The joint effect of attachment orientations and empathy on compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction among oncologists

Abstract

Objective Compassion fatigue, which consists of burnout and secondary traumatic stress, and compassion satisfaction are conceptualized as the negative and positive emotional reactions of working in the helping professions. In this study we examined the joint effect of oncologists’ attachment orientations and empathy on their compassion fatigue and satisfaction. Methods Seventy-three oncologists completed a demographic questionnaire, the shortened version of the Experiences in Close Relationships scale, the Interpersonal Reactivity Index, and the Professional Quality of Life questionnaire. Results A cluster analysis based on empathy and attachment orientations yielded three meaningful clusters that seem to reflect the three attachment orientations: secure, anxious and avoidant. The oncologists in the three clusters differed in their compassion fatigue levels (i.e. both burnout and secondary traumatic stress) and in their compassion satisfaction levels. Secure attachment (i.e. low scores on both anxious attachment and avoidant attachment) along with high levels of the cognitive component of empathy (perspective-taking) resulted in lower levels of compassion fatigue and higher levels of compassion satisfaction than did insecure attachment. Conclusions The study emphasizes the importance of oncologists’ attachment orientations and appropriate distance/closeness to their patients in protecting them from compassion fatigue and helping them experience compassion satisfaction.