Compassion satisfaction, compassion fatigue, and burnout in a national sample of trauma treatment therapists

Abstract

For behavioral health professionals working with traumatized clients, continuous and prolonged exposure to the stress of working with the myriad of trauma-related stressors experienced by their clients can lead to various responses including burnout, compassion fatigue, and compassion satisfaction. The present study investigates the impact of using evidence-based practices on compassion fatigue, burnout, and compassion satisfaction in a random, national sample of self-identified trauma specialists (N=532). The 30-item Professional Quality of Life Scale (Stamm, 2005) and the 19-item Trauma Practices Questionnaire (Craig & Sprang, 2009) were included in a survey to licensed social workers and psychologists from professional membership rosters. Age and years of experience proved to be powerful predictors of only two of the three criterion variables, with younger professionals reporting higher levels of burnout and more experienced providers endorsing higher levels of compassion satisfaction. The utilization of evidence-based practices predicted statistically significant decreases in compassion fatigue and burnout, and increases in compassion satisfaction. The utility of these findings in understanding the process of trauma transmission between therapist and client as well as directions for future research are discussed.

Trauma-Informed Systems of Care: The Role of Organizational Culture in the Development of Burnout, Secondary Traumatic Stress, and Compassion Satisfaction

“…Trauma-informed caregiver development, specifically trauma-specific training can be used as an adaptive strategy to address compassion fatigue and provide support for professional development that goes beyond educating trauma caregivers (Craig & Sprang, 2010). Providing opportunities for trauma caregivers to develop skills associated with trauma work including self-care and effective therapies for survivors of trauma may show powerful results in the prevention of compassion fatigue and the increase of compassion satisfaction.…”

vécu professionnel des intervenants de la relation d'aide :

“…Ainsi, la nature même du travail en relation d'aide constitue l'élément initial, mais aussi un facteur de risque pour la FC et le TV. En ce sens, plus un intervenant passe du temps avec des clients souffrants et victimes de traumatismes, plus le risque de développer du stress traumatique secondaire augmente, favorisant ainsi la FC et le TV (Baird & Kracen, 2006;Brady et al, 1999;Bober & Regehr, 2006;Brady et al, 1999;Bell et al, 2003;Craig & Sprang, 2009;Cunningham, 2003;Figley, 2002b;Galek et al, 2011;Pearlman & Mac Ian, 1995;Perreault, 2004, Shalvi et al, 2011Sprang, Clark & Whitt-Woosley, 2007;VanDeusen & Way, 2006). …”

“…Ces deux troubles se manifestent sous plusieurs symptômes influençant négativement la vie personnelle, sociale et professionnelle des personnes qui en souffrent (Action ontarienne contre la violence faite aux femmes [AOcVF], 2007;Richardson, 2001). D'ailleurs, les membres de l'entourage, comme la famille, les amis et les collègues, ainsi que l'organisation dans le milieu de travail peuvent aussi être affectés négativement par la présence de la fatigue de compassion (FC) ou du traumatisme vicariant (TV) chez un intervenant (AOcVF, 2007;Kahn, 2003;Perreault, 2004;Richardson, 2001;Tabor, 2011 (Brady, Guy, Poelstra & Brokaw, 1999;Cunningham, 2003;Johnson & Hunter, 1997;Regehr & Cadell, 1999;Schauben & Frazier, 1995), e) les travailleurs des services de protection de la jeunesse (Allen, 2010;Bride, Jones & MacMaster, 2007;Cornille & Meyers, 1999), f) les intervenants de centre d'appels téléphoniques (Dunkley & Whelan, 2006a) et g) les thérapeutes travaillant avec les personnes victimes de traumatismes (Bourassa, 2009;Chrestman, 1995;Craig & Sprang, 2009;Doman, 2010; Follette et al, 1994;Gentry, 2002; KassamAdams, 1995;Pearlman & Mac Ian, 1995;Shalvi, Shenkman, Handgraaf & Dreu, 2011 (Cunningham, 1999;Dane, 2002;Figley, 2002b;McCann & Pearlman, 1990;Nelson-Gardell & Harris, 2003; Pearlman & Maclan, 1995;Sabin-Farrell & Turpin, 2003). Les symptômes associés au TV sont similaires à ceux du trouble de stress post-traumatique (TSPT), soit des symptômes neurovégétatifs ou encore d'intrusion et d'évitement (Bell et al, 2003;Brady, Poelstra & Brokaw, 1999; Dunkley & Whelan, 2006a, b;Hernandez, Gangsei & Engstrom, ...…”

Secondary Traumatic Stress: A Fact Sheet for Child-Serving Professionals

“…Risk is also higher for professionals who carry a heavy caseload of traumatized children; are socially or organizationally isolated; or feel professionally compromised due to inadequate training. [6][7][8] Protecting against the development of secondary traumatic stress are factors such as longer duration of professional experience, and the use of evidence-based practices in the course of providing care.…”

“…7,8,10,11 This questionnaire has been adapted to measure symptoms and behaviors reflective of secondary stress. The ProQOL can be used at regular intervals to track changes over time, especially when strategies for prevention or intervention are being tried.…”