Efficacy of Vicarious Post-Traumatic Growth Intervention for Nurses in Emergency Units

NCT07677527 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: VPTGI-RCT-2026
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of a Vicarious Post-Traumatic Growth (VPTG) Intervention among nurses working in emergency units. Emergency nurses are frequently exposed to traumatic events through patient care, which may contribute to vicarious trauma and psychological distress. The intervention is designed to facilitate positive psychological growth, resilience, adaptive coping, and psychological well-being while reducing the adverse impact of indirect trauma exposure. Participants will be randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up periods to determine the effectiveness of the intervention in promoting vicarious post-traumatic growth and reducing vicarious trauma among emergency nurses.

Conditions

Psychological Well-being; Vicarious Trauma; Psychological Distress; Post-Traumatic Growth, Psychological

Keywords

Vicarious Post-Traumatic Growth; Emergency Nurses; Randomized Controlled Trial; Resilience; Vicarious Trauma; Mental Health; Psychological Intervention; Coping Strategies

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Vicarious Posttraumatic Growth Score

  This outcome measures change in vicarious posttraumatic growth among emergency unit nurses exposed to the intervention. Vicarious posttraumatic growth will be assessed using the Vicarious Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (VPTGI; Deaton, 2020), a self-report questionnaire. The total score will be calculated by summing item responses. Higher scores indicate greater vicarious posttraumatic growth (better psychological outcome).

  Baseline (Week 0), Post-intervention (Week 8), 3-month follow-up (Week 20), 6-month follow-up (Week 32)

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Change in Vicarious Trauma Score

  Baseline (Week 0), Post-intervention (Week 8), 3-month follow-up (Week 20), 6-month follow-up (Week 32)

• Change in Resilience Score

  Baseline (Week 0), Post-intervention (Week 8), 3-month follow-up (Week 20), 6-month follow-up (Week 32)

• Change in Coping Strategies

  Baseline (Week 0), Post-intervention (Week 8), 3-month follow-up (Week 20), 6-month follow-up (Week 32)

• Change in Psychological Well-being

  Baseline (Week 0), Post-intervention (Week 8), 3-month follow-up (Week 20), 6-month follow-up (Week 32)

Other Outcomes (4)

• Personality Traits

  Baseline only (Week 0)

• Intervention Adherence

  Throughout intervention period (Weeks 1-8)

• Intervention Fidelity

  During intervention delivery (Weeks 1-8)

Study Arms (2)

Vicarious Post-Traumatic Growth Intervention

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants receive a structured psychoeducational intervention consisting of trauma education, cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness exercises, resilience-building activities, stress management training, emotional regulation skills, and peer support sessions.

Behavioral: Psychoeducational Vicarious Post-Traumatic Growth Intervention

Routine Professional Support

NO INTERVENTION

Participants continue receiving routine institutional support and standard professional resources available within the hospital setting.

Interventions

Psychoeducational Vicarious Post-Traumatic Growth Intervention BEHAVIORAL

A structured psychoeducational and behavioral intervention designed to promote vicarious post-traumatic growth and reduce vicarious trauma among emergency nurses. The intervention incorporates cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques, mindfulness practices, resilience-building exercises, psychoeducation regarding vicarious trauma, stress management strategies, reflective activities, and peer-support components. The program is delivered in scheduled sessions over the intervention period and aims to enhance coping skills, psychological well-being, professional functioning, and post-traumatic growth.

Vicarious Post-Traumatic Growth Intervention

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Registered nurses currently employed in emergency departments.
• Minimum six months of emergency department work experience.
• Able to read and understand English or Urdu.
• Willing to provide informed consent.
• Available to participate throughout intervention and follow-up assessments.

You may not qualify if:

• Current diagnosis of severe psychiatric disorder requiring intensive treatment.
• Current participation in trauma-focused psychotherapy.
• Cognitive impairment affecting study participation.
• Planned transfer from emergency unit during study period.
• Refusal to provide informed consent.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Fatima Jinnah Women University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Nishtar Hospital, Burn Unit (NMH), Multan Institute of Cardiology (MIC), Bakhtawar Amin Hospital, Multan, Khawaja Fareed Social Security Hospital

Multan, 59070, Pakistan

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Compassion Fatigue; Psychological Well-Being

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mental Fatigue; Fatigue; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior; Occupational Stress; Stress, Psychological; Personal Satisfaction

Central Study Contacts

SEERAT FATIMA

CONTACT

+923066605577; seeratfatima554@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: PhD Candidate and Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 18, 2026
• First Posted: June 30, 2026
• Study Start: March 1, 2026
• Primary Completion: June 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Last Updated: July 7, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)