Secondary Traumatic Stress, Romantic Relationship Satisfaction and Burnout Syndrome in Psychologists and Doctors in Maharashtra

In the mental health field, "stress" is often considered a topic of interest, an important constituent of an individual's overall well-being. However, more often than not, there is not much emphasis laid on how stress can affect healthcare workers when one is encountered with stress as a secondary receiver, i. e, secondary traumatic stress. It can also be seen in the context of doctors. Two major factors that seem to be closely related to secondary traumatic stress are Burnout Syndrome and Personal relationship satisfaction. This stress can have either one of the two outcomes: workplace burnout or relationship dissatisfaction, or both. These factors have prevailed ever since these types of careers (psychologists and doctors) have come into existence. It is hence extremely crucial to study the effects of secondary traumatic stress in professionals as their mental health and overall well-being are of grave importance to mere functioning of the society. This research aimed to investigate-a) whether secondary traumatic stress is negatively correlated to relationship satisfaction; b) whether secondary traumatic stress is positively correlated to burnout syndrome; c) whether relationship satisfaction is negatively correlated to burnout syndrome. A sample of 60 doctors and psychologists (25 doctors, 35 psychologists) in Maharashtra were chosen randomly as participants of the study. The participants attempted a total of 3 tests-the Relationship Assessment scale (RAS) (Hendrick, S. S.1988), the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS) (Brian. E Bride), the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-HSS). The results, calculated using Pearson's product moment correlation coefficient, indicated that for RAS and STSS r=-0.62, while for STSS and BOS r=-0.13, and for RAS and BOS r= 0.28, thus indicating a significant negative correlation for Relationship satisfaction and Secondary Traumatic stress; a non significant negative correlation between secondary traumatic stress and burnout, and a non significant positive correlation between RAS and BOS. This paper also discusses the limitations of the research and recommendations for further study in the area.