Trauma extends beyond the primary survivor to those closely connected, yet the experiences of secondary survivors remain underexplored. This single case study examined how a secondary survivor with symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experiences and interprets compassion, guilt, and forgiveness following indirect exposure to a sibling's sexual abuse. Using a phenomenological single-case design, one participant (male, 23) whose younger sister experienced sexual abuse by their stepbrother was purposively selected after screening positive for moderate-to-severe PTSD symptoms on the Impact of Event Scale—Revised (IES-R mean = 3.14). Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and standardized measures of compassion, guilt, and forgiveness, then analyzed using thematic analysis. Three themes emerged: (1) emotional flexibility in compassion, expressed through seven regulation strategies including emotional expression, seeking support, positive appraisal, and worry; (2) multidimensional manifestation of distress related to guilt, encompassing behavioral withdrawal, cognitive self-blame and rumination, emotional self-resentment, and somatic symptoms; and (3) gradual, non-linear processing of forgiveness across uncovering, decision, work, and deepening phases. Findings suggest that compassion may function as both a resource and a source of strain, guilt remains a persistent and embodied distress, and forgiveness unfolds conditionally and incrementally. This case illuminates the complex emotional landscape of secondary trauma survivorship and underscores the need for trauma-informed interventions that address somatic concerns, support emotional regulation, and respect the gradual nature of forgiveness.
Edielyn Gutierrez (Mon,) studied this question.