Post-traumatic stress, personal risk and post-traumatic growth among UK journalists
Background: Journalists covering traumatic news events can develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, they may also experience perceived post-traumatic growth (PTG). The outcome may be affected by whether work-related traumatic stress has a degree of personal risk. Objective...
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Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2021.1881727 |
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doaj-5f2dc8ed46934fbabeab4fdb61461f812021-06-25T11:10:04ZengTaylor & Francis GroupEuropean Journal of Psychotraumatology2000-80662021-01-0112110.1080/20008198.2021.18817271881727Post-traumatic stress, personal risk and post-traumatic growth among UK journalistsSian Williams0Tina Cartwright1University of WestminsterUniversity of WestminsterBackground: Journalists covering traumatic news events can develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, they may also experience perceived post-traumatic growth (PTG). The outcome may be affected by whether work-related traumatic stress has a degree of personal risk. Objective: To investigate the relationship between PTSD symptoms and PTG among journalists who experienced work-related trauma and to examine whether positive associations would exist between exposure to personal risk and PTG. Method: A web-based survey measuring post-traumatic stress symptoms and post-traumatic growth was completed by print and broadcast journalists (N = 69) working for UK-based media organizations. An open-ended question asked participants how media organizations can help to promote growth after work-related trauma. Results: The findings show a significant relationship between PTSD symptoms and PTG (p = 0.04). Journalists working in war-zones had significantly more PTSD symptoms (p < .001) and PTG scores (p < .001) than those who did not. Journalists who described their worst, work-related trauma as having a degree of personal, life-threatening risk, also reported higher levels of PTG than those who did not (p < .001). This was consistent across all PTG subscales. Conclusions: This study, the first to examine PTSD symptoms, personal risk and post-traumatic growth within journalists, suggests those working in conflict areas experience significantly higher levels of post-traumatic stress and post-traumatic growth, than those who do not. Those who experience personal risk also had high PTG levels. Media companies can help develop PTG by recognizing when personal risk plays a role in covering demanding assignments. Participants suggested organizations also needed to allow sufficient time for reflection and meaning-making for all those working in hostile environments.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2021.1881727journaliststraumaptsdpost-traumatic stresspost-traumatic growthresiliencepersonal risk |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Sian Williams Tina Cartwright |
spellingShingle |
Sian Williams Tina Cartwright Post-traumatic stress, personal risk and post-traumatic growth among UK journalists European Journal of Psychotraumatology journalists trauma ptsd post-traumatic stress post-traumatic growth resilience personal risk |
author_facet |
Sian Williams Tina Cartwright |
author_sort |
Sian Williams |
title |
Post-traumatic stress, personal risk and post-traumatic growth among UK journalists |
title_short |
Post-traumatic stress, personal risk and post-traumatic growth among UK journalists |
title_full |
Post-traumatic stress, personal risk and post-traumatic growth among UK journalists |
title_fullStr |
Post-traumatic stress, personal risk and post-traumatic growth among UK journalists |
title_full_unstemmed |
Post-traumatic stress, personal risk and post-traumatic growth among UK journalists |
title_sort |
post-traumatic stress, personal risk and post-traumatic growth among uk journalists |
publisher |
Taylor & Francis Group |
series |
European Journal of Psychotraumatology |
issn |
2000-8066 |
publishDate |
2021-01-01 |
description |
Background: Journalists covering traumatic news events can develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, they may also experience perceived post-traumatic growth (PTG). The outcome may be affected by whether work-related traumatic stress has a degree of personal risk. Objective: To investigate the relationship between PTSD symptoms and PTG among journalists who experienced work-related trauma and to examine whether positive associations would exist between exposure to personal risk and PTG. Method: A web-based survey measuring post-traumatic stress symptoms and post-traumatic growth was completed by print and broadcast journalists (N = 69) working for UK-based media organizations. An open-ended question asked participants how media organizations can help to promote growth after work-related trauma. Results: The findings show a significant relationship between PTSD symptoms and PTG (p = 0.04). Journalists working in war-zones had significantly more PTSD symptoms (p < .001) and PTG scores (p < .001) than those who did not. Journalists who described their worst, work-related trauma as having a degree of personal, life-threatening risk, also reported higher levels of PTG than those who did not (p < .001). This was consistent across all PTG subscales. Conclusions: This study, the first to examine PTSD symptoms, personal risk and post-traumatic growth within journalists, suggests those working in conflict areas experience significantly higher levels of post-traumatic stress and post-traumatic growth, than those who do not. Those who experience personal risk also had high PTG levels. Media companies can help develop PTG by recognizing when personal risk plays a role in covering demanding assignments. Participants suggested organizations also needed to allow sufficient time for reflection and meaning-making for all those working in hostile environments. |
topic |
journalists trauma ptsd post-traumatic stress post-traumatic growth resilience personal risk |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2021.1881727 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT sianwilliams posttraumaticstresspersonalriskandposttraumaticgrowthamongukjournalists AT tinacartwright posttraumaticstresspersonalriskandposttraumaticgrowthamongukjournalists |
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