Experiences of Secondary Traumatic Stress and Coping Among Refugee Professionals: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Humanitarian aid workers had adverse effects on their services and were exposed to intense and prolonged traumatic experiences. This study examined the secondary traumatic stress experiences and coping methods of humanitarian workers working with refugees in a nongovernmental organization in İstanbul, Türkiye. This is a qualitative study with a phenomenological design. Data were collected via in-depth interviews between July and August 2020 using a semistructured interview form. The sample consisted of 13 participants who were social workers, health educators, lawyers, field workers, case managers, and/or protection officers. Colazzi’s phenomenological interpretation method was used for data analysis, and results were classified under 5 themes (emotions, mental situation changes, satisfying aspects of the job, tiring aspects, and coping) and 15 subthemes. The study determined that humanitarian workers providing aid to refugees often experience sadness, anger, and fear; notice changes in their lives; often get tired of their work; are sometimes satisfied with work; and find ways to cope by approaching or getting away from themselves. Therefore, supervision and peer support for humanitarian aid workers should be provided and maintained.