Traumatology, Vol 29(1), Mar 2023, 17-26; doi:10.1037/trm0000375
Vicarious posttraumatic growth (VPTG) is a growth experience resulting from indirect trauma exposure. Helping professionals are often exposed to indirect trauma by hearing and addressing the trauma narrative through various capacities. However, there is limited information regarding the experiences of VPTG across helping professions. The purpose of this systematic review and thematic synthesis was to (a) identify current literature of the lived experiences of VPTG across professions, (b) review and integrate findings of multiple qualitative studies, and (c) inform policy and practice to facilitate VPTG across helping professions. The authors identified 6 themes in the thematic synthesis: negative affective responses, changes in world view, creating meaning to change self, changes in interpersonal relationships, engaging in efforts of support and self-care, and client progress impacting growth. The authors discuss implications of findings to inform policy, practice, and training programs across helping professions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)