The Role of Self-Compassion and Ego Strength on Secondary Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Wives of War Veterans

Introduction: Since the World Health Organization has introduced mental health something beyond the mere absence of mental illness, Researches increasingly focus on positive personality traits and individuals’ internal resources in the coping of psychological distress. Objective: The present study was aimed to investigate the role of self-compassion and ego strength on secondary post-traumatic stress disorder in wives of the war veterans. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive correlational study, our final sample consisted of 152 participants, who were the wives of war veterans with secondary post-traumatic stress disorder in Kermanshah province in 2019. The subjects were selected by purposive sampling method. To collect the data Reis et al.’s Self-Compassion Scale, psychological ego strength scale and Secondary Trauma Questionnaire (STQ) were used. Data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient and simple linear Regression by SPSS 25. Results: The results indicated that the mean score for variables was: secondary post-traumatic stress (63.43±10.55), Self-compassion (20.91±7.15) and ego strength (60.07 ± 10.69). Moreover, Both Self-compassion (r=-0.416, P<0.05) and ego strength (r=-0.278) had negative significant correlation with secondary posttraumatic stress disorder. Based on regression analysis, Self-compassion (β=-0.37) and ego strength (β=-0.20) were the negative significant predictors of secondary post-traumatic stress. Discussion and Conclusion: Based on the findings of this research, reducing the level of positive personality traits, such as the self-compassion and ego strength as a source of coping in the secondary victims of trauma, the risk of their Psychopathology increases. It is suggested that the role of these factors in treating trauma and stressrelated disorders be considered.