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Psychiatria Danubina, Vol. 25 No. suppl 1, 2013.

Case report

SECONDARY TRAUMATISATION AND SYSTEMIC TRAUMATIC STRESS

Miro Klarić ; Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Ante Kvesić ; Department of Pediatric Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Vjekoslav Mandić ; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Božo Petrov ; Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Tanja Frančišković ; Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Croatia

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Abstract

Traditionally, research has been focused on the development of symptoms in direct trauma survivors. However, during the last
two decades researchers and clinicians have started exploring the way individual traumatic stress exposure affects trauma victims’
spouses, children and professional caregivers. Studying trauma within the family is a part of what is called systemic traumatology, a
study of groups, institutions and other human systems that show stress reactions directly caused by a traumatic event or series of
events. The effect of an individual’s traumatic stress on family members and on persons in direct contact is conceptualized as
secondary traumatisation. In its narrow sense, secondary traumatisation involves a transfer of nightmares, intrusive thoughts,
flashbacks and other Posttraumatic Stress Disorder symptoms, which are typically experienced by individuals suffering from PTSD,
onto their immediate surroundings. In its broader sense, the term refers to any kind of distress transfer from a trauma victim to their
immediate surroundings, and includes a broad spectrum of distress manifestation along with that resembling Posttraumatic Stress
Disorder. Beyond that, a family member’s PTSD is potentially transferable to subsequent generations, interfering with the
psychological development of children.

Keywords

secondary traumatization; PTSD; family; systemic traumatic stress

Hrčak ID:

266266

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/266266

Publication date:

8.7.2013.

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