Compassion fatigue and psychological distress among social workers: A validation study.

Abstract

Few studies have focused on caring professionals and their emotional exhaustion from working with traumatized clients, referred to as compassion fatigue (CF). The present study had 2 goals: (a) to assess the psychometric properties of a CF scale, and (b) to examine the scale's predictive validity in a multivariate model. The data came from a survey of social workers living in New York City following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Factor analyses indicated that the CF scale measured multiple dimensions. After overlapping items were eliminated, the scale measured 2 key underlying dimensions-secondary trauma and job burnout. In a multivariate model, these dimensions were related to psychological distress, even after other risk factors were controlled. The authors discuss the results in light of increasing the ability of professional caregivers to meet the emotional needs of their clients within a stressful environment without experiencing CF. Keywords compassion fatigue; secondary trauma; occupational stressAlthough the psychological consequences of providing social support and care to traumatized individuals have been noted for over 2 decades, relatively few studies have focused on formal caregivers (i.e., therapists, child protection workers, nurses, etc.) and their emotional response to dealing with traumatized clients (Figley, 1995). Studies have shown that providing such care can be both highly rewarding and highly stressful (Ohaeri, 2003). Individuals working in the caring professions, though, may have occupational environments and caregiving demands that increase the likelihood of adverse psychological outcomes (Figley, 2002a;Sabin-Farrell & Turpin, 2003).Theoretically, individuals working in the caring professions often attempt to alter the behaviors and emotions of their clients by providing emotional support (e.g., empathy), strategies for coping with emotions, or better cognitive management skills (Boscarino, 1997;Francis, 1997;Thoits, 1986). Within the context of formal caregiving, providing therapy to clients who have survived a traumatic event can be particularly stressful (Figley, 1995 (Figley, 1995;Nelson-Gardell & Harris, 2003;Schauben & Frazier, 1995). The adverse impact of working with clients who have a history of psychological trauma (e.g., sexual and physical abuse, military combat, or community disaster) has been described under a variety of terms: vicarious traumatization, secondary traumatic stress, and compassion fatigue (CF;Jenkins & Baird, 2002). Compassion Fatigue (CF)For the present study, we use the term CF. Consistent with most current usage, we defined this as the formal caregiver's reduced capacity or interest in being empathic or "bearing the suffering of clients" and is "the natural consequent behaviors and emotions resulting from knowing about a traumatizing event experienced or suffered by a person" (Figley, 1995, p. 7; see also Figley 2002a see also Figley , 2002b. Thus, CF is a hazard associated primarily with the clinical sett...

The Role of Religious Leaders in the Restoration of Hope Following Natural Disasters

“…One possible reason for the low response rate might be the result of some clergy experiencing depressed feelings after working with traumatized individuals. Many researchers mentioned the "Compassion Fatigue" that may affect many mental health professionals and volunteers (Adams, Boscarino, & Figley, 2006;Berzoff & Kita, 2010;Bride, Radey, & Figley, 2007;Thieleman & Cacciatore, 2014). The investigators are not sure exactly how many numbers have actually been involved in disaster relief efforts; however, according to FEMA and Citizen Corps Research (2009) in the United States and the Niwano Peace Foundation's (2013) research in Japan, about 60% of Japanese Buddhist and 57% of American Christian clergy might have been involved in natural disaster relief efforts.…”

“…According to Adams et al (2006), "Compassion Fatigue" is defined as the reduced capacity for empathy toward clients resulting from the repeated exposure to their trauma, and affects professionals and the clients they serve (Thieleman & Cacciatore, 2014). Furthermore, Baird and Jenkins (2003) said, "Although individuals in volunteer roles may spend fewer hours engaged with traumatized clients, research suggests they are nevertheless at risk of secondary traumatic stress and burnout" (p. 82).…”

Therapeutic implications of counselling psychologists’ responses to client trauma: An interpretative phenomenological analysis

“…Therapists' negative responses to traumatic imagery include frustration, shock, pain, anger, sadness and distress (Steed & Downing, 1998), as well as feeling horrified, angry, sad and nauseous during and after sessions (Iliffe & Steed, 2000). Adams et al (2006) argue that in order to protect themselves psychologically, trauma workers may avoid empathic engagement with their clients. Pearlman and MacIan (1995) report that trauma therapists with greater experience demonstrate more disconnection from their inner experience and lower concern for others.…”

Compassion Satisfaction and Compassion Fatigue Among Critical Care Nurses

“…medical-surgical, cardiovascular, pediatric, oncology, and hospice nurses, but rarely in critical care nurses. 18,[20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] The primary purpose of our study was to establish the prevalence of compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue in adult, pediatric, and neonatal critical care nurses at a large Magnet-designated academic medical center in western New York State. A secondary purpose was to describe the demographic, unit, and organizational factors that may contribute to both compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue in these nurses.…”