28th National Clinical Education Symposium Presentation Abstracts

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OP-85 Parental Perceived Stress and Adolescents’ Emotional and Behavioral Problems: Findings from a Community Sample - Page 186
Evren Morgul, Gamze Soysal

OP-86 The Relationship Between Sociodemographic and Forensic History and the Victimization Status of Patients with Schizophrenia - Page 187
Sümeyye Yasemin Çallı, Burak Emmiler, Yağmur Fidan, Arda Kızılsert, İnci Su Taşcan, Recep Ekşi, Yunus Emre Sancak

PP-01 Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder in a Patient with Major Depressive Disorder: Symptom Improvement Following Antidepressant Dose Optimization - Page 191
Ayşe Köksal

PP-02 Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Applications for the Special Needs Report for Children (COZGER): A 3-Month Retrospective Evaluation - Page 192
Armağan Aral, Ayşe Ergüner Aral

PP-03 Management of Alcohol Use Disorder in a Patient with Parkinson’s Disease: A Case Report - Page 194
Ayşe Çakır Köksal

PP-04 Spinocerebellar Ataxia Accompanied by Psychosis: A Case Report Based on Neurodevelopmental and Structural Findings - Page 195
Dilan Kılınç, Ayşe Ergüner Aral

21 APRIL 2026, TUESDAY
17:00 -18:15 OP-83 Investigation of the Relationship Between Exposure to Secondary Traumatic Stress and Attitudes Toward Seeking Psychological Help Among Emergency Physicians in Istanbul

OP-83 Investigation of the Relationship Between Exposure to Secondary Traumatic Stress and Attitudes Toward Seeking Psychological Help Among Emergency Physicians in Istanbul

Deniz Doğar1, Beyza İlay Tecellioğlu2, Mahshid Seıfpour3, Sinan Göğüş4, Ayşe Beyza Koyun5, Ayşe Zülal Tokaç Farımaz6

1. Psychiatry, Bülent Ecevit University, Zonguldak, Türkiye
2. Psychiatry, Bakırköy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Mental Health and Neurological Diseases Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Türkiye
3. Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bakırköy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Türkiye
4. Internal Medicine, Şişli Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Türkiye
5. Pediatrics, Antalya Training and Research Hospital, Antalya, Türkiye
6. Public Health, Medipol University, Istabul, Türkiye

DOI: 10.5080/61upk.ozt496 Page 184

BACKGROUND AND AIM Secondary traumatic stress (STS) is caused by indirect exposure to trauma through witnessing others’ experiences or repeated occupational exposure to trauma narratives and is associated with adverse psychological outcomes. This study aimed to assess STS among emergency physicians and examine its relationship with attitudes toward seeking psychological help.
METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted between 2nd and 10th of June 2022, among physicians in nine emergency departments in Istanbul. Data were collected via an online questionnaire using convenience sampling and included sociodemographic items; the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS) and the Attitudes Toward Seeking Psychological Help Scale–Short Form (ATSPH-SF). Ethical approval was obtained from the Istanbul Medipol University Non-Interventional Clinical Research Ethics Committee (Decision No: 10840098-772.02-3336).
RESULTS Seventy emergency physicians participated. 54.3% were female, mean age 28.4 ± 4.5 years. Most had 0–4 years of experience (80.0%). A history of traumatic events was reported by 55.7%, most commonly emotional or physical abuse (20.0%). Most (74.3%) had no psychiatric diagnosis; 48.6% had never received psychological support. Based on STSS scores, 58.6% showed severe STS (49–85). Favorable help-seeking attitudes were present in 51.4%. STSS scores were higher in women (p = 0.029) and differed by trauma type (p = 0.025), with higher scores measured among those exposed to traumatic accidents. No correlation was found between STSS and ATSPH-SF (r = 0.144, p = 0.255). CONCLUSION Despite severe STS levels, no association was found between STS and help-seeking attitudes, suggesting individual and institutional factors influence help-seeking behavior. Further research is needed to clarify this gap and identify barriers to physicians’ psychological help-seeking. As the study was conducted during the COVID 19 pandemic, marked by intense workload and frequent exposure to suffering and death, findings should be interpreted within this context, underscoring the importance of context-sensitive preventive interventions. Keywords: Secondary traumatic stress, trauma exposure, seeking professional psychological help, emergency physicians