Risk Factors of Secondary Traumatic Stress: A Scoping Review

To establish current knowledge about the risk factors of secondary traumatic stress (STS) in healthcare workers.

A scoping literature review was conducted following the preferred reporting items for systematic and meta-analysis extension for the scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR).

A literature search was conducted using the following electronic databases of studies published between January 2014 and the end of May 2024: The Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PubMed and PsycInfo. Eligibility of the literature found in the three databases was screened using the PRISMA-ScR. The literature was reviewed using the framework by Arksey and O'Malley and further developed by Levac, Colquhoun and O'Brien.

The review identified three main themes of STS, including personal history and support mechanisms, workplace influences affecting employee well-being and high-stress healthcare environments.

The most significant source of risks associated with STS is related to the workplace influences affecting the well-being of a healthcare worker. The factors within this environment include increased workload and workplace demands, low job satisfaction levels and high job burnout levels. The main implications of this scoping review are the impact the workplace has on the development of STS and the potential ability employers and healthcare workers have to address the risk factors of STS.

The problem addressed was secondary traumatic stress in healthcare workers. The main findings of the scoping review were the identification of secondary traumatic stress risk factors originating in the personal history and support mechanisms, workplace influences and high-stress environments within the healthcare structure.

Due to the strong correlation between work environment and STS, healthcare employers must be aware of the influence the workplace has on the development of STS in employees. Healthcare workers can use the information from the scoping review to be aware of and identify the modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors of STS and enact lifestyle and workplace actions to help address STS. The research will mainly impact healthcare workers, healthcare employers and patients within the healthcare system.

Relevant EQUATOR (Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research) guidelines were followed for this scoping review using the PRISMA-ScR reporting method.

This study did not include patient or public involvement in its design, conduct or reporting.