Correlations among the nursing work environment, traumatic stress, and professional quality of life in Chinese midwives: A cross-sectional study

Compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction among Chinese midwives working in the delivery room: A cross-sectional survey

The rapid adaptation of health services significantly burdens healthcare professionals, especially nurses. It is crucial to balance healthcare professionals' professional quality of life with their fatigue and stress levels. The study aims to assess nurses' professional quality of life, particularly in the context of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers aim to understand the levels of compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress experienced by nurses in Padang City hospitals. Employing a descriptive design with a cross-sectional methodology, this study aims to portray nurses' professional quality of life by concurrently assessing compassion satisfaction, burnout, and the level of secondary traumatic stress using the Perceived Stress Scale and the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQoL-21). Eighty-eight nurses participated in this study and were selected using purposive sampling techniques between August and November 2023. This study revealed that 54.5% of respondents reported a moderate level of compassion satisfaction related to COVID-19, 68.2% experienced a moderate level of burnout, and 40.9% had a moderate level of secondary traumatic stress.

To explore the relationship between the professional quality of life and work environment among intensive care unit nurses, and identify the influencing factors of intensive care unit nurses' professional quality of life. This study design is cross-sectional and correlational descriptive. Four hundred fourteen intensive care unit nurses from Central China were recruited. Data were collected from three questionnaires of self-designed demographic questions, the professional quality of life scale and the nursing work environment scale. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, bivariate analysis and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the data. A total of 414 questionnaires was collected, for an effective recovery rate of 98.57%. The original scores of the three sub-scales of professional quality of life were 33.58 ± 6.43, 31.83 ± 5.94, and 32.55 ± 5.74. Compassion satisfaction was positively correlated with the nursing working environment (p < 0.05), job burnout, and secondary trauma were negatively correlated with nursing work in environment (p < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis results show that, the nursing working environment entered into the influential factor model of professional quality of life scale (p < 0.001). The nursing working environment independently explained 26.9% of the changes in compassion satisfaction, 27.1% of the changes in job burnout, and 27.5% of the changes in secondary trauma. The nursing work environment is an important factor affecting the professional quality of life. The better the nursing working environment, the higher the professional quality of life of intensive care unit nurses. Decision makers and managers can focus on improving the working environment of nurses, which may be a new perspective for managers to improve the professional quality of life of nurses and stabilize the nursing team.

BackgroundMental health nursing is a demanding and stressful profession that impacts nurses’ professional quality of life. Psychological resilience can be a protective factor. However, the relationship has not been extensively studied. This study aims to examine the relationship between psychological resilience and professional quality of life and identify potential predictors of ProQOL subscales among mental health nurses.MethodsThe study employed a cross-sectional design to collect data from 179 mental health nurses. Data was collected using two standardized questionnaires: the Connor-Davidson resilience scale and the professional quality of life scale. Participants were recruited through convenient sampling during a 3-month period from April to June 2022, and the data were collected using an online survey tool called QuestionPro.ResultsThe study found a strong positive correlation between psychological resilience and compassion satisfaction (r = 0.632, P < 0.001). However, there was a negative significant correlation between resilience with burnout (r = -0.470, P < 0.001) and secondary traumatic stress (r = -0.210, P = 0.005). The study also found that higher resilience levels were associated with higher levels of compassion satisfaction and lower levels of secondary traumatic stress. Additionally, higher burnout scores were associated with higher levels of secondary traumatic stress. The study also identified that age and the number of children had weak associations with compassion satisfaction, while workplace was a significant predictor of burnout and secondary traumatic stress.ConclusionThe study emphasizes the importance of resilience, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress in the well-being of healthcare professionals, especially nurses. The findings suggest that assessing nurses’ resilience and professional quality of life can raise psychological resilience awareness and help managers create the necessary working conditions to improve nurses’ professional quality of life.

The rapid spread of COVID-19 poses a significant threat to nurses' lives and health, resulting in varying degrees of mental distress. Nurses may experience compassion fatigue, and their professional quality of life and satisfaction may suffer as a result. Their coping mechanisms may vary as well, influencing their compassionate and safe care. The study's objectives are to explore levels of compassion satisfaction and fatigue among nurses and identify their coping strategies. Further, to investigate the relationship between coping strategies, compassion satisfaction, and compassion fatigue during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a descriptive correlational design, this study was conducted with a convenience sample of 443 nurses working in an Egyptian university hospital. Nurses completed the coping strategy indicator scale and the professional quality of life (compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue) scale. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and regression analysis. Nurses' professional quality of life was average in terms of compassion satisfaction (2.95 ± 0.92) and compassion fatigue (2.38 ± 0.35). Nurses have a moderate use of coping strategies (2.13 ± 0.35). Problem-solving was rated as the highest coping strategy, while avoidance was rated as the lowest. Coping strategies showed a positive correlation with compassion satisfaction (r = 0.503, p < .001) and a negative correlation with compassion fatigue (r = -0.352, p < .001). In addition, coping strategies could predict 25.4% and 12.4% of compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue, respectively (p < .001). Compassion satisfaction and fatigue are key determinants of nurses' quality of work life. Coping strategies, especially problem-solving and support systems, are vital to increase compassion satisfaction and mitigate burnout and secondary stress syndrome. Nurse managers should establish supportive work environments that promote nurses' well-being. Resilience-building programs and coping strategies' training are recommended to enhance the nurses' quality of work life and positive work attitudes.

BackgroundNursing is a caring profession for which compassion is a core value. Increasing stress and declining job satisfaction are among the major challenges in nursing. Demographic and work-related factors may influence nurses’ compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue (i.e., burnout and secondary traumatic stress) levels. In this study, the level of compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction and their associated factors were examined among nurses in a tertiary hospital.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Malaysia. The data were collected over a period of 6 months via online distribution of the Personal Information Form, Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ) version III and Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) version V questionnaires. The Cronbach’s alpha internal consistency of the questionnaire scales was mostly acceptable and above 0.75. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the sociodemographic and rank domains of work environment-related factors for nurses and their levels of compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue. Relationships between sociodemographic factors and the levels of compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, and burnout were assessed by bivariate analyses. A p value < 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.ResultsA total of 323 registered nurses participated in this study. A majority of the participants were female (91%, n = 294), and the mean age of the participants was 33.01 ± 8.50 years. The majority of the participants had moderate levels of compassion satisfaction (71%, n = 229); 46% (n = 148) had moderate levels of burnout, and 45% (n = 147) had moderate levels of secondary traumatic stress. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that the health and well-being and demands at work domain were significantly associated with compassion satisfaction, burnout and secondary traumatic stress levels among nurses.ConclusionsIn this study, the majority of the nurses reported decreased compassion satisfaction and increased burnout. These findings provide valuable insights, as there may be detrimental effects on the healthcare industry and retention of nurses if no action is taken to combat compassion fatigue. Recommendations to motivate nurses and reduce demands at work should be explored by healthcare organizations to increase nurses’ performance and job satisfaction.

Intensive care environment poses daily challenges to health workers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, intensive care unit staff experienced significant levels of secondary traumatic stress and burnout. Although they find satisfaction in their work, repeated exposure to the suffering caused by patients' severe conditions exposes them to a high risk of compassion fatigue. To evaluate the relationship between sociodemographic and professional variables and the professional quality of life represented by compassion satisfaction, secondary traumatic stress, and burnout during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in a high-complexity hospital. This cross-sectional study was conducted from July to September 2020 in an intensive care unit of a Brazilian hospital. Participants were 89 health care workers who completed a questionnaire via the Research Electronic Data Capture platform, consisting of sociodemographic data and the Professional Quality of Life instrument. Professionals who were on leave for more than 2 months, enrolled in residency programs, or in leadership positions were excluded. Levels of compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress were characterized as moderate, affecting 98.9%, 69.7%, and 59.5% of the sample, respectively. No sociodemographic variable was associated with professional quality of life. Workers showed moderate levels of compassion satisfaction, secondary traumatic stress, and burnout. No association was found between sociodemographic variables and professional quality of life. Understanding such issues among workers is crucial for the implementation of mental health promotion interventions.

ImportanceThere is an abundance of research demonstrating the growing challenge of burnout in healthcare professionals. This has been further exacerbated by the COVID‐19 pandemic. The use of meditation using various techniques has shown promising results in the reduction of stress and its sequelae.ObjectiveTo determine the efficacy of a mantra‐based meditation protocol developed by the American Meditation Institute to reduce caregiver stress by evaluating changes in burnout and secondary traumatic stress (components of compassion fatigue) and compassion satisfaction with the application of the meditation protocol.Design, Setting, and ParticipationThis pre–post cohort analysis was conducted on prospective enrollees of the Continuing Medical Education (CME)‐accredited American Meditation Institute's annual Heart and Science of Yoga® Conference, a comprehensive training in Yoga Science as Holistic Mind/Body Medicine for physicians and other healthcare providers held in October in Lenox, Massachusetts. Enrollees were trained in mantra‐based AMI Meditation at the conference and monitored during the 6‐month period following the conference.InterventionsThe mantra‐based AMI Meditation intervention included a 5‐day in‐person training, a daily practice of a guided mantra‐based AMI Meditation using a 20‐min CD or MP3 recording, and receipt of a monthly motivational letter. Study participants completed the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) Measure (a survey) and a demographic survey at baseline, and the ProQOL Measure and an informational survey at 3 and 6 months.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe primary outcome was a change from baseline in participants’ level of burnout using the ProQOL assessed at baseline and 3 and 6 months. Secondary outcomes included change from baseline in participants’ level of secondary traumatic stress and compassion satisfaction assessed at 3 and 6 months using the ProQOL Measure. Qualitative data were also collected from participant feedback, via the informational surveys, at 3 months and after completion of the program at 6 months.ResultsOf the 54 participants who enrolled and completed a baseline survey, 30 completed the follow‐up at 3 months and 21 participants completed the follow‐up at 6 months. From baseline to 6 months, there were statistically significant improvements in the scores for all three ProQOL scales. Using paired t‐test, burnout scores were reduced by 23.2% (p &lt; 0.0001), secondary traumatic stress scores were reduced by 19.9% (p = 0.001), and compassion satisfaction scores improved by 11.2% (p &lt; 0.0001). For secondary traumatic stress and compassion satisfaction scores, most improvements were seen at 3 months. For burnout, the improvements were constant across the 3‐ and 6‐month follow‐ups.ConclusionsIn this small cohort of healthcare professionals, the mantra‐based AMI Meditation program significantly improved all three domains of caregiver stress with improvements in burnout and secondary traumatic stress as well as improvements in feelings of compassion. This adds to a rapidly growing body of research supporting the critical importance of these tools and skills in the mitigation of caregiver stress.

IntroductionIncreased stressors and decreased job satisfaction are major challenges in nursing. Important factors of better professional quality of life include compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress. It is critical to assess these factors to help improve nurses’ clinical practices.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to determine the relationships between the three factors and associated factors.MethodsA cross-sectional, multisite study was conducted on a convenience sample of 464 nurses working at three public hospitals in Saudi Arabia. The Professional Quality of Life Version 5 was used to collect data. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were run using SPSS.ResultsScores were slightly moderate on the compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress levels. Compassion satisfaction was statistically significantly and negatively associated with burnout. A statistically significant relationship was reported between compassion satisfaction and secondary traumatic stress. Further, there was a statistically significant association between burnout and secondary traumatic stress. In regression, only the secondary traumatic stress model was statistically significant.ConclusionsNurse managers should use highly standard guidelines to reduce secondary traumatic stress levels. Further actions addressing potential issues for improving compassion satisfaction and reducing burnout levels among nurses are also recommended.

Purpose: Study was conducted to identify the positive and negative aspects of professional quality of life among nurses at the Turkish Palestinian Friendship Hospital in Gaza Strip, as well as to look into the relationship between sociodemographic factors and professional quality of life among nurses at the Turkish Palestinian Friendship Hospital in Gaza Strip.&#x0D; Method: A descriptive cross-sectional design. The Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQoL), version 5, was used to collect data from 74 nurses who participated in the study, with an 84% response rate.&#x0D; Results: Study participants had high levels of compassion satisfaction (M= 3.9068; SD= 0.86979; WM 78.1%), moderate level of burnout (M= 3.2784; SD= 0.60845; WM 65.5%), and moderate level of secondary traumatic stress (M= 3.0027; SD= 0.77211; WM 60%). There are statistically significant determinants for compassion satisfaction with age group up to 40 years and older (F= 3.406, P= 0.039), participants who received oncology education (T = 2.297, P= 0.025). Also, there is a significant relationship between age group "31-40 years" and secondary traumatic stress in comparison with other groups (F= 4.234, P= 0.018). There are statistically significant determinants for secondary traumatic stress with moderate level of income (F= 6.057, P= 0.004). Also, there is a significant relationship between moderate level of income and burnout (F= 7.497, P= 0.001).&#x0D; Conclusions: Compassion satisfaction is high but burnout and secondary traumatic stress are moderate. Hospital administrators should work on developing strategies to improve compassion satisfaction while reducing burnout and secondary traumatic stress.

Compassion Fatigue, Compassion Satisfaction & Burnout among Pediatric Nurses

Introduction Recovery from a severe burn injury requires early and aggressive therapy, which is often painful and distressing to the patient. Burn therapists who guide these interventions may be prone to experiencing secondary trauma and compassion fatigue through repeated exposure to difficult situations. At the same time, therapists may gain a sense of purpose and altruism from their work, fostering compassion satisfaction. Despite being well documented in other health professions, compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction have not been sufficiently explored among burn therapists. The purpose of this study was to quantify and characterize burn therapist’s compassion fatigue and satisfaction using the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) scale and to answer the question of what job-related factors may impact these outcomes. Methods This cross-sectional study surveyed active burn therapists using Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap). ProQOL scores were calculated for individual respondents and described for the sample using mean, standard deviation, and range. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to assess the impact of predictor variables of years in burn care, practice setting, and population on the subscales of the ProQOL for compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue (burnout and secondary traumatic stress). Results A total of 143 burn therapists were included, which exceeded the n needed to achieve statistical power. The included participants presented with low to moderate burnout scores (mean=23.5, range=11-38), secondary traumatic stress (22.5, 11-40), and moderate to high compassion satisfaction (40.4, 25-50). Regression analyses found years of practice significantly predicted (p ≤ .01) each of the compassion constructs. Conclusions This study presents new knowledge for the field of burn care in its quantification of professional quality of life in burn therapists. While burn therapists experience moderate-to-high levels of compassion satisfaction in their work, burnout and stress also approached moderate levels. Years of practice was a significant predictor of compassion and may be related to increased competence or confidence in practice. Applicability of Research to Practice This study is the first to study compassion fatigue and satisfaction in burn therapists. Understanding and addressing these issues are essential to recruiting and retaining a healthy and productive burn care workforce. Regular assessment of professional quality of life and career stage-specific supportive measures could provide a protective measure against compassion fatigue.

Fulfilled but worn out: Evaluating compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue among Gynecologic Oncologists (093)

Objective: To systematically evaluate the correlation between professional quality of life and social support of Chinese nurses based on Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients. Methods: In databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Medline, CBM, CNKI、Wanfang, and other databases were searched by computer for the literatures on correlation between Chinese nurses' professional quality of life and social support from January 2005 to July 2020. The Chinese and English search terms are "nurse" "professional quality of life" "empathy satisfaction" "empathy fatigue" "professional quality of life" "ProQOL" "comparison satisfaction" "comparison fatigue" "social support" "competent social support" "SSRS" "PSSS", etc. Literatures were screened according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. After evaluating quality and extracting data, meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.3 software. Results: A total of 12 studies were included. The meta analysis showed that nurses' compassion satisfaction, burnout, secondary traumatic stress were related to social support, summary r were 0.35, -0.26 and -0.23 respectively. The correlation between compassion satisfaction and social support were increased with sample, the south was higher than the north, and comprehensive departments were higher than other departments (P<0.05) . The correlation between burnout and social support were increased with time and sample, and the south was higher than the north, oncology was higher than others, non-random sampling was higher than random sampling, using ProQOL and Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS) was higher than Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL) and Social Support Racting Scale (SSRS) (P<0.05) . The correlation coefficient between secondary traumatic stress and social support in oncology was higher than others, random sampling was higher than non-random sampling, using ProQOL and PSSS was higher than ProQOL and SSRS (P<0.05) . Conclusion: There is a positive and weak correlation between compassion satisfaction and social support, and a negative and weak correlation between burnout and secondary traumatic stress and social support. There are differences in different time, research design, region and department.

Secondary traumatic stress, burnout, and compassion satisfaction have been described since the 1980s and extensively studied in first responders, law enforcement, legal professionals, and human service providers. There are few studies in forensic science professionals. To determine levels of secondary traumatic stress, burnout, and compassion satisfaction and relate these to demographics and job characteristics, we administered online a modified version of the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) questionnaire to professionals in crime laboratories and medical examiner offices. Participants also completed a modified version of the Vicarious Trauma-Organizational Readiness Guide (VT-ORG) to measure perceptions of their organizations' efforts to address vicarious trauma and promote health and wellness. Results from 419 subjects indicated that field-based forensic science professionals registered higher levels of secondary traumatic stress compared to laboratory-based professionals, but burnout and compassion satisfaction were not significantly different between these groups. Demographic variables did not predict any of these outcome measures, but work with victims' families and testifying significantly, albeit weakly, predicted higher secondary traumatic stress. Greater employee belief that their organizations were addressing issues of stress and trauma predicted lower levels of secondary traumatic stress and burnout and higher levels of compassion satisfaction. Write-in responses by participants paralleled the quantitative findings. These results indicate a need to strengthen organizational efforts to address stress and trauma and promote health and wellness, particularly in professionals with direct field-based exposure to crime scenes, contact with victims' families, and responsibility for testifying.