Gain from pain: Exploring vicarious posttraumatic growth and its facilitators among health care workers across two consecutive lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract

This study examined the potential facilitators of vicarious posttraumatic growth (VPTG; i.e., secondary traumatic stress symptoms-STS, resilience, coping strategies), the interspecialty differences in VPTG among medical (i.e., physicians and nurses) and nonmedical health care workers (HCWs; i.e., psychologists and social workers) across two consecutive lockdowns (T1 and T2), and the mediating role of the coping strategies in the STS-VPTG relationship. A sample of 1,076 HCWs (752 medical and 324 nonmedical) completed a web-based survey during two lockdowns. The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory was used to measure VPTG, whereas the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale, the Brief Resilience Scale, and the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory were used to assess potential VPTG indicators. At T2, after controlling for gender and age, all participants reported significantly lower STS scores. Regarding PTGI scores, after controlling for gender and age, an interaction effect was observed between time point and specialty: At T1, the nonmedical HCWs reported higher PTGI scores compared to the medical HCWs, whereas at T2 the medical HCWs reported higher PTGI scores compared to the nonmedical HCWs. VPTG was positively predicted by time point (higher scores in T2), Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale intrusive symptoms, and the coping strategies of active coping, instrumental support, positive reframing, religion, and denial, and negatively predicted by gender, education, and substance use. These coping strategies fully mediated the relationship between intrusion and VPTG. Policies should enhance resources for HCWs at risk of STS and promote VPTG as an important contribution to their ability to deliver highquality care.

Neuropsychological Insights into Coping Strategies: Integrating Theory and Practice in Clinical and Therapeutic Contexts

“…Carver and colleagues (1989) defined emotion-focused coping as including strategies such as seeking emotional support, expressing and regulating emotions, disengagement, reframing, denial, acceptance, religious involvement, and substance abstinence [106]. Emotion-focused coping strategies are frequently employed, with research indicating distinct gender-based preferences: women tend to prioritize seeking emotional support, whereas men more commonly resort to direct problem-solving approaches to manage stress [107,108]. Social support not only provides comfort but also has physiological benefits, helping to dampen stress responses and influencing brain regions that are associated with emotion regulation [109,110].…”

Brief Coping Scale TCS-9: Optimising the Assessment of Coping Strategies. The case of Health Care Workers.

“…Throughout the pandemic, the importance of effective coping became increasingly evident, with coping strategies acting as a primary determinant of mental well-being amidst the prevailing adversities. 10 Coping techniques, first introduced by experts Lazarus & Folkman 7 are essential methods that profoundly impact an individual's psychological and cognitive health. Their significance becomes more pronounced in the realms of mental health issues, communication problems, and neurological disorders.…”

“…Examples include office mental health initiatives, ensuring mental health care accessibility, and fostering welcoming and inclusive work atmospheres. 4,10,19 It is essential to recognise that coping methods must be flexible. Since the needs of individuals and groups differ, methods should be personalised, taking into account cultural, societal, and situational aspects.…”