Assessing Secondary Traumatic Stress, Resilience, and Self-efficacy Of Violence Against Women and Children Officers

Abstract

This study explored how Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS), resilience, and self-efficacy interact among Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) officers in General Santos City, who regularly handle emotionally charged cases. Despite frequent exposure to trauma, officers reported low levels of STS (1.60), particularly through avoidance behaviors (1.64), showing that emotional distancing serves as a coping mechanism. While this helps maintain professional functioning, it may conceal deeper emotional strain. Resilience (5,42) and self-efficacy (3.29) were both moderate, indicating that officers possess the capacity and confidence to manage their roles, though these strengths may diminish over time without sustained support. The absence of significant relationships among STS, resilience, and self-efficacy (0.161) shows that external factors, such as peer support, institutional resources, and workplace culture may exert greater influence than individual psychological traits. These findings emphasize that officer well-being is shaped more by systemic conditions than by trauma exposure alone. Consequently, mental health interventions should not only aim to reduce stress but also strengthen resilience and self-efficacy through training, supervision, and supportive environments. By recognizing the interplay between personal coping and organizational context, this study offers valuable insights for developing more effective tailored policy and intervention strategies for frontline workers in trauma-exposed professions. Keywords: secondary traumatic stress (STS), resilience, self-efficacy, VAWC officers

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