[Posttraumatic Growth after Profession-Related Traumatization in Rescue Workers]

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Trauma Studies
• Social Psychology

Background:

• Secondary traumatization is a significant concern for helping professionals.
• Understanding factors that promote posttraumatic growth is crucial for mental health.
• Socio-interpersonal processes may play a key role in adjustment after trauma exposure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between secondary traumatization and personal growth in Belarusian rescue workers.
• To examine the mediating roles of disclosure and co-rumination in this association.
• To explore a socio-interpersonal perspective on posttraumatic adjustment.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional survey design.
• Sample of 168 Belarusian rescue workers.
• Assessment of self-reported secondary traumatization, posttraumatic growth, disclosure, and co-rumination.

Main Results:

• Posttraumatic growth was positively associated with secondary traumatization.
• Disclosure and co-rumination were positively linked to posttraumatic growth.
• Mediation analyses confirmed that disclosure and co-rumination mediate the relationship between secondary traumatization and posttraumatic growth.

Conclusions:

• The findings support a socio-interpersonal perspective on posttraumatic adjustment.
• Disclosure and co-rumination are important mechanisms linking secondary traumatization to personal growth.
• Interventions fostering social connection may enhance posttraumatic growth in rescue workers.