Bouncing back and bouncing forward: coping strategies used by the social workers during COVID-19 pandemic

Studies have suggested that social workers being indirectly exposed to their patients' COVID-19-related traumatic experiences may have both negative (i.e. secondary traumatic stress symptoms; STS) and positive psychological consequences (i.e. resilience and vicarious post-traumatic growth (VPTG)). However, less is known about the coping strategies that they use to effectively respond to COVID-19-related challenges. The purpose of this study is to examine the coping strategies that social workers use and their differential association with VPTG, resilience, and STS. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a sample of 133 social workers (86.7% women, mean age 38.1 ± 9.4 years). They completed the Brief COPE, the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS), the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), and the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) to measure coping strategies, STS, resilience, and VPTG, respectively. Social workers demonstrated moderate levels of STS, VPTG, and resilience. Denial was associated with STS, positive reframing, planning, and self-blame (inversely) were associated with resilience, and instrumental support and religious coping were associated with VPTG. The results of this study provide insights on how healthcare policies and interventions can best support professionals during current and future pandemics by alleviating levels of STS and enhancing resilience and VPTG.