852 - VICARIOUS TRAUMATIZATION AND PERSONALE RESOURCES OF HELPING PROFESSINALS IN CONTACT WITH MIGRANTS

Session: D02S013 - Social & Cultural Psychological Processes
AUTHORS:
Franzini Manila (ANPE - Associazione Nazionale dei Pedagogisti Italiani ~ Milano ~ Italy)
Abstract text:
A study was conducted on migratory trauma and vicarious traumatization experienced by aid workers who are in contact with traumatized migrants. The research involved 41 participants, both volunteers and professionals working directly with migrants. A battery of tests was administered, including the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS), the Brief - Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory (I-Brief COPE), the Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA), and the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTG). The study assessed the psychological conditions of aid workers engaged in supporting migrants, specifically in terms of vicarious traumatization and personal resources (coping strategies, resilience, post-traumatic personal growth). Correlation analyses were conducted on the variables considered, and the study examined which of these variables predicted vicarious traumatization. The results confirmed the presence of vicarious traumatization among aid workers, highlighting that younger individuals are more exposed, and tend to exhibit arousal symptoms. Furthermore, the findings showed that the more resilient the individual, the lower the incidence of vicarious traumatization, whereas a greater reliance on external support was associated with higher levels of traumatization. These results underline the importance of providing training for professionals on the implications of trauma-related work.