Factors associated with compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction in obstetrics and gynaecology nurses: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract

Aims:To examine the factors influencing compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction in obstetrics and gynaecology nurses and to explore the combined results of multiple factors.Design: An online cross-sectional study was conducted.Review Methods: Data were collected from 311 nurses using a convenience sampling method from January to February 2022. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis and mediation tests were performed.Results: Compassion fatigue in obstetrics and gynaecology nurses was in the moderate to high levels. Physical status, number of children, emotional labour, lack of professional efficacy, emotional exhaustion and the none-only-child can influence compassion fatigue; lack of professional efficacy, cynicism, social support, work experience, employment status and night shift were predictive of compassion satisfaction.Social support partially mediated between lack of professional efficacy and compassion fatigue/compassion satisfaction; emotional labour moderated in the mediated analysis model. Conclusion:Moderate to high levels of compassion fatigue was present in 75.88% of obstetrics and gynaecology nurses. Some factors affect compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction. Thus, nursing managers should consider factors and construct a monitoring system to reduce compassion fatigue and improve compassion satisfaction. Implications for the Profession:The results will provide a theoretical basis for improving job satisfaction and the quality of care in obstetrics and gynaecology nurses. And this may raise concerns about the occupational health of obstetrics and gynaecology nurses in China. Reporting Method:The study was reported according to the STROBE.

Effect of compassion fatigue on emotional labor in female nurses: Moderating effect of self-compassion

“…Unlike previous studies that generally explored the impact of emotional labor on compassion fatigue [ 9 , 10 ], this study is the first to verify from the perspective of conservation of resources theory and self-determination theory that compassion fatigue has a significant effect on emotional labor, and that self-compassion moderates the relationship between compassion fatigue and emotional labor. However, several limitations existed in this study.…”

“…In contrast to Wang et al [ 10 ], who determined that compassion fatigue is the cost of emotional labor, the present study delved into the effect of compassion fatigue on emotional labor. Compared with emotional labor performed by general workers in the service sector, health care service providers generally choose their profession because of their sympathetic nature, altruistic motivation, or identification with the ideal that nurses should be sympathetic and compassionate toward patients.…”

“…However, most researchers studying the relationship between compassion fatigue and emotional labor have considered compassion fatigue as the cost of emotional labor, believing that emotional labor increases compassion fatigue and affects the commitment of nurses to display compassion and care for patients, which is ultimately detrimental to patient care [ 9 , 10 ]. Can compassion fatigue also affect the emotional labor of nurses?…”