Compassion Fatigue Research Articles

Animal-Assisted Stress Management for Veterinary Staff.

High levels of stress have a detrimental impact on veterinary staff, negatively influencing their mental health and contributing to high rates of suicide. Veterinary social workers are tasked with providing interventions to reverse these consequences and support the professional's health and well-being. Twenty-one veterinary staff participated in a study to evaluate the impact of animal-assisted support. Over three months, participants attended one or two therapy dog visits per month, interacting with therapy dogs for a minimum of 10 minutes each session. Pre- and postmeasures of blood pressure, heart rate, and self-reported stress were taken at each session. A measure to assess compassion fatigue and satisfaction was administered at the end of each session, and at the conclusion of the study participants' thoughts about the visits from the therapy dogs were assessed. Significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure were found as well as significantly lower ratings of self-reported stress. Additionally, participants looked forward to these visits stating they made them happy, helped them feel better, and took their mind off their troubles. Considering the growing utilization of therapy dogs, this timely study adds to the body of evidence, highlighting the benefits of animal-assisted interventions with veterinarian staff.

Professional quality of life among Israeli social workers in hospitals and a health maintenance organization (HMO) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We examined differences between social workers in hospitals versus social workers in community health services regarding levels of professional quality of life (ProQoL), proximity to COVID-19, resilience, perceived social support, and preparedness for the next pandemic during waves 3-5 of the COVID-19 pandemic in Israel (December 2020-December 2021, the main COVID-19 variants were Alpha and Delta). We also examined the moderating role of resilience, social support, preparedness for the next pandemic, and health care service type in the association between proximity to COVID-19 and ProQoL. Participants were 163 social workers from four hospitals and 98 social workers from a major health maintenance organization in the community. Social workers in both settings revealed moderate-high levels of compassion satisfaction and moderate levels of burnout and secondary traumatic stress. The study's model indicated that after controlling for the effects of the covariates, higher levels of self-reported-resilience and greater perceived organizational support were associated with higher compassion satisfaction and lower burnout and secondary traumatic stress. Furthermore, a stronger sense of preparedness for the next pandemic was related to lower levels of burnout. The model indicated that the effects of organizational support, informal social support, and preparedness on compassion satisfaction were dependent on the study group (i.e., working in hospital or community settings). Findings indicate that intervention programs should be implemented to help increase compassion satisfaction and prevent/reduce burnout and secondary traumatic stress among social workers in health care settings during health care crises. Enhancing resilience and preparedness should focus not only on the social workers as individuals but also on the institutions for which they work. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Covenantal Care: Nursing with God's Love and Justice.

With resources stretched thin and the growing risk of compassion fatigue, faith beliefs can offer enriching perspectives for nurses. Covenantal care is a nursing approach rooted in theological insights about humanity's inherent purpose to engage in relationship with God and actively participate in acts of love and justice. Based upon interpretations of Judeo-Christian teachings of imago Dei and God's covenant with humankind, this approach provides guidance for the nurse to care for self, patients, and the wider community. This exploration of theology-in-practice provides an orientating ethos for nurses that reflects the loving, restorative, and dignified care that is at the heart of the Christian faith.

Workplace violence and turnover intention among Chinese nurses: the mediating role of compassion fatigue and the moderating role of psychological resilience

BackgroundWorkplace violence is a global public health issue and a major occupational hazard cross borders and environments. Nurses are the primary victims of workplace violence due to their frontline roles and continuous interactions.ObjectiveThe present study aimed to investigate the status of workplace violence, turnover intention, compassion fatigue, and psychological resilience among Chinese nurses, and explore the mediating role of compassion fatigue and the moderating role of psychological resilience on relationship between workplace violence and turnover intention among Chinese nurses.MethodA cross-sectional study was conducted among a convenience sample of clinical registered nurses from public hospitals in Changsha, Hunan, China. Data was collected through an online questionnaire, which included a demographic information form, the Workplace Violence Scale (WVS), the Turnover Intention Questionnaire (TIQ), the Compassion Fatigue Scale (CF-CN), and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Descriptive statistics and correlation analysis were employed to examine the relationships among the main variables. A moderated mediation analysis was further conducted using the PROCESS macro for SPSS (Model 4 and Model 8) to examine the mediating role of compassion fatigue and the moderating role of psychological resilience.ResultThe present survey recruited a convenience sample of 1,141 clinical registered nurses, who reported experiencing multiple types of workplace violence during the past year. Correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlations between workplace violence and turnover intention (r = 0.466, P < 0.01) as well as compassion fatigue (r = 0.452, P < 0.01), while negative correlation between workplace violence and psychological resilience (r=-0.414, P < 0.01). Moderated mediation analysis revealed that compassion fatigue mediated, while psychological resilience moderated, the positive relationship between workplace violence and turnover intention (all P < 0.05).ConclusionThis study underscores the mediating effect of compassion fatigue and the moderating role of psychological resilience in the relationship between workplace violence and turnover intention among Chinese nurses. Future efforts should be undertaken to develop effective preventive measures and intervention strategies at individual, organizational, and national levels to mitigate workplace violence and foster supportive work environment.Clinical trial numberNot applicable.

Relationships Among Secondary Traumatic Stress, Mindfulness, Compassion Satisfaction, and Compassion Fatigue in Psychiatric Nurses.

To examine relationships among secondary traumatic stress, mindfulness, compassion satisfaction, and compassion fatigue in psychiatric nurses. Participants comprised 142 nurses working in two psychiatric hospitals in the same province of Turkey. Data were collected using a personal information form, the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale, Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, and Compassion Fatigue and Compassion Satisfaction subscales of the Professional Quality of Life Scale. A significant and negative correlation was found between secondary traumatic stress, mindfulness, and compassion satisfaction, and between mindfulness and compassion fatigue. A significant and positive correlation was found between secondary traumatic stress and compassion fatigue, as well as between mindfulness and compassion satisfaction (p < 0.05). Findings demonstrate that mindfulness may be a protective factor in preventing secondary traumatic stress and compassion fatigue in psychiatric nurses. It is recommended that in-service training be organized periodically to increase levels of conscious awareness among psychiatric nurses. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, xx(xx), xx-xx.].

The effectiveness of brief workplace compassion-focussed training in improving wellbeing of stressed school employees

Australian teachers and school employees report high levels of stress-related mental health problems. Previous theory and research show that workplace training in strategies to manage stress can improve organisational productivity as well as employee wellbeing. Theory suggests that self-compassion strategies may produce better outcomes, than standard cognitive behavioural training interventions, due to activation of self-soothing. This pilot randomised controlled trial evaluated whether inclusion of a brief compassion-focussed therapy (CFT) training workshop was more effective in reducing stress-related mental health problems of school employees, than the standard professional development (PD) workshop that incorporated cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness strategies. School employees (103) were recruited and randomly allocated to either the standard PD alone or to also participate in a brief CFT workshop. There were very large reductions in burnout and clinically significant improvements in mental health problems under both conditions. The results provide preliminary evidence that CFT-enhanced training improves secondary traumatic stress and compassion satisfaction; further research needs to be conducted with a larger sample. These results may also be relevant to other occupations with a high emotional load. JEL Classification: I310

Mitigating the impact of secondary traumatic stress and compassion fatigue among forensic interviewing professionals: utilization of the four quadrants of self-preservation to promote post-traumatic growth

Forensic interviewing professionals, who regularly engage with children and youth reporting traumatic experiences, are particularly susceptible to secondary traumatic stress (STS) and compassion fatigue (CF). This conceptual article delves into the occupational hazards associated with forensic interviewing, emphasizing the inevitability of STS and CF due to frequent exposure to harrowing accounts of abuse. The article underscores the importance of recognizing these phenomena and differentiating them from burnout—a critical distinction that guides appropriate interventions. Utilizing the "Four Quadrants of Self-Preservation," a trauma- informed framework, the article offers practical strategies for forensic interviewers to mitigate the impacts of STS and CF. This approach promotes resilience through intentional self-care practices across four stages of secondary trauma exposure: before, during, immediately after, and ongoing post-exposure to traumatic material. The article advocates for organizational support in implementing these strategies, emphasizing the ethical imperative to safeguard the well-being of forensic interviewers. The findings suggest that addressing STS and CF not only enhances the personal resilience of professionals but also improves client outcomes, by reducing the likelihood of turnover and professional errors. This article contributes to the growing body of literature calling for trauma-informed practices in forensic settings, highlighting the need for continued research and organizational commitment to support these professionals.

Traumatic experiences, quality of life, and organizational commitment among midwives: A cross-sectional study.

The work of midwives is emotionally challenging. Midwives share moments of joy, when a baby is born, and attend complex events of loss and trauma. Exposure to childbirth complications, emergencies, and loss can affect their professional quality of life and functioning. This aspect of midwives' practice has not been sufficiently researched. To examine the associations between exposures to traumatic events, post-traumatic symptoms, and personal resilience with professional quality of life and organizational commitment among hospital midwives. Participants in this cross-sectional study conducted in 2020 included 131 midwives from three large hospitals in central Israel. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire that examined socio-demographic characteristics, exposure to traumatic events during childbirth, personal resilience, post-traumatic symptoms, professional quality of life, and organizational commitment. The three most traumatic events for midwives were: neonatal death or feared death, maternal death or feared death, and stillbirth. The more frequent the exposure to traumatic events, the more numerous and intense the post-traumatic symptoms. The more numerous and intense the post-traumatic symptoms, the higher the level of professional burnout and compassion fatigue and the lower the compassion satisfaction. Higher compassion satisfaction and lower professional burnout were associated with higher organizational commitment. Personal resilience, country of birth, post-traumatic symptoms, and organizational commitment predicted compassion satisfaction. Midwives' exposure to traumatic events is associated with the onset of post-traumatic symptoms, impaired professional quality of life, and reduced organizational commitment, and is accompanied by burnout and compassion fatigue. There is a need to address this issue in training programs and to develop organizational support and policies to improve midwives' well-being and quality of care.

The culture of care to enhance laboratory animal personnel well-being: a scoping review.

There has been intense focus on improving the quality of animal research in recent times. An emerging concept of a 'culture of care' has been proposed as another important pillar to enhance scientific quality, with staff well-being being a critical aspect. Professionals working with research animals can face moral and psychological burdens and are at risk of experiencing work-related stress. However, data on the global prevalence of stress in this population is limited. Equally, it is not clear how these stresses manifest, and what impact they might have on an individual's workplace performance and research quality. The purpose of this review was to identify work-related stress, its prevalence, and map evidence on strategies to mitigate stresses. We also set out to identify studies assessing the association between work-related stress and research quality. A systematic search was conducted across four databases, in addition to hand searching relevant references. We included peer-reviewed publications describing work-related stress, culture of care and laboratory animal professionals. A total of 49 publications were included for data mapping. Compassion fatigue was the most frequently described work-related stress, and its prevalence across Europe and North America is likely to be widespread. Multiple strategies to mitigate compassion fatigue and work-related stress were put forward, however, limited empirical evidence was available to assess success. Moreover, no studies reported empirical data linking work-related stress with research quality, despite several publications stating the case. Further population-specific research and measured assessments are urgently needed to deliver culture of care programmes to improve human well-being, animal welfare and research quality.

Protocol for a tailored self-compassion program for peer mentors within Canadian Spinal Cord Injury community service organizations

ObjectiveIndividuals who serve as peer mentors within Canadian spinal cord injury (SCI) community service organizations are reporting compassion fatigue from their roles. One psychological resource that has the potential to reduce compassion fatigue and promote overall mental health among peer mentors is self-compassion. However, there is limited knowledge of any self-compassion programs that have been tailored to address the needs of these individuals. To address this limitation, this paper outlines a protocol to examine the feasibility, acceptability, implementation, and effectiveness of a tailored self-compassion program to reduce compassion fatigue and enhance compassion satisfaction, self-compassion, and mental health among peer mentors within Canadian SCI community service organizations.DesignThe 6-week online program will be tested among 20 individuals (five separate groups of four) who serve as peer mentors within two Canadian SCI community service organizations.MethodFeasibility and implementation data will be collected throughout the duration of the program and post program while acceptability data will be collected post program. To evaluate the effectiveness of the program, we will follow a single-group quasi-experimental design with surveys (pre/post/follow-up) and semi-structured interviews (post/follow-up).ResultsResults from this study are intended to inform the design of a self-compassion program for peer mentors within Canadian SCI community service organizations who experience compassion fatigue and reduced mental health.ConclusionProviding evidence for the effectiveness of this program could prove useful for Canadian SCI community service organizations who wish to better support and retain their peer mentors and thus improve the quality of support they provide to mentees.

"The light after the storm": Psychosocial correlates of adversarial growth among nurses in Hong Kong amid the fifth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Healthcare professionals are highly susceptible to adverse psychological outcomes amid the COVID-19 pandemic due to their job duties. As the largest part of the healthcare workforce, growing attention has been paid to nurses' adjustments to the pandemic. Despite the distress, recent studies found that nurses could still experience positive changes (i.e., adversarial growth, AG) during the pandemic. Research on the general populations has indicated that individuals' stress responses, coping resources, and coping strategies are associated with their AG during the pandemic. This study examined how sociodemographic characteristics, secondary traumatic and posttraumatic stress, coping resources, and coping strategies were associated with AG among nurses in Hong Kong amid the fifth wave (i.e., the most disastrous wave) of the COVID-19 pandemic. Recruited through local nursing associations between May 24 and June 13, 2022, 209 nurses in Hong Kong completed an online questionnaire measuring the abovementioned variables. Hierarchical regression results found that those affiliating with a religion, having participated in mental health-related workshops, higher levels of secondary traumatic stress (STS), social support, job satisfaction, plus more frequent emotional processing were associated with higher AG (βs ranging from 0.15 to 0.31, ps < .01). Nurses did report AG during the fifth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong. To promote AG among those nurses, future interventions should enhance nurses' understanding about the potential impact of STS on their well-being, solicit their interpersonal and work-related coping resources, plus facilitate their use of effective coping strategies. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Secondary traumatic stress, vicarious posttraumatic growth, and rumination among healthcare professionals: Examining conditional indirect effect of secondary exposure to trauma.

Secondary traumatic stress, vicarious posttraumatic growth, and rumination among healthcare professionals: Examining conditional indirect effect of secondary exposure to trauma.

Correlation between moral distress and compassion fatigue in the emergency department nurses: A cross-sectional study from Ardabil Province, Iran

Correlation between moral distress and compassion fatigue in the emergency department nurses: A cross-sectional study from Ardabil Province, Iran

Differences in compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue among oncology nurses in Oman: A multi-center cross-sectional study

Differences in compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue among oncology nurses in Oman: A multi-center cross-sectional study

206.4: Compassion fatigue, moral distress, and burnout among organ donation coordinators in Canada: Results from a national mixed-methods study.

206.4: Compassion fatigue, moral distress, and burnout among organ donation coordinators in Canada: Results from a national mixed-methods study.

Caring for the Caregivers: Improving Mental Health among Health Professionals Using the Behavioral Health Professional Workforce Resilience ECHO Program.

Behavioral health professionals are at high risk for burnout and poor mental health. Our objective was to understand the impact of the Behavioral Health Providers Workforce Resiliency (BHPWR) ECHO Program on the resilience and burnout of participating behavioral health professionals. We assessed the first two years (March 2022 to March 2024) of the BHPWR ECHO, a national program operating from the University of New Mexico (N = 1585 attendees), using a mixed-methods design. We used a retrospective pre/post survey (n = 53 respondents) and focus interviews with 1-3 participants (n = 9 participants) to assess for changes in knowledge and confidence and assess changes in burnout and resilience. We found that participants increased their knowledge of how to respond when (1) their workload was more than they could manage, (2) they felt that they lacked control, (3) their work did not feel rewarding, and (4) they were experiencing compassion fatigue. They increased their confidence in (1) building a support system and (2) using the wellness tools taught in the course. Respondents were less burnt out (score: 26.0 versus 17.8, p < 0.01) and more resilient (29.9 versus 34.9, p < 0.01) compared to when they started attending the program. Tele-mentoring programs like the BHPWR ECHO Program may improve wellness among health care professionals.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Compassion Satisfaction and Compassion Fatigue Among Emergency Medicine Professionals: A Cross-Sectional Study from Saudi Arabia

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Compassion Satisfaction and Compassion Fatigue Among Emergency Medicine Professionals: A Cross-Sectional Study from Saudi Arabia

Mediating effect of self-efficacy between social support and compassion fatigue among Geriatric Services and Management interns: A cross-sectional study

ObjectivesTo explore the impact of social support on CF and further clarify the mediating role of self-efficacy among Geriatric Services and Management interns. MethodsA cross-sectional survey study examined social support, self-efficacy and CF in 592 interns in Geriatric Services and Management from 46 institutions in China. ResultThe level of CF among Geriatric Services and Management interns is low but about one-third of the respondents is at high risk of CF. Social support was positively correlated with self-efficacy (β = 0.114, P < 0.01). Social support significantly reduced CF (β = −0.322, P < 0.01). Similarly, self-efficacy had significant direct effects on CF (β = −0.497, P < 0.01). Additionally, self-efficacy played a partial mediating role in the relationship between social support and CF. ConclusionSocial support can directly affect the CF of Geriatric Services and Management interns and indirectly through self-efficacy. Accordingly, It is necessary to strengthen social support and self-efficacy to relieve CF among Geriatric Services and Management interns.

Factors associated with health personnel–chaplain interactions in the hospital setting: a cross-sectional survey study

Health personnel may seek chaplain support to discuss stressors related to complex patient cases, difficult team dynamics, and personal issues. In this survey study of 1376 healthcare interprofessional clinicians, participants reported interacting with chaplains most frequently over patient-related stressors in the prior 12 months. Factors associated with chaplain interactions to discuss all three stressors included: reporting chaplains provide spiritual support to health personnel, more years of service, seeking professional help to deal with stressors, and higher levels of secondary traumatic stress. Being a registered nurse (RN) and working in a critical care specialty were associated with increased odds of interactions with a chaplain to discuss patient-related stressors while identifying as Catholic or Protestant was associated with chaplain interactions to discuss team-related and personal stressors. Chaplains should tailor interventions to promote health personnel’s spiritual well-being based on patient-related, team-related, and personal stressors. Healthcare institutions which do not employ chaplains should advocate for this resource. Leaders in healthcare settings with chaplains should promote increased staff awareness that chaplains are available to support wellbeing by discussing patient, team, or personal stressors.

The mediating role of social support on the relationship between secondary traumatic stress and burnout of nurses caring for COVID-19 patients: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundSocial support can help nurses cope with occupational stress and trauma, and maintain overall well-being, particularly in stressful situations such as outbreaks. AimTo determine the mediating role of social support on the relationship between secondary traumatic stress (STS) and burnout among nurses who cared for COVID-19 patients. DesignA cross-sectional, correlational, descriptive design. MethodsTwo hundred nurses who had provided direct care to COVID-19 patients were recruited from wards in two hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and the Professional Quality of Life Scale tools. ResultsSTS had a significant and positive correlation with burnout (r = 0.610, p = 0.000); social support from family, friends, and significant others were each significantly and negatively associated with STS (r = −0.147, p = 0.038; r = −0.547, p < 0.0001; r = −0.225, p = 0.001, respectively) and burnout (r = 0–0.282, p < 0.0001; r = −0.716, p = 0.026; r = −0.377, p < 0.0001, respectively). STS had a significant effect on social support (β = −0.21, p = 0.042) and burnout (β = 0.61, p < 0.0001). Social support had a significant and partial effect on the relationship between STS and burnout (Z = 2.99, p = 0.002). ConclusionSocial support can reduce and mitigate the negative effects of STS and burnout. This understanding could enhance nurses' occupational lives by assisting policymakers and nurse managers in creating positive work environments that promote social support. Such policies could reduce the incidence and impact of burnout and STS.