Secondary traumatic stress in emergency department nurses: A multi-methods study protocol

Background: Secondary traumatic stress (STS) is a psychological phenomenon that refers to the negative and traumatic emotional experiences that individuals endure as a result of exposure to the pain and suffering of others, particularly in caring professions such as emergency nursing. STS not only a...

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Main Authors: Mahdieh Motie, Masoud Fallahi-khoshknab, Farahnaz Mohammadi Shahbolaghi, Mohammad Saeed Khanjani, Marcus Stueck, Hamidreza Khankeh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Golestan University of Medical Sciences 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of Research Development in Nursing and Midwifery
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Online Access:http://nmj.goums.ac.ir/article-1-1990-en.pdf
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author Mahdieh Motie
Masoud Fallahi-khoshknab
Farahnaz Mohammadi Shahbolaghi
Mohammad Saeed Khanjani
Marcus Stueck
Hamidreza Khankeh
author_facet Mahdieh Motie
Masoud Fallahi-khoshknab
Farahnaz Mohammadi Shahbolaghi
Mohammad Saeed Khanjani
Marcus Stueck
Hamidreza Khankeh
author_sort Mahdieh Motie
collection DOAJ
description Background: Secondary traumatic stress (STS) is a psychological phenomenon that refers to the negative and traumatic emotional experiences that individuals endure as a result of exposure to the pain and suffering of others, particularly in caring professions such as emergency nursing. STS not only affects the mental health of nurses but can also have a significant impact on the healthcare system. We will conduct this study to explore the phenomenon of STS in depth and compile a policy brief. Methods: This study employs a multi-methods approach, integrating a grounded theory study, a systematic scoping review, and the Delphi method, culminating in the development of a policy brief. Grounded theory, recommended by Corbin and Strauss (2014), will be used to explore the process of STS among emergency nurses through individual interviews and observations. Participants will be selected using purposive and theoretical sampling until data saturation is achieved. Data collection will focus on emergency nurses' experiences and emotional responses, with analysis proceeding through five stages: open coding, concept development, contextual analysis, process analysis, and category integration. The second phase is a systematic scoping review exploring challenges in managing STS among emergency nurses. This review will synthesize national and international experiences, based on Arksey and O’Malley’s five-step framework and the PRISMA model to systematically collect and integrate findings. The results from the grounded theory, including identified concepts, facilitators, and barriers, will be integrated with the scoping review findings using the classical Delphi method. A panel of expert nurses and scholars will engage in iterative Delphi sessions to refine perspectives on STS in emergency nursing. Finally, a policy brief will be developed, synthesizing key findings and providing evidence-based recommendations for policymakers. Conclusion: This study protocol offers a comprehensive guide for conducting a multi-methods study, outlining the research process step-by-step to aid researchers using similar methodologies. It addresses common language-related challenges, suggests solutions, and helps deeply explore the phenomenon of STS and compile a policy brief. The protocol emphasizes maintaining high research integrity through specific criteria and provides a detailed discussion of ethical considerations and research methodology. The authors advocate for publishing multi-methods protocols before implementation to improve research integrity, foster ethical and integrated practices, and support novice researchers.
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spelling doaj-art-d0abedc8bc3d4f378a48ae3d18ebabe12025-08-20T03:50:49ZengGolestan University of Medical SciencesJournal of Research Development in Nursing and Midwifery2588-30382025-06-012221722Secondary traumatic stress in emergency department nurses: A multi-methods study protocolMahdieh Motie0Masoud Fallahi-khoshknab1Farahnaz Mohammadi Shahbolaghi2Mohammad Saeed Khanjani3Marcus Stueck4Hamidreza Khankeh5 Department of Nursing, Faculty of Behavioral Sciences, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran Department of Nursing, Faculty of Behavioral Sciences, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran Iranian Research Center on Aging, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran Department of Counseling, Faculty of Behavioral Sciences, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran International Biocentric Research Academy (IBRA), Leipzig, Germany Health in Emergency and Disaster Research Center, Social Health Research Institute, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran ; QUEST Center for Responsible Research, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité, Berlin, Germany Background: Secondary traumatic stress (STS) is a psychological phenomenon that refers to the negative and traumatic emotional experiences that individuals endure as a result of exposure to the pain and suffering of others, particularly in caring professions such as emergency nursing. STS not only affects the mental health of nurses but can also have a significant impact on the healthcare system. We will conduct this study to explore the phenomenon of STS in depth and compile a policy brief. Methods: This study employs a multi-methods approach, integrating a grounded theory study, a systematic scoping review, and the Delphi method, culminating in the development of a policy brief. Grounded theory, recommended by Corbin and Strauss (2014), will be used to explore the process of STS among emergency nurses through individual interviews and observations. Participants will be selected using purposive and theoretical sampling until data saturation is achieved. Data collection will focus on emergency nurses' experiences and emotional responses, with analysis proceeding through five stages: open coding, concept development, contextual analysis, process analysis, and category integration. The second phase is a systematic scoping review exploring challenges in managing STS among emergency nurses. This review will synthesize national and international experiences, based on Arksey and O’Malley’s five-step framework and the PRISMA model to systematically collect and integrate findings. The results from the grounded theory, including identified concepts, facilitators, and barriers, will be integrated with the scoping review findings using the classical Delphi method. A panel of expert nurses and scholars will engage in iterative Delphi sessions to refine perspectives on STS in emergency nursing. Finally, a policy brief will be developed, synthesizing key findings and providing evidence-based recommendations for policymakers. Conclusion: This study protocol offers a comprehensive guide for conducting a multi-methods study, outlining the research process step-by-step to aid researchers using similar methodologies. It addresses common language-related challenges, suggests solutions, and helps deeply explore the phenomenon of STS and compile a policy brief. The protocol emphasizes maintaining high research integrity through specific criteria and provides a detailed discussion of ethical considerations and research methodology. The authors advocate for publishing multi-methods protocols before implementation to improve research integrity, foster ethical and integrated practices, and support novice researchers.http://nmj.goums.ac.ir/article-1-1990-en.pdfcompassion fatiguesecondary traumatic stresssecondary traumatizationvicarious traumaemergency nursing
spellingShingle Mahdieh Motie
Masoud Fallahi-khoshknab
Farahnaz Mohammadi Shahbolaghi
Mohammad Saeed Khanjani
Marcus Stueck
Hamidreza Khankeh
Secondary traumatic stress in emergency department nurses: A multi-methods study protocol
Journal of Research Development in Nursing and Midwifery
compassion fatigue
secondary traumatic stress
secondary traumatization
vicarious trauma
emergency nursing
title Secondary traumatic stress in emergency department nurses: A multi-methods study protocol
title_full Secondary traumatic stress in emergency department nurses: A multi-methods study protocol
title_fullStr Secondary traumatic stress in emergency department nurses: A multi-methods study protocol
title_full_unstemmed Secondary traumatic stress in emergency department nurses: A multi-methods study protocol
title_short Secondary traumatic stress in emergency department nurses: A multi-methods study protocol
title_sort secondary traumatic stress in emergency department nurses a multi methods study protocol
topic compassion fatigue
secondary traumatic stress
secondary traumatization
vicarious trauma
emergency nursing
url http://nmj.goums.ac.ir/article-1-1990-en.pdf
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