Compassion Fatigue Research Articles

Barriers and enablers towards integrated care for survivors of sexual violence in humanitarian settings: A real-time qualitative Delphi study

ABSTRACT In humanitarian settings with high levels of sexual violence (SV), care is often offered through fragmented silos, exacerbating the burden on the health workforce and survivors. We aimed to identify contextual and health systems barriers and enablers to providing integrated medical and mental health & psychosocial support (MHPSS) in the care for SV survivors in humanitarian settings. Using Valentijn’s framework, a qualitative, real-time Delphi study (RTD) approach was conducted with 17 experts representing seven geographical subregions. Challenges and enablers identified across the participants’ contexts were consistent. Contextual challenges included volatile contexts, collapsed health systems, and insufficient basic infrastructure. Professional-related challenges included lacking expertise among healthcare professionals (HCPs), high staff attrition rates, and compassion fatigue. Health systems-related challenges included poor referral and coordination mechanisms, lack of funding and resources, misaligned donor priorities and low prioritisation of SV comprehensive care. Effective networking, community engagement, capacity building, co-locating services, participatory management, promoting employees’ sense of ownership, establishing a digital information system, and a unified joint patient file were key identified enablers. Further research should be conducted to assess HCPs’ and SV survivors’ perceptions and experiences of how best to integrate MHPSS services, and understand the challenges and opportunities in delivering integrated services.

The influence of childhood trauma on social media-induced secondary traumatic stress among college students: the chain mediating effect of self-compassion and resilience

ABSTRACT Background: Studies have shown that media exposure to critical public events can lead to secondary traumatic stress (STS). Personal trauma history, self-compassion and resilience are important factors influencing STS in healthy professionals. However, whether these variables are associated with social media-induced STS in college students and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore the complex relationship linking childhood trauma to social media-induced STS in a large sample of college students. Methods: A total of 1151 Chinese college students from Chengdu, Sichuan Province of China completed a web-based cross-sectional survey, which included standard assessments of childhood trauma, self-compassion, resilience and social media-induced STS, as well as sociodemographic questionnaires. The chain mediation model was tested using the PROCESS macro programme in SPSS software. Results: There was a moderate correlation between childhood trauma and social media-induced STS (r = 0.34, p < .001). This association was significantly mediated by self-compassion (indirect effect [95% CI] = 0.14[0.11, 0.17]) and resilience (indirect effect = 0.03[0.01, 0.04]), respectively. Further, a chained mediating effect was observed with self-compassion and resilience consecutively mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and social media-induced STS (indirect effect = 0.02[0.01, 0.03]). These results persisted after sociodemographic characteristics were included as controlling variables. Conclusions: Early life trauma impacts STS induced by exposure to traumatic materials on social media through self-compassion and resilience among Chinese college students. Psychological interventions targeting self-compassion and resilience can be implemented to reduce the risk of STS, especially in vulnerable individuals.

Prevalence of Secondary Trauma, Compassion Fatigue and Burnout Among Trauma Therapists in Spain

ABSTRACTBackgroundTrauma therapists are at risk of developing secondary trauma (ST), compassion fatigue (CF) and burnout from exposure to clients' traumatic narratives.AimThe aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence, risk and protective factors of these conditions among Spanish trauma therapists.MethodsA total of 358 Spanish trauma therapists (87% females, Mage = 43.6) completed self‐reported measures of ST, CF and burnout and sociodemographic/occupational information.ResultsSecondary trauma, CF and burnout levels were mild overall. However, 27% of the sample presented symptoms compatible with a PTSD diagnosis. Most of the sample showed emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation. However, over 90% reported personal accomplishment and compassion satisfaction that mitigated the negative effects of occupational stressors. Age, years of experience and having children were associated with higher levels of burnout and ST. However, occupational factors, such as type of trauma and the age of the consultant, did not correlate with ST, CF nor burnout.ConclusionsWorking with trauma survivors impacts professionals' well‐being and, ultimately, can affect the quality of their services.

Prevalence and predictors of compassion fatigue among Australian oncology nurses caring for adult cancer patients: A cross-sectional study.

Compassion fatigue can impact oncology nurse's personal and professional life, which may, in turn, affect the quality of patient care. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of compassion fatigue and identify risk and protective factors among Australian oncology nurses caring for adult cancer patients. 170 Australian oncology nurses caring for adult cancer patients completed a cross-sectional online survey comprising demographic information, the Professional Quality of Life, the HEXACO Personality Inventory-Revised and the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index. Scores for each subscale of the Professional Quality of Life and corresponding prevalence rates were identified. The association of demographic factors, personality domains, and work environments with the Professional Quality of Life subscales were analysed using multiple linear regression. The mean scores of compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress were 40.02, 24.72 and 22.68, respectively. The composite score of the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index subscales was positively associated with compassion satisfaction and negatively associated with burnout and secondary traumatic stress. The only personality domain statistically significant to all subscales of the Professional Quality of Life was extraversion. Oncology nurse's practice environment and personality traits, particularly extraversion, have been identified as key protective factors against compassion fatigue.

Comparing Narrative and Visual Arts for Empathy Enhancement in Nursing Postgraduate Education: A Mixed Method Study.

Traditional empathy teaching methods fall short in addressing the heightened empathy demands of in-service postgraduate nurses. Art-based approaches offer potential solutions. We adopted a mixed method study with a quasi-experimental design. Two groups of in-service postgraduate nurses participated in narrative (n = 14) and visual (n = 13) arts interventions. Participants underwent four 45-minute sessions, including theory lectures and art-based interventions. Pre- and postcourse questionnaires assessed empathy and psychological capital. The narrative arts group showed increased resilience (t = -2.775, p = .016) and secondary traumatic stress (t = -2.320, p = .037) postcourse. The visual arts group showed enhanced compassion satisfaction (t = -3.431, p = .005). Qualitative analysis identified two themes: empathy among participants and the benefits and challenges of the curriculum. Incorporating both narrative and visual arts into nursing education could enhance empathy and well-being. Narrative arts enhanced resilience but increased secondary traumatic stress. Visual arts improved compassion satisfaction and offered a calming experience. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2025;56(2):78-84.].

Compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction and mindfulness among healthcare professionals: A meta-analysis of correlational studies and randomized controlled trials

Compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction and mindfulness among healthcare professionals: A meta-analysis of correlational studies and randomized controlled trials

Nurses' Experience With End-of-Life Care in Geriatric Centers: A Systematic Review.

Geriatric nurses provide end-of-life care based on the five pillars of aging. This systematic review assesses the emotions and feelings of geriatric nurses during end-of-life care. It considers the prevalence, triggers, and intensity of emotional responses among geriatric nurses. It also expounds on the strategies for overcoming the emotional challenges. The study embarked on a systematic review of literature materials on nurses' emotions and feelings. The eligibility criteria involve literature materials published in the past 5 years, peer reviews, English language, geriatric nurses, and nurses in emergency department, primary care, and intensive care unit. Three databases (Cochrane Library, PubMed, and CINAHL) and Google Scholar were used. Using a PRISMA flow chart, the literature search led to the discovery of nine significant writings on the emotions and feelings of nurses attending to geriatric patients. Sample sizes in these studies varied from 6 to 126 nurses while three articles involved integrated, scoping, and literature review of published studies. The common emotions and feelings among nurses caring for elderly patients in the geriatric center are compassion fatigue, burnout, grief, and moral distress. These emotions and feelings affect the performance of nurses. They also influence their physical and mental wellbeing. This situation calls for developing effective coping strategies to address this challenge.

Toward a Comprehensive Understanding of Nurses' Compassion Fatigue: A Meta-Integrative Qualitative Synthesis.

The study aims to conduct a thematic synthesis approach of existing qualitative research to synthesise the real experiences of nurses dealing with compassion fatigue. This integration seeks to provide a comprehensive overview, identify common themes, and offer theoretical support for developing effective intervention strategies to mitigate compassion fatigue in healthcare settings. A thematic synthesis approach was utilised, synthesising qualitative studies on nurses' experiences of compassion fatigue. Data were collected from major academic databases, including PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science. A total of 15 studies met the inclusion criteria. This study systematically reviewed 11 qualitative research articles from China, the United States, Japan, Spain, Iran and Finland, involving 1076 nurses, to analyse and integrate the phenomenon of compassion fatigue among nurses and extract common themes. The analysis revealed that the leading causes of compassion fatigue include insufficient time and resources, psychosocial stressors, compassion overload and organisational and environmental factors. The manifestations of compassion fatigue primarily consist of work-related difficulties and impacts on family life, emotional and physical exhaustion and a mix of positive and negative emotions. Coping strategies focus on self-care and emotional regulation, symptom recognition and response strategies and organisational interventions and training. This study's findings provide theoretical support for healthcare institutions to develop effective intervention strategies to alleviate compassion fatigue among nurses and improve the quality of care. The study contributes to the body of knowledge by systematically synthesising qualitative evidence on compassion fatigue among nurses. The results have practical implications for nursing management and policy, emphasising the need for supportive measures to protect nurses from compassion fatigue and ensure sustainable care practices. This research does not directly involve patients or public participants but focuses on synthesising the experiences of nurses as reported in existing studies, thereby indirectly contributing to improving patient care by addressing the well-being of healthcare providers.

Effectiveness of self-compassion on compassion fatigue and resilience of nurses in intensive care unit for COVID-19

Effectiveness of self-compassion on compassion fatigue and resilience of nurses in intensive care unit for COVID-19

2526 Web-based compassion interventions for family caregivers’ mental well-being

Abstract Introduction The ageing population has increased the demand for family caregivers, who often suffer from psychological distress, especially compassion fatigue. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluate the effectiveness of web-based compassion interventions in improving the mental well-being of family caregivers. Methods MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Proquest were searched from database inception until manuscript submission date. Eligible studies included family caregivers participating in web-based compassionate interventions with reported mental wellness indicators, such as self-compassion. Two independent researchers conducted a literature review, extracted data, and assessed the quality of each study using the Risk of Bias 2 tool. Random effects meta-analysis was performed to pool the data, followed by subgroup analyses, sensitivity analyses and Egger’s tests. Results Out of 1095 studies evaluated, eight randomised controlled trials (encompassing 1978 participants) were included, with 75% exhibiting low risk of bias and high-quality evidence. Meta-analysis results indicated positive effects of web-based compassion interventions on family caregivers’ self-compassion (SMD = 0.33, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.58, P = 0.009) and mindfulness (SMD = 0.46, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.90, P = 0.04). These interventions also demonstrated a positive impact on reducing stress (SMD: -0.32, 95% CI -0.59 to −0.04, P = 0.02) and anxiety (SMD: -0.28, 95% CI -0.47 to −0.09, P = 0.003). Subgroup analyses highlighted superior self-compassion outcomes for caregivers supporting individuals with mental illness and cancer compared to those caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Interventions lasting ≥8 weeks were the most common and effective. Conclusions Web-based compassion interventions benefit family caregivers by enhancing self-compassion, mindfulness, and reducing anxiety and stress. More well-designed studies are suggested for future clinical applications.

Awareness of Emergency Nurses regarding Secondary Traumatic Stress at Emergency unit

Awareness of Emergency Nurses regarding Secondary Traumatic Stress at Emergency unit

Resilience-building in palliative care professionals: scoping review

Resilience-building in palliative care professionals: scoping reviewBackgroundBurnout, demoralisation and compassion fatigue are common among palliative care professionals. Practising palliative care necessitates a quality of resilience in order to ensure constant...

How Teachers' Mindsets of Empathy Influence Compassion Fatigue: Serial Mediating Roles of Empathy and Professional Identity Among Chinese Kindergarten Teachers

ABSTRACTThe field of education has long emphasized the importance of kindergarten teachers perceiving and understanding students' thoughts and feelings and expressing concern, commonly referred to as teacher empathy. However, little work has focused on the “cost of caring,” such as compassion fatigue, particularly among kindergarten teachers, which poses a significant threat to their physical and mental health. To identify the factors that shape compassion fatigue and explore the mechanisms underlying these relationships, a serial mediation model was proposed involving mindsets of empathy, teacher empathy, professional identity, and compassion fatigue. In the present study, self‐report measures were administered to 2256 kindergarten teachers to assess the major variables. The serial mediation model was evaluated using the Process macro software, and the results showed that compassion fatigue can be significantly and negatively predicted by mindsets of empathy, with teacher empathy and professional identity mediating this relationship among kindergarten teachers. These findings substantially contribute to the understanding of compassion fatigue among kindergarten teachers and provide valuable implications for its interventions.

Factors influencing compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue among nurses: a study in a tertiary hospital

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.

Understanding compassion fatigue among social workers: a scoping review

Exposure to significant sources of trauma and stress among social workers is increasingly identified as an important issue that can impact the quality of professional services, and the social worker’s well-being. There is more and more literature focusing on this phenomenon and related concepts. However, to our knowledge, there has been no published systematic review of the literature on compassion fatigue (CF) among social workers. Therefore, we performed a systematic scoping review by searching five electronic databases for studies published from 2001 to 2021, with the aim of identifying relevant literature. A total of twenty-nine studies were selected in the review following the systematic search strategy. Five themes were identified through the use of a narrative approach to synthesizing the literature by a Five-step framework of scoping review, including the prevalence, factors related, attributes and characteristics, consequences and strategies or interventions to reduce compassion fatigue among social workers. Findings revealed that few studies had examined the consequences and tested the effectiveness of specific interventions. Furthermore, future research involving concept analysis and related theoretical model was required in the field of social work.

Introducing brief mindfulness practices to mitigate faculty burnout in the post-COVID era

ABSTRACT In the post-COVID era, many faculty are experiencing a variety of interlinked burnout-related emotional experiences, including classical work stress burnout, decision fatigue from frequent adaptation and change, and compassion fatigue related to the caring demands of the profession. In this manuscript, we detail a framework for understanding the individual and institutional factors contributing to faculty burnout and explore the potential for mindfulness to alleviate these states. Next, we share a workshop model for introducing brief mindfulness practices to faculty and helping them identify key moments when mindfulness practices might be most transformative for them. Next, we share a workshop model for introducing mindfulness to faculty for maximum impact. To conclude, we offer recommendations for implementation depending on facilitators’ level of prior mindfulness experience.

Influence of psychological resilience on compassion fatigue in nurses in the operating room: a cross-sectional study in China

ObjectiveTo investigate the current state of compassion fatigue among operating room nurses, analyze the factors influencing compassion fatigue (particularly psychological resilience), and provide a basis for developing a compassion fatigue intervention program for operating room nursing managers.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in February 2022. A total of 258 operating room nurses were surveyed using the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) scale and the Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA). The ProQOL demonstrated internal consistency reliability, with Cronbach’s α values ranging from 0.75 to 0.88 across its three subscales. The Cronbach’s α coefficient for the RSA was 0.91.ResultsScores on various dimensions of compassion fatigue among operating room nurses were as follows: the total score was 84.07 (standard deviation [SD] = 7.74), with a mean score of 28.02. 92 nurses (35.5%) had no compassion fatigue or only mild compassion fatigue, whereas 166 nurses (64.3%) experienced moderate or greater compassion fatigue. The total score for psychological resilience was 112.9 (SD = 6.47), with a mean score of 18.82. Factors influencing compassion fatigue included the relationship between labor and personnel, the number of night shifts per week, and mental resilience. The differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05).ConclusionCompassion fatigue among nurses in the operating room is severe and is mainly influenced by factors such as night shift work, the relationship between labor and personnel, and mental resilience. Appropriate interventions are recommended to address these factors and reduce nurses’ compassion fatigue.Clinical trial numberNot applicable.

Factors Associated with Compassion Fatigue in Assistance Animal Trainers in Australia—A Qualitative Investigation

Assistance animal (AA) trainers could develop compassion satisfaction (CS) but also compassion fatigue (CF), due to potential exposure to suffering through working with people with disabilities. The negative outcomes associated with CF could result in fewer trainers and longer wait times for people in need. Using the Job Demands–Resources Model (JD-R), this study aimed to qualitatively identify the demands and resources of AA trainers and explore signs of CF and CS. Six trainers participated in semi-structured interviews, and five themes were identified. The Demands theme represented challenges trainers experienced, such as concerns about animal welfare and client wellbeing. The Resources theme represented personal characteristics and job aspects that assisted the trainers, like resilience and formal support from the employer. Negative Impacts included signs of CF and represented how participants were negatively affected by their job. Similarly, Positive Impacts included signs of CS and represented how participants were positively affected. Misguided Trainer Expectations represented the expectations trainers had starting the job compared to the reality of the role. The discovery of CF signs provides evidence of a previously unidentified psychosocial hazard for trainers. These findings should be used by training organizations to better support trainers.

In the wake of antisemitism and collective trauma: Jewish mental health professionals’ experiences after October 7th

ABSTRACT There has been a notable surge in the demand for mental health services within Israeli and diasporic Jewish communities in the aftermath of the October 7th attack on Israel and subsequent Israel-Hamas war. It is as though Pandora’s box has been opened, exposing a profound lack of awareness about the insidious nature of antisemitism and its manifestation within the field of Mental Health. This mixed method study examines two different yet related questions: (1) What were the experiences of Jewish mental health professionals assisting individuals in Israel post-October 7th? (2) What challenges emerged for mental health professionals post-October 7th within their work environments and communities? This study focuses on the qualitative aspects of a mixed-methods study. The primary focus is on insights from 15 semi-structured interviews exploring participants’ stress levels, concerns about antisemitism, and roles in addressing increased mental health needs in Israel since October 7th, 2023. Quantitative data from 91 mental health professionals are summarized descriptively. Findings indicate that many participants experienced a significant shift in their sense of self, feeling an increased need to protect their Jewish identity. Involvement in Israel-related projects was associated with reduced worry and a greater sense of control. They communicated a desire to both seek support from and provide support for other Jewish colleagues. Over half of the participants reported increased burnout and compassion fatigue, particularly those in nonprofit settings. This research highlights the need to develop a framework that better supports Jewish mental health professionals, and emphasizes the importance of implementing policies that effectively handle incidents of antisemitism. There must be professional spaces where Jewish therapists are genuinely included and supported—spaces that prevent them from feeling so marginalized that they have to create their own external, separate networks for support.

‘An Agreement to Limit a Basic Human Right’: How the Orderly Departure Programme Reduced Freedom of Movement for Refugees from Vietnam (1979)

ABSTRACT The Orderly Departure Programme (ODP) is regarded as a Cold War success story of refugee management, aiding the resettlement of 638,900 Vietnamese. Western sympathy for anti-communist refugees initially sparked solidarity, but led eventually to compassion fatigue, disenfranchising the practice of resettlement. However, current scholarship overlooks the fact that the ODP installed a moratorium on departures from Vietnam. I use newly discovered archival material and methods to show how the international refugee organization UNHCR undermined refugee protection, by limiting the basic human right to freedom of movement, to accommodate host states – particularly the UK and Hong Kong –in reducing responsibility for resettling refugees.