Compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction among Chinese palliative care nurses: A province-wide cross-sectional survey

Professional quality of life profiles and its associations with turnover intention and life satisfaction among nurses: a prospective longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

Nursing shortage is a global issue. Turnover intention and life satisfaction are significant predictors of turnover. The specific nature of nursing and stressful work schedules lead to impaired professional quality of life (ProQOL), and existing studies have confirmed the effect of a dimension of ProQOL (such as secondary trauma stress, burnout and compassion satisfaction) on turnover intention and life satisfaction. Yet the heterogeneity of ProQOL across individuals is not known. A lack of research on the relationship between potential ProQOL subgroups and turnover intention and life satisfaction, and the mechanisms underlying this relationship remain understudied. The study aimed to determine different ProQOL profiles, and their cross-sectional and longitudinal effects on turnover intention and life satisfaction, while exploring the mediating roles of job satisfaction and work engagement within the relationship.

METHODS

Data were collected at a tertiary hospital in a northeastern province of China. An online questionnaire was administered twice over the course of six months. 1832 and 900 participates provided cross-sectional and longitudinal data respectively. We used latent profile analysis (LPA) and K-means clustering to identify ProQOL profiles, and used the PROCESS macro program to conduct mediation analysis.

RESULTS

The LPA results supported a 4-profile solution, including balanced protection, good quality, traumatic satisfaction and burnout problem. ProQOL profiles directly predicted nurses' current and subsequent turnover intention and life satisfaction. In addition, job satisfaction and work engagement mediated the effects of ProQOL profiles on turnover intention and life satisfaction in cross-sectional sample, and mediated the effects of ProQOL profiles on turnover intention in longitudinal sample.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that nurses' ProQOL has distinct categorical characteristics and is strongly associated with turnover intention and life satisfaction. Hospital administrators should implement individualized, join management and interventions according to each profile. Furthermore, more attentions should focus on improving nurses' job satisfaction and work engagement levels to promote good work and life outcomes.

The impact of the nursing work environment on compassion fatigue: The mediating role of general self-efficacy

AIM

To explore the interplay between the perceived nursing work environment, general self-efficacy, and compassion fatigue among registered nurses in Chinese hospitals.

BACKGROUND

Compassion fatigue emerges as a significant occupational stress response globally, with the nursing work environment being a pivotal influencer. There is a knowledge gap in understanding how the nursing work environment and general self-efficacy interrelate to affect compassion fatigue, particularly among Chinese nurses.

METHODS

Employing a cross-sectional, descriptive design, this study utilized validated questionnaires to gather data from 7085 nurses across public and private hospitals in China. The analysis focused on assessing the interrelations among the perceived nursing work environment, general self-efficacy, and different dimensions of compassion fatigue.

FINDING

More than half (65.67%) of the participants experienced moderate or high burnout levels, with 76.43% experiencing secondary traumatic stress. The lowest rating in the nursing work environment was for nurse/physician collaboration (10 ± 2.07), while general self-efficacy scored higher (27.54 ± 6.26). A positive relationship existed between the work environment and both general self-efficacy and compassion satisfaction, with a negative correlation to burnout and traumatic stress. General self-efficacy was a partial mediator in the link between work environment and compassion fatigue, suggesting that improving the work environment can decrease compassion fatigue by boosting nurses' self-efficacy.

CONCLUSION

This study underscores the profound impact of the nursing work environment on compassion fatigue, mediated by general self-efficacy. It highlights the necessity of fostering a supportive work environment to enhance nurses' self-efficacy and overall well-being.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY

Healthcare managers and institutions must create supportive work environments to reduce compassion fatigue among nurses. This includes professional development programs to enhance self-efficacy and job satisfaction. Policies should address high workloads and inadequate support. Nurse leaders should foster environments that promote psychological well-being, improving outcomes for both nurses and patients. Regular assessments and adjustments of work conditions are essential to maintain a healthy work environment.

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

OBJECTIVES

To explore the impact of social support on CF and further clarify the mediating role of self-efficacy among Geriatric Services and Management interns.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey study examined social support, self-efficacy and CF in 592 interns in Geriatric Services and Management from 46 institutions in China.

RESULT

The 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.

CONCLUSION

Social 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.

The mediating effect of coping styles between emergency capacity and mental workload among clinical nurses: A cross-sectional study

AIMS

This study aimed to examine the relationship between emergency capacity, coping styles, and mental workload among nurses.

BACKGROUND

Emergency capacity, coping styles, and mental workload are all variables associated with work. Identifying the relationship between these variables can facilitate administrators to implement tailored and effective intervention strategies to improve individual performance, quality of care, and medical safety.

METHODS

A quantitative cross-sectional study was carried out to investigate 605 Chinese clinical nurses in seven tertiary hospitals by using personal information form, emergency capacity scale for nurses, simplified coping skill questionnaire, and the NASA-Task Load Index.

RESULTS

Emergency capacity and mental workload were found at moderate levels. The multiple linear regression model suggested that spinsterhood, no children, high workload, always anxiety or nervousness, and lower monthly income were the influencing factors of mental workload. Positive coping style was positively correlated with emergency capacity and negatively correlated with mental workload. Negative coping style was negatively related to emergency capacity and positively related to mental workload. Additionally, coping styles played a partial mediating role in the relationship between emergency capacity and mental workload through constructing a structural equation model, but the effects of positive coping style and negative coping style are opposite.

CONCLUSION

Our results showed that coping styles played a mediating role in the relationship between emergency capacity and mental workload. Managers can alleviate the mental workload of nurses by cultivating positive coping styles and improving emergency capacity.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND NURSING POLICY

Mental workload of nurses deserves more attention in medical institutions. The results of our study provide evidence for improving employee health, promoting positive behaviors, and optimizing organizational management. Nursing managers should take feasible measures to fulfill nurses' needs for emergency capacity and coping strategies to alleviate nurses' mental workload, so as to stimulate their intrinsic motivation and positive organizational behavior.

Clinical nurses' compassion fatigue psychological experience process: a constructivist grounded theory study

BACKGROUND

Clinical nurses are susceptible to compassion fatigue when exposed to various types of traumatic events in patients for extended periods of time. However, the developmental process, staging, and psychological responses distinct to each stage of compassion fatigue in nurses are not fully clarified. This study aimed to explore the processes of compassion fatigue and the psychological experiences specific to each phase of compassion fatigue among clinical nurses.

METHODS

Charmaz's Constructivist Grounded Theory methodology was used in this qualitative research. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 clinical nurses with varying degrees of compassion fatigue from December 2020 to January 2021. Interview data were analyzed using grounded theory processes.

RESULTS

The data were categorized into five separate categories and 22 sub-categories. This study found that the process of compassion fatigue is dynamic and cumulative, which was classified into five phases: compassion experience period, compassion decrement period, compassion discomfort period, compassion distress period, and compassion fatigue period.

CONCLUSION

Clinical nurses who experience compassion fatigue may go through five stages that are stage-specific and predictable. The findings can shed light on local and global applications to better understand the problem of nurses' compassion fatigue. The interventions for addressing compassion fatigue in clinical nurses should be stage-specific, targeted, and individualized.

Nurses' perceptions of the challenges involved in providing of end-of-life care to people with heart failure: a context-based study

BACKGROUND

High quality end-of-life care is essential. Yet for those experiencing heart failure, the provision of high-quality end- of -life care can be challenging. The aim of this study was to explore Iranian nurses' perceptions of the challenges involved in providing of end-of-life care to people with heart failure.

METHODS

Conventional content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data collected from nurses (n = 33) using semi-structured and individual interviews. Participants were aged between 29 and 51 years. The majority of participants were women (n = 20). Most had a bachelor's degree (n = 24), and work experience of between 7 and 18 years.

RESULTS

Nurses challenges in providing end-of-life care to those with heart failure included (1) adverse consequences relating to compassion fatigue and continued futility in care and (2) lack of palliative care services with regards to a lack of specialists, lack of support from health systems, and poor teamwork.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first qualitative study to explore Iranian nurses' challenges in providing end-of-life care to those with heart failure. Investment is required in education and research in this area. Particular attention must be paid to prevention of compassion fatigue. Law changes would enable the delivery of higher-quality palliative care in this context overall.

The Relationship Between Coping Strategies, Compassion Satisfaction, and Compassion Fatigue During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction

The rapid spread of COVID-19 poses a significant threat to nurses' lives and health, resulting in varying degrees of mental distress. Nurses may experience compassion fatigue, and their professional quality of life and satisfaction may suffer as a result. Their coping mechanisms may vary as well, influencing their compassionate and safe care.

Objectives

The study's objectives are to explore levels of compassion satisfaction and fatigue among nurses and identify their coping strategies. Further, to investigate the relationship between coping strategies, compassion satisfaction, and compassion fatigue during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Using a descriptive correlational design, this study was conducted with a convenience sample of 443 nurses working in an Egyptian university hospital. Nurses completed the coping strategy indicator scale and the professional quality of life (compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue) scale. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and regression analysis.

Results

Nurses' professional quality of life was average in terms of compassion satisfaction (2.95 ± 0.92) and compassion fatigue (2.38 ± 0.35). Nurses have a moderate use of coping strategies (2.13 ± 0.35). Problem-solving was rated as the highest coping strategy, while avoidance was rated as the lowest. Coping strategies showed a positive correlation with compassion satisfaction (r = 0.503, p < .001) and a negative correlation with compassion fatigue (r = -0.352, p < .001). In addition, coping strategies could predict 25.4% and 12.4% of compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue, respectively (p < .001).

Conclusion

Compassion satisfaction and fatigue are key determinants of nurses' quality of work life. Coping strategies, especially problem-solving and support systems, are vital to increase compassion satisfaction and mitigate burnout and secondary stress syndrome. Nurse managers should establish supportive work environments that promote nurses' well-being. Resilience-building programs and coping strategies' training are recommended to enhance the nurses' quality of work life and positive work attitudes.

Status and related factors of burnout among palliative nurses in China: a cross-sectional study

Background

Burnout occurs frequently in nurses and seems more common in nurses providing palliative care. However, to our knowledge, there is a lack of understanding regarding the factors influencing burnout among palliative nurses in China.

Methods

A cross-sectional design was conducted. A total of 331 palliative nurses from 25 hospitals participated in this study. Anonymous data were collected through a self-designed social-demographic questionnaire, the Nursing Burnout Scale, the Perceived Social Support Scale, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and the Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire. Independent sample t tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlations, and multiple linear regressions were performed to identify the related factors of the three dimensions of burnout.

Results

In the results of multiple linear regression, resilience, health condition, coping style, and pessimistic personality were common related factors; in addition, end-of-life care training, social support, and income satisfaction were statistically significantly associated with burnout. These factors could explain 38.6%, 27.8%, and 34.5% of the total variance in emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment, respectively.

Conclusions

The findings of this study help policy makers and nurse managers better understand burnout among palliative nurses in China. The results highlighted the importance of implementing culture-oriented training programs, providing perceived organizational support, and building a reasonable salary system to decrease burnout among palliative nurses, increase the quality of nursing and promote the development of Chinese palliative care.

Explanatory Models of Burnout Diagnosis Based on Personality Factors in Primary Care Nurses

Burnout in the primary care service takes place when there is a high level of interaction between nurses and patients. Explanatory models based on psychological and personality related variables provide an approximation to level changes in the three dimensions of the burnout syndrome. A categorical-response ordinal logistic regression model, based on a quantitative, crosscutting, multicentre, descriptive study with 242 primary care nurses in the Andalusian Health Service in Granada (Spain) is performed for each dimension. The three models included all the variables related to personality. The risk factor friendliness was significant at population level for the three dimensions, whilst openness was never significant. Neuroticism was significant in the models related to emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, whilst responsibility was significant for the models referred to depersonalization and personal accomplishment dimensions. Finally, extraversion was also significant in the emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment dimensions. The analysis performed provides useful information, making more readily the diagnosis and evolution of the burnout syndrome in this collective.