The negative effect of indirect exposure to trauma is called?

• A. Chronic stress syndrome
• B. Acute stress disorder
• C. Secondary traumatic stress
• D. Vicarious trauma

Answer: (C)

Secondary traumatic stress is the distress that develops from indirect exposure to others’ trauma, especially for people who work closely with trauma survivors. It shows up with PTSD-like symptoms such as intrusive thoughts or images related to the trauma, avoidance or withdrawal, and heightened arousal—like irritability, sleep problems, or concentration difficulties. Because the exposure comes through hearing about or witnessing others’ experiences rather than personally living through the event, the effect is on the person’s emotional and psychological functioning rather than on the event itself.

This is distinct from acute stress disorder, which follows a direct traumatic event and is typically short-term, and from chronic stress in a general sense. Vicarious trauma is related and refers more to deeper changes in beliefs, worldview, and sense of safety that can arise from ongoing empathic engagement; secondary traumatic stress emphasizes the symptom cluster of stress reactions. In healthcare, recognizing secondary traumatic stress helps explain why professionals may struggle with sleep, mood, or focus after repeatedly hearing patients’ trauma stories, and it highlights the need for support and self-care to prevent burnout.