Initial evaluation of the Secondary Trauma Questionnaire

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Trauma Studies
• Mental Health Assessment

Background:

• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) assessment tools are abundant, yet methods for evaluating secondary traumatic stress disorder (STS) are scarce and population-specific.
• STS involves trauma symptom transmission from direct victims to those in close contact, affecting family members and therapists.
• Mental health professionals and students are particularly vulnerable to developing STS due to their proximity to trauma survivors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the psychometric properties of the newly developed Secondary Trauma Questionnaire (STQ).
• To determine the STQ's reliability and validity in assessing secondary trauma symptoms.
• To establish the STQ as a viable measure for diverse populations experiencing STS.

Main Methods:

• The study involved 261 mental health professionals and 157 college students.
• Participants completed the newly developed Secondary Trauma Questionnaire.
• The STQ's internal consistency and correlation with established trauma measures were analyzed.

Main Results:

• The Secondary Trauma Questionnaire demonstrated good internal consistency.
• The STQ scores were significantly correlated with existing measures of trauma.
• The questionnaire proved effective in assessing secondary trauma symptoms across the studied groups.

Conclusions:

• The Secondary Trauma Questionnaire is a promising instrument for measuring secondary trauma symptoms.
• Further research utilizing the STQ is warranted to solidify its clinical utility.
• The STQ offers a valuable tool for identifying and addressing STS in at-risk populations.