Network analysis of vicarious trauma and vicarious posttraumatic growth among oncology nurses

Oncology nurses frequently experience both vicarious trauma (VT) and vicarious posttraumatic growth (VPTG). However, the precise relationship and structure of symptomatic levels of VT and VPTG has not been well understood. Understanding these links is essential for improving nurse well-being and patient care quality. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the connections between VT and VPTG in oncology nurses.

Four hundred one oncology nurses were recruited from multiple hospitals. They completed the VT Questionnaire and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. The graphical Gaussian model was used to estimate the network model. Central and bridge components were identified based on "expected influence" and "bridge expected influence" indices, respectively.

The network analysis showed "Feel mentally fatigued at work" and "Whenever I think about the patient, I feel distressed or sad" as the most influential components in the VT network, and "Do better things with life" and "More likely to try and change things" as the most influential elements in the VPTG network. Five bridge components emerged between the VT and VPTG, namely "Life is fragile makes me scared," "Feel distressed or sad," "Can handle difficulties better," "New life path," and "More compassion for others."

Targeted interventions such as cognitive restructuring and emotion regulation training that focus on central and bridging symptoms in the combined network of VT and VPTG may help reduce VT severity and enhance VPTG among oncology nurses. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).