Results from the Pro-QOL-IV for Substance Abuse Counselors Working with Offenders

Abstract

This study examines compassion fatigue, burnout and compassion satisfaction in two groups of counselors who specialize in substance dependency treatment in order to identify the unique features of substance abuse service delivery that may be related to professional quality of life. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 20 substance abuse counselors working with offenders both in prison and community facilities. In addition, interview subjects completed the ProQOL-IV to assist in exploring the unique challenges that may face the substance abuse treatment field with regards to professional self-care. Two key themes emerged from the examination of the group of interviewees that scored high on the Compassion Fatigue Subscale on the ProQOL-IV, revealing that working with women is more challenging, and substance abuse counselors who have family members with addiction problems or themselves are in recovery may make one more susceptible to compassion fatigue. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media New York.