Secondary traumatic stress and posttraumatic growth: Social support as a moderator

•STS is negatively associated with posttraumatic growth.•Social support is positively associated with posttraumatic growth.•Secondary traumatic stress symptoms are negatively associated with posttraumatic growth when a person perceive more social support (positive social interaction).

This present study examines (1) the relationship between secondary traumatic stress, perceived social support and posttraumatic growth after secondary exposure to traumatic events and (2) the moderating role of perceived social support on the secondary traumatic stress—posttraumatic growth relation. A sample of 135 nurses completed self-reporting measures describing symptoms of secondary traumatic stress, social support, and vicarious posttraumatic growth. The results indicate that secondary traumatic stress negatively correlates with vicarious posttraumatic growth, while social support positively correlates with vicarious posttraumatic growth. Furthermore, persons who self-report less secondary traumatic stress symptoms also report high levels of posttraumatic growth when they perceive to have a high level of social support. These findings emphasize the value of perceived support for persons indirectly exposed to traumatic events.