Compassion Fatigue Research Articles

Compassion Without Fatigue: A Unitary Caring Science Approach Part III—Theory-Guided Practice to Advance and Sustain Nurses

Abstract: This article offers a different path for the profession of nursing to consider to minimize compassion fatigue using caring science. The methods used in this study are taking the findings of a qualitative research study and looking at them through the lens of the theory-guided practice in Unitary Caring Science. This article offers new ways of patterning nurse experiences through the essential truths in Unitary Caring Science toward a path of experiencing compassion without fatigue. The article shares an ideal where compassion found within transpersonal relational caring moments becomes the hallmark to help the patients and nurses simultaneously heal.

South African speech-language therapists' and audiologists' professional quality of life.

Limited research is available regarding the professional quality of life experiences of South African speech-language therapists and audiologists, despite the implications this has for wellbeing, quality of patient care, productivity and attrition from the professions. This study explored levels of compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress, the relationships between these, differences on the basis of registration and years of experience and participants' perceptions of their professional quality of life. A sample of 92 South African speech-language therapists and audiologists completed an online survey that included the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) scale. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variation (ANOVA), correlations and thematic analysis. The findings indicated that participants experienced slightly higher levels of secondary traumatic stress and burnout and slightly lower levels of compassion satisfaction than international samples. There were significant inter-relationships between the three elements of professional quality of life, and no significant differences for these on the basis of registration or years of experience. Participants identified a range of factors that contributed to their experiences of compassion satisfaction and fatigue, as well as suggestions for improvement. Professional quality of life plays an important role in South African speech-language therapists and audiologists' professionalism, job performance and satisfaction and retention.Contribution:The data collected provide valuable insights into the professional quality of life experiences of South African speech-language therapists and audiologists, as well as those working in similar contexts. It also offers suggestions that may contribute to future research and interventions.

"Doing the right thing": Moral conflicts and ethical issues experienced by military nurses during wartime.

The War on Terrorism, which included Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2014 and the concurrent Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) from 2003 to 2011, exposed military nurses to situations and challenges for which many reported feeling unprepared. Clinically, nurses faced multi-trauma injuries and devastating wounds suffered by military troops and civilians alike. Cultural issues and harsh living conditions added further complications to the care environment. The purpose of this study was to address the research question: How do military nurses identify, assess, manage, and personally resolve ethical issues occurring in nursing practice during wartime deployments? Qualitative grounded theory provided the design for this study. Using the constant comparative method, data collection, and data analysis occurred simultaneously to build a theory of ethical issues management during wartime. Using a focused interview guide responsive to emerging themes and developing theory, interviews were conducted until theoretical saturation was achieved. Participants represented primarily Army (55%) active duty (83%) female nurses (71%) who had deployed to Iraq (52%), Afghanistan (32%), or both (16%). A sampling grid was used to recruit nurses representative of the demographics deployed in support of OIF and OEF. Data analysis usedgrounded theory methods to identify a core construct to detail proposed relationships and concepts. Rigor was maintained in study methods and analysis using established tenets to support trustworthiness. The nurses shared stories regarding their experiences during deployment. Many struggled to find internal resolutions regarding the care of detainees, cultural differences, end-of-life decision-making, pain management, and care of civilian casualties. The study described the ethical issues military nurses encountered during wartime and the strategies used to mitigate moral conflict. By better understanding how nurses define, assess, and manage ethical situations, we can better prepare our deploying nurses for future conflicts. Military nurses returning from wars with unresolved moral conflicts are at risk for moral distress. Moral distress has been associated with burnout, dissatisfaction with and leaving the nursing profession, compassion fatigue, and disinterest in the provision of quality patient care. In the interest of preserving the health of military nurses, steps need to be taken to provide resources for helping them prepare for, encounter, and cope with the ethical situations inherent in wartime nursing care.

Effect of Mindfulness Intervention on Compassion Fatigue Among Nurses: A Randomized Controlled Trial Study.

Compassion fatigue is a syndrome defined by both mental and physical restlessness. Mindfulness intervention can enhance one's emotions with nonjudgmental awareness and greater consciousness of thoughts and feelings. This study aims to examine the effect of mindfulness intervention on compassion fatigue among nurses. A randomized controlled trial was conducted, recruiting 100 nurses from three hospitals and dividing participants into an intervention and a control group. Increased mindfulness awareness was found in the comparison group in the research. The intervention group's mean burnout level was significantly lower than the comparison group. Age, gender, marital status, household size, and household income were among the sociodemographic factors that significantly correlated with compassion fatigue, which was determined through burnout and secondary traumatic stress. Nurses reported significant levels of compassion fatigue; however, this was significantly decreased through mindfulness intervention.

The effect of professional school counselor's Job Stress on Burnout: dual mediating effect of Self-Compassion and Compassion Fatigue

The effect of professional school counselor's Job Stress on Burnout: dual mediating effect of Self-Compassion and Compassion Fatigue

The relationships among factors affecting compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, and burnout in Japanese nurses: A cross-sectional study.

This study aimed to investigate the relationships among factors affecting compassion fatigue/secondary traumatic stress, burnout, and compassion satisfaction in Japanese nurses, focusing on self-compassion, fears of compassion, and attachment styles. This cross-sectional observational study enrolled 400 clinical nurses (aged ≥20 years) in Japan, registered with an online survey company, from June 6 to June 26, 2021. The subjects completed a web-based questionnaire that assessed compassion fatigue/secondary traumatic stress, burnout, compassion satisfaction, self-compassion, fears of compassion for self, anxiety, and avoidance. Additionally, descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, multiple regression analysis and path analysis were performed to examine the relationships among the influencing factors. Compassion fatigue/secondary traumatic stress was influenced by anxiety and fears of compassion for self (R2 = .31). Burnout was affected by compassion fatigue/secondary traumatic stress, compassion satisfaction, self-compassion, anxiety, and avoidance (R2 = .63). Compassion satisfaction was impacted by self-compassion, anxiety, and fears of compassion for self (R2 = .31). Additionally, self-compassion (R2 = .28) and fears of compassion for self (R2 = .55) were influenced by anxiety and avoidance. Compassion fatigue/secondary traumatic stress leads to burnout, whereas compassion satisfaction moderates burnout. Furthermore, there were associations among the factors leading to compassion fatigue/secondary traumatic stress and burnout and compassion satisfaction. Therefore, an approach that enhances self-compassion and promotes the development of a stable attachment style could mitigate compassion fatigue/secondary traumatic stress and fears of compassion for self while moderately maintaining and improving compassion satisfaction.

‘What’s wrong with me?’: an autoethnographic exploration of teacher stressors and burnout

ABSTRACT Teacher stress and burnout are serious issues in contemporary American education that are impacting a growing number of educators. This autoethnographic study compared reflective journal accounts from over the course of a semester with related research to analyse current contributing factors to these issues, such as threats of school violence, students with life-threatening illnesses, struggling student learners, high-stakes testing, and the lingering impact of COVID-19. The cumulative results of these stressors are teachers feeling physical fatigue, compassion fatigue, secondary trauma, or unable to leave vocational stress at work. While some potential solutions are discussed, such as mindfulness practices or ensuring a supportive work environment, more teacher voices are also needed in exploring this critical issue in education through methods like autoethnography.

The Need for Nigerian Journalists to Re-Define News Values

Recent surveys show a decline in public interest in traditional news outlets like newspapers and television, possibly due to the constant exposure to negative stories that can lead to compassion fatigue. The major challenge is constituted by the adopted western news values which neglect our norms and focuses on praise singing the ruling elites. This article argues that, in order for Nigerian Journalists to effectively serve the nation's distinct socio-political context, traditional news ideals need to be redefined to fit our societal realities. Sensationalism and elitism are frequently given precedence over people-centered reporting in the current news values, which are primarily derived from Western media. Because of this misalignment, there is a gulf between the public and the media, which upholds social inequities and under-represents voices from marginalized groups. Nigerian Journalists should prioritize topics, stories and events that are important to their communities, support developmental or solution journalism, and hold authority figures accountable by reframing news principles. Adopting contextualized news values that represent Nigeria's political, cultural, and economic realities is necessary for this redefinition. The study suggests a framework for redefining news ideals that focus on social responsibility, local relevance, and people-centered reporting. Nigerian Journalists can recover their position as advocates for social change and catalysts for national advancement by implementing this approach. This would enhance development and audience engagement. Otherwise the public often diverts and avoids news when it makes them feel negative. And most of the western news values adopted relegate and places the masses in disadvantage disposition.

Mediating effect of moral sensitivity and professional identity between moral courage and compassion fatigue among nursing interns: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundCompassion fatigue in nursing interns contributes to career indecision and worsens the nursing shortage. While work environment and psychological factors are well-studied, the ethical dimension remains unexplored. Understanding these mechanisms, particularly the role of moral courage, is essential for designing interventions to combat compassion fatigue and address the workforce crisis. This study investigates the influence of moral courage on compassion fatigue among Chinese nursing interns, focusing on the mediating roles of moral sensitivity and professional identity.MethodsA quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted in accordance with the STROBE guidelines. We used the convenience sampling method to recruit 467 nursing interns from four public junior colleges in Hunan Province, China in February, 2024. Data were collected using Compassion Fatigue Short Scale, Moral Courage Scale, Revised Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire, and Professional Identity Scale. Data analyses were conducted using SPSS 22.0 and Amos 21.0.ResultsThe modified model exhibited a good fit (χ2/df = 3.437, AGFI = 0.928, IFI = 0.984, TLI = 0.976, CFI = 0.984, NFI = 0.977, RMSEA = 0.072). Moral sensitivity positively influenced both moral courage and professional identity, while professional identity negatively impacted compassion fatigue. Importantly, the effect of moral courage on compassion fatigue was entirely mediated by moral sensitivity and professional identity (β = -0.114, P = 0.001).ConclusionThis study suggests that moral courage in nursing interns mitigates compassion fatigue through the combined mediating effects of moral sensitivity and professional identity. Ethics education programs fostering moral courage, moral sensitivity, and professional values in nursing students could be crucial in alleviating compassion fatigue.

Experiences of compassion fatigue among Generation Z nurses in the emergency department: a qualitative study in Shanghai, China

BackgroundDue to the unique working environment and nature of work in emergency departments, nurses are prone to experiencing compassion fatigue (CF), leading to job burnout and attrition. As more Generation Z (Gen Z) nurses enter the emergency department with distinct personality traits compared to previous generations, studying their experiences with CF will inform future management strategies.MethodsThe qualitative phenomenological research method was utilised to investigate CF among Gen Z emergency nurses at a hospital in Shanghai, China. Data were collected through face-to-face semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi’s seven-step phenomenological analysis method. Study participants were purposively selected.ResultsThree main themes and nine sub-themes emerged from the study: secondary traumatic stress, including physiological symptoms, psychological symptoms, and behavioral changes; cumulative effects, including impaired empathy, interference with family life, and post-traumatic growth (PTG); coping strategies, including cognitive reconstruction, seeking support, and facilitating action.ConclusionsThe aim of this study is to investigate the experience of CF among Gen Z emergency nurses, providing managers with a reference for future management strategies. The significance of multi-dimensional support for Gen Z emergency nurses is underscored by our findings. Additionally, interventions that enhance resilience and competency can facilitate their psychological transformation after experiencing CF and promote accelerated personal growth.

The Protective Effects of Hope Training on the Human Service Workforce Burnout and Secondary Traumatic Stress

ABSTRACT Workplace stress and burnout are a concern among human service leaders. Organizations need evidence-driven enhancements and actionable strategies that impact employee wellbeing. This study evaluates employee-focused training that draws from theory and research on hope in a large, multi-agency human service organization. The training used both in-person and asynchronous learning. A nonrandomized comparison group design with retrospective posttest assessment was used to investigate the potential impact of participation in hope training on workforce burnout and secondary trauma. Findings demonstrate statistically significant differences between those who completed training and those in the control group with no training.

Development and implementation of a self-directed violence prevention training program for correctional behavioral health providers: a clinical trial study protocol

BackgroundSelf-directed violence (SDV) comprises both suicide and self-injury and represents a pressing problem among incarcerated persons. Negative impacts of SDV in correctional settings also extend to behavioral health clinicians (BHCs) (e.g., job turnover). Correctional SDV risk assessment and management standards include staff training as part of the comprehensive approach. The Core Competency Model for Corrections (CCM-C) is a novel, evidence-informed training program for BHCs covering both clinician self-management and clinical care skills.MethodsThis pilot trial is a type 3 hybrid implementation–effectiveness approach. It will employ a wait-list control sequential cross-over design. Participants (N = 50–100) will be BHCs employed by the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections. Following stratification for years of clinical experience, BHCs will be randomly assigned to (1) a training group that receives CCM-C immediately and (2) a wait-list control receiving CCM-C approximately 6 weeks later. Electronically administrated survey evaluation will occur across baseline and two follow-up (i.e., 2 weeks after each training session) time points.DiscussionThe primary outcome is feasibility assessed through collaboration with a Corrections Advisory Panel and feedback from BHCs. Secondary effectiveness outcomes that will be evaluated over time include SDV-related knowledge, attitudes, stigma, and intent to use training content. We will examine a tertiary outcome, namely compassion fatigue. Clinical trial limitations and impacts are discussed.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov, NCT06359574. This study was registered on 04/05/2024.

Psychosocial Care Competencies and Compassion Fatigue in Intensive Care Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study

Psychosocial Care Competencies and Compassion Fatigue in Intensive Care Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study

Evaluating the Early Implementation of a Resilience Intervention Addressing Secondary Traumatic Stress in Child Welfare Workers

ABSTRACT This mixed-methods study evaluated early implementation outcomes of Resilience Alliance (RA), an intervention delivered to child welfare professionals. RA included 12 sessions that were held for 60–90 minutes. Sessions focused on teaching participants skills to cope with secondary traumatic stress and increase resilience such as emotion regulation, cognitive reframing, and mindfulness. Findings indicated high adoption and moderate feasibility. Most participants (83.6%) completed RA. Findings from semi-structured focus groups identified three themes that highlighted supports and barriers that occurred individually, organizationally, and systemically and influenced the adoption and feasibility of the intervention. Additionally, results demonstrated that participants’ experiences differed by job role.

Addressing disaster fatigue: A SAFE framework for enhancing disaster resilience in social work

An increase in exposure to successive disaster events is causing widespread adverse impacts on social workers worldwide, resulting in escalated levels of stress and exhaustion. This article examines the concept of disaster fatigue and its impact on social workers engaging in disaster practice. A SAFE framework for addressing disaster fatigue is outlined involving: (S) sustaining self-care; (A) adopting a trauma-informed approach; (F) fostering professional capability; and (E) enhancing disaster preparedness. Implications for social work involve the need to move beyond individualised notions of burnout, compassion fatigue and secondary traumatic stress towards a collective and multidimensional approach to enhancing disaster resilience.

Assessing the interplay: teacher efficacy, compassion fatigue, and educator well-being in Australia

AbstractIn Australia, there is a growing concern about the well-being of teachers with many expressing their intention to leave the profession or indeed have already left. Various reasons have been suggested for this trend, with burnout being identified as one of the factors. This study investigates burnout in Australian teachers as one of the constructs which make up compassion fatigue (CF), a reduced ability to empathise with others. Moreover, it explores secondary traumatic stress (STS), which also contributes to CF and occurs when a person learns about the traumatic experiences of someone under their care. Both constructs may severely impact the ability of teachers to form close relationships with their students. As part of the present study, 1939 Australian teachers were surveyed about their quality of life, well-being, classroom efficacy, and trauma awareness. Findings demonstrate that teachers with higher levels of well-being and with higher perceived classroom efficacy are less prone to burnout, reducing the risk of emotional exhaustion and disengagement often associated with this phenomenon. Conversely, connections were found between lower well-being of teachers and educators' awareness of trauma and their susceptibility to STS. Recommendations are made for further research exploring the barriers and enablers of compassion fatigue as well as positive teacher well-being, in order to develop targeted initiatives to better prepare and protect teachers to work with a cohort of students who are increasingly demonstrating symptoms of trauma and poor well-being.

Attachment styles and empathy in trainee nurses: the mediating and moderating roles of attitudes toward death.

A growing body of evidence has shown that attachment styles and death attitudes have a significant impact on empathy. This study aimed to explore the precise role of death attitudes in the relationship between attachment styles and empathy levels among trainee nurses. A total of 626 Chinese trainee nurses with different attachment types were enrolled, and their attachment styles, death attitudes, and empathy levels were assessed using the Revised Adult Attachment Scale, the Death Attitude Profile-Revised, and the Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Healthy Professionals, and finally, data from 566 participants were included for statistical analysis. We found that among trainee nurses with secure attachment type, fear of death, approach acceptance, escape acceptance, and neutral acceptance (-) mediated the relationships between attachment-related avoidance/anxiety and their overall empathy levels and all its dimensions; in the preoccupied type, only neutral acceptance (-) mediated the relationships between attachment-related avoidance and their overall empathy levels and compassionate care; and in the fearful type, only fear of death mediated the relationship between attachment-related avoidance and compassionate care. Furthermore, in the secure type, neutral acceptance attenuated the negative predictions of attachment-related avoidance on overall empathy level and perspective taking. Attitudes toward death played different mediating and moderating roles in the relationship between attachment styles and empathy among trainee nurses with different attachment types. In addition to acculturated empathy-specific training, targeted education related to death for trainee nurses with different attachment types is needed to prevent their compassion fatigue.

Secondary Traumatic Stress in Nursing Students: An Integrative Review.

Nurses have frequent interactions with traumatized individuals and may develop secondary traumatic stress (STS). Similarly, nursing students are at risk for STS development while completing clinical training. To critique and synthesize available research on the prevalence, severity, and experience of STS and its associated factors in prelicensure nursing students. The Whittemore and Knafl integrative review methodology was used to perform structured searches of 6 electronic databases. Twenty-five studies met the inclusion criteria. Findings revealed a range of STS symptom severity levels and associated factors; however, measurement is hampered by researchers' use of other concepts, like compassion fatigue. Conceptual clarity is needed to improve STS measurement in nursing students; however, students experience STS and are at risk of developing its negative consequences. Educators should implement trauma-informed educational practices targeted at reducing factors associated with STS.

Compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress, and coping strategies of mental health professionals.

The prevalence of compassion fatigue (CF) and secondary traumatic stress (STS) has been studied with a predominant focus on medical care professionals, indicating a significant presence of STS and CF among them. The present study has identified a dearth in the representation of mental healthcare professionals (MHPs), grouped by psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, psychiatry nurses, and psychiatric social workers within the Indian context. To assess the degree of CF and STS and the subsequent coping mechanisms adopted by MHPs. This study followed a cross-sectional research design. There were 75 participants selected using purposive sampling and administered scales that measured CF, STS, and coping strategies adopted by the participants. There is a strong presence of CF in MHPs along with problem-focused coping as the preliminary approach to STS. Participants with average or higher scores in STS had higher intrusion scores. Higher STS scores tend to have avoidant coping styles in comparison to the larger sample. Female participants indicated higher levels of CF and STS than their male counterparts. The study emphasizes on the immediate requirement to address and manage CF levels among the MHPs and focus on the factors that continue to aggravate STS.

Euthymia, Psychological Well-Being, and Professional Quality of Life in Health Care Workers.

Euthymia is a transdiagnostic construct characterized by the presence of positive mood states, psychological flexibility and resilience. These components contribute to psychological wellbeing and support mental functioning. Exposure to suffering and high levels of stress can lead to the onset of burnout and secondary traumatic stress, but also lack of compassion satisfaction. The study aimed to test the existing relationships between euthymia, psychological well-being, and factors associated with quality of life of healthy participants involved in medical settings. The sample was composed of 177 healthy participants involved in medical settings, 118 women (66.7%) and 59 men (33.3%) aged between 19 and 69 years old (mean = 27.16; SD = 8.47). Standardized psychodiagnostics instruments were used to assess euthymia (Euthymia Scale-ES), psychological well-being (The Well-Being Index scale-WHO-5) and the quality of life of the involved participants (Professional Quality of Life Measure-ProQOL-5). The results showed that gender, well-being and psychological well-being were predictors of compassion satisfaction and secondary traumatic stress. Specifically, female gender predicted higher levels of compassion satisfaction. Well-being and psychological flexibility predicted higher levels of compassion satisfaction and lower secondary traumatic stress. Psychological well-being predicted higher levels of compassion satisfaction. Promoting euthymia and well-being helps individuals to preserve psychological well-being and increase tolerance to stressful life situations. Results highlighted the need for promoting health care professionals' euthymia and well-being. In line with evidence, encouraging interventions based on evidence appears relevant.