The contribution of personal and environmental resources to the development of secondary traumatization and vicarious posttraumatic growth among volunteers in therapeutic riding centers

In recent years many studies have examined the positive and negative implications experienced by professionals and family members who treat and come in direct contact with trauma victims or people who experience severe distress. The prominent concepts examined in these studies include secondary traumatization and vicarious posttraumatic growth. Studies that have examined these concepts have also focused on the associations between the emergence of such phenomena and both personal and environmental factors among professionals and victims’ family members. A review of the literature suggests that studies examining these concepts have focused mainly on paid professionals rather than volunteers.

The current study attempts to fill this void by examining secondary traumatization and vicarious posttraumatic growth among volunteers in therapeutic riding centers. These volunteers encountered victims of trauma and of severe physical, emotional and cognitive distress, and the study sought to examine the implications of these encounters.  

Additionally, based on The Conservation of Resources Theory (Hobfoll, 1989), the study aimed to examine which resources contribute to these phenomena. Thus, the association between social support and self-esteem, on the one hand, and traumatization and growth, on the other hand, was examined. The study also examined the volunteer’s attitude towards animals as a possible moderator of the association between self-esteem and secondary traumatization.

The study employed a quantitative correlational design. Data was collected using anonymous questionnaires which were completed by 115 volunteers in therapeutic riding centers around Israel. The questionnaires were distributed and collected in sealed envelopes by the volunteer coordinator at each of the centers. 

The findings of the study suggest that 7.9% of the participants reported high to extreme levels of secondary traumatization, while the level of reported growth was moderate. Additionally, secondary traumatization was negatively associated with self-esteem but not associated with social support. Vicarious growth was positively associated with social support but not associated with self-esteem. Moreover, the findings indicate that attitudes towards animals moderate the risk of developing secondary traumatization among those with high self-esteem.

The current study suggests that there may be both positive and negative implications on volunteers working with trauma victims or people who experience severe distress, and that the experiences of volunteers should be addressed. Additionally, the study emphasizes the importance of personal resources in preventing secondary traumatization, and the importance of environmental resources in facilitating the process of growth. Assessing the presence or absence of such resources will assist in identifying volunteers who may develop secondary traumatization and require additional support, as well as volunteers who can enjoy the process of growth.