Relationship between resilience, secondary traumatic stress and work-related factors among mental health professionals

INTRODUCTION: Resilience is the ability to maintain or rapidly recover mental health under stress. Mental health professionals are often exposed to workplace stress through violence, emotional labor, restrictions, and traumatic stories. Secondary traumatic stress results from being affected by others’ traumatic experiences. Examining the relationship between resilience and secondary traumatic stress among mental health professionals is therefore essential.
METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted between February and April 2022. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, the Resilience Scale for Adults, and the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale. Participants included 212 psychiatric and mental health nurses, 28 psychiatrists, 14 psychologists, and six social workers.
RESULTS: A significant positive relationship was found between resilience and secondary traumatic stress. The regression model, including secondary traumatic stress, gender, educational status, willingness to work in mental health, job satisfaction, and unit of work, significantly predicted resilience.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Secondary traumatic stress and work-related factors, such as willingness and satisfaction with working in mental health and the unit of work, were found to play an essential role in resilience. Institutional support and supervision may strengthen resilience, while reducing secondary traumatic stress can enhance motivation and well-being. Institutions are recommended to implement strategies that address these factors to improve both resilience and professional effectiveness.