Compassion Satisfaction, Burnout and Compassion Fatigue within the Context of the Dimensions of the Professional Quality of Life Scale in Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of compassion satisfaction, burnout and compassion fatigue, which are the dimensions of the professional quality of life, among nurses working in a university hospital, and the affecting demographic and occupational factors. Material and Methods: The population of this cross-sectional study included 349 nurses and the study was completed with 253 nurses (72.5%). The data were collected using the personal information form and "Professional Quality of Life Scale" developed by Stamm. Results: The mean scores obtained by the nurses participating in the study were as follows: 32.08±9.09 for the compassion satisfaction subscale, 25.75±5.87 for the burnout subscale, and 18.50±7.57 for the compassion fatigue subscale. The level of compassion satisfaction was significantly higher among nurses working in surgical clinics. The burnout levels of the participants were affected by the marital status. The married nurses obtained significantly higher mean scores from the burnout subscale. There were not differences between the participants' compassion fatigue levels in terms of the demographic variables. Conclusion: While the participating nurses had low levels of compassion satisfaction, they had moderate levels of burnout, and high levels of compassion fatigue.