Double-Edged Sword Effects, Experiences of Vicarious Trauma Among Paediatric Intensive Care Unit Nurses: A...

Vicarious trauma is prevalent among nurses in paediatric intensive care units (PICUs), which induces adverse physiological, psychological and cognitive alterations. These alterations not only impair nurses' well-being but also compromise patient safety, necessitating more research in this understudied area.

To explore the cognitive and emotional experience of vicarious trauma undergone by PICU nurses.

This study employed a qualitative descriptive design.

The research team conducted semi-structured individual interviews among 12 critical care nurses in a tertiary children's hospital. Participants were recruited by means of purposive sampling in October 2025. Data were analysed following a thematic analysis method in ATLAS.ti version 25.

The experience of vicarious trauma among PICU nurses was summarized into four major themes and 11 sub-themes. The major themes included traumatic scenario, double-edged sword effects, coping strategies and multi-level support needs.

The experience of vicarious trauma among PICU nurses involved various triggers and led to negative holistic impacts. In response, the nurses predominantly adopted emotion-focused coping strategies, highlighting a need for enhanced support structures to promote post-traumatic growth. The findings lay a foundation for targeted interventions aimed at mitigating vicarious trauma among PICU nurses, ultimately improving nurses' well-being and patient safety.

Following the EQUATOR guidelines, reporting was guided by the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ).

No patient or public contribution.

PICU nurses should pay attention to vicarious trauma and actively adopt corresponding strategies to mitigate its negative impacts, thereby facilitating its transition toward posttraumatic growth. Clinical administrators should establish comprehensive, multi-level support systems to assist nurses in managing vicarious trauma and to promote their overall psychological well-being and occupational health.