Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2025 Jul 16:9.
doi: 10.18332/ejm/206922. eCollection 2025.

The second victim phenomenon among midwives in Austria (SeViD-A3): A cross-sectional study

Victoria Klemm  1 , Eva Potura  2 , Sabine Fuerst  2 , Hannah Roesner  1 , Reinhard Strametz  1
Affiliations

The second victim phenomenon among midwives in Austria (SeViD-A3): A cross-sectional study

Victoria Klemm et al. Eur J Midwifery. .

Abstract

Introduction: Midwives frequently encounter adverse events, potentially leading to the Second Victim Phenomenon (SVP), a condition marked by emotional distress, self-doubt, and psychological symptoms. This study investigates the prevalence, key triggers, symptom severity, and support needs of midwives in Austria affected by SVP.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among Austrian midwives (n=487) using the SeViD-questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were applied to assess SVP prevalence, symptoms, and support measures. Binary logistic regression analyses examined predictors of SVP occurrence and symptom severity, while the Mann-Whitney U test compared support preferences between affected and non-affected midwives.

Results: SVP prevalence was 94.3%, with self-doubt (52.5%), guilt (47.0%), and flashbacks (41.8%) as the most pronounced symptoms. Work experience and workload did not predict SVP occurrence. However, events involving patient harm (OR=1.92; 95% CI: 1.11-3.31, p=0.02) and higher neuroticism scores (OR=1.62; 95% CI: 1.24-2.11, p<0.01) significantly predicted high symptom severity. Affected midwives rated professional counseling as less helpful than non-affected peers (p=0.03, r=0.02).

Conclusions: The high prevalence of SVP underscores the need for comprehensive, accessible support for Austrian midwives. Peer support programs should be central, alongside preventive and reactive measures. Support must be inclusive of self-employed midwives. Targeted interventions can enhance mental well-being, improve patient safety, and strengthen healthcare quality.

Keywords: emotional distress; midwives; occupational health; patient safety; psychological distress; second victim.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors have completed and submitted the ICMJE Form for disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest and none was reported.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Symptoms of the midwives who identified as SVs, SeViD-A3 cross-sectional study, 2025
Figure 2
Figure 2
Ratings of possible support measures, SeViD-A3 cross-sectional study, 2025
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Pougnet R, Pougnet L, Eniafe-Eveillard M, Loddé B. Occupational health of midwives. Med Pr. 2020;71(4):473-481. doi: 10.13075/mp.5893.00900 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Wahlberg Å, Andreen Sachs M, Johannesson K, et al. Post-traumatic stress symptoms in Swedish obstetricians and midwives after severe obstetric events: a cross-sectional retrospective survey. BJOG. 2017;124(8):1264-1271. doi: 10.1111/1471-0528.14259 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Schrøder K, Jørgensen JS, Lamont RF, Hvidt NC. Blame and guilt - a mixed methods study of obstetricians’ and midwives’ experiences and existential considerations after involvement in traumatic childbirth. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2016;95(7):735-745. doi: 10.1111/aogs.12897 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Sheen K, Spiby H, Slade P. What are the characteristics of perinatal events perceived to be traumatic by midwives ? Midwifery. 2016;40:55-61. doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2016.06.007 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Vanhaecht K, Seys D, Russotto S, et al. An evidence and consensus-based definition of second victim: a strategic topic in healthcare quality, patient safety, person-centeredness and human resource management. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(24):16869. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192416869 - DOI - PMC - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources