This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of a Vicarious Post-Traumatic Growth (VPTG) Intervention among nurses working in emergency units. Emergency nurses are frequently exposed to traumatic events through patient care, which may contribute to vicarious trauma and psychological distress. The intervention is designed to facilitate positive psychological growth, resilience, adaptive coping, and psychological well-being while reducing the adverse impact of indirect trauma exposure. Participants will be randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up periods to determine the effectiveness of the intervention in promoting vicarious post-traumatic growth and reducing vicarious trauma among emergency nurses.
Emergency nurses regularly encounter critically ill, injured, and dying patients, exposing them to repeated indirect traumatic experiences. Such exposure can lead to vicarious trauma, emotional exhaustion, and psychological distress. However, exposure to trauma may also contribute to positive psychological changes referred to as vicarious post-traumatic growth. This study evaluates the efficacy of a structured Vicarious Post-Traumatic Growth Intervention developed specifically for nurses working in emergency units. The intervention integrates psychoeducation, cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness practices, resilience enhancement strategies, emotional regulation skills, stress management techniques, and peer support activities. A randomized controlled trial design will be employed. Eligible nurses will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. Participants will complete baseline assessments before intervention implementation. Outcome measures will be reassessed immediately after completion of the intervention and during follow-up assessments. Primary outcomes include reduction in vicarious trauma and enhancement of vicarious post-traumatic growth. Secondary outcomes include resilience, coping strategies, psychological well-being, and occupational functioning. Findings may contribute to the development of evidence-based psychological support programs for nurses working in high-stress healthcare settings.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
60
A structured psychoeducational and behavioral intervention designed to promote vicarious post-traumatic growth and reduce vicarious trauma among emergency nurses. The intervention incorporates cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques, mindfulness practices, resilience-building exercises, psychoeducation regarding vicarious trauma, stress management strategies, reflective activities, and peer-support components. The program is delivered in scheduled sessions over the intervention period and aims to enhance coping skills, psychological well-being, professional functioning, and post-traumatic growth.
Nishtar Hospital, Burn Unit (NMH), Multan Institute of Cardiology (MIC), Bakhtawar Amin Hospital, Multan, Khawaja Fareed Social Security Hospital
Multan, Pakistan
RECRUITINGChange in Vicarious Posttraumatic Growth Score
This outcome measures change in vicarious posttraumatic growth among emergency unit nurses exposed to the intervention. Vicarious posttraumatic growth will be assessed using the Vicarious Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (VPTGI; Deaton, 2020), a self-report questionnaire. The total score will be calculated by summing item responses. Higher scores indicate greater vicarious posttraumatic growth (better psychological outcome).
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Post-intervention (Week 8), 3-month follow-up (Week 20), 6-month follow-up (Week 32)
Change in Vicarious Trauma Score
This outcome measures vicarious trauma symptoms among emergency nurses. The Vicarious Trauma Scale (VTS; Vrklevski \& Franklin, 2008) will be used. The total score is obtained by summing item responses. Higher scores indicate greater vicarious trauma (worse psychological outcome).
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Post-intervention (Week 8), 3-month follow-up (Week 20), 6-month follow-up (Week 32)
Change in Resilience Score
Resilience will be assessed using the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), which measures the ability to recover from stress. Scores are calculated as the mean of all items. Higher scores indicate greater resilience (better outcome).
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Post-intervention (Week 8), 3-month follow-up (Week 20), 6-month follow-up (Week 32)
Change in Coping Strategies
Coping strategies will be assessed using the CSI-SF, measuring both adaptive and maladaptive coping styles. Scores will be reported as subscale and total scores. Higher adaptive coping scores indicate better coping outcomes.
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Post-intervention (Week 8), 3-month follow-up (Week 20), 6-month follow-up (Week 32)
Change in Psychological Well-being
Psychological well-being will be assessed using the 18-item Psychological Well-being Scale. Total scores will be computed by summing item responses. Higher scores indicate better psychological well-being.
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Post-intervention (Week 8), 3-month follow-up (Week 20), 6-month follow-up (Week 32)
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