The Prevalence and Associated Factors of Compassion Satisfaction and Compassion Fatigue Among Clinical Nurses in...

Compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue are critical to nurses' well-being and patient care. In China, factors such as high workloads and healthcare reforms may elevate nurses' risk for compassion fatigue.

To assess the prevalence and influencing factors of compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue among Chinese clinical nurses.

In this cross-sectional study, 581 registered nurses completed surveys on demographics, work-related factors, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Psychology Capital Questionnaire, Perceived Social Support Scale, and Professional Quality of Life Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, nonparametric tests, and multiple linear regression.

The prevalence of low, average, and high levels was 5.7%, 79.2%, and 15.1% for compassion satisfaction; 31.0%, 67.6%, and 1.4% for burnout; and 34.8%, 63.5%, and 1.7% for secondary traumatic stress, respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that compassion satisfaction (R ² = 54.3%), sleep quality (β = -0.09, p = 0.005), psychological capital (β = 0.540, p < 0.001), and social support (β = 0.215, p < 0.001) were significant predictors. Similarly, burnout (R ² = 46.9%), sleep quality (β = 0.224, p < 0.001), psychological capital (β = -0.329, p < 0.001), and social support (β = -0.289, p < 0.001) were significant predictors. Secondary traumatic stress (R ² = 8.0%), sleep quality (β = 0.231, p < 0.001), and social support (β = -0.13, p = 0.009) were also significant predictors.

Chinese clinical nurses experience significant compassion fatigue. Sleep quality, psychological capital, and social support are key factors associated with their professional quality of life, highlighting targets for intervention by nursing management.

It is important for nursing managers to recognize the susceptibility of nurses to compassion fatigue and develop specific strategies to alleviate burnout and secondary traumatic stress while fostering compassion satisfaction.