Author ORCID Identifier
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7766-2710
Abstract
Objective: This study explored the prevalence of secondary traumatic stress in a range of front-line workers and potential impact of age, gender, experience, occupation, and adverse childhood experiences. Literature has identified risk for traumatic stress in these workers, however the literature exploring risk factors for secondary trauma is limited and inconsistent. It was hypothesised that secondary traumatic stress would be prevalent in front-line workers. It was hypothesised that demographic factors would not be identified as potential risk factors, while adverse childhood experiences would increase risk for secondary traumatic stress.
Method: Analysis of survey data, comprised of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) and Professional Quality of Life scales. Participants (N = 576) were recruited from mental health, healthcare, social care, education and justice systems. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: Almost 30% of front-line workers were at risk for secondary traumatic stress, with criminal justice workers most susceptible. Demographic factors were not identified as risk factors. A significant association was identified between occupation type and high exposure to ACEs and the risk for secondary traumatic stress, with 40% of participants with high ACE exposure at risk for secondary trauma.
Conclusions: The results highlight the prevailing issue of secondary traumatic stress in front-line services and the potential role of adverse childhood experiences in increasing the risk for the trauma contagion effect. The findings indicate a need for trauma-informed service design in front-line services. Data was collected pre-COVID, future replication and comparison has the potential to identify pandemic related stress factors.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Lanigan, Laura; Lambert, Sharon Dr; Raegan Murphy; and Graham-Gill Emerson
(2026)
"Secondary Traumatic Stress in Front Line Professionals: An exploration of risk factors,"
Irish Journal of Applied Social Studies:
Vol. 26:
Iss.
1, Article 6.
doi:https://doi.org/10.21427/8g18-yj47
Available at:
https://arrow.tudublin.ie/ijass/vol26/iss1/6
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21427/8g18-yj47