Abstract
Aim: The experience of Vicarious Posttraumatic Growth (VPTG) is common in South Africa. This study is aimed at exploring the life experiences of psychologists with regards to their exposure to secondary trauma and its manifestation of VPTG, and by doing so, it contributes to the sparse literature in the field. Method: The principles of an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) served as the theoretical framework for the data collection and analysis phases of this study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four participants, which where transcribed and analysed for themes related to VPTG, as experienced by practicing psychologists. Findings: Three superordinate themes were identified which explains how psychologists “make sense of the experienced phenomena”, what “facilitates their vicarious growth”, and the “growth outcomes” that they were left with. Nine interrelated subordinate themes were identified, as well as, additional findings relating to South African risk factors for trauma and other contributors towards growth outcomes. Conclusion: The findings in this study share great similarities with that of existing literature by highlighting the subjective manner in which trauma and growth is experienced, the overlap between PTG and VPTG, and growth outcomes distinctive to VPTG. An unexpected theme of “survivor’s guilt” was discovered which is unique to this study and creates opportunities for further research in the field of VPTG.
M.A. (Psychology)