Existing research indicates that caregivers working in palliative care settings are routinely exposed to patients' suffering, deterioration, and death, placing them at heightened risk of secondary traumatic stress and chronic psychological strain. While international studies have documented elevated stress and trauma-related symptoms among palliative care caregivers, empirical evidence from India examining the functional relationship between secondary trauma, perceived stress, and coping mechanisms remains limited. One contributing factor to this gap is the lack of context-specific quantitative research focusing on caregivers in Indian palliative care settings.


The present working paper addresses this gap through a cross-sectional quantitative study conducted among caregivers employed in palliative care centers in Delhi. A sample of caregivers will complete standardized self-report measures assessing secondary traumatic stress, perceived stress, and coping strategies. Statistical analyses will examine the associations between secondary traumatic stress and perceived stress, as well as the predictive role of different coping mechanisms in explaining stress outcomes.


This study aims to provide systematic empirical evidence on the psychological burden experienced by palliative care caregivers in India. By identifying patterns of stress and coping, the findings will contribute to applied psychology and occupational mental health research and support the development of evidence-based interventions to promote caregiver well-being and sustain quality palliative care services.