Other Titles
Factors Influencing Secondary Traumatic Stress in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurses: A Mixed-Methods Study [Poster Title]
Other Titles
Rising Star Poster/Presentation
Abstract
Secondary traumatic stress is a significant occupational hazard for healthcare providers, particularly neonatal intensive care unit nurses, who are frequently exposed to traumatic events while caring for newborns and managing the emotional distress of the newborns’ families. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of secondary traumatic stress among neonatal intensive care unit nurses, identify its influencing factors.
This cross-sectional study recruited 131 neonatal intensive care unit nurses from 22 hospitals in South Korea using convenience sampling. Among them, 13 nurses were selected for qualitative interviews through purposive sampling. Data were collected via an e-survey and in-depth interviews from August to October 2024. The study was guided by the Empathy-Based Stress Process Model. Secondary traumatic stress was measured using the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics, traumatic event exposure, and Secondary traumatic stress levels. Linear mixed-effects modeling was used to account for intra-individual correlations and hospital-related factors. Qualitative data were analyzed using Creswell’s mixed-methods qualitative analysis approach.
Among the neonatal intensive care unit nurses, 68.1% reported moderate-to-severe secondary traumatic stress levels based on Secondary traumatic stress scores. The most frequently reported traumatic events were caregivers experiencing profound sadness or despair and patients undergoing continuous or repeated medical procedures. Influencing factors included the interaction between nurse sensitivity and exposure to traumatic events as well as hospital-specific variations in traumatic experiences. Qualitative analysis identified three core themes: A Fierce Fight for a Small Life, Trauma Impacting Daily Life, and Care and Compassion in the neonatal intensive care unit. These themes illustrate the emotional and professional challenges experienced by neonatal intensive care unit nurses.
Neonatal intensive care unit nurses experienced high levels of secondary traumatic stress, driven by individual sensitivity and repeated exposure to traumatic events. The emotional burden of caring for critically ill neonates and distressed caregivers underscores the need for targeted interventions. Further research should explore long-term impacts and evaluate effective interventions
Notes
References:
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5. American Psychiatric Association.
Arnold, T. (2020). An evolutionary concept analysis of secondary traumatic stress in nurses. Nursing Forum, 55(2), 149-156. https://doi.org/10.1111/nuf.12409
Beck, C. T., Cusson, R. M., Gable, R. K., Dowling, D., & Thibeau, S. (2017). Secondary traumatic stress in NICU nurses. Advances in Neonatal Care, 17(6), 478-488.
Bian, W., Cheng, J., Dong, Y., et al. (2023). Experience of pediatric nurses in nursing dying children—a qualitative study. BMC Nursing, 22(1), 126.
Creswell, J. W., Klassen, A. C., Plano Clark, V. L., & Smith, K. C. (2011). Best practices for mixed methods research in the health sciences. National Institutes of Health, 541-545.
Favrod, C., Jan du Chêne, L., Martin Soelch, C., et al. (2018). Mental health symptoms and work-related stressors in hospital midwives and NICU nurses: A mixed methods study. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 9, 364.
Figley, C. R. (1995). Compassion fatigue: Toward a new understanding of the costs of caring.
Rauvola, R. S., Vega, D. M., & Lavigne, K. N. (2019). Compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress, and vicarious traumatization: A qualitative review and research agenda. Occupational Health Science, 3, 297-336.
Sigma Membership
Lambda Alpha at-Large
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Cross-Sectional
Research Approach
Mixed/Multi Method Research
Keywords:
Cultural Context and Care, Secondary Traumatic Stress, NICU, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, NICU Nurses
Recommended Citation
Lim, Heemoon and Lee, Hyejung, "Factors Influencing Secondary Traumatic Stress in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurses" (2025). Biennial Convention (CONV). 81.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/convention/2025/posters_2025/81
Conference Name
48th Biennial Convention
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Invited Presentation
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2025-12-09
Funder(s)
Yonsei University Nursing College, Seoul Nursing Association
Factors Influencing Secondary Traumatic Stress in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurses
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Secondary traumatic stress is a significant occupational hazard for healthcare providers, particularly neonatal intensive care unit nurses, who are frequently exposed to traumatic events while caring for newborns and managing the emotional distress of the newborns’ families. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of secondary traumatic stress among neonatal intensive care unit nurses, identify its influencing factors.
This cross-sectional study recruited 131 neonatal intensive care unit nurses from 22 hospitals in South Korea using convenience sampling. Among them, 13 nurses were selected for qualitative interviews through purposive sampling. Data were collected via an e-survey and in-depth interviews from August to October 2024. The study was guided by the Empathy-Based Stress Process Model. Secondary traumatic stress was measured using the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics, traumatic event exposure, and Secondary traumatic stress levels. Linear mixed-effects modeling was used to account for intra-individual correlations and hospital-related factors. Qualitative data were analyzed using Creswell’s mixed-methods qualitative analysis approach.
Among the neonatal intensive care unit nurses, 68.1% reported moderate-to-severe secondary traumatic stress levels based on Secondary traumatic stress scores. The most frequently reported traumatic events were caregivers experiencing profound sadness or despair and patients undergoing continuous or repeated medical procedures. Influencing factors included the interaction between nurse sensitivity and exposure to traumatic events as well as hospital-specific variations in traumatic experiences. Qualitative analysis identified three core themes: A Fierce Fight for a Small Life, Trauma Impacting Daily Life, and Care and Compassion in the neonatal intensive care unit. These themes illustrate the emotional and professional challenges experienced by neonatal intensive care unit nurses.
Neonatal intensive care unit nurses experienced high levels of secondary traumatic stress, driven by individual sensitivity and repeated exposure to traumatic events. The emotional burden of caring for critically ill neonates and distressed caregivers underscores the need for targeted interventions. Further research should explore long-term impacts and evaluate effective interventions
Description
This study examined secondary traumatic stress (STS) among neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurses in South Korea, finding that 68.1% of nurses experienced above moderate STS. Factors influencing STS included nurses' sensitivity and exposure to trauma. The study emphasizes the need for targeted interventions and further research on STS and its long-term effects.