PROFESSIONAL QUALITY OF LIFE, LONELINESS, AND EMPATHY IN PROFESSIONAL CAREGIVERS

Abstract Retaining professional caregivers is an ongoing challenge for home care agencies. Thus, understanding emotional factors associated with caregiver burnout is critical. While professional caregivers are at risk for burnout and loneliness, less is known about how these factors relate to empathy and professional quality of life. Professional caregivers (n=31) currently employed at two U.S. non-skilled home care agencies participated by completing several questionnaires. Surveys included: UCLA Loneliness Scale (loneliness), Interpersonal Reactivity Index (empathy), and the Professional Quality of Life Scale (compassion satisfaction, compassion fatigue, and burnout). Participants were adults (M=56.8, SD=11.5, Range=24-75 years; 90.3% female) who had obtained an Associates degree (education years: M=14.2, SD=1.7). Overall, participants reported average to high levels of loneliness (M=37.5, SD=9.8), and emotional (M=23.2, SD=3.7) and cognitive (M=20.3, SD=4.6) empathy. Caregivers generally reported positive feelings about their work (compassion satisfaction: M=42.8, SD=5.0) and low levels of burnout (M=17.1, SD=4.2). In contrast, they reported relatively high levels of compassion fatigue (M=17.7, SD=4.0). Burnout was positively associated with compassion fatigue (r=.7, p<.001), and loneliness (r=.5, p=.004), whereas a negative association was found between burnout and cognitive empathy (r=-.5, p=.008). Using a linear regression, the associations between compassion fatigue, loneliness, and cognitive empathy were examined in relation to burnout. This model was statistically significant (r2=.72; F change (3,21)=17.8, p<.001), but only compassion fatigue (p=.002) and cognitive empathy (p=.002) were significant predictors of burnout. This study highlights the importance of the contributing role of socioemotional factors to burnout experienced in a professional caregiving setting.

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Compassion Satisfaction and Compassion Fatigue Among Critical Care Nurses

Critical Care Nurse ◽

10.4037/ccn2015392 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 35 (4) ◽

pp. 32-42 ◽

Cited By ~ 80

Author(s):

Tara L. Sacco ◽

Susan M. Ciurzynski ◽

Megan Elizabeth Harvey ◽

Gail L. Ingersoll

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Critical Care ◽

Work Environment ◽

Compassion Fatigue ◽

Compassion Satisfaction ◽

Critical Care Nurses ◽

Professional Quality Of Life ◽

Professional Quality ◽

Quality Of Life Scale

BACKGROUNDAlthough critical care nurses gain satisfaction from providing compassionate care to patients and patients’ families, the nurses are also at risk for fatigue. The balance between satisfaction and fatigue is considered professional quality of life.OBJECTIVESTo establish the prevalence of compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue in adult, pediatric, and neonatal critical care nurses and to describe potential contributing demographic, unit, and organizational characteristics.METHODSIn a cross-sectional design, nurses were surveyed by using a demographic questionnaire and the Professional Quality of Life Scale to measure levels of compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction.RESULTSNurses (n = 221) reported significant differences in compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue on the basis of sex, age, educational level, unit, acuity, change in nursing management, and major systems change.CONCLUSIONSUnderstanding the elements of professional quality of life can have a positive effect on work environment. The relationship between professional quality of life and the standards for a healthy work environment requires further investigation. Once this relationship is fully understood, interventions to improve this balance can be developed and tested.

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Occupational therapy fieldwork educators: Examining professional quality of life

Work ◽

10.3233/wor-213586 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-13

Author(s):

Emily Z. Eddy ◽

Linda Tickle-Degnen ◽

Mary E. Evenson

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Occupational Therapy ◽

Compassion Fatigue ◽

Compassion Satisfaction ◽

Professional Quality Of Life ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Professional Quality ◽

Quality Of Life Scale

BACKGROUND: Occupational therapy practitioners with the simultaneous working role of fieldwork educator support the growth of the profession by supervising students, but little is known about their reported burnout, compassion fatigue, and compassion satisfaction levels, and if specific work characteristics predict those levels. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research was to: 1) assess the current levels of compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, and burnout in occupational therapy fieldwork educators through The Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL), and 2) to explore how professional characteristic variables correlate and predict the measured constructs of compassion fatigue, burnout, and compassion satisfaction. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was used, and participants were recruited from a convenience sample to complete the ProQOL and a work characteristic questionnaire. RESULTS: On the average, 117 fieldwork educators scored higher on the subscale of compassion satisfaction when compared to those of the normed group. Linear regression analyses revealed that a higher number of roles and greater years working predicted higher compassion satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: This study contributes to understanding the experiences of fieldwork educators in multiple roles, their reported levels of compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, and burnout, and the potential for development of personal, educational and organizational resources to support professional quality of life indicators within the role of fieldwork educator.

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Compassion Satisfaction, Burnout, and Secondary Traumatic Stress Among Critical Care Nurses in Iran

Journal of Transcultural Nursing ◽

10.1177/1043659619838876 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

pp. 59-66 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Sedigheh Salimi ◽

Vahid Pakpour ◽

Azad Rahmani ◽

Marian Wilson ◽

Hossein Feizollahzadeh

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Critical Care ◽

Compassion Fatigue ◽

Traumatic Stress ◽

Secondary Traumatic Stress ◽

Compassion Satisfaction ◽

Critical Care Nurses ◽

Professional Quality Of Life ◽

Professional Quality

Introduction: This study investigated the relationship between compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction among Iranian nurses working in critical care units. Method: A cross-sectional, descriptive survey using the Professional Quality of Life instrument was administered to 400 nurses working in the intensive care units of Iranian hospitals. Results: High risk levels of burnout and secondary traumatic stress existed among 42% and 96% of participants, respectively. Significant positive relationships were detected between burnout and secondary traumatic stress. An inverse relationship was detected between measures of compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction. Discussion: To ensure culturally congruent care, it is important to evaluate professional quality of life within the context of specific cultures and societies. Iranian critical care nurses are at risk for burnout and secondary traumatic stress. Personal self-care and organizational wellness approaches that consider cultural norms should be designed to boost compassion satisfaction and reduce negative effects of stressful work environments.

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Satisfação, fadiga por compaixão e fatores associados em enfermeiros da atenção básica

Enfermería Global ◽

10.6018/eglobal.457511 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 (4) ◽

pp. 291-323

Author(s):

Natalia Violim Fabri ◽

Julia Trevisans Martins ◽

Maria Jose Quina Galdino ◽

Renata Perfeito Ribeiro ◽

Aline Aparecida Oliveira Moreira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Associated Factors ◽

Compassion Satisfaction ◽

Lower Probability ◽

Professional Quality Of Life ◽

Basic Health ◽

Professional Quality ◽

Quality Of Life Scale ◽

Life Scale

Objetivo: Verificar la satisfacción y la fatiga debido a la compasión y sus factores asociados en las enfermeras de la Unidad Básica de Salud.Método: Se trata de una investigación descriptiva y transversal desarrollada con 101 enfermeras de 40 Unidades Básicas de Salud en un municipio de Paraná. Los datos se recopilaron entre noviembre de 2019 y febrero de 2020 a través de un cuestionario de caracterización sociodemográfica, hábitos profesionales y de vida y la Professional Quality of Life Scale que evalúa la Satisfacción y fatiga por compasión. Los factores asociados fueron obtenidos por modelos de regresión logística.Resultados: Tener una buena relación interpersonal disminuyó las posibilidades de baja satisfacción por compasión (p=0,025) y burnout (p=0,049). Ser reconocido en el trabajo tenía una probabilidad significativamente menor de baja satisfacción por compasión (p=0,040).Conclusión: Buenas relaciones interpersonales se asociaron con la satisfacción de la compasión y el burnout. Sentirse reconocido por el trabajo realizado también se asoció con la satisfacción por la compasión. La mayoría de las enfermeras, incluso con altos niveles de satisfacción debido a la compasión, se siente cansada, lo que lleva a reforzar la necesidad de una mayor atención al trabajo desarrollado por las enfermeras en la Unidad Básica de Salud por los gerentes. Objective: Verifying satisfaction and fatigue due to compassion and its associated factors in nurses of the Basic Health Unit.Method: A descriptive and cross-sectional research developed with 101 nurses from 40 Basic Health Units in a municipality of Parana. Data were collected between November 2019 and February 2020 through a questionnaire of sociodemographic characterization, occupational and life habits and the Professional Quality of Life Scale that assesses Satisfaction and Fatigue by Compassion. The associated factors were obtained by logistic regression models.Results: Having a good interpersonal relationship decreased the chances of low satisfaction by compassion (p=0.025) and burnout (p=0.049). Being recognized at work had a significantly lower probability of low compassion satisfaction (p=0.040).Conclusion: Good interpersonal relationships were associated with compassion satisfaction and burnout. Feeling recognized for the work done was also associated with satisfaction for compassion. Most nurses, even with high levels of satisfaction due to compassion, feel tired, which leads to reinforce the need for greater attention to the work developed by nurses in the Basic Health Unit by managers. Objetivo: Verificar a satisfação e a fadiga por compaixão e seus fatores associados em enfermeiros de Unidade Básica de Saúde. Método: Pesquisa descritiva e transversal desenvolvida com 101 enfermeiros de 40 Unidades Básicas de Saúde de um município paranaense. Os dados foram coletados entre novembro de 2019 a fevereiro de 2020 por meio de um questionário de caracterização sociodemográfica, ocupacional e hábitos de vida e a Professional Quality of Life Scale que avalia a Satisfação e a Fadiga por Compaixão. Os fatores associados foram obtidos por modelos de regressão logística. Resultados: Possuir bom relacionamento interpessoal diminuiu as chances de baixa satisfação por compaixão (p=0,025) e burnout (p=0,049). Ser reconhecido no trabalho teve probabilidade significativamente menor de baixa satisfação por compaixão (p=0,040). Conclusão: O bom relacionamento interpessoal teve associação com a satisfação por compaixão e o burnout. Sentir-se reconhecido pelo trabalho realizado também esteve associado com a satisfação por compaixão. A maioria dos enfermeiros mesmo com altos níveis de satisfação por compaixão, sentem-se cansados, o que leva a reforçar a necessidade de maior atenção ao trabalho desenvolvido pelos enfermeiros de Unidade Básica de Saúde pelos gestores.

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Transcendent Characteristics as Predictors of Counselor Professional Quality of Life

Journal of Mental Health Counseling ◽

10.17744/mehc.41.1.05 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 41 (1) ◽

pp. 51-64 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Brandon R. Browning ◽

Ryon C. McDermott ◽

Marjorie E. Scaffa

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Compassion Fatigue ◽

Compassion Satisfaction ◽

Meaningful Work ◽

Spiritual Experiences ◽

Professional Quality Of Life ◽

Counselor Burnout ◽

Professional Quality ◽

Daily Spiritual Experiences

Although counselors do meaningful work, they can also experience compassion fatigue as a result of counseling clients. Relatively few studies have focused on how counselors' positive characteristics might contribute to their professional quality of life. This study combined the transcendent constructs of gratitude, hope, and daily spiritual experiences as predictors of counselor burnout and compassion satisfaction. Counselors (N = 98) completed a survey assessing professional quality of life and constructs of gratitude, hope, and daily spiritual experiences. After controlling for demographic variables, simultaneous regression analysis revealed that gratitude and daily spiritual experiences were significant negative predictors for burnout. Older counselors were also less likely to have burnout, highlighting questions about what strengths are developed with age. Hope was the only significant predictor of compassion satisfaction. Results suggest that these predictors are differentially related to aspects of professional quality of life and may hold promise as potential protective factors.

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Correlates of Professional Quality of Life in Nurses

Annals of King Edward Medical University ◽

10.21649/akemu.v23i4.2222 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 23 (4) ◽

pp. 463-467

Author(s):

Zehra Mohsin ◽

Sarah Shahed ◽

Talat Sohail

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Social Support ◽

Compassion Fatigue ◽

Perceived Social Support ◽

Compassion Satisfaction ◽

Demographic Variables ◽

Public Hospitals ◽

Professional Quality Of Life ◽

Professional Quality

To look into the correlation between demographic variables, perceived social support and professional quality of lifeof nurses in public hospitals. A sample of 160 nurses of age (M=33.48, SD=9.18) was selected from public hospitals of Lahore. The nurses completed a demographic information form, MultidimensionalScale of Perceived Social Supportand Professional Quality of Life Scale. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Two demographic variables, age and experience had significant positive correlation with compassion fatigue, r =.252, n=160, p <.01 and r =.256, n=160, p <.01 respectively. Other demographicvariables i.e. working hours and monthly income had no significant relationship with the subscales of Professional Quality of Life (compassion satisfaction, compassion fatigue and burnout). Perceived Social Support had a significant correlation with compassion satisfaction, r=.222, n=160, p<.01. It was concluded that the relationship between age, experience and compassion fatigue of nurses was significantly positive. The greater the age and experience of the nurses the more likely they are to have compassion fatigue. Perceived Social Support was related with compassion satisfaction which suggests that nurses’ perception of social support can increase their compassion satisfaction.

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A Preliminary Analysis of Compassion Fatigue in a Surgeon Population: Are Female Surgeons at Heightened Risk?

The American Surgeon ◽

10.1177/000313481708301136 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 83 (11) ◽

pp. 1302-1307 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Daniel Wu ◽

Brian Gross ◽

Katelyn Rittenhouse ◽

Carissa Harnish ◽

Claire Mooney ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Compassion Fatigue ◽

Trauma Surgery ◽

Professional Quality Of Life ◽

Professional Quality ◽

Quality Of Life Scale ◽

Life Scale ◽

Female Surgeons ◽

Trauma Surgeons

Compassion fatigue (CF), a state of physical/emotional distress caused by repeatedly caring for those experiencing traumatic episodes, is a prevalent issue for today's healthcare provider. We sought to characterize levels of CF within a surgeon population, particularly comparing trauma surgery with other surgical specialties. A survey containing the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL), a validated tool assessing compassion satisfaction (CS), CF, and burnout (BO) was distributed via electronic newsletter to members of the American College of Surgeons. Demographic data and Professional Quality of Life Scale scores for CS, BO, and CF were collected and compared within specialty and gender subgroups. A total of 178 surgeons completed surveys. Respondents were predominantly male, general surgeons, >55 years old. Trauma surgeons composed the second largest subgroup. Levels of CS were significantly lower in the trauma surgeon subgroup compared to other surgical specialties (trauma: 37.1 ± 5.28, other: 39.5 ± 6.30; P = 0.044). Female surgeons from all specialties exhibited significantly higher levels of BO (female: 26.7 ± 6.10, male: 24.6 ± 6.79; P = 0.035) and CF (female: 24.2 ± 6.29, male: 21.9 ± 6.11; P = 0.021) compared with male surgeons. Subanalyses comparing female trauma surgeons to female surgeons in other specialties found female trauma surgeons exhibited significantly lower levels of CS (trauma: 34.8 ± 4.63, other: 38.8 ± 5.99; P = 0.038) and higher levels of BO (trauma: 29.1 ± 3.14, other: 25.3 ± 6.41; P = 0.049). Trauma surgeons, particularly female trauma surgeons, may be at a heightened risk for developing a poorer overall professional quality of life compared with surgeons of other specialties. In addition, female surgeons may be at greater risk for developing CF compared with male counterparts.

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Positive and negative emotional responses to workrelated trauma of intensive care nurses in private health care facilities

Health SA Gesondheid ◽

10.4102/hsag.v16i1.436 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Diane Elkonin ◽

Lizelle Van der Vyver

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care ◽

Compassion Fatigue ◽

Secondary Trauma ◽

Compassion Satisfaction ◽

Private Health Care ◽

Professional Quality Of Life ◽

Professional Quality ◽

Quality Of Life Scale ◽

Life Scale

Intensive care nursing is a stressful occupation and nurses are continually subjected to both primary and secondary trauma. Responses may be positive in the form of compassion satisfaction, or negative in the form of compassion fatigue. However, nurses tend to deny the negative impact of secondary trauma which leads to the silencing response and subsequent burnout. This article explores and describes the presence of these emotions and the relationships between them. A quantitative approach with a non-probability sampling method was used. The sample consisted of 30 registered nurses working in private health care intensive care units in East London, Eastern Cape. Data were gathered via the Professional Quality of Life Scale: Compassion Satisfaction and Fatigue Subscales – Revision IV (ProQOL – R-IV) and the Silencing Response Scale and were analysed according to descriptive statistics and correlation coefficients. Findings suggest a high risk for compassion fatigue, a moderate risk for burnout and the silencing response and moderate potential for compassion satisfaction. A marked negative relationship was found between compassion satisfaction and burnout and a substantial positive relationship between compassion fatigue and burnout, as well as compassion fatigue and the silencing response.OpsommingIntensiewesorgverpleging is ‘n stresvolle beroep en verpleegsters word gedurig aan beide primêre en sekondêre trauma blootgestel. Reaksie hierop kan óf positief wees, in die vorm van empatie-tevredenheid, óf negatief, in die vorm van empatie-uitputting. Verpleegsters is egter geneig om die negatiewe impak van sekondêre trauma te ontken,wat gevolglik tot stilswye en uitbranding kan lei. Hierdie artikel ondersoek en beskryf die teenwoordigheid en verwantskap tussen hierdie emosies. ‘n Kwantitatiewe benadering met ‘n nie-waarskynlikheidsteekproefmetode is gebruik. Die steekproef het bestaan uit 30 geregistreerde verpleegsters wat in privaat-intensiewesorgeenhede in Oos-Londen in die Oos-Kaap werk. Data is met behulp van die vierde hersiening van die ’Professional Quality of Life Scale: Compassion Satisfaction and Fatigue Subscales’ en die ’Silencing Response Scale’ingevorder en verwerk met verwysing na beskrywende statistieke en korrelasiekoëffisiente. Die resultate dui op ‘n hoë risiko vir empatie-uitputting, ‘n matige risiko vir uitbranding en die stilswye-reaksie, sowel as ‘n matige potensiaal vir empatie-tevredenheid. ‘n Beduidende negatiewe verwantskap blyk tussen empatie-tevredenheid en uitbranding te bestaan, terwyl ‘n aansienlik positiewe verwantskap tussen empatie-uitputting en uitbranding en empatieuitputting en die stilswye-reaksie bestaan.

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PSICHOLOGŲ IŠGYVENAMOS UŽUOJAUTOS PASEKMIŲ, PERVARGIMO IR SVEIKATAI PALANKAUS ELGESIO SĄSAJOS

Psichologija ◽

10.15388/psichol.2010.0.2572 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 42 ◽

pp. 44-58 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

R. Aukštinaitytė ◽

L. Zajančkauskaitė-Staskevičienė

Keyword(s):

Compassion Fatigue ◽

Self Care ◽

Compassion Satisfaction ◽

Professional Quality Of Life ◽

Professional Quality ◽

Quality Of Life Scale ◽

Life Scale ◽

Health Related ◽

Health Related Behaviour

Pristatomo tyrimo tikslas – įvertinti psichologų užuojautos keliamo nuovargio, teikiamo pasitenkinimo bei pervargimo tarpusavio ryšius ir sąsajas su sveikatai palankiu elgesiu. Tyrime dalyvavo 103 psichologai. Taikytos metodikos: Profesinio gyvenimo kokybės skalė (The Professional Quality of Life Scale – ProQOL; Stamm,1999–2000), Rūpinimosi savimi ir gyvenimo stiliaus pusiausvyros klausimynas (Self Care and Lifestyle Balance Inventory; McKay, 2004).Rezultatai atskleidė teigiamą užuojautos keliamo nuovargio koreliaciją su pervargimu ir neigiamą užuojautos teikiamo pasitenkinimo koreliaciją su pervargimu. Stipriau išreikštas sveikatai palankus elgesys siejasi su didesniu užuojautos teikiamu pasitenkinimu ir mažesniu užuojautos keliamu nuovargiu. Nustatyti reikšmingi išgyvenamos užuojautos pasekmių ir sveikatai palankaus elgesio būdų ryšiai: įsiklausymo į kūno signalus, gebėjimo atsikratyti darbinės įtampos ir kt. Nustatytos sąsajos tarp užuojautos teikiamo pasitenkinimo ir darbo krūvio, tiriamųjų laikymo save tikinčiais ir lankymosi bažnyčioje, tarp pervargimo ir švietimo įstaigoje išdirbto laiko bei sveikatai palankaus elgesio ir darboviečių skaičiaus.Pagrindiniai žodžiai: užuojauta, užuojautos keliamas nuovargis, užuojautos teikiamas pasitenkinimas, pervargimas, sveikatai palankus elgesys.Relationship between experienced compassion outcomes, burnout and health-related behaviour among psychologistsAukštinaitytė R., Zajančkauskaitė-Staskevičienė L. SummaryThe profession of psychologist is based on compassion which may have positive and negative outcomes for a professional. The energy of compassion can be transformed either into fatigue or into satisfaction, depending on the psychologist’s skills to increase affect, resources, and self-care as well as to maintain a balance between personal and professional life. Compassion satisfaction is about the pleasure a psychologist derives from being able to do work well and feeling a pleasure to help others. Compassion fatigue is a direct result of exposure to client’s suffering and complicated by a lack of support in the workplace. Burnout is not directly related to compassion but associated with feelings of hopelessness and difficulties in dealing with conflicts between professional standards and personal feelings and values. Self-care is a potential mechanism to increase the positive and reduce negative outcomes of work on psychologists’ well-being.The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction and burnout as well as correlations of these constructs with health-related behaviour among psychologists. 103 psychologists took part in the study. The Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL, Stamm, 1999–2000), Self Care and Lifestyle Balance Inventory (McKay, 2004) were used.The results have indicated that compassion fatigue positively correlates with burnout (r = 0.725, p < 0.001). In contrast, compassion satisfaction negatively correlates with burnout (r = –0.209, p = 0.035). Also, it has been found that self-care is related with a higher level of compassion satisfaction (r = 0.356, p < 0.001) and with a lower level of compassion fatigue (r = –0.195, p = 0.048). Significant positive correlations have been found among a greater level of compassion satisfaction and sleeping quality, listening to the signals of one’s own body, preservation of good working and communication skills and healthy limits when struggling for onerself, short brakes at work, time spent with trusted people, self-believe and believing in one’s own abilities and satisfaction with important things in life. Compassion fatigue negatively correlates with the ability to leave the working strain behind, hearing the signals of one’s own body, preservation of healthy limits when struggling for oneself and not allowing others to exhaust you and setting real goals of life and systematically reaching them. Positive correlation has been recognized between compassion satisfaction and workload (r = 0.211, p = 0.033). A greater level of compassion satisfaction is also associated with the participants of the study considering themselves believers and church visiting. Additionally positive correlation has been found between psychologists’ burnout and a greater length of time working in education section. Self-care negatively correlates with a greater number of employments.Keywords: compassion, compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, burnout, health related behaviour.

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Professional Quality of Life in Research Involving Laboratory Animals

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11092639 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (9) ◽

pp. 2639

Author(s):

Olatz Goñi-Balentziaga ◽

Sergi Vila ◽

Iván Ortega-Saez ◽

Oscar Vegas ◽

Garikoitz Azkona

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Compassion Fatigue ◽

Internal Validity ◽

Compassion Satisfaction ◽

Spanish Population ◽

Laboratory Animals ◽

Professional Quality Of Life ◽

Good Reliability ◽

Professional Quality

Many workers contribute to the success of animal welfare and study outcomes in biomedical research. However, the professional quality of life (ProQoL) of those who work with laboratory animals has not been explored in Spain. To this end, we adapted the ProQoL scale to the Spanish population working with laboratory animals. Participants were contacted by email and asked to complete an anonymous on-line questionnaire. The study comprised a total of 498 participants, 12.4% welfare officers/veterinarians, 19.5% caretaker/technicians, 13.9% principal investigators, 20.7% investigators, 13.6% research technicians, and 19.9% PhD students. The adapted scale revealed very good reliability and internal validity, providing information about two different subscales, compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue. Animal-facility personnel showed higher total ProQoL and compassion-satisfaction scores than researchers; PhD students showed the lowest scores. Thus, our results indicate that job category is a contributing factor in perceived professional quality of life. We observed that compassion satisfaction is negatively associated with the perceived animal stress/pain. Participants reporting poorer compassion satisfaction also reported lower social-support scores. Overall, our ProQoL scale is a useful tool for analyzing the professional quality of life in the Spanish population, and may help to design future interventions to improve workplace wellbeing in Spain and other Spanish-speaking populations.

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