of others, greater faith in the effectiveness of actions, greater appreciation of their own work, greater perception of their work as valuable, and an increase in professional skills and competences.

    “Dokonując zestawienia potencjalnych zmian zachodzących wterapeutach, wspomniani wyżej autorzy odnotowują również: wzrost praktycznej mądrości, wzrost życzliwości, wzrost poczucia własnej wartości, większą akceptację dla innych, większą wiarę wskuteczność podejmowanego działania, większe docenianie własnej pracy, większe postrzeganie własnej pracy jako wartości, zwiększanie umiejętności ikompet”

    From Does it only benefit the patient? Potentially positive impact of psychotherapy of traumatized people — on the therapist (2025) · cites this paper as [13]

  • Common elements for PTG and VPTG are spiritual changes, but they differ between clients and therapists: trauma survivors reported deepening personal spirituality, while therapists indicated more frequent reflections on spiritual topics and acceptance of spirituality as a factor aiding coping.

    “Elementami wspólnymi dla PTG iVPTG są zmiany duchowe, które jednak różnią się uklientów iterapeutów. Osoby, które doświadczyły traumy, raportowały pogłębienie osobistej duchowości. Terapeuci wskazywali raczej na częstsze rozważania na tematy duchowe oraz akceptację duchowości jako czynnika sprzyjającego w radzeniu sobie.”

    From Does it only benefit the patient? Potentially positive impact of psychotherapy of traumatized people — on the therapist (2025) · cites this paper as [13]

  • From interviews with therapists, exposure to secondary trauma leads to increased sensitivity and compassion, increased insight, greater self-confidence, tolerance, and greater empathy; such changes contribute to acceptance of clients' experiences and recognition of their ability to cope better, whereas in PTG such changes were not emphasized.

    “Z wywiadów zterapeutami wynika, że narażenie na wtórną traumę prowadzi do zwiększenia wrażliwości iwspółczucia, zwiększonego wglądu, większej pewności siebie, tolerancji iwiększej empatii. Takie zmiany przyczyniają się do akceptacji przeżyć klientów oraz uznania ich zdolności do lepszego radzenia sobie. W przypadku PTG takich zmian nie podkreślano.”

    From Does it only benefit the patient? Potentially positive impact of psychotherapy of traumatized people — on the therapist (2025) · cites this paper as [13]

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Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. h0099375 · DOI
  2. Kaźmierczak, M ., Plopa, M ., & Retowski, S . (2007) . Skala Wrażliwości Empatycznej [Empathetic Sensitivity Scale] . Przegląd Psychologiczny, 50(1), 9-24 .
  3. Ogińska-Bulik, N ., & Juczyński, Z . (2018) . Cognitive processing of trauma -Polish adaptation of the Cognitive Processing of Trauma Scale . Przegląd Psychologiczny, 61(2), 171-187 .

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Authors
Ogińska-Bulik, N., & Juczyński, Z.
Affiliations
  • University of Łódź (PL)
  • WSB Merito University in Torun (PL)
ORCID
Venue
Roczniki Psychologiczne
Publisher
Towarzystwo Naukowe KUL
Published
2022-06-13
Volume
25
Issue
2
Pages
99-119
ISSN
  • 1507-7888 (ISSN-L)
  • 2451-4306
DOI
10.18290/rpsych2022.0006
OpenAlex
W4282825045
Cited by
8
References
39
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 3
FWCI
1.37
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by-nc-nd
Locations
Roczniki Psychologiczne (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Resilience and Mental Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
Keywords
secondary traumatic stress, instrument development, psychometric validation, positive psychological change, spiritual experience, professional competence, test-retest reliability

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