RELATIONSHIP OF VICARIOUS TRAUMATIZATION WITH FAMILY RELATIONS AND COPING STRATEGIES AMONG HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS

Abstract

Objective: To study the relationship of vicarious traumatization with family relations and coping strategies among Health care professionals along with to find out the frequency of vicarious traumatization. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Various hospitals in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, from Jan2018 to Jun 2018. Methodology: A sample of 170 healthcare professionals (doctors=39, psychiatrists=27, psychologists=36, nurses=30 and others=38) (men=67, women=103) were taken from various hospitals in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Data was collected by using the secondary traumatic stress scale, the index of family relations and the brief COPE scale. Results: Results revealed that all the instruments have good reliability and there was significant positive correlation (r=0.71) between various aspects of VT (intrusion, avoidance and arousal) and poor family relations. Further analysis reflected that Emotion focused coping was positively correlated (r=0.22) with poor family relations whereas problem focused coping was negatively correlated (r=-0.39) with poor family relations. Conclusion: So it is concluded that vicarious traumatization must be addressed and identified in health setting and coping skills training must be part of healthcare professionals’ education programs.

Keywords

• vicarious traumatization
• family relations
• coping strategies
• healthcare professionals