ABSTRACT
Paradoxically, those who constantly help trauma victims may be exposed to secondary trauma. While research has traditionally focused mainly on the negative effects of trauma, there has been a growing interest in positive changes in the form of as Vicarious/Secondary Posttraumatic Growth (VPTG/SPTG) in recent years. The chapter presents the conceptualization, models explaining the occurrence of VPTG, measurement (including the description of the new tool, which is the Secondary Posttraumatic Growth Inventory), empirical findings regarding the occurrence of VPTG as well as factors determining its occurrence after secondary traumatization. VPTG is a similar but not identical construct to PTG, as the areas of vicarious growth include specific aspects such as becoming a better professional. Further studies of the consequences of posttraumatic growth are advisable, both in people directly affected by trauma and in people who are secondarily traumatized.
