Scale-Description

The Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS-17) is a psychometric tool designed to measure the symptoms of secondary traumatic stress that individuals may experience when working in professions exposed to the traumatic experiences of others, such as mental health professionals, social workers, and first responders. This scale includes 17 items that assess individuals’ reactions to the traumatic experiences of others.
The STSS-17 focuses on three key dimensions:
Re-experiencing: Symptoms that include flashbacks or intrusive thoughts about the traumatic events experienced by others.
Avoidance: Strategies used to minimize the emotional distress associated with exposure to traumatic events.
Arousal: Symptoms that include heightened alertness, irritability, and difficulty sleeping.

Data Analysis and Usage

Data collected from the STSS-17 are analyzed to evaluate the severity of secondary traumatic stress symptoms in participants. Analyses include:
Reliability analysis to determine the internal consistency of the scale, typically by calculating Cronbach’s alpha.
Factor analysis to confirm the dimensions included in the scale, such as social and emotional factors.
Correlation analysis to examine the relationship between secondary traumatic stress symptoms and other psychological variables, such as anxiety and depression.
The results can be used to develop intervention programs aimed at reducing secondary traumatic stress among professionals exposed to the traumatic experiences of others.

Purpose

The primary goal of the STSS-17 is to assess the extent of secondary traumatic stress symptoms in professionals working with traumatized individuals. This tool can be used to:
Identify professionals at high risk for secondary traumatic stress.
Assist in developing intervention strategies to support these professionals.
Promote awareness of the impacts of secondary traumatic stress in the mental health field.

Calibration

The calibration of the STSS-17 involves:
Reliability analysis to ensure the consistency of responses across the various items of the scale.
Confirmatory factor analysis to test the validity of the scale’s structure.
Cross-validation in different populations to ensure the generalizability and validity of the results.

Bibliography

Bride, B. E. (2007). The impact of trauma on social workers: A study of secondary traumatic stress. Social Work, 52(3), 225-233.
Figley, C. R. (1995). Compassion fatigue: Coping with secondary traumatic stress disorder in those who treat the traumatized. Brunner/Mazel.
McCann, I. L., & Pearlman, L. A. (1990). Vicarious traumatization: A framework for understanding the psychological effects of working with victims. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 3(1), 131-149.