Secondary Traumatization Among Mental Health Officers Who Treat Patients With Non-Suicidal Self-Injury and Suicidal Behaviour

Objective

Military mental health officers (MHOs) often encounter soldiers who express distress through threats or attempts of self-injury or suicide. Research shows that working with such cases is highly stressful and can be traumatic for therapists, potentially leading to secondary traumatization (ST)—a condition that affects both personal well-being and professional performance. This study explores how event centrality, rumination, and self-compassion influence the development of ST in MHOs exposed to self-injurious behaviour in their patients. We hypothesized that higher exposure to self-harm would be associated with greater ST, especially when MHOs perceive these experiences as highly central to their lives. Additionally, we hypothesized that self-compassion would have a protective effect, reducing ST.

Method

The study involved 130 MHOs (social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists) serving in the Israeli army, representing roughly half of all such professionals. Participants completed self-report questionnaires.

Results

No significant association was found between exposure to self-harm and ST. However, a curvilinear relationship (where the effect rises at moderate levels but decreases at higher levels) also emerged, with moderate exposure linked to the highest levels of ST. Notably, this curvilinear effect was observed only among MHOs with high self-compassion, whereas those with lower self-compassion did not show the same pattern.

Conclusions

This study enhances our understanding of how therapists respond to the challenges of self-injury and suicide in their patients. It highlights the complex role of exposure and self-compassion in ST, suggesting that fostering self-compassion in MHOs could be key to developing effective stress-reduction programs.