The relationship between secondary traumatic stress, maladaptıve schemas, childhood traumas, occupational and sociodemographıc variables in mental health workers

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the level of secondary traumatic stress in mental health workers and to examine the relationships between their childhood trauma levels and maladaptive schemas. Method: The sample consisted of 252 mental health workers, 144 females and 108 males, including psychologists, psychiatrists and psychiatric nurses. A Sociodemographic and Other Information Form, the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS), the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and Young Schema Questionnaire Short Form-3 (YSQ SF-3) were applied to all volunteering participants. Results: According to our result, there was a statistically significant negative correlation between the scores of the STSS and the CTQ. A significant positive correlation was observed between STSS and YSQ SF-3 scores. Our results showed that as the sample's age, years of professional experience, working hours and the number of trauma patients increased, the level of secondary traumatic stress increased, as well. The secondary traumatic stress level of those participants, who received supervision support as well as those, who chose their profession willingly were found to be significantly lower. Also, among all mental health professionals psychologists had relatively lower levels of secondary traumatic stress. Conclusion: As a result of our research, the variables that may be related to developing higher levels of secondary traumatic stress among mental health workers were investigated. The significant findings obtained were discussed in the light of the literature. Key words: Trauma, Secondary Traumatic Stress, Maladaptive Schema, Mental Health Worker, Childhood Trauma