The effect of COVID-19 pandemic period upon nurses’ compassion fatigue

Authors : Alev Yıldırım Keskin, Birsel Molu, Zeynep Büşra Teke

Pages : 237-245

Doi:10.52880/sagakaderg.1392091

View : 54 | Download : 72

Publication Date : 2024-06-30

Article Type : Research

Abstract :Objective: Compassion fatigue is also defined as a physical, emotional, and mental decrease in working capacity together with burnout. This study was done to determine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic period upon nurses’ compassion fatigue. Materials and methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was done with 73 nurses between the 30th of January and the 28th of February, 2021. The data were gathered using an information request form developed in line with the literature and Compassion Fatigue Scale- Short Form. To assess the data; descriptive statistics, Independent Sample t-Test, One-Way ANOVA, and Pearson Correlation tests were employed. A difference was considered statistically significant if p<0.05. Results: Nurses’ average score in Compassion Fatigue Scale- Short Form (CFS/SF) was found to be 76.72±19.58. It was identified that those who were married showed significantly higher average scores in CFS/SF-secondary trauma subscale as compared to those who were single (p<0.05) and those who used alcohol had higher scores in CFS/SF-trauma and burnout subscales and in total CFS/SF considerably as compared to those who did not use alcohol (p<0.05). A significant, positive, and strong correlation was found between CFS/SF total and subscale average scores (p<0.001). Conclusion: Nurses’ compassion fatigue scores were determined to be above the average level. It may be recommended that nurses’ compassion levels should be improved and nurses should be strengthened against negative effects of compassion fatigue and provided with psychological support at intervals.
Keywords : COVID-19, Hemşirelik, Merhamet, Merhamet Yorgunluğu