Secondary traumatic stress among midwifery students

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the factors affecting secondary traumatic stress on midwifery students.Design and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted between November and December 2018. Data were collected using information form and the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale.Findings: The study found that 22.2% of midwifery students met all the trauma criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder according to the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale. Midwifery students who were unhappy to continue their education and those who wished to switch to another profession after graduation respectively showed a 2.8-and a 4-fold higher risk of meeting the trauma criteria (p < 0.05). Conclusion:The secondary traumatic stress rate in midwifery students is particularly high considering the fact that one in five students fulfills all of the Secondary Traumatic Stress criteria. However, to reduce their secondary traumatic stress rate, students should be thoroughly assessed by the educators who could provide the support necessary.Implications for nursing practice: Before graduation from the midwifery departments, students' traumatic stress symptoms could be assessed mental health nursing courses, which might enable to change their attitudes towards to cope with this situation. Especially after traumatic childbirths, midwifery students should be supported by mental health nurses to cope with traumatic stress. Midwifery students should be encouraged each and every possible moment to express their feelings when they experience traumatic stress and thus their skills for effective coping can be reinforced.

Prevalence of Compassion Fatigue and Its Association with Professional Identity in Junior College Nursing Interns: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…However, there are factors such as loss of control, inability to cope with pain, various complications and traumatic birth that can turn the childbirth process into a stressful and traumatic experience [ 80 , 81 ]. A recent study showed that midwifery students were facing a high level of STS rates which should be supported by mental health nurses to cope with traumatic stress [ 82 ]. However, further studies should explore the difference between midwifery and nursing interns.…”

Mediating effect of resilience between social support and compassion fatigue among intern nursing and midwifery students during COVID-19: a cross-sectional study

“…Most health care providers, such as palliative care providers, hospice health care practitioners, physicians, midwives, nurses, and nursing students, are at risk of developing compassion fatigue [ 5 ]. Although compassion fatigue has been studied extensively in the nursing profession, few studies have been conducted among nursing or midwifery students [ 6 , 7 ]. Care providers appear to be especially sensitive and susceptible during this period of transition from student to professional [ 8 ].…”

Investigating the relationship between the depression levels of midwives and nurses and their emotional labor and secondary traumatic stress levels in the COVID-19 pandemic period with structural equation modelling

“…They may feel defenseless and worn out due to the heavy emotional burden of their occupational responsibilities, and in the case that they are not able to effectively cope with secondary stress, the care they provide may be affected negatively. The stress caused by such traumas affects the workplace negatively, reduces the feeling of compassion in the care process, decreases the quality of care, and causes loss of motivation and burnout ( Bayri Bingol et al, 2020 ). The symptoms of secondary traumatic stress are similar to those of posttraumatic stress disorder.…”