Initial evaluation of the Secondary Trauma Questionnaire

Many measures exist to evaluate posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but there are few ways of assessing secondary traumatic stress disorder and these are limited to specific populations. Secondary traumatic stress disorder involves the transfer of trauma symptoms from those who have been traumatized to those who have close and extended contact with trauma victims. Thus, family members of those who have been traumatized and therapists who treat trauma survivors are vulnerable to developing secondary traumatic stress disorder. In this initial evaluation of the newly developed Secondary Trauma Questionnaire, 261 mental health professionals and 157 college students were evaluated. Analysis indicated that the questionnaire showed good internal consistency and was significantly correlated with known measures of trauma. The Secondary Trauma Questionnaire is presented as a promising way to measure secondary trauma symptoms and further research using this questionnaire appears to be warranted.