Compassion Fatigue and Family Caregivers Caring in End-Stage Heart Failure

Background: Compassion fatigue is a negative consequence impacting caregivers of chronic illness, such as heart failure. Reliance on family caregivers is expected to rise, placing importance on recognizing family caregiver characteristics that contribute to compassion fatigue. Purpose: This study specifically examined the associations of characteristics of family caregivers caring for end-stage heart failure, compassion satisfaction, social desirability, and the family caregiver-nursing provider relationship on compassion fatigue. Methods: An adapted interaction model of client health behavior guided this cross-sectional survey, which comprised a demographic questionnaire, the Professional Quality-of-Life Scale, the caregiver-provider relationship assessment, the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale Short Form (Form C), and the Bakas Caregiving Outcomes Scale. Results: There were 127 family caregivers (FCGs), primarily those who have been a caregiver for longer than 1 year (78.4%), who completed the entire survey. Increased compassion satisfaction and positive caregiving effects were associated with decreased compassion fatigue (p < .001), while increased social desirability was associated with increased compassion fatigue (p < .001). A positive family caregiver-nursing provider relationship was related to decreased compassion fatigue (p < .001). More compassion fatigue was seen with lower spiritual status (p < .001). Implications: The chronic progression of heart failure presents opportunities for nursing providers to assess caregivers and offer frequent interventions. Family caregivers may not ask for help. Nursing providers must foster relationships with family caregivers to prevent negative consequences and mitigate compassion fatigue. Future research on the nursing provider relationship and FCGs is needed.