The negative effects of indirect exposure to trauma in therapists working with people with addiction who have experienced traumatic events - the role of empathy and secondary self-efficacy.

Objectives: Paradoxically helping others exposes the helpers to secondary traumatization. Its determinants include both factors related to work, as well as individual characteristics. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships between empathy, secondary self-efficacy, and STS.

Methods: The results obtained from 115 therapists (M age = 40.79; SD = 10.57) working with addicted clients were analysed. Three standard measurement tools were used: the Secondary Traumatic Stress Inventory (STSI), the Empathic Sensitivity Scale (EES), and the Secondary Trauma Self-efficacy (STSE) scale.

Results: Only 15.7% of respondents were found to be at high risk of STS disorders. The main predictor of STS was empathic concern. Secondary self-efficacy partly mediated the relationship between empathic concern and STS. Since the rate of secondary traumatization in the group of therapists is not high compared to other professional groups, it is worth paying attention to factors that protect against STS.

Conclusions: To reduce the risk of disorders resulting from secondary exposure to trauma, personal resources, including self-efficacy, should be developed. It is also useful to develop the ability to cope with the trauma of others by applying self-care practices.