Professional quality of life and caring behaviors of nurses in South India: a cross sectional study

Abstract

Background: Nurses’ professional quality of life (ProQoL) is closely related to their caring behaviors, while caring behavior impacts nurses’ performance and the well-being of the patients. This study aimed at identifying the factors associated with compassion satisfaction, compassion fatigue, and caring behaviors of nurses. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 110 nurses working in a private hospital in South India. The data were collected using a three-part, self-administered questionnaire, consisting of demographic data, the ProQoL scale measuring compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue, and the Caring Behavior Inventory-24. The correlations and univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the factors influencing the compassion satisfaction, compassion fatigue, and caring behaviors of nurses. Results: ProQOL scores were high for compassion satisfaction (53.6%) and average for compassion fatigue (62.7%), and none of them had a high level of compassion fatigue. A great majority (93.6%) of the nurses had a high perception of caring behaviors. There was a significant positive relationship between compassion satisfaction and the caring behaviors (p<0.001) and a negative relationship between compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction (p<0.001). The compassion fatigue (p < 0.05) and caring behaviors (p<0.001) of nurses were significant predictors of nurses’ compassion satisfaction, whereas nurses being married, nurses having children, and compassion satisfaction were significant factors contributing to nurses’ compassion fatigue. Also, caring behaviors were influenced by their age and clinical experience. Conclusion: The compassion satisfaction of the nurses predicts compassion fatigue and their caring behaviors.