Dana Shamai-Leshem, Shir Porat-Butman, Einat Levy-Gigi, Simone Shamay-Tsoory
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objective: Psychotherapists face a risk of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to exposure to appalling details in therapy. Such risk is elevated during mass casualty events, which increase therapists' workload and ratio of trauma survivors. While therapists' empathic capacities are vital for therapy outcomes, empathy may increase their vulnerability to PTSD. We examined empathy's role in the relationship between therapy-related traumatic exposure and PTSD symptoms following the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack in Israel.
Method: Seventy-three Israeli therapists (88% females) who were not directly exposed to the attacks were included. PTSD symptoms, empathy, and exposure to traumatic content in therapy were examined. Empathy was assessed using the Interpersonal Reactivity Index, which evaluates four components: perspective-taking, fantasy, empathic concern, and personal distress. Moderation analyses were performed to assess moderation by the components of empathy on the relationship between therapy-related traumatic exposure and PTSD symptoms.
Results: Eighteen percent of participants scored above the threshold, indicating probable PTSD. Empathic concern and fantasy each moderated the relationship between exposure in therapy and PTSD symptoms. Specifically, higher levels of empathic concern and fantasy amplified the association between exposure and PTSD symptoms, with participants showing greater empathic concern or fantasy tendencies experiencing more pronounced PTSD symptoms when exposed to trauma in therapy.
Conclusions: While providing care to victims of mass casualty events, therapist's tendency for empathic concern and fantasy, which may contribute to treatment success, may also increase the therapist's vulnerability to PTSD. The results highlight the importance of adequate training and supervisory support for therapists in disaster contexts. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).
期刊介绍：
Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy publishes empirical research on the psychological effects of trauma. The journal is intended to be a forum for an interdisciplinary discussion on trauma, blending science, theory, practice, and policy.
The journal publishes empirical research on a wide range of trauma-related topics, including:
-Psychological treatments and effects
-Promotion of education about effects of and treatment for trauma
-Assessment and diagnosis of trauma
-Pathophysiology of trauma reactions
-Health services (delivery of services to trauma populations)
-Epidemiological studies and risk factor studies
-Neuroimaging studies
-Trauma and cultural competence
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